Fun Facts About The Dogs On Sophie’s Fetch Design

Sophie’s latest design Fetch features all our favourite dogs, including dachshunds, cockapoos, dalmatians, jack russells, west highland terriers, cocker spaniels, springer spaniels, British bulldogs and chocolate brown labradors. With so many beautiful dogs, we thought we’d put together some fun facts about dogs, looking at all the gorgeous breeds on Sophie's Fetch collection!

Things You Didn’t Know About Dachshunds 

1. The name Dachshund is German for badger dog. Originally Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, with their short legs keeping them low to the ground allowing them to track scents and their small bodies meant they could crawl into burrows. 
2. Dachshunds have excellent temperaments and are known as intelligent, lively and courageous dogs. They can be a little stubborn but have loving personalities, and they especially love cuddles with their pawents. 
3. There are many different varieties of Dachshunds. First, we have two sizes with the standard size weighing up to approximately 35 pounds, and the miniature size weighing up to 11 pounds. There are different types of coats too, including smooth, wirehaired and longhaired coats. Finally, when it comes to their beautiful colours, there are lots including red, cream, black and tan, black and cream, chocolate and tan, chocolate and cream, blue (dilution of black) or Isabella (dilution of chocolate). They can also have dapple, brindle, sable or piebald patterns!

Three Cockapoo Facts We Love

1. Cockapoos are one of the first known ‘designer’ dog breeds and have been popular since the 1960s. The cocker spaniel and poodle mix make a pawfect family pet, and their excited faces are sure to make you smile every day.
2. Cockapoos have a mix of brilliant traits. This curly-haired breed is known for their intelligence, and they also have lots of energy, love playtime and are known for getting the zoomies.
3. They have low-shedding coats. Cockapoos like all dogs have hair (lots of it), so they are not 100% hypoallergenic, but they are a low shedding breed which means they have less dander making allergic reactions minimal.

Dalmatian Facts Just For You

1. We’re not actually sure where Dalmatians originated from as they are such an old breed. They have had so many names over the years including, the Fire House Dog, the English Coach Dog, the Carriage Dog, the Plum Pudding Dog and the Spotted Dick.
2. Dalmatians striking spots are everywhere. Their distinctive markings are easily recognisable and are usually black or brown, although they can also appear lemon, blue or brindle. Each Dalmatian has unique spots, and you can find them all over their bodies, including inside their mouth. Adults are covered in spots but puppy Dalmatians are born spotless and usually develop them at about four weeks.
3. They are as charming in real life as they are in the film 101 Dalmatians. They can go from being goofy to being fearless in seconds, and they also make a great jogging partner as they have high energy levels.

Three Fun Facts About Jack Russells

1. Jack Russell Terriers can jump roughly five times their own height, meaning a 12-inch tall dog could leap about five feet in the air! 
2. Jack Russells were first bred for fox hunting over 200 years ago and are still classed as working dogs today. As with any dog bred to hunt, these dogs certainly love to dig. 
3. In 1982, Bothy, a Jack Russel Terrier, became the first dog to visit both the North and South Pole, the pawents were British explorers. Ranupl and Ginny Fiennes, often took their terrier with them on their travels.

Westie Facts We Needed To Hear

1. They have a double coat. West Highland Terries have a fluffy white coat which features a soft undercoat with a wiry coat on top. The topcoat will shred dirt, while the bottom keeps them nice and warm. That does mean they need regular haircuts and brushing to maintain their coats. 
2. Much like Jack Russell Terriers, West Highland Terriers are also working dogs, although they were bred in Northwestern Scotland and were used to clean out mines, farms and barns of rats. They are much better known now for their cuddling though!
3. They are super independent. These fluff balls need some patience and time when it comes to training as they sometimes like to do things their own way but stick to it, good habits make for good behaviour.

Cocker Spaniel Facts For Dog Lovers

1. Cocker Spaniels love to please their owners and loving being around them. Although they like to be around their humans, they were first bred as hunting dogs so tend to enjoy chasing birds and other small animals, which means you need to keep a close eye on them. 
2. The Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp features a cocker spaniel. The main character Lady was a cocker spaniel, and her long ears probably gave it away, she had a beautiful silky coat which makes an elegant choice for a pampered pooch. 
3. Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels used to be the same breed. Cocker spaniels were first used for hunting woodcocks (a type of bird which flies close to the ground), and that is where their name originates. Both types of dog were officially considered different breeds in 1892.

Springer Spaniel Facts You Might Not Know

1. Springers are named Springer Spaniels because of their ability to spring into bushes, where they would entice birds out of hiding. 
2. They were first recognised by the Kennel Club in 1902. The breed was first acknowledged by the Kennel Club in 1902 but can date back to as far as the 17th century.
3. They are known for their love of water. Springer Spaniels love water, playing in puddles and especially cherish a trip to the beach. You might even find them playing with their water bowl too!

The Best British Bulldog Facts 

1. They aren’t the best swimmers. Some can swim, but many British Bulldogs have trouble because of their large heads and tiny bums.
2. As cute as those wrinkles are, British Bulldogs are also known for snoring, drooling and farting! Bulldogs are brachycephalic, which is caused by their short snouts which makes them extra gassy compared to other dogs. 
3. They are super affectionate. Although they were first bred for bull-baiting, the United Kennel Club classifies bulldogs under the companion category. They are super loving and adore kids which makes them ideal for families. 

Interesting Labrador Facts For You

1. Labradors love the water, and they were made for it. Labradors actually have webbed toes, many popular breeds have webbed feet, and this is what makes them great swimmers!
2. They are the most common breed used for guide dogs. Labradors are easy to train, eager to please, physically strong, and are extremely intelligent, making them the perfect guide dog.
3. They are a popular breed. Labradors are the most popular breed of dog in both the UK and the US, probably because they make such great pets and have excellent traits, from being friendly and loving to helpful and playful. 

That’s it! There are so many lovely dogs on Sophie’s newest Fetch design. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning some fun facts about them, and seeing them pictured on a range of homewares and accessories. Do you have any dog facts you’d love to share, or perhaps your furry friends have some unique traits of their own? Let us know in the comments below.