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THE NORWICH TERRIER
The Norwich Terrier comes from the U.K, and is part of the UKC/AKC Terrier group. This is a breed that was originally trained to kill rats. This dog breed was used in packs to travel in foxhunts. Even so, they are more sociable than a regular terrier.
Brief History
The Norwich Terrier and the Norfolk Terrier were known as the same breed until 1964. After that, the main difference would be the Norwich Terrier’s prick ears. The Norwich Terrier was bred during the 1870’s and 1880’s. Undergrads at Cambridge University came to enjoy this dog breed. This dog breed became dorm-room ratters for Cambridge and nearby stables. This breed then was named Trumpington Terriers. One of these dogs was bred numerously at a stableyard, and sired Terrier pups. The breed then became the Jones Terriers in the U.S. The UKC and AKC recognized the Norwich Terrier in the 1930’s. Both Norwich and Norfolk Terrier are closely related.
Physical Features
The Norwich Terrier is spunky and alert. This dog breed is the smallest working terrier. With dark eyes that are oval-shaped, their skulls are broad and slightly rounded. The body is moderately short, and the tail is of medium length, and docked. The hindquarters are strong and muscular.
The Norwich Terrier has a wiry coat that lies close to their bodies, and has an undercoat. The coat on their necks and shoulders forms a mane. The coat can be shades of black and tan or grizzle, red, or wheaten. Their temperaments are happy, fearless, and alert.
Average Height:
9-10 inches
Average Weight:
11-13 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Temperament
The Norwich Terrier is alert, fun loving, and affectionate. This is a good natured dog breed that enjoys children and other dogs. In order to spend time around other small animals it’s a good idea if they’re socialized first. This dog breed is fearless and highly trainable. Positive dog training and socialization needs to start during puppyhood. The name Terrier comes from the Latin word “terra” meaning earth. These dog breeds were first used to dig tunnels so that they could chase rats and other small prey. These are high- energy dogs that enjoy exercising and free play.
Special Needs
The Norwich Terrier needs to have a securely fenced backyard or garden. This dog breed is known for its escapades, and tends to dig beneath fencing to escape. Socialization with cats, children, people, and other dogs is necessary starting during the first four weeks of puppyhood, and continuing for the dog’s lifetime. Positive dog trainings should focus on maintaining the happy temperament that this breed displays. Harsh or loud reprimands tends to negate any positive bonding, and subjects a dog to unnecessary stress and possible trauma.
Possible Health Concerns
The Norwich Terrier is an active and healthy dog breed that may be susceptible to the following health conditions:
Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that affects this dog breed. HD is an abnormal development of the hip joint in dogs. It’s generally characterized by a loose joint, then degenerative joint disease. Dogs should be fed a high-quality diet geared towards their life stage. Excessive growth, types of exercise, nutritional factors, and hereditary factors all come in to play with hip dysplasia. Consult with your veterinarian for expert advice.
Epilepsy: An inherited disease that causes seizures. Dogs will generally require treatment with anticonvulsants from their veterinarians.
Degenerative Myelopathy: This is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that may be found in the Norwich Terrier. It is caused by the SOD1-A gene. It happens during adulthood. Some symptoms may include limb weakness, muscle wasting, muscle tremors, and stumbling. Consult with your veterinarian.
Upper Airway Syndrome: This is a respiratory condition that presents as noisy breathing to critical distress. The condition is breed specific, can occur without warning, and may be fatal.
Dental Disease: This is common in smaller dog breeds. Brushing your dog’s teeth everyday, followed by twice yearly dental cleanings, will reduce the chance for periodontal disease.
Luxating Patellas. This is a hereditary condition that is caused by the abnormal development of the kneecap(patella). X-rays will aid in seeing the severity of the displacement. Treatment usually involves surgical options.
Exercise
The Norwich Terrier needs moderate exercise with brief bouts of fast activity like running after a tennis ball. This breed should never be over-exercised. They benefit from a few daily walks at a moderate pace with lots of off-leash runs at the beach or dog park.
