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THE BOSTON TERRIER
boston terrier dog breed
Boston Terriers are friendly and highly adaptable. Considered a charmer among dog breeds, they play well with fellow dogs, children, and also cats. This breed is enthusiastic and has a lively attitude. Here’s a look at the history of Boston Terriers and everything you need to know to take care of one.
Brief History
Some call the Boston Terrier the first true purebred dog in the U.S. They’re widely known as the “American Gentleman” thanks to a somber and good-natured style and their coloring that looks like a tuxedo.
Initially bred as fighting dogs, today they are more lovers than fighters.
There are different accounts of the Boston Terrier’s history but what’s most agreed-on is that breed originated from a dog named Judge, a Bulldog/English Terrier mix. He was only bred once. Offspring that originated from Judge came to be known as Boston Terriers.
Physical Features
Boston Terriers stand at about 12 to 17 inches from the shoulders, and their weight is anywhere between 10 to 25 pounds. The current generation of Terriers has a face much similar to its ancestral generations with a wrinkle less, broad and flat nosed face. Their neckline is slightly arched with a broad chest, but their overall body appearance is sturdy and boxy.
Average Height:
15-17 inches
Average Weight:
10-25 pounds
Life Expectancy:
11-13 years
Temperament
Boston Terriers are lovable dogs. Fun to be around because they love company, especially children, and play is never a matter to fuss over. They are apartment-friendly with low barking tendencies.
Special Needs
They are lovable creatures, require attention and company for them to belong. They connect easily with human emotions and if their owner is hurting, they sense it immediately and try in whatever way to lighten the mood. They have some habits that are more pronounced than other breeds, such as snorting, drooling, slobbering, wheezing, snoring and snuffing.
Possible Health Concerns
Flat faces: Boston Terriers are a brachycephalic dog breed, meaning they have flat faces. Minor health problems include snoring, but these dogs could have breathing problems that necessitate surgery.
Hemivertebrae: Their corkscrew tails indicate this condition, which has to do with lack of development in their spine bones. This doesn’t impact all dogs, but signals that there’s a problem include difficulty walking.
Eye problems: Due to their flat faces, this breed is prone to eye problems like cataracts, corneal ulcers and glaucoma.
Deafness: Some Boston Terriers are deaf in one ear, others totally deaf.
Luxating patellas: This refers to a condition where the dog’s kneecaps can slip out of place. Small dogs are prone to this issue, and it’s possible that it can require surgery to correct.
boston terrier dog
Exercise
This breed loves to play but doesn’t have many exercise needs. A couple of morning or evening walks and play in between is enough to keep your Boston Terrier alive and heart healthy.
boston terrier
Nutrition
Feeding your Boston Terrier should be a cautious activity. Despite their small size, they love to eat and can be gluttonous in nature. It’s up to you as its owner to control what they eat and what they shouldn’t. Give your Terrier high quality dry food preferably 0.5 to 1.5 cups which should be divided into 2 meals a day. This is but an average amount, the much your dog will eat depends on its age, activity level, metabolism, size and build.
Grooming
Boston Terriers have a fine and smooth coat which tends to lie flat against their bodies. There are 3 common coat colors: black, brindle/red and seal which tends to look a lot like black. They often look like they’re wearing a tuxedo thanks to their chests, faces and white muzzles. Grooming this dog isn’t much of a task and weekly coat brushing is enough to keep all dry and dead hair in check. While bathing them, shampoo their coats to keep them clean and healthy. Clean their faces and eyes daily to prevent them from contracting any eye disease.
If you want a small lovable dog to have around your home, a Boston Terrier is a good option.
THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds. Dogs in this breed are high-energy, intelligent, and social. This breed is a sporting dog, and originated in Newfoundland, first dubbed St. John’s Water dog.
Brief History
The first record of this breed was in Newfoundland in the 1700’s. They were brought to England in the early 1800’s. Some think they were bred from the Greater Newfoundland dog or the French St. Hubert’s dog.
This breed of dog was known for enjoying retrieving, originally with English fisherman in Newfoundland. The fisherman would use them to retrieve fish that had fallen off their hooks, or bring fishing lines in through the water. This made them good hunting dogs. The name Labrador was introduced in 1887 by the Earl of Malmesbury.
