Unusual Pets: Hedgehogs

Pet Hedgehogs are usually hybrids caused by the mating between the White-bellied Hedgehog, the Four-toed Hedgehog and the North African Hedgehog. The resultant small Hedgehog is usually referred to as the African Pygmy Hedgehog. These little mammals are friendly and curious and have a lifespan of 4 to 7 years, although individual animals may live for shorter or longer periods.

Pet Hedgehogs are quite small, about 5 to 8 inches (12.5 – 20 cm) in length with an average weight of ½ to 1 ¼ pounds (.227 - .568 Kg). However, some can be as small as 6 to 7 ounces (.170 - .198 Kg) in weight and others could be as heavy as 1 ¾ to 2 pounds (.796 -.908 Kg).

Domestic Hedgehogs are prone to obesity caused by either poor diets or lack of exercise. This frequently leads to fatty liver disease or cardiovascular disease. Pet Hedgehogs also suffer from cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma but, by and large, they are usually quite disease resistant.

When buying a pet Hedgehog, pick it up. Does it unroll after a few seconds? If it doesn't, it's too timid and you should consider a different one. Does it click, jump or hiss? Hissing is OK, but if it clicks, it is trying to threaten you and you should pick one with a better temperament.

Its eyes should be nice, round, beady, wide open and bright, with no sign of discharge. Its nose should be clean with no sign of running. Its ears should be short (unless it is a Long-eared Hedgehog), clean and with no sign of discharge or crustiness. Note that some young Hedgehogs may have ears that have teeth marks or chunks bitten out of their ears. This is caused by siblings fighting and is OK as long as the bites are healed.

Make sure that the Hedgehog has all of its quills and that there are no bare spots, mites, fleas or crustiness on the body.

Check the pen in which the Hedgehog is being kept. There should be no sign of green droppings or diarrhoea.

The body of the Hedgehog should be plump, but not fat and its walk should be a cross between a walk and a shuffle. There should be no sign of a wobble or any difficulty staying upright.

Make sure that there is no rattle when it breathes. Do not confuse chirping, cheeping or purring, normal noises for this animal, with the rattle of a Hedgehog with breathing problems.

Ensure that the Hedgehog you are considering is at least six weeks old before you bring it home.

The Cage.

The home for your new pet should be placed in a comfortable, warm, well lit area free from drafts and direct sunlight. It should be a minimum of 16 by 24 inches in size. An enclosed cage or aquarium should never be used as it could result in your Hedgehog becoming overly warm, suffering heat stroke and dying. The temperature for your new pet should be between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If cooler, your Hedgehog could go into hibernation, and if warmer, as mentioned it will usually suffer a fatal heat stroke.

When you first bring your pet home, leave it undisturbed in its cage for the first day. For the rest of the first week, you can pick it up for a few minutes a couple of times a day. After that you can handle it frequently as it should be familiar enough with you that it will not become frightened. During its first month with you, your new pet will spend quite a bit of time sleeping. However, as it gets older it will become more active and interesting.

You should let your pet Hedgehog out of its cage for a few hours each day so it can get exercise and to prevent boredom. Once your Hedgehog bonds with you, it will follow you around like a dog. It can also be trained to use a litter box like a cat. Non-clumping litter is preferred, and make sure the litter box is cleaned daily.

Bedding.

Your pet's bedding should be dust free. It can consist of aspen or pine wood shavings (not sawdust), but should never be cedar shavings. Immature females and adults can also use dust free crushed corn cobs. NEVER use crushed corn cobs for immature male Hedgehogs. Shaving or corncob bedding should be 2 to 3 inches deep. You can also use several layers of inexpensive fleece material to line the cage and act as bedding. Replace bedding when it begins to smell. If using fleece material, it can be washed, dried and then returned to the cage.

Food.

Basic diet of high quality dry cat food is recommended. This can be supplemented 2 or 3 times a week with raw or cooked vegetables, meal worms, crickets, pinkies (newborn baby mice), cooked meat and fresh fruit. Only leave the supplemental food in the cage for 15 minutes and then remove it. The dry cat food can be left in the cage 24/7. Note that commercial Hedgehog food is now becoming available. This may be used, but most Hedgehog owners that I contacted felt that high quality cat food was a better alternative.