This breed needs plenty of socialization like going to the dog park, or out and about the neighborhood. If not exercised sufficiently, they can become overly cranky and anxious. They should not be allowed to jump off tables, run up flights of stairs, or overexert themselves. Swimming is a great exercise for this small dog breed that will promote bone and joint strength.
Nutrition
A high-quality dog food for the appropriate life stage is recommended. Dog parents should assess their dog’s activity level, age, breed, and any medical conditions that he or she may be prone to.
Look for dog food formulas that contain ingredients like duck, eggs, chicken, lamb and Wisconsin cheese, fruits and vegetables. Another factor that comes into play is that the dog food formula does not contribute to plaque buildup. It should not contain sugars, salt, or added preservatives.
Grooming
The Norwich Terrier has a double coat. The outer coat is harsh, and almost 100% waterproof. The undercoat is soft and insulating. Clipping is practical, yet may remove the colored tips from the coat. The coat texture will be much softer when clipped.
Daily grooming is necessary with bathing as needed, since this breed loves playing around in the bushes and in mud. The Norfolk Terrier is active, and does well with regular grooming. Regular ear cleaning and daily tooth brushing is needed to prevent tartar buildup. Nails need to be trimmed as needed. As with all dog breeds, it’s necessary to bring your dog in for a twice yearly dental cleaning.
This bright and quirky dog breed is delightfully playful, and always ready for adventure. They enjoy hikes, swims, boat rides, or just hanging out next to you.
THE PERSIAN LONGHAIR CAT
The Persian Longhair is one of the oldest cat breeds. They originated in Persia, or Iran, as it is known today. During the seventeenth century, nobility enjoyed the Persian cat breed. Pietro Del Val imported the first Persian cat to Europe in 1626.
Brief History
The Persian Longhair is known for its round face and short muzzle. The “Iranian cat”, as it is called in the Middle East, and the “Shirazi cat” in Iran, were first brought into Italy from Iran around 1620. Breeding of the long haired Persian took place in Italy and France after this cat breed became popular throughout Europe. In 1870 the first Persian cat attended a cat show in London, U.K. The Persian then arrived in the U.S in the early 1900’s.
The earlier Persian breed had a much longer nose than today’s Persian, which has a flat-face. By 2015, the Persian was the second most popular cat breed in the United States. Today’s Persian cats are related to the Western European cats. The Persian differs from the Angora cat breed in that their tails and heads are larger with ears that are less pointy.
Physical Features
With a large round head, and large round eyes, the Persian has a short nose and full cheeks. Their legs are short and thick, with paws that are strong and round. Their tails full and are in proportion to the body. Their necks are powerful and thick. Persians have long and thick coats with long ruffs around their necks. Their front legs typically sport a frill of fur and their ears and toes have tufts of long hair. There are two types of Persians:
Peke-faced Persians (more flat-faced)
Doll-faced Persians (less flat-faced)
There are seven solid color divisions:
White
Blue
Black
Cream
Chocolate (rare)
Lilac (rare)
Red
White Persian cats will have blue or copper eyes or one of each. Silver and Golden Division Persian cats yield chinchilla, shaded silver and golden colors. The chinchilla colored cat is white with black tipping scattered all over the face, legs, tail, and body. Shaded Persians will have black on their backs, with it being distributed evenly down the body. Leg and face tipping on the Persian should match, and yields a darker color than chinchilla. Golden Persians will have chinchilla coloring or shading. Green or blue-green eyes are matched with silvers and Guldens Paw pads are black and are matched with a red nose.
Smoke and Shaded Division Persians yield shell and cameo colors with a red tipping and white undercoat. Shell and shaded tortoiseshell Persians yield black tipping with patches of red tipped hair. Shell and shaded blue Persians will have a blue tipping with patches of cream hair.
Tabby Persian Cats come in classic, mackerel and patched. The Classic tabby will have bull’s eye markings on either side of the body. The mackerel will have narrow penciling throughout the body. There are also bicolor, particolor, and Himalayan Divisions of the Persian cat breed.