Physical Features
Labs come in three colors: black, yellow, or chocolate, with black being the most popular. They have large, stocky bodies. Their coats are dense and short, and repel water and dirt.
Average Height:
22-24 inches
Average Weight:
55-79 lbs
Life Expectancy:
10-15 years
Temperament
Labrador Retrievers are extremely social, and will want to play quite frequently. They’re fast learners and bond quickly when given attention. They have gentle dispositions, are easy to get along with, and are known to be loyal.
Labs are ideal family dogs, sporting dogs, and therapy dogs. They are obedient with proper training, and their favorite activities are swimming and retrieving (naturally).
Special Needs
Regular exercise is incredibly important for Labrador Retrievers in your family, not only because they are high energy dogs and love to play, but also because they are susceptible to weight gain if they’re sedentary. Labs also have a tendency to push themselves to the limit of their physical abilities, and can overheat in warm weather.
While they are good outdoor dogs, this breed prefers to live inside with their human companions.
Possible Health Concerns
A common health concern for Labrador Retrievers is obesity. Healthy dogs will have an hourglass shape. Other conditions they are susceptible to include:
Patellar Luxation. This happens when the dog’s patella is dislocated. Treatment involves surgery.
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). When the ball and socket of the hip joint are malformed and grind against each other instead of moving smoothly. Treatment could be outpatient but it could also involve surgery.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD). When cartillege in a joint is damaged. Treatment could involve surgery.
Exercise
Labrador Retrievers are highly active, and you’ll need enough space in your home and yard for them to run around. They’ll go on runs or play fetch. You won’t want them to get bored, because they can become temperamental and even be destructive.
Labs need a lot of exercise, and especially love swimming, in any type of water. While young, you’ll need to watch them in the water, but over time they’ll gain confidence.
Nutrition
Each Labrador Retriever is different, and may need different nutritional needs. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian. Since this breed is prone to obesity, monitor their food consumption.
Grooming
Due to their dense coats, Labs will need to be combed weekly if not daily. They also shed, so watch out for your carpets! Their coats are resistant to water and also dirt, so brushing is mostly for shedding maintenance and to keep them looking healthy. They’ll need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning as well.
Labrador Retrievers are high-energy, loyal, family dogs who love attention and being involved in family activities. Know that when you adopt, you’ll have to put the time in to train them, but your efforts will be rewarded!
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 CORNISH REX CAT
cornish rex cat
The Cornish Rex is a slim, svelte and elegant cat. They are always ready to play and will actively seek you out with meows of anticipation. The Cornish Rex is great with kids and good company for other pets. Here is more about this unique and coveted breed.
Brief History
The Cornish Rex originates from England, UK. There is historical evidence to show that this breed existed long before the Devon Rex’s appearance in Devonshire. Both the Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex share a number of similarities in their history and general appearance.
The Cornish Rex first appeared in Bodmin Moor, a region within the northeast parts of Cornwall. A cat named Serena gave birth to 5 kittens, but one was unique with a curly coat that was cream and black. Serena’s owner consulted some cat experts who identified the unique kitten as one with a genetic trait passed down by its mother.
Physical Features
The Cornish Rex has a soft, wavy coat. They have long bodies and stand fairly tall. Their ears stand upright on a slim, egg-shaped head. Their famous eyes are often golden, but can be blue or grey. Possible coat colors include black, white, grey, brown, silver and roan.
Average Height:
11 to 15 inches
Average Weight:
6 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy:
11 to 15 years
Temperament
The Cornish Rex has an interesting sense of humor. They love attention and will readily seek it at every chance they get. They’re extremely intelligent and love social situations. The Cornish Rex will quickly greet you and, if possible, your guests. After that, the’ll quickly pick their favorite person and begin to follow them around. Cornish Rexes are curious and desire to help out in whichever activities that you’re up to. They’re always looking for something interesting to interact with or, even better, show you. This cat is very expressive. Cornish Rexes will use their gestures, meowing or snarling to get their point across. Their playful and outgoing nature makes the Cornish Rex a favorite with children. They can also be very affectionate and concerned — an excellent therapy cat.
cornish rex cat
Special Needs
The Cornish Rex is an active cat with quite a lot of energy. This often leads to energetic activity and leaping all over the house. To help with energy management, the Cornish Rex requires some training. You can teach the Cornish Rex how to sit, roll over, fetch and jump. Positive reinforcement throughout the training session helps the cat understand quicker. The Cornish Rex will get along well with other cats and dogs. However, they should be introduced to them slowly and under supervised conditions to avoid conflict.