Food Bowl.

The food bowl should be 3 to 6 inches in diameter and a maximum of 3 inches tall. Heavy ceramic is recommended as it will prevent your pet from tipping it over and using it as a toy.

Water Bottle.

Use a water bottle for your pet Hedgehog (one designed for rodents or rabbits would be excellent). Never use an open dish for water for your Hedgehog. If you do, your pet will fill it with bedding material and then there won't be any water left for it to drink. It will then suffer dehydration which is usually fatal.

Hiding Place.

Your pet will enjoy having a hiding place. You can use an old plastic pitcher, a 4 inch by 12 inch piece of PVC pipe (make sure your pet can get in and out easily), or a small cardboard box like a shoe box, with a 4 inch diameter hole cut in one end. If you use a cardboard box, it should be replaced with a clean one every 2 to 3 weeks.

Toys.

Toys can be added to your pet's cage. Some people use empty toilet paper rolls, which are favoured by pet Hedgehogs, however, if you choose to use one, make sure that you slice it open from end to end on one side so that your pet cannot get its head stuck inside the roll. A Hedgehog wheel is highly recommended. This wheel will assist in keeping your pet fit and healthy.


Sexing Hedgehogs.

Female – genitals close to the anus.
Males – penis sheath ½ inch or more toward the nose from the anus.

Both males and females make great pets. However, you should never put a male and a female in the same cage unless you intend breeding them. Breeding should only take place after the female is more than 5 months of age as pregnancy earlier could result in problems and even death of the female.

After the female becomes pregnant, the male should be removed from the cage as the male will very likely kill the newborn babies. The gestation period is between 35 and 58 days, depending on the breed of your pet Hedgehog. The litter will consist of 5 or 6 babies on average.

Pet Hedgehogs are diurnal animals. This means that they are awake part of the day and part of the night. They are friendly, curious animals that require no immunization. They are usually odour free if regular cleaning of the cage is done. They are peaceful, humorous, solitary animals. They are also very intelligent and have good memories.

Hedgehogs have excellent sight and smell abilities. Their pointed little noses are constantly twitching as they sample the scents in the air around them.

When frightened, they roll into a ball protecting their soft white tummy. Their back is covered in short quills for protection. Unlike the quills of porcupines, these quills do not have barbs and they usually remain attached to the hedgehog.

As noted above, obesity is a problem, so if your pet develops “ham-hocks” for legs or has double chins, eliminate the supplemental food, and if your pet does not have a Hedgehog wheel, get one. If there is no sign of weight loss after one month, change to a dry cat food with at least 20 percent fat content. The extra fat content should cause your pet to eat less and thus lose weight. If it still doesn't lose weight, consult a veterinarian.

So, if you want a smart, friendly, cute, little pet that is fun, quiet, gentle, fairly odour free, that doesn't climb your curtains, chew your furniture, require vaccinations or daily walks, then you may want to consider a Hedgehog as your next pet.

However, be aware that some states in the USA and some Canadian municipalities have laws banning the keeping of Hedgehogs as pets, so before purchasing one, please check with local authorities.

Until next time,

Teia
PS. Hedgehogs enjoy baths. We put our pet hedgehog in about two (2) to (3) three inches of barely warm water in our bathtub every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for ten (10) minutes. Make sure the tub is clean before putting the hedgehog in and make sure that NO chemical cleaners have been used. If you are not sure, rinse the tub out thoroughly before putting the hedgehog in the tub. NOTE! the hedgehog may have a bowel movement in the tub. After the bath take your hedgehog back to its cage and thoroughly clean the tub with hot water.

Cat Breeds: American Bobtail Cats

This breed is relatively new in that it began in the 1960's in the United States of America. Apparently, a couple found a male bobtail kitten, which they named “Yodie,” on an Indian Reservation. When the kitten reached maturity, it was bred to a seal-point Siamese female cat. All of the offspring had bobtails and looked like baby Bobcats (a wild feline described in my Sunday, June 28, 2009 entry titled, “Unusual Pets: Bobcats.)