Average Height:
10-15 inches
Average Weight:
7-12 pounds
Life Expectancy:
7-15 years
Temperament
The Persian Cat breed is a sweet and kind cat breed that enjoys being pampered. Although super feisty if not exercised or mentally stimulated, the Persian fancies lots of cuddles and cute cat toys. The Persian can be aloof when needing time alone, but are also affectionate with immediate family. Persian cats do well in a quiet home without lots of disruptions. This wonderful cat breed tends to be placid in nature and friendly with strangers.
Persian cats have a compliant nature, and are easy to live with. These beautiful cats are docile, and adapt easily to new environments.
Special Needs
The Persian does best as an indoor cat. This cat breed thrives on affection, and plenty of cat toys. Pet parents should make sure to keep their Persian indoors during the hot summer months, as they can overheat easily. The Persian gets bored when alone for long periods of time. Eye tearing may be a problem with this cat breed. Inactive cats tend to pick up weight, and are prone to more medical conditions like liver disease.
Possible Health Concerns
The Persian is a healthy and moderately active cat breed that may be susceptible to the following health conditions:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is a heart muscle disorder where the heart walls of the left ventricle thicken. This results in the walls becoming stiffer. This is a common primary heart disease in cats. It tends to noticed at around 3 months to 17 years of age. Most cats will be middle aged when this disorder occurs. This disorder tends to affect males more than females, and it is an inherited genetic defect. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs. Fluid may also accumulate in the lungs, and in the space between the lungs and chest wall. Veterinary treatment will aim at improving cardiac function, and reducing blood clots. There is a good longterm outlook for mildly affected cats. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a group of diseases that cause degeneration of the retina. This also includes inherited abnormalities of the light-sensitive retina layer. Cataracts are common toward the end of PRA. This results in it being difficult to detect underlying diseases of the retina. Consult with your veterinarian.
Basil Cell Carcinoma: These are malignant tumors that occur most often in elderly cats. The Persian cat breed is very susceptible to this. They will first show up as ulcers on the head, legs, or neck, and are not raised from the skin. Instead they will spread and form new ulcers. Surgery is the best treatment for removal. These tumors will spread to other areas of the skin, but not to organs.
Hip Dysplasia: This is rare in domestic cats, and is common in purebred cats. This occurs when the hip joint is loose, and leads to degenerative joint disease. (osteoarthritis) Symptoms include lameness that can be mild to severe. Cats generally need no surgery for hip dysplasia. Weight reduction can help reduce discomfort.
Heat Sensitivity: Cats will sweat through their foot pads. The Persian needs to be kept indoors during the hot summer months. This cat breed needs lots of fresh water to drink, cool places to lie in, and a cool home during extreme summers. Flat –faced cats and Persians have breathing problems, and don’t pant as well as other cat breeds. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include a fast heart rate, sunken eyes, and excessive panting. If your Persian is a senior cat or is obese, it will be necessary to watch closely for heat exhaustion.
Cherry Eye (Eyelid Protrusion): This is a disorder of the third eyelid, resulting in swollen redness of the eye. It is more common in Persian cats. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Entropion: This is the inversion of the lower lid. It is more common among purebred cat breeds like the Persian cat.
Polycystic Kidney Disease. This occurs when the polycystic kidney has numerous cysts within the functioning part of the kidney resulting in enlarged kidneys. Consult with your veterinarian if your Persian vomits frequently, has a decreased appetite, and increased thirst or urination.
Ringworm: This is an infection of the skin, hair, or claws, and is caused by a fungus called dermatophyte. This occurs in 98% of cats. It spreads easily from cats to people. Symptoms include circular, bald patches that scale and have broken hairs in a ring-like fashion. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Skin Disorders: The Persian may be prone to skin disorders. Persian cats are prone to idiopathic seborrhea. This is an inherited skin disorder resulting in the overproduction of an oily substance. This clumps in the cat’s fur, and causes it to smell bad. Symptoms include red and irritated skin with excessive scratching. Consult your veterinarian for advice.
Exercise
The Persian cat breed needs daily exercise combined with plenty of mental stimulation through active play and interaction with people. Finding a variety of mentally stimulating cat toys will allow for your Persian to lead a well-balanced life, with the right amount of exercise and cognitive stimulation. Cat harnesses also allow for daily walks.