Possible Health Concerns
The Cornish Rex is generally a healthy cat if they are cared for well.
Unfortunately, they may be prone to developing adverse health conditions due to their genetic parentage. Their famous wavy coats do not offer much protection from the sun rays. As such, they are prone to sunburn or lesions. They can also suffer from patellar luxation or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Exercise
The Cornish Rex is always upbeat and ready to play. They love playing with toy games and will even interact with puzzle toys. These are great for stimulating their physical and mental health. A cat pole is a good addition to the Cornish Rex’s toys as they love to climb up and over thing. This cat also relishes running. A jog in the yard or around the block with a cat harness and leash is a good idea.
Nutrition
Being quite an active cat, the Cornish Rex requires ample, balanced diet on a daily basis with substantial carbohydrates and protein. This is to provide them with the energy resources required for their active lifestyle. Cool, clean water is also necessary.
Grooming
cornish rex cat
The Cornish Rex has a short coat of delicate, wavy hairs. It is soft and silky in nature. Since they have no guard hairs, their undercoats are exposed. Thanks to this, grooming regimens should be mild — keep brushing to once a week!
Cornish Rex’s ears and paws can get greasy over time. This is due to sweat deposition. They should be cleaned up to 2 times a week. A mix of 50% cider vinegar and 50% water is ideal for this with a clean, soft cloth. Their nails should be trimmed every week and their teeth need to be brushed with a vet-approved toothpaste at least every 3 days. This prevents the development of gum disease.
The Cornish Rex is an active cat that loves family and social groups, and will also often make friends with other pets. They enjoy leaping and performing tricks. Ideal for families, couples or senior citizens, the Cornish Rex will be a loving and entertaining addition to any home.
THE NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT
The Norwegian Forest cat — nickname Wegie — originated from Norway. This magnificent cat breed is known as the Norsk Skogkatt, and was considered a stray cat breed for many years. It is almost lynx-like in appearance — similar to the Maine Coon. The Norwegian
Brief History
It is thought that the Norwegian Forest cat breed may be descendants of cats that the Vikings brought to Norway from the U.K and the long haired cats brought in by the Crusaders. These are forest cats that had to survive the harsh, cold winters of Norway on their own. In 1938, the Norwegian Forest Cat Club was formed. The breed was growing extinct after WWII, and the club’s aim was to prevent this from happening. In 1975, the Norsky Skogkattrino Association was formed, which estabished a breed standard for the Norwegian Forest cat. In 1993, the CFA board accepted the breed for complete championship status. The Norwegian Forest Cat was registered with the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1994.
Physical Features
The Norwegian Forest is an active breed, much larger than most cats. The head is triangular and long. They’re known for their ears, which are large and triangular with hair tufts. Their eyes are almond-shaped and a wide-range of colors. They typically have a strong stature with heavy bones — especially with their long legs and fluffy tail. Their coats are waterproof, thick and long with an wooly undercoat. Their voice tends to be very quiet, but very vocal around dogs.
Average Height:
9 to 11 inches
Average Weight:
9 to 16 pounds
Life Expectancy:
14 to 16 years
Temperament
The Norwegian Forest cat is a playful, sweet and intelligent breed. They do very well with people, gentle dogs, other cats and animals. They greatly enjoy climbing and being both indoors and outdoors. The Norwegian Forest cat does require a lot of attention, and will follow you around the house just to be close.. The Norwegian Forest needs an environmentally stimulating home with plenty of cat climbers, scratching posts and feline toys. This breed does well going for long walks with his pet parent. Consult with your veterinarian as to the best cat leashes and harnesses for your Norwegian Forest cat breed.
The Norwegian Forest Cat
Special Needs
This breed matures late, and will be playful for many years.
Possible Health Concerns
The Norwegian Forest cat 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.
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.
Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV: The body converts glycogen to glucose for energy. Cats with this disease may weaken progressively, until they cannot get up. Kittens can die from this. This disease usually can be noticed by 4-5 months, and is deadly. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
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 cat vomits frequently, has a decreased appetite, and increased thirst or urination.
