With so many breeds of dogs to choose from how do I know which one will make the best watchdog?

The answer to this question depends on many variables. Where you live and what size dog you prefer are probably the most important. Your living environment, townhouse, single detached-house, apartment, city, rural all factor in to which dog you should choose. If you live in a small apartment in the city, it might not make sense to have a 120 pound Rottweiler, but a small poodle might make sense.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kittens may be born at any time of the year. Among wild cats, the time of birth depends upon the kind of cat and the climate of the area. Domestic cats in the tropics may have kittens at different times from those in northern climates. In the United States, most mothers have two litters a year, and kittens are born in the spring or late summer. A domestic cat carries the unborn kittens inside her body for about 65 days. As the time for birth approaches, she hunts for a quiet, safe place to have her kittens. Her owner may supply a cardboard box.

Read the rest of this entry »

The number of recognized show breeds that have defined, inherited characteristics has increased dramatically since the late 1950s as cats have become more popular home companions. The 30 to 40 distinctive breeds can be grouped into two general categories: the long-haired Persian and the domestic shorthair.

Almost everyone recognizes the words Siamese, Manx, and Persian as the names for certain breeds of cats. Until about a century ago, however, these terms had little meaning. Domestic cats bred freely as they spread through various parts of the world. As a result, cats of almost infinite varieties of sizes, shapes, and colors came into being. Some cat owners liked the qualities of certain strains and wanted to perpetuate them. They interbred the cats with the desired qualities, and, when these qualities continued to appear in generation after generation of cats (that is, when they bred true or pure), a new breed was established.

Cat breeders today follow essentially the same pattern. They consider a strain that breeds true for four generations a purebred, and proof of this true breeding is necessary before a new breed becomes accepted. Full-color illustrations show the breeds most widely accepted in the United States. Cat fanciers in other parts of the world may recognize different breeds. Read the rest of this entry »

American Kennel Club Registered Breeds

There are over 400 reported dog breeds in the entire world, and The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 of those breeds. It is impossible to say, with 100% certainty, exactly how many actual dog breeds do exist. New breeds are emerging all the time and there are about 36 so rare that almost no one has heard of, or seen in the general population.

Click on any of the breed names below to get more information pertaining to: General Appearance, Size, Proportion, Substance, Head, Neck, Topline, Body, Forequarters, Hindquarters, Coat, Color, Galt, Temperament and more. Read the rest of this entry »

No one knows exactly when or how the cat first appeared on Earth. Most investigators agree, however, that the cat’s most ancient ancestor probably was a weasellike animal called Miacis, which lived about 40 million or 50 million years ago. Miacis is believed by many to be the common ancestor of all land-dwelling carnivores, including dogs as well as cats. But apparently the cats existed for millions of years before the first dogs. Perhaps best-known of the prehistoric cats is Smilodon, the saber-toothed cat sometimes called a tiger. This formidable animal hunted throughout much of the world but became extinct long ago. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re considering training your dog, or having someone else help you with the process, you should be aware that there are basic commands that will serve as the foundation of the training. These basic dog training commands include:

Heel: this command teaches your dog to walk beside you on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind. Equally important, it teaches your dog to keep his attention on you and be sensitive to your movement. It’s easy to teach, requiring only ten or fifteen minutes, and the benefits will last your dog’s lifetime. You’ll be able to walk your dog anywhere on a loose leash without fear of loosing control.

Read the rest of this entry »

AP Associated Press

At least 16 pet deaths tied to tainted food; vets flooded with worried calls

WASHINGTON - A recall of potentially deadly pet food has dog and cat owners studying their animals for even the slightest hint of illness and swamping veterinarians nationwide with calls about symptoms both real and imagined.

“It’s like we’re on pins and needles,” said Brian Paone, a 27-year-old loan auditor in Knoxville, Tenn., who scheduled a blood test with his vet after realizing both of his cats had eaten brands on the recall list.

“You kind of sit there and wonder — it’s terrible to say this — you wonder if this is going to be your last moments with your pet. It’s not pleasant.”

Some of the 60 million cans and pouches of food have been blamed for kidney failure in scores of animals and killed at least 16 pets. Neither the manufacturer nor authorities have been able to determine why the pets died.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s widely believed that dogs originated over 17,000 years ago; recent DNA testing and closer fossil examination is suggesting that dogs originated as far as 150,000 years ago. However the dating in relation to the Bible seems a little far fetched. We know they were around in Bible days because it is mention in several passages.

Scientists and researchers have come up with several possible paths that the development of modern dogs has followed. Dogs have lived and worked with humans in many different roles throughout the ages. Even today people are continually finding new ways in which dogs can enhance their lives, or perform useful services to people.

Read the rest of this entry »