As a result, a rumour started that “Yodie” was actually an offspring of a mating between a Bobcat and a domestic cat. However, scientists quickly countered this rumour with scientific evidence that showed that any mating between a Bobcat and a domestic cat would result in male offspring that were sterile. Since “Yodie” obviously wasn't sterile, this rumour regarding his ancestry quickly died.

However, if you look back in history, you will find numerous mentions of domestic cats that had been abandoned in the United States wilderness mating with other wild “domestic” cats and producing “mutant” offspring with bobtails. “Yodie” was probably the product of such a mating. Since the mutated gene that produces this type of tail is a dominant gene, most, if not all progeny, would have bobtails. Since “Yodie's” offspring had bobtails, this is probably the most logical origin for him.

“Yodie's” offspring were bred to Birmans, Himalayans, Siamese and Ragdolls (Cat breeds, the latter two of which I have previously covered. Friday May 22, 2009 titled “Cat Breeds: The Ragdoll Cat” and Tuesday May 26, 2009 titled “Cat Breeds: Siamese Cats.) Since the gene pool was relatively small, inbreeding lead to medical problems with progeny of the original bloodline. As a result, in the 1980's, breeders chose random bred domestic cats and mated them with American Bobtails. This created a much wider gene pool and eliminated most medical problems and also almost all traces of the original blood line.

The resultant American Bobtail cat is an affectionate, very intelligent, gentle, loving, kind, athletic, well muscled, medium to large cat. The males weigh 15 to 20 pounds (6 – 8 Kg), with the females weighing slightly less. Their average tail length is one to four inches long (2.5 – 10 cm), although some cats have shorter or longer than average tails.

Interestingly, those with shorter tails, or no tails at all, tend to have an increased risk of hip dysplasia, spinal-bifida, bowel and bladder issues.

The American Bobtail appears powerful with its strong, broad, wedge-shaped head, broad, deep chest, distinctive brow, large almond-shaped eyes, strong back legs, which are slightly longer than its front legs, large feet, sometimes with tufted toes, and tufted ears; in short, regardless of colour, it appears in stature, to be quite a bit like a Bobcat.

All cat eye and fur colours are available in this slow maturing cat, which takes two to three years to reach adulthood. The hair comes in two varieties, medium, semi-dense short-hair and medium-length long-hair. Both hair types are water resistant. The long-hair version appears more scruffy looking.

The short-haired varieties do not require much grooming. They usually only need to be combed during the shedding season. Long-haired American Bobtails should be combed at least two (2) or three (3) times a week to prevent tangles and matting of the hair. If started at a young age, most cats enjoy their grooming sessions.

The American Bobtail has a dog-like personality. It enjoys playing fetch and hide and seek and is very devoted to its owners. It can easily adapt to a busy or quiet environment, so will fit into most households. It is leash trainable, so can be taken for a walk. It enjoys climbing and discovering things, so do not let it outside unsupervised, or it will be at the top of the nearest tree.

Because these cats are very trainable, they can be taught to do simple tricks. They are excellent with children because they do not mind being lugged around like a sack of potatoes.

Unlike most cats, the American Bobtail gets along well with most dogs and other pets. They are fairly quiet cats, but will chirp, click and trill when they are happy.

The American Bobtail interacts with humans of all ages, so it is sometimes used as a therapeutic animal for distressed people.

These cats sound like the ideal pet, but one word of caution though. These cats are fascinated by shiny things so you must ensure that jewelry, coins, and small ornaments are always kept locked up, because if they spot something shiny, they will pick it up with their mouth and carry it away. Unfortunately, they sometimes swallow these things which means a quick trip to the veterinarian must occur to ensure that whatever was swallowed does not injure or kill the cat.

American Bobtail kittens usually sell for $400 to $900 (US) depending on their bloodline and what they will be used for. Show animals are, of course, more expensive than companion animals. Breeding rules are almost always part of the sale contract. Be sure to do a thorough check of the breeder before you decide to deal with them.

If you would like to own a bold, people oriented cat that is highly intelligent, somewhat demanding and whose cleverness and dexterity have earned it a reputation of being an escape artist, then an American Bobtail may be the cat for you.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The Australian Terrier

Also known as the “Aussie,” the Australian Terrier was created from several Terrier breeds about 1820. It was first shown in Australia in 1899.