Exercise
The Wegie needs daily exercise combined with plenty of active play and interaction with people. Finding a variety of mentally stimulating cat toys will allow for your cat to lead a well-balanced life with the right amount of exercise. Cat harnesses also allow for daily walks.
Nutrition
All cat breeds need high- quality fat and protein in their diets. They also need amino acids, including taurine. There are numerous specialty diets for your cat that are formulated specifically for certain medical problems like urinary tract disorder, obesity, or kidney disease.
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
Meat-based
No garlic
Plant-based ingredients should be listed after the protein-based ingredients
Consult with your veterinarian for the best dietary advice for your cat.
Grooming
The Norwegian Forest Cat
Your Norwegian Forest cat may be susceptible to skin diseases originating from flea bites, mites, yeast and other bacterial infections. Opt for natural cat grooming products to help resolve these skin irritants.
This cat will also need daily grooming to remove shedding hair, and to prevent hair from matting. Because this breed has a long and thick double coat, extra care is required. Stainless steel combs help to remove dead hair. The Wegie sheds the most during the summer, so increased grooming may be necessary during those months.
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.
With their super sweet personality and upbeat attitude, the Wegie makes for a fun companion.
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THE SPHYNX CAT
sphynx
Part of the hairless cat breeds, the Sphynx draws human attention everywhere it goes. That’s great news, because Sphynx cats love human company and make great pets for city apartments and additions to homes with children.
Brief History
The Sphynx cat is a product of selective breeding in Canada during the 1960’s and are known for their almost dog-like personalities as well as famous hairlessness.
There are two types of the Sphynx breed: the American Sphynx and the European Sphynx. Both the European and American Sphynx groups are descended from two natural lines of mutation. The first line started in 1975 with the Pearson family’s dermis and epidermis barn cats and the second started in 1978 with two stray cats, Bambi and Punke, which were found in Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
Physical Features
The International Cat Association identifies the Sphynx as a unique cat breed with the following standards. They have a wedge-like head with high cheekbones. Their eyes are large and assume a lemon shape while their ears are also large with a soft down outside base and no inside hair. A Sphynx may or may not have whiskers and if present, these whiskers are either full or broken. Their necks are of medium length, well-muscled and powerful in build. Other unique features are: a barrel chest, torso of medium length, full and round abdomen, tapering tail with a whip like appearance and thick paw pads.
Average Height:
8-10 inches
Average Weight:
6-12 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-16 years
Temperament
Sphynx cats love attention and are generally very cheerful. They make great therapy pets being because of their loving disposition and constant smile. When not seeking or receiving attention, Sphynxes spend their time exploring their surroundings. While doing this, they are often very lively, energetic and curious.
sphynx cat
Special Needs
Sphynxes are highly social cats that can make a family out of anything. Because of this, they hate being locked away or put in enclosures that limit their freedom to move about. If you need to be away for long periods of time, consider adopting a friend for your Sphynx to play with.
Possible Health Concerns
The Bombay is a healthy and moderately active cat breed that may be susceptible to the following health conditions:
The Sphynx is a generally healthy cat breed, however they remain vulnerable to various diseases common to both mixed-breed and pedigreed cats. Sphynx owners should be on the lookout for: Urticaria pigmentosa and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Exercise
Sphynxs are energetic and love to spend most of their time involved in an activity. They play well with children and fellow pets and also excel in brain teaser games such as puzzle toys. Because of this, an exercise routine schedule isn’t necessary. However you can spare some time to walk with your Sphynx and play a game or two.
Nutrition
Sphynxs should do well with high nutrition cat food both home prepared or commercially manufactured. They love fruit as treats, but make sure to only give those with lots of fiber and vitamins such as apples. Clean water should also be available for them to drink and remain hydrated.
Grooming
Despite having a hairless body, the Sphynx’s coat and skin needs as much care as hairy cats. Wash your Sphynx on a weekly basis using a mild moisturizing shampoo or baby shampoo and keep the skin moisturized with scent free oil or lotion. Bathing the Sphynx from a tender age will teach it to accept baths and get more used to water. Brushing the Sphynx’s teeth helps prevent it from developing periodontal disease.
sphynx cat breed