Nutrition
All cats do well by being fed twice daily. During kittenhood, kittens will need to be fed every few hours. Growing kittens need more calories, nutrients, vitamins, protein, and calories. Your Persian cat should be able to enjoy a peaceful meal in a quiet corner of the house. Some cat parents prefer to leave cat food out 24/7. When looking for a high-quality cat food, here’s what to look out for:
No low-quality fillers
No artificial additives
Low grade ingredients or toxic ingredients
All cat food has to be meat-based because all cats are carnivores.
No garlic
Plant-based ingredients should be listed after the protein-based ingredients
Consult with your veterinarian for the best dietary advice for your Persian cat.
Grooming
The Persian cat needs daily grooming to prevent hair from matting and removing shedding fur to avoid hairballs. Because this breed has a long and wonderfully soft coat, extra grooming care is required. Stainless steel combs help to remove dead hair. Care must be taken when grooming leg hair and body hair to avoid missing spots that could tangle or mat easily. All cat breeds will groom themselves several times throughout the day. Daily grooming is necessary because it limits the amount of hair that your cat will consume.
Daily cleaning with pet wipes beneath the tail is necessary. Ears should be checked weekly for cleanliness and sensitivity. If there is a buildup of wax and dirt, organisms can lead to an ear infection. Consult with your veterinarian about safe and gentle ear cleaning techniques. Nail trimming is necessary every few weeks. Eyes should also be cleaned gently every morning with cotton wool or a soft wipe. Each eye should be cleaned with different wipes or cotton balls to avoid eye infection contamination in both eyes.
Healthy Persians need minimal bathing with a gentle cat shampoo. Your cat will need dental care as well. By feeding dry food, and having professional dental cleanings with your veterinarian throughout your cat’s lifetime, your cat will have less of a chance of developing gingivitis or gum disease.
THE WHIPPET
The Whippet originated from the U.K and is part of the UKC, Sighthound Group and the AKC Hound Group. This breed first came about more than 100 years ago and was bred in the late 19th century. Initially used for racing, these dogs are great in track running over short distances and can reach high speeds in seconds. They were named the “poor man’s racehorse,” because they were used for gambling in the U.K. by the working class.
Brief History
This lightning-fast sprinter dog breed is a smaller version of the Greyhound. During Victorian times, miners enjoyed dog racing and rabbit hunting, but found Greyhounds to be expensive in their upkeep. To solve this, they bred a smaller version, resulting in the Whippet.
This is the fastest breed of its size and can run up to 35 miles per hour. It is believed that this breed descended from a cross of various terriers, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds and possibly Pharaoh Hounds. The name is thought to have been derived from “Whappet,” an old word that means small dog that makes a lot of noise. This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1888 and by the English Kennel Club in 1891. They enjoys hunting, racing, agility, sighting, and lure coursing.
Physical Features
The Whippet is a medium-sized dog that is elegant and muscular. Their length is typically equal to, or slightly longer than, their height. With a long, narrow head and a powerful, long muzzle, the Whippet has a black nose and small ears. This breed also has a long neck, with a long tapered tail. Their coats are smooth, short, and in a wide range of colors. This breed has a keen and alert expression with a smooth, muscular and strength. Their hindquarters are long and powerful.
Average Height:
18-22 inches
Average Weight:
20-28 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Temperament
This is a friendly and amiable dog breed that enjoys people and other animals. This breed does well with children. Although the Whippet has a pronounced prey instinct, when positively trained, they can be one of the easiest breeds to live with. This pup is capable of great speeds when running and is totally focused when doing so. They do best with lots of exercise with a fenced and secure garden or backyard. This is a very sensitive dog breed that needs tons of positive reinforcement and does well with lots of attention and affection.
Special Needs
This athletic dog breed does well with plenty of off-leash exercise. Early socialization with other dogs, people and animals is recommended. Puppy training classes help overcome any shyness issues. That said, the Whippet is sensitive, active and playful. This breed does well with an active family and enjoys most canine sporting activities. In fact, this bred excels at many of them. They also enjoy lounging on beds and couches.