This sturdy little dog is fairly long in body in proportion to its height which is approximately 10 to 11 inches (25-27.5 cm) at the shoulder. It weighs 12 to 14 pounds (5-6 Kg).

The Australian Terrier has a fairly short, shaggy, untrimmed coat over a fine, soft undercoat. It has a definite ruff around the neck and the fur is shorter on the lower legs, feet and around the muzzle. They also have a fine, soft topknot at the top of the skull. Coat colours consist of Blue, Steel Blue, or Dark Grey-Blue with tan, or solid Sandy or solid Red. The dog's coat does not need clipping, but it should be brushed several times a week. With frequent brushing, this dog will shed very little. If necessary, trim around the eyes and ears, and clip the nails regularly. The Australian Terrier should not be bathed more than once a month or its coat could become lank. Be careful when brushing the soft undercoat. When the coat is washed, it should be brushed as it dries to prevent matting and tangling of the hair.

Keen, Dark Brown eyes and small, erect, pointed ears give this friendly, extrovert breed an anxious to please demeanour. As well as being an excellent rodent killer, the Australian Terrier is also an excellent companion dog and an above average guard dog because of its keen eyesight and hearing.

The Australian Terrier is very adaptable and enjoys both city and country living, as long as it gets a daily walk on a leash or lead. Never let the dog run loose because its genetic makeup will cause it to chase anything that moves. This dog is above average in intelligence and it is quite easy to obedience train. It is not an aggressive dog, but will defend itself if attacked. It tends to be bossy in a multiple pet family and is apt to chase and possibly kill smaller pets like cats and rabbits. Because of its rodent killing genetics, this breed of dog should not be kept in a home where rodents are kept as pets.

The Australian Terrier has a lifespan of 10 to 16 years, with an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Health concerns: generally a healthy breed, although it is susceptible to cancer, diabetes, cataracts and ear infections. Some of this breed also suffers from allergic dermatitis.

The Australian Terrier is an alert, amusing, self-assured dog that is usually even tempered, so is good around children. However, all children in the family must be taught how to be kind to the dog and also how to be its leader. If this is done, a deep bond will develop between the dog and the children. The dog should be taught that all humans are pack leaders. If the dog believes that it is the pack leader, then it could snap at the children if it sees them do something that it doesn't approve of. The pack leader always keeps all members of its pack in line.

If you would like to have a smart, alert, active little dog that is easy to obedience train, then an Australian Terrier should be high on your list of dogs to consider.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets – The Antlion

The Antlion is a member of the family Myrmeleontoidea. Interestingly, the term Antlion only applies to the larval form of this insect (see picture one.) Although the adult version has different names in different countries, there is no English name for them. Some people call them Antlion Lacewings, but most just refer to them by the larval name of Antlion. To prevent confusion, quite a few people in North America refer to the larval form as “Doodlebugs” because they leave a doodle like trail in the sand when they move from place to place. The Antlion is spread throughout the world and can usually be found in arid sandy areas that have ant colonies nearby.

The adult Antlions look a bit like Damselflies and Dragonflies, but they have different antennae than these more well known insects. Antlions have “clubbed” antennae (look like golf clubs) which are about as long as the head and thorax combined.

Antlion adults are poor fliers and only venture out near dusk when they flutter about looking for a mate. Those found in true desert areas are quite active and will bite if they land on you.

Although the adult Antlion is fairly attractive, the larval stage is quite ferocious looking. It has a robust fusiform body (spindle like body form that tapers at each end), a thorax with three sets of legs and a plump abdomen. The neck, or pro-thorax is quite slender and the head is large and appears to resemble a slightly flattened square. The head has large sickle-like jaws with several sharp hollow projections. The jaws are formed by the mandibles (lower jawbones), and the maxillae (located below the mandibles they manipulate food during chewing.) Each pincer, made up of a mandible and maxilla, encloses a canal which allows the larva to inject venom into its prey.

Another unusual feature of Antlion larva is that it lacks an anus. All of its waste generated during the larval stage is stored and then released as meconium (earliest stool) by the adult while it is still in the cocoon.

