Patriotic Dogs Cheer on Their Countries’ World Cup Soccer Teams
Published on February 26, 2014
We're still four months out from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but we couldn't wait that long to share these awesome images with you. Wildlife photographer Eric Isselée took pictures of dog breeds that are prized in each of their home countries — and then dressed up the images with the soccer jersey of their national teams.
A cute Australian Kelpie decked out in yellow and green? A Dogo Argentino wearing the same jersey as Lionel Messi? You've gotta love it.
Check out some of our favorite pictures below, and head on over to Yahoo to see the rest.
Spain: The Galgo Español
After beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup finals, Spain returns to the tournament as the defending champions. This neat picture features the Galgo Español, a sighthound also known as the Spanish Greyhound, dressed in the country's red and yellow colors.

United States: The American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier, colloquially known to many as the Pit Bull, has been recognized by the American Kennel Club for almost 80 years. A famous Pittie named Stubby captured an enemy spy during World War I and achieved the rank of Sergeant in the 102nd Infantry.

Brazil: The Fila Brasileiro
Of course we couldn't leave out the host country of this year's World Cup. Its national dog is the Fila Brasileiro, sometimes called the Brazilian Mastiff. This is a massive and extremely fierce guard dog bred to work on large plantations and ranches in his home country.

Which country are you cheering for in this year's World Cup? Do these canine representatives influence your choice at all?
More on Vetstreet.com:
- Video: Dog Plays Soccer Goalie
- 3 Kittens Can't Take Their Eyes Off Cristiano Ronaldo
- 18 Best Breeds for New Dog Owners