Positive dog training for this breed needs to be consistent, yet one needs to take sensitivity and intelligence into consideration, and not break their playful spirit with unnecessary reprimands.
Attentive and experienced pet parents are recommended. These dogs do well with either country or city living, as long as they gets the right amount of exercise. This breed’s skin is very thin, and needs to be protected from cold or from vegetation that may cause skin lacerations. Weight needs to be maintained in this breed. They need to live indoors with their thin body frame. Be sure to have a plush dog bed nearby.
Possible Health Concerns
This is a healthy and active dog breed that may be susceptible to the following:
Cardiac Diseases: Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is common in Whippets. Soft systolic hear murmurs are common in dogs that perform in athletic training. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Cancer: Older dogs may be predisposed to osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mastocytoma, melanoma, histiosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Canine cancer is on the rise. Consult with your veterinarian regarding any changes in your elderly dog. Feed a healthy natural high-quality diet.
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of the thyroid hormone, and can cause weight gain in this breed, as well as constipation, and cold sensitivity.
Exercise
This dog breed needs regular exercise and plenty of off-leash runs.
Don’t allow for young Whippets to play with larger dogs. All pups enjoy playing so much that they forget how big other dogs really are. Make sure to protect your puppy from injury when they’re playing with other dogs. This breed also needs protecting from skin lacerations if outside, or with other dogs.
Whippets are usually calm at home, but have explosive energy when at the dog park. This breed needs to have long supervised runs. Be forewarned: puppies can climb and jump over garden fences easily. Lure coursing and agility are favorite canine sports for this breed. They are athletic, fast and have tremendous energy. That said, a well-trained and well-exercised Whippet makes for a well-balanced dog that is a pleasure to have at home. They don’t do well in the cold and must be protected from low temperatures in winter months.
Nutrition
This breed does well on a high-quality dog food. If you’re opting for home-prepared dog food, consult with your veterinarian first. The Whippet has a tendency to metabolize food quickly and lose weight, so make sure you’re attentive to their appetite. At the same time, make sure to watch their weight.
Look for high-quality ingredients such as whole meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, and take heed of different macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbs.
Grooming
The Whippet has almost no odor and is a clean breed. This dog breed needs minimal grooming maintenance, and is easy to groom. Weekly bathing, together with everyday grooming help keep skin free of dirt and healthy. Nails need to be trimmed as needed. This breed needs to be brushed every day, and also needs to have daily dental brushing, and ear cleanings.
The Whippet is a popular breed because of its size and friendly personality. That said, be sure to have your home well prepared. Secure fencing is a must! With their alert and intelligent personalities, Whippets escape easily, so new pet parents must be sure that all back gates are locked and the backyard is super safe.
This breed is sensitive, caring and needs lots of TLC. They are also easy to travel with and to take along on trips. They may be shy with strangers, but are gentle all round. Once Whippets have decided to chase something, there’s no stopping them. Off-leash runs need to take place somewhere safe like the dog park.
THE PUG
The Pug, also known as the Lo-sze in China or the Mopshond in Holland, originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. This breed then became popular in Tibet and Japan, where they were often given as gifts. The Pug then arrived in Europe in the sixteenth or seventeenth century and became extremely popular in Holland.
Brief History
The Pug was believed to have become the mascot of Holland’s Royal House Orange after one saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him to the arrival of Spanish troops. Years later, the adorable breed arrived in the U.S. in the nineteenth century.
Physical Features
The Pug is a short, small dog breed with straight legs. With a large round head and a wrinkled forehead, this breed has a wide, short muzzle with an undershot bite. The Pug has large and dark wide-set eyes that add to its sense of puppyness well into its adult years. They have small rose-colored ears, a curled tail, and a short, smooth coat. Coloring is usually apricot, fawn, or black with a black mask and ears.
Average Height:
10-11 inches
Average Weight:
14-18 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Temperament
The Pug is an affectionate and intelligent breed. They are fun-loving, outgoing and charming. That said, this breed can be stubborn and tends to snore. It’s not their fault! The Pug is a great family dog and is great with children.
