Posts Tagged breeds

Siberian Husky

Posted by Animal Spirit on Monday, 24 August, 2009

-siberian-husky

Huskies include several breeds of dogs used originally as sleigh dogs. The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute are all breeds directly descended from the original “sled dog”. The Siberian Husky is probably the best known type. Other types of huskies include:

  • Alaskan Husky
  • Mackenzie River Husky
  • Sakhalin Husky
  • Siberian Husky
  • Greenland Husky

These dogs are very popular for their lupine appearance.
The Siberian husky originated in the icy cold Siberia in Russia. They were later exported to Alaska during the gold rush giving rise to the Alaskan husky.
The Siberian husky is a medium sized working dog with a dense coat. Their coats are thicker than most coats in order to keep them warm in icy winter conditions. They are prone to shedding in summer and require regular grooming. They are most commonly black & white, copper & white, grey & white or white in colour.
Their eyes are dark blue, light blue, amber or brown in colour. Some dogs can also have eyes that differ in colour. They have pointy ears and long tails.

These dogs are known to howl rather they bark, not unlike the wolves they resemble.
They are highly energetic and love to hunt. They are considered to be fun loving, affectionate, friendly, stubborn, intelligent and mischievous. They are not considered to be guard dogs.

In comparison with other dogs of their size they aren’t very prone to hip dysplasia, though they are genetically prone to problematic eyes.

Apart from being sleigh dogs they are also sometimes used in sleigh races.

If you are a fan of Huskies, be sure to watch The Eight Below. This Disney live action movie is inspired on a true story. Eight huskies (Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes) get left behind during a snowstorm in Antarctica to fend for themselves.

If you are planning to get a Husky remember buying a dog it is a serious decision. These dogs prefer colder climates and if you live a warmer clime, you’ll have to ensure that your husky adapts to its environment.

Huskies are certainly one of the most beautiful and a fascinating group of dogs.

See also: The Alaskan Malamute

Related site:
Husky Rescue

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Sphynx

Posted by Animal Spirit on Thursday, 30 July, 2009

180px-Sphynx_buiten

The Sphynx or hairless cat first appeared as a genetic mutation, but has been purposefully bred since the 1960s

These cats are not completely hairless but have a fine layer of fuzz, which has been said to have a feel comparable to a chamois. They also feel warm to the touch. They also have a wrinkled appearance. They need to be bathed on occasion since they have no hair to absorb oil build up. Sphynxes should avoid direct or harsh sunlight as they can easily get sunburn.

Since they are hairless they are good for those with pet hair allergies, but not completely hypoallergenic since most allergy suffers are actually allergic to cat saliva.

Sphynxes are curious, mischievous and playful in nature.

These cats are easily cold and likes to snuggle up to a human dog, or other cat.

Kittens can go to new homes between 12-16 weeks of age. If you’re thinking to buy a kitten, please keep in mind that the hairless cat requires special care.

Source: Wikipedia.

Useful links:
mybaldcat
angelsphynx

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Weimeraner (Dog Breed)

Posted by Animal Spirit on Monday, 27 July, 2009
Weimaraner

Weimaraner

Weimeraners belong to the class hunting dog and gun dog. They are German in origin and are thought to have been developed in the 19th century.

They are large dogs and have athletic appearance. Males weigh approximately 70-85 pounds and are 25-27 inches in height. Female weigh around 55-70 pounds and a 23-25 inches high. They have a short coat and are often gray in color. Their eye color can be gray, blue-gray or amber. Ears are kept natural but Weimeraners’ tails are often docked when they’re puppies.

They are prone to health issues like gastric and eye problems

They are not outside dogs and prefer to be with their owner at all times. They are prone to barking when left alone. They can develop anxiety problems. They were originally bred to hunt quite large animals so they should be introduced to other pets at a very young age to prevent them from acting on their hunting instinct.

They are very demanding dogs that require a lot of attention. They have high energy levels and should be adequately exercised. If you’re thinking about getting a Weimeraner, do some research and make sure that it is the right breed for you.   Also consider adoption as an option when you’re thinking about buying a dog.  (Refer to my post on Adopting dogs.)

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The Snoopy dog.

Posted by Animal Spirit on Monday, 20 July, 2009
Beagle puppy

Beagle puppy

The Beagle is a popular dog breed due to its amicable nature and most likely because of  the dog Snoopy in Charles Schultz’s Peanuts comic strips.

The Beagle falls the hound classification of dogs and is similar to the Foxhound. The modern Beagle was probably developed around 1830, although similar beagle-type dogs have existed for longer. They were presumably bred from, the North Country Beagle the Talbot Hound, the Southern Hound and the Harrier. They were originally bred as hunting dogs. Crossbreeding a Beagle with a Pug gave birth to the Puggle.

The Beagle has a highly developed sense of smell. This makes them good sniffer dogs.

Beagles are small to medium sized dogs. They can have a range of colours including bicolour, but the tricolour is the most common. They are usually about 33 – 40 cm in height. Females are usually smaller than males. They have long tails and floppy ears

They are thought to be friendly even-tempered dogs. They make good pets and therapy dogs. They are very excitable. They are pack animals and get on well with other dogs. They are not the most trainable dogs and do not have a high obedience ranking. They can be quite stubborn and are difficult to call back once they have picked up on a scent.

Beagles are prone to a number of illnesses including hyperthyroidism, dwarfism, epilepsy, glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. They are also prone to weight problems if they don’t receive sufficient exercise.

Due to their peaceful nature they are the dogs most often uexperiment on. I think that’s sick!

More info:  wikipedia or mybeagledog

Picture by: coloniera2

If you want to buy a dog,  remeber that it is a serious responsibilty. Do not simply get a breed because you’ve seen it in a movie, do some research. Visit the premises where the puppies and their parents come from.

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