The larva makes a globular cocoon of sand stuck together by a fine silk which is spun from a slender spinneret on the back end of the body. The cocoon, which is buried in the ground, can be anywhere from just under the surface to several centimetres down in the sand. It remains there for about a month going from the larval stage to the pupal stage which is very quiescent (inactive) and then to the sexually mature adult stage, which digs its way up to the surface, leaving the pupal integument behind. Once it reaches the surface, it rests for about 20 minutes while its wings open and then it flies off looking for a mate. The cycle from egg to adult Antlion can take up to two to three years, depending on the availability of the food supply in the area where the insect is located. Another interesting feature of this insect is that the adult stage is very much larger than the larval stage.

The Antlion probably got its name from the fact that its primary prey is ants. The suffix “lion” means eater, so Antlion literally means “ant eater.”

The larva digs a pit in the sand and lurks in a hole in the bottom of the pit which is constructed with sides that are on the verge of collapse. When another insect, usually an ant, steps over the side of the pit, they slide down to the larva which grabs the ant and sucks the fluid out of it then the larva flicks the carcass out of the pit. As the larva grows larger, it builds larger pits and catches larger prey.

If you would like to have Antlions as pets, you will have to keep them in a terrarium with three to four inches of sand in the bottom. You can buy Antlions at some pet shops that specialize in exotic pets. Make sure that the top of your terrarium has a mesh fine enough to prevent the ant food supply from escaping.

An Antlion pet is not one you would handle, they are the type of pet you just spend time watching.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Polydactyl Cat

Polydactyl cats are also called mitten cats, mitten foot, thumb cats, boxers, boxing cats, six-finger cats, Boston Thumb cats, Hemingway cats and Hemingways. The latter two names originated from the fact that author Ernest Hemingway loved these cats and had several. After his death, his former Key West, Florida home became a museum and home for his cats, which now number about 50, half of which are Polydactyl cats.

Actually, referring to the Polydactyl cats as a breed is really a misnomer, because a Polydactyl cat is one with a congenital abnormality. These cats have extra toes. This abnormality affects many animals, including humans, and is referred to as Polydactylism or Hyperdactylism.

A Canadian cat named “Tiger” is the current Guinness World Record holder with a total of 27 toes. However, “Mooch” owned by a couple in Maine, USA, has 28 toes. They have submitted documentation to this affect in the hope of having him declared the new official record holder.

Originally referred to as the American Polydactyl cat, because of the numerous ones on the American east coast, the word American has been dropped as it has been determined that cats with extra toes show up, from time to time, in many countries. They are very common in the Cardigan area of Wales and are called “Cardi-Cats.”

Normal cats have five toes on each front foot and four toes on each hind foot. A Polydactyl cat can have up to seven toes on each foot. One peculiar thing about this genetic mutation is that these cats usually have the same number of toes on each foot. (I said usually, but as you can see from Tiger's description above, it isn't always the same number on each foot.)

Some cats affected with this abnormality have difficulty learning to walk as kittens, however, others have no difficulty and some even show superior dexterity such as opening latches and catching thrown objects. These feats (no pun intended) are not usually found in “normal” cats.

Polydactylism most commonly occurs in the front feet of affected cats. The second most common occurrence involves all four feet and the least common occurrence involves the hind feet only.

At one time, in Europe, Polydactyl cats were considered to be “witches familiars” and were quickly killed. However, they were extremely popular with sailors, because their extraordinary climbing and hunting abilities kept the rat population in ships under control. In fact, many sailors felt that Polydactyl cats were good luck, so a large number of ships carried them. This probably is the reason that cities with ports ended up with more of these cats than land bound cities. It also explains why the United States east coast has so many cats with the Polydactyl abnormality. Many port cities exist there, particularly ones which catered to the sailing ship fleets.

If you get a Polydactyl cat, be sure to keep a watch on its toe nails. Since some of the toes stick out at odd angles, the nails do not get worn down by normal scratching. Therefore, these nails will need to be trimmed to prevent them from growing into the cat's flesh and causing an infection.

Until next time,

Teia

PS from Dad. I'd never heard of Polydactyl cats until recently. However, after reading about them, I have to say that the old adage, “Truth is often stranger than fiction,” holds true.

Dog Breeds: Bichon Frise

The name, in French, means curly white lap dog. Other names for this hypoallergenic dog are Bichon a poil frise and Bichon Tenerife.