Pugs adapt easily to apartment life since they don’t require a lot of exercise. Although this breed can be stubborn, they are easy keepers and do best with positive training and plenty of socialization. The Pug is gentle with children and also enjoys living with single pet parents. This breed is very adaptable to different environments and makes for a great city companion.
Special Needs
The Pug needs to have plenty of protection from heatstroke. This breed does well indoors during extreme temperatures. They also need to be supervised when around water or swimming pools because of their front-heavy build and inability to swim. Many pet parents use life jackets for their Pugs when around water.
The Pug is a brachycephalic breed, also known as a short-faced or snub-nosed breed and needs to be monitored in hot temperatures. This breed also needs to avoid strenuous exercise.
Possible Health Concerns
Heatstroke – This breed is more susceptible to heat than many other dog breeds. Pet parents should be monitor especially closely as overheating can sometimes be fatal.
Eye Problems – These are often related to corneal ulcers and dry eye. Deformities of the eye and eyelid can also occur in this breed.
Breathing Problems – Pugs also experience breathing problems in hot and humid environments.
Laxating Patellas – This is a condition where the kneecap moves out of place and is a common condition in smaller dog breeds.
Leg Perthes Disease – This occurs with the deterioration of the top of the femur and is seen in young miniature and small dog breeds. It is characterized by a lack of blood supply and destruction of blood vessels of the bone.
Exercise
The Pug does well with light exercise. A short walk around the block or brief trip to the dog park will suffice. Pugs enjoy dog training classes, obedience, agility and some rally sports. This should never be undertaken during hot or humid temperatures. Pugs need to be protected from extreme temperatures and during the hot summer months’ indoor exercise is recommended.
Nutrition
It’s important to keep this breed on a balanced diet and to watch their weight. Pugs pick up weight easily, and can become easily obese.
Grooming
This breed has a short coat that hardly sheds. Daily brushing with a rubber mitt or medium bristle brush will aid in removing loose hair and in keeping his coat healthy. The loose folds around their neck, head and shoulders need to be wiped daily and kept clean. Nails need to be trimmed regularly and ears checked for debris, dirt and possible infections. Pugs enjoy being bathed and pampered, and need twice yearly dental cleanings at the veterinarian.
THE MASTIFF
The Mastiff, also known as the Old English Mastiff is believed to have originated from the Tibetan Mastiff. This is an ancient dog breed that was developed for guarding and fighting. The Tibetan Mastiff and Neapolitan Mastiff are examples of the ancient breeds.
Brief History
The British Mastiff, known as the AKC Mastiff, is also an ancient breed. This breed originated from Mastiff-type dogs called draft animals, known as tinker dogs. Their ancestor, the Molossus, was recognized 5,000 years ago. They were commonly used for pulling heavy tools on their backs for their owners.
The ancient dogs were muscular dogs used to turn wheels to draw well water as well as herd cattle and oxen. The most important task of the ancient day Mastiff was to guard and protect family, a role that remains unchanged today. This breed is dedicated to being the best family guard dog!
Other aggressive breeds were used for hunting and baiting large animals. But these puppies were typically raised amongst cows and cattle in order to train them to protect them from wolves and other prey. They have been used in South African farms for protection against wildlife, and terrorism. Today this breed is a popular choice for families living in rural areas. They are wonderfully sweet family dogs.
Physical Features
This is a large, powerful dog breed in both height and build. This breed combines grandeur with good nature. They are intelligent, not excitable, but affectionate towards their pet parents. This breed requires plenty of human contact and a high–quality diet. They’re best suited to a home where there are opportunities for exercise.
Their heads are rectangular-shaped, with short muzzles and small, V-shaped drop ears. This breed has a broad, dark, nose, and brown eyes with a smooth, short coat. Their coloring is typically fawn-colored, apricot, or brindle, with fawn or apricot as the main color. They have dark facial masks.
Average Height:
27.5 – 30 inches
Average Weight:
Males: 160-230 pounds
Females: 120-170 pounds
Life Expectancy:
8-10 years
Temperament
This breed is best described as heroic, calm and very loyal. They’re also extremely confident and easy-going. They make great protectors and are kind with children.
