Dog Breeds Galore...

And now we've reached the Non-Sporting Group, starting with the American Eskimo Dog. These guys functioned as watchdogs, performers and farm workers! Their coat is a straight, stand-off double coat of medium length coming in white or white with biscuit cream colour.
*
American Eskimo Dogs descended from a variety of spitz developed in Germany. They are bright and eager to please as well as independent and tenacious. They also love cold weather, naturally. Daily long walks or good jogs are necessary, but the smaller Espies need only a short walk or lively romp. The double-coat needs brushing and combing twice weekly (and more often when shedding).
*
Health concerns include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and PRA.

The Bichon Frise originates in the Mediterranean region and functioned as both a companion and performer. Their undercoat is soft while the outer coat is coarse and curly, coming in white with possible cream shadings.
*
Bichons come from a family of dogs known as Barbichons—they were once divided into four types, but it is the Teneriffe type that later became the Bichon Frise (developed on the Canary Island of Teneriffe). Bichons are perky, bouncy, playful fellows that are also sensitive and affectionate, and can bark a lot and may also be hard to house-train. They need a romp or short walk daily and their coat needs combing every other day plus trimming every two months. It is also difficult to keep the beard white.
*
Health concerns include patellar luxation, allergies, cataracts and hip dysplasia.

Boston Terriers were always companion animals, but were also once ratters.  Their coats are smooth and short, coming in brindle, seal or black with white markings on the muzzle, between the eyes, and forechest, possibly with a white collar and lower legs.
*
Coachmen around the year 1865 employed wealthy folk from Boston to interbreed some of their employers' one dogs—one cross being between an English Terrier and a Bulldog, resulting in a dog named Hooper's Judge, whose progeny were bred to smaller dogs. These are saucy and playful dogs devoted to their owners. Some bark a lot and some may be aggressive toward strange dogs. Most of their exercise needs can be met with a romp in the yard or similar. Some wheeze and snore and most don't tolerate heat.
*
Health concerns include patellar luxation and brachycephalic syndrome

Bulldogs originate in England and were originally bred for bull baiting. Their coat is smooth and short, coming in brindle, solid white, red, or fawn, or any of these on a white background. Males weigh up to 50 pounds and most of that weight rests solely on their front assembly.
*
This is a breed that would otherwise have become extinct, since bull baiting was outlawed in 1835, but with so many admirers, the Bulldog lived on! They are jovial and comical dogs, among the most mellow of canines. Though they are willing to please, they are also STUBBORN, but generally good with other pets. They need short walks in cool weather (overexertion or exertion in heat or humidity, is dangerous), they cannot swim, and most wheeze, drool and snore. Tail folds and facial wrinkles need daily cleaning.
*
Health concerns include brachycephalic syndrome, heart problems, hip dysplasia, dry eye, eyelid problems, internalized tail and shoulder luxation.

Chinese Shar-Pei originally functioned as fighting, herding, hunting or guardian dogs. Their coat is very harsh, straight and short coming in any solid colour, including sable. They have blue-black tongues.
*
They may have existed in China since 200 B.C. and most certainly since the 1200s. They are self-assured and stubborn, but devoted and protective of family. They can be aggressive toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers. They need a long walk or lively romp every day. The coat only needs weekly trusting and attention to the wrinkles so that no irritations develop in their skin folds.
*
Health concerns include eyelid problems, hip dysplasia, patellar lunation, ear problems, allergies and sometimes Shar-Pei fever.

Chow Chows come from China and were originally guardians, cart pullers and even a food source. Their coats are rough (course to medium in length) and smooth (hard, short to medium) and come in solid red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. Like the Shar-Pei, they have blue-black tongues.
*
The Chow Chow has been known in China for thousands of years. They are reserved (even with family!), serious and protective. They are independent and aggressive toward other dogs. They need short walks or romps on a daily basis (but never in the hot weather). The smooth coat needs weekly brushing, the rough type needs brushing every other day or more. Both types need their facial wrinkles kept clean.
*
Health concerns include eyelid problems, hip dysplasia, patellar lunation, gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia.

Dalmations come from Yugoslavia originally and were used as carriage dogs.They have a smooth, short coat that is black or liver spots on a white background. The spots should be round and well defined (and preferably separated).
*
These are the most distinctly patterned of dogs. They get their names from Dalmatia of western Yugoslavia, even though that isn't their precise area of origin. When automobiles became a thing, the Dalmation lost its job as a carriage dog in high society, though they continued as a coach dog for horse-drawn fire engines—this is the association that led to Dalmations being known as "fire dogs."
*
Dalmations are playful and energetic, as well as stubborn and reserved around strangers. They need a long walk or jog or vigorous play session daily.
*
Health concerns include deafness, urinary stones and allergies.