The Bichon Frise is a descendent of the Barbet or Water Spaniel and was originally called a Barbichon. This name was later shortened to Bichon. There are four categories of Bichon: the Bichon Tenerife, the Bichon Havanese, the Bichon Malteise and the Bichon Bolognaise. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

These happy, lively little dogs, which are friendly and outgoing, love being the centre of attention and becoming a member of their human family.

The dark, alert eyes are full of expression. The nose is black, soft and shiny. The white, soft, corkscrew hair, over a silky undercoat, needs daily grooming to remain in tip-top condition. A small amount of the coat around the ears, snout, paws and parts of the body (not more than 10 percent of the body in total area) may have a buff, apricot or cream hue.

Height is 9 to 12 inches (23-30 cm) and weight 7 to 20 pounds (3-10 Kg). Puppy's noses are pink, but gradually turn black as they grow older. They also have cream or pink markings under their white coat, but these markings should be dark by the time the dog reaches 18 months of age. The legs and head are in proportion to the size of the body. The tail and ears are not docked or cropped. These dogs are of medium to high intelligence.

Because they require a lot of brushing, clipping and bathing, dead hair and dander is constantly being removed. As a result, these dogs make good pets for people who usually have allergic reactions to other dogs. It must be remembered, however, that individual dogs may have more or less allergens than the breed average.

The Bichon Frise is sensitive, gentle mannered, affectionate and playful. It usually gets along well with children and other pets.

The average lifespan of the Bichon is 12 to 13 years, although individual dogs may live for a longer or shorter period. These dogs are prone to cancer, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) and liver shunts.

My Mom and Dad had a Bichon Frise named “Brandy” when they lived in Regina. She was a sweet little puppy, happy and active. However, as she got a little older, she began to limp and often walked on three legs, refusing to put any weight on her left hind leg. A trip to the veterinarian revealed that she had hip dysplasia. As a courtesy to the breeder, Mom phoned her and let her know that one of the parents was passing a hip dysplasia problem on to some, or all, of the pups. The breeder said, “You bought her, so it's your problem now,” and slammed down the phone. Obviously this breeder was not a good one and was only in it to make money, not to ensure that her stock was of good quality.

“Brandy” was operated on and had the ball removed from the top of her left rear femur. It changed her whole personality. Even after she was completely healed and had undergone rehabilitation so she could use her leg again, she became quiet, sad, slow moving and sullen. When she was about 8 ½ years old, she showed signs of chewing problems, so Mom and Dad took her to the Veterinarian. She examined “Brandy” and advised that she had cancer of the mouth and jaw. When Mom asked how long she had, the veterinarian replied, “she will let you know.” Several months later, she stopped eating. A few days after that, she came up to Mom and laid her head in Mom's lap and whined and closed her eyes. It was time! Mom and Dad took her to the veterinarian where she was put to sleep.

Friends of the family have a Bichon, “Charlie,” who is very outgoing and friendly and much loved by his “Mom and Dad.” So, if you would like to have a friendly white dog that loves attention, you may want to consider a Bichon Frise as your next dog. Just remember, they need a lot of maintenance to keep them looking good.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Australian Mist

The citizens of Australia have always wanted an Australian breed of cat. As far back as the 1890's, attempts to create such a breed were started, but none were successful.

In the mid 1970's Dr. Truda Staede of Nintu Cattery in Australia submitted an idea to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales (NSW) Cat Control (this body was later replaced by the Cat Fanciers' Association of NSW, which is a member of the Coordinating Cat Council of Australia) to develop a breed of cat that would be truly unique to Australia.

She submitted an Experimental Plan outlining her idea to use Burmese cats, Abyssinian cats and the common domestic cat or “moggy.” The Burmese was chosen for its relaxed nature, general size and shape, the colours brown, blue, lilac and chocolate and their pattern, particularly their ghost spotted pattern. The Abyssinian was chosen for its intelligence, colour pattern and to obtain the ticking (agouti) gene to develop the tabby pattern. By crossing them with domestic tabby cats, she ensured the tabby pattern and also their strength and rigour.