Mastiffs seem to assess every situation before acting. They know how powerful they are and don’t act without reason. They make great family dogs and love to feel like part of the brood. This breed should never be left to live outdoors, but instead pet parents should enjoy and involve their dogs in as many family activities possible. By doing so, these dogs become serene and docile, yet still make great family guard dogs.
Mastiffs need to feel that they belong to a family and will only protect and defend those that they respect and have bonded with.
They do well with positive training starting at puppyhood. Owners should start socializing them around 4 weeks old. They do best if they’re introduced to different people, other animals and children from puppyhood. They enjoy dog parks, dog beaches, long hikes and some organized canine sporting activities.
Special Needs
These dogs aren’t satisfied if left at home with nothing to do. This breed will need to have a job like protecting your cattle, children, or home; or going to dog training classes and shows.
The Mastiff is born with a guarding instinct, and a truly sensitive nature. It’s recommended not to use the traditional training methods like Schutzhund, as they will destroy a Mastiff’s mellow temperament, turning them into aggressive dogs that will become impossible to live with.
This breed needs plenty of socialization, training, and needs to keep busy. They need to stay fit and healthy, because they have a tendency to become overweight. Apartment living is not recommended.
Possible Health Concerns
The Mastiff is an active dog breed that may be susceptible to:
Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary developmental disease. HD occurs when the hip joint fails to develop properly. In Mastiffs with HD, the head of the thigh bone does not fall into the hip socket. The imperfect fit results in the joint becoming loose and unstable. This leads to osteoarthritis.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is the name for a group of diseases that cause degeneration of the retina. This will include inherited abnormalities of the light-sensitive cells.
Hypothyroidism a deficiency of the thyroid hormone, and can cause weight gain in Mastiffs, as well as constipation, and cold sensitivity.
Exercise
This dog breed needs regular exercise and plenty of off-leash runs.
When they’re younger they shouldn’t play with larger dogs. As puppies, they enjoy playing so much that they may forget how big the other dog really is. Make sure to protect your Mastiff puppy from injury when he is playing with other dogs.
Because this breed goes through growth spurts, they often become out of balance. Their hindquarters may grow higher than their front, thus shifting their weight load. They may place their front feet down incorrectly trying to compensate for being out of balance, putting them at risk for numerous injuries.
Nutrition
Since this dog is prone to obesity, owners will need to keep portion control in mind. Veterinarians can help determine how many calories this dog needs each day, and will help address any weight issues they may have. It’s important not to elimiate vial nutrition in the process.
This breed needs encouragement to eat slowly, which will also help to reduce digestive problems and bloat. It’s a good idea to use a Slow Feeder, which comes in different sizes.
Grooming
The Mastiff’s short coat is easy to groom. During heavy shedding that occurs twice yearly, extra grooming will be needed. Daily brushing with a rubber mitt or medium bristle brush will aid in removing loose hair, and in keeping their coats healthy and shiny. Nails need to be trimmed regularly.
Because this is a low energy breed, they make a great addition to any home. Socialization, positive dog training, and maintaining the correct diet with plenty of exercise will keep your Mastiff happy and healthy.
THE SAVANNAH CAT
savannah
The Savannah cat is an exotic cat. They are covered in spots and enjoy socializing with people as well as pets. They are also extremely curious and will want to follow you from room to room. Quite supportive in nature, the Savannah cat loves to provide companionship, which makes them ideal for therapy cats. Not only do Savannahs play well with children, they are always happy to make new friends.
Brief History
The first Savannah cat was born in the 1980s as the result of crossbreeding between an African Serval and a domestic cat. The successful crossbreed was performed by Patrick Kelly and Joyce Sroufe. The African Serval was further outcrossed with cat breeds such as Bengals, Oriental Shorthairs and Egyptian Maus. This led to a widespread establishment and acceptance of the breed. Savannah cats began getting registered by the International Cat Association (ICA) in 2001. The breed attained Championship status or full recognition in 2012.
Physical Features
The most noticeable characteristic of the Savannah cat is their beautiful, spotted coat. Their fur has a light brown shade and is covered in black spots. As a result, they have a distinctive cheetah-like appearance. Their ears are deep, large and face forward in a sonar-like way. Their eyes are big and golden. The Savannah cat has a pink nose and long white whiskers. An outstanding feature of the Savannah cat is their long legs. Thanks to this characteristic, this breed has held the Guinness Book of World Record for tallest domestic cat since 2006. They have long tails and an intelligent expression.
Average Height:
8-15 inches
Average Weight:
12-25 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-20 years
Temperament
The Savannah is devoted to their owner or family. As a result, many people regard the Savannah cat as being a feline version of a dog. They enjoys social interaction. If left alone for long periods of time, Savannahs will pout and begin to experience separation anxiety. Their attitude is kitten-like throughout their lives. Savannahs also enjoys being involved in family or group activities. This makes the Savannah an ideal family cat.
savannah cat
Special Needs
The Savannah has quite a lot of energy and needs a structured way of exercising. The Savannah is also an intelligent breed that can understand and obey simple commands. Also, they can learn how to use a scratching pole and which sections of the house to avoid. Housetraining the Savannah can be performed in a short period of time. This is possible as long as you use positive reinforcement throughout the process.
The Savannah still has hunting and territorial instincts. So they will be protective or even aggressive around other pets. This means that they should be introduced to other animals gradually until they can be friends.
Possible Health Concerns
The Savannah is a healthy and strong cat that can suffer from some genetic diseases and adverse conditions. The Savannah can be infertile due to genetic predisposition. They may also have low levels of fertility resulting in 1 to 3 kittens per litter. The Savannah may also be very selective in picking out mates. This is because they prefer to procreate with cats that they’ve grown up with from kittenhood.
Exercise
The Savannah cat has a high level of energy. They will prance around your house and enjoys chasing birds for leisure. To control these energy levels, some exercise is required. This can be achieved by engaging the cat in sessions that involve walks, jogs or brisk runs. This can be done 2 times a day for 30 minutes each. Intense play sessions can also be great exercise for this cat. They require both physical and mental stimulation. This is because the Savannah is an intelligent cat. Puzzle games and toys are most welcome for this cat.
Nutrition
The Savannah cat requires a balanced diet. Their large size prompts generous portions per serving, but they are not picky eaters. The Savannah will gladly chow down on wet food or dry kibble. Their nutritional needs require that they consume more carbohydrates than any other food group. This is so that they can sustain their high energy levels. Savannah cats grow quickly. This warrants ample protein as well. They can be fed twice a day in the morning and the evening. Cool, clean water needs to be provided throughout the day.
Grooming
Savannah cats’ fur is short and thick. To keep it healthy and smooth, they need regular brushing at least once a day.
Their teeth and ears also need cleaning three times every week. They may produce some discharge on the inner tips of their eyes which needs to be cleaned off as soon as it emerges. Their ears are large and open which makes them collect dirt and debris quite easily. They can be cleaned at least two times every week using a special solution made of 50% cider vinegar and 50% water.
The Savannah is an interesting, beautiful cat. They are dedicated and their loyalty makes them an excellent therapy cat.
savannah cat breed
World Records for Pets and Other Animals
If you always dreamed of getting in the Guinness Book of Records, then you might want to start preparing. It seems competition is tough and not just with humans — there’s a whole host of world records set by animals!
What’s Really In Your Pet’s Food?
Feeding their pets with a high-quality diet is one of the top priorities of pet owners. As such, they don’t mind spending a good fortune on pet foods that claim to provide good nutrition to their beloved, close friends. Every cat or dog has unique nutrition needs because of variations in size, breed, age, physical activity and environment. That’s one reason why it’s important to discuss the best way to feed your dog or cat with your veterinarian. But, do these products really stand up to their claims? What to look for on the label before purchasing any pet food? What ingredients in these products are considered the most vital and least important for the pet nutrition? Well, in this article, we try to give answers to all these questions to help you make an informed decision on pet foods.