The breeding plan was very successful and in 1978, the new cats turned out to be what was planned. They were named the “Spotted Mist” cat. However, occasionally cats were born with a marbled pattern. It was determined that this pattern occurred when two cats with the masked classic gene were bred to each other. It was decided that both the spotted and the marbled patterns should be included in the breed, but the name “Marbled Spotted Mist” was too awkward a name, so the name was changed to “Australian Mist.”

The Australian Mist is a medium-sized, short-haired cat with a round head and large expressive eyes in shades of green. Its coat is either spotted or marbled. The base or ground colour is cream (any other base colour, including white, means that the cat is not a purebred Australian Mist). The delicate pattern colour is one of seven colours: blue, lilac, brown, chocolate, caramel, gold or peach. Random ticking in the solid colour areas gives it an appearance of being covered by a misted veil, hence the name. The nose, chin and whisker pads are broad, giving the face a generous open look, with delicate tabby markings. Legs and tails frequently contain rings of the pattern colour.

These cats are hearty eaters, so care must be taken that they don't overeat and become obese. Their short, dense hair is easy to care for and only requires a weekly brushing, They will shed their hair, and during this time, more frequent brushing is required.

The Australian Mist is a very healthy cat and it is very unusual for one to have a health problem. Their life expectancy is 15 to 19 years. Breeders of this species of cat keep meticulous records and every single cat's lineage can be traced back to the original base group. As a result, prospective breeders are thoroughly screened to ensure that they will keep the breed pure and that all documentation is factual and complete.

As kittens, Australian Mist cats are very lively, and even as adults they enjoy playing. They can be trained to fetch and walk on a leash. Nothing much perturbs them as they are very laid back in temperament. They love people and will plunk themselves down on any empty lap, whether they are invited or not. They prefer company, so make excellent pets for invalids and house bound seniors. They make perfect pets for children of any age, even very little ones, as they enjoy being handled and are not inclined to scratch.

The Australian Mist is very easy to show as they enjoy all the attention. Because of their mild manner and fantastic appearance, they frequently win the coveted “All Breeds Supreme in show awards.”

At the current time Australian Mist cats are being bred in Australia and Great Britain. There are some neutered/spayed Australian Mist cats in the United States and several breeders there are attempting to sign agreements so they can breed these fabulous cats.

So, if you want a loving, beautiful cat that can be taught tricks, you may want to consider the Australian Mist as your next feline companion. One word of caution though, they are very pricey and you will have to undergo a rigorous interrogation by the breeder to ascertain if you would be a suitable owner. You should also know that if you are purchasing a companion cat, that it will be spayed or neutered prior to being sold to you. This prevents any unauthorized breeding from taking place. As noted above, very strict rules apply to this particular breed of cat.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: Alaskan Malamute

One of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, this breed originated in the Eskimo settlement of Malamute. Affectionate, friendly, loyal and a devoted companion this breed likes people. The broad head and obliquely set eyes add to its dignified appearance. According to the American Kennel Club, the Alaskan Malamute has a well furred tail carried over the back like a “waving plume.” Apparently in stormy conditions it will curl this tail around its eyes, protecting them from damage caused by blowing snow.

Puppy litters for this breed range from 4 to 10 puppies. Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, although a British study involving 14 dogs found the median lifespan to be 10.7 years. The discrepancy may be due to the size of the study, or the fact that it took place in Britain which is a warmer climate than Alaska where the breed originated from.

To survive Alaskan temperatures and pull a heavy sled at a steady speed this breed needs to be powerful and heavily boned. An Alaskan Malamute's weight is 85 to 125 pounds (38-56 Kg) and its height 23 to 28 inches (58-71 cm).

The Alaskan Malamute is a good family dog because it is great around children and it is very protective of them. As a result, it is not a good idea to discipline children around the dog.

Unfortunately, it has a tendency to show aggression toward other dogs. Its size and strength require that it be handled firmly and carefully.

Its thick double coat ranges from light grey to black or from gold through shades of red to liver, always with white on its face, chest, under body, legs, feet and underside of tail. The only solid colour permissible for this breed is white.

Apparently the Alaskan Malamute is difficult to train, so training sessions should be kept short and fun for the dog, or it will lose interest.

They make good house dogs as they are nimble around furniture and small objects, but they require plenty of time outdoors getting large amounts of exercise. If kept as an outdoor dog, they must have plenty of shade in the summer and should be provided with a paddling pool of cold water so they can lay in it to cool off. They love snow.

The Alaskan Malamute has a tendency to run off, so they should either be on a leash or within a fenced in area. They are a fairly quiet dog as they do not bark very much, although they do “talk” using a “woo woo” sound and they also have a tendency to howl like a wolf on occasion.

Known health problems include cancer, hip dysplasia, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy.

My Dad's mom had an Alaskan Malamute whose father was a beautiful gold colour. "Rocky" took after his mother and ended up black with some white on him. He looked like a black bear and was nearly as big weighing between 150 and 180 pounds. He liked other dogs and even cats, but he was a great watch dog. He loved children and adored my Grandma. Whenever anyone came to the door, he would stand between the open door and Grandma. If Grandma invited them in, he would lay beside her chair. Once when dad was visiting, he came in the door quickly and "Rocky" came to meet him. Grandma yelled, "It's OK, it's Bert, and "Rocky" skidded to a stop and laid his head on Dad's foot and whined quietly, almost like he was apologizing to dad. Unfortunately he got cancer and had to be put down.

If you are looking for a loyal dog with plenty of stamina that enjoys activity and exercise of all kinds, then the Alaskan Malamute is the dog for you.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Aegean Cat

This breed of cat originated in the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea and it is the only native Greek cat. It is quite prolific in Greece, but very few seem to have been removed from that country. There are several references to a fledgeling Greek Cat Fancy Association attempting to commence proper breeding techniques on these semi-feral cats, but extensive research fails to actually find such an association. Perhaps photographer Hans Sylvester's famous photographs of the cats of the Greek Islands prompted such a group to form, but if it did, it appears to be non functioning at present. At any rate, there is a large colony of these cats spread though the islands, and for want of a better name, they have been called the Aegean Cat. This breed of cat is noted for keeping the rodent population under control as they are excellent predators. Most of them live outdoors and obtain their food from handouts given by visiting tourists and cat loving locals. These cats love fish and line up on the shore when the fishing fleet returns each evening. The local fishermen have taken to tossing them fish that are not merchantable.

They are very social cats and get along well with humans. If taken into a home, they adapt well, even to apartment living. They are intelligent, active, lively and communicative, not being afraid to vocalize to get attention.

Their coat is semi-long-haired in winter, but sheds to a lighter coat during summer months. Their coat is either bi-colour or tri-colour with true white always being one of the colours and covering 1/3 to 2/3 of the body. Other colours can be blue, red, black or cream, with or without stripes.

The Aegean Cat is medium sized with a sturdy muscular build. The body is relatively long with strong, round, medium-size feet. The tail is moderately long and straight. Hair covered ears have a wide base and rounded tips and sit widely spaced on a medium-size head that is wide from side to side. Their eyes are Oriental in shape and are always a shade of green.

The Greek Cat Welfare Society (http://www.greekcatwelfare.moonfruit.com) formed in 1992, is attempting to care for these cats with various programs including spaying, neutering and feeding programs. It is not known if any of these cats are available for adoption.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The German Shepherd

Originating in Germany in the 1800's, this dog was originally used for herding sheep, but now it is used for police and security work, as guide dogs, sniffer dogs, tracking dogs, guard dogs and companion dogs. It is the world's most numerous dog breed. Litters are usually large in number. Also called the Deutscher Schaferhund and by its original name Alsation.

This dog is 23 to 25 inches at the shoulders (57.5-62.5 cm), weighs 75 to 95 pounds (34 – 43 Kg) and has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years.

Indiscriminate breeding has created many problems, both physically and behaviourally. Arthritis of the joints, eye disease, gastrointestinal disease, hip dysplasia and other problems are quite common.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police experienced so many problems with their German Shepherd police dogs that they discontinued using German Shepherds and switched to the smaller more agile Belgian Shepherds. Because of the extensive training given to their dogs, they could not afford to have them develop serious medical or behavioural problems requiring euthanasia after only a few years of duty.

German Shepherds come in black and tan, black and grey, solid black, yellow, cream and white. Dogs of the last three colours are not allowed to enter dog shows.

A German Shepherd's coat is short, straight and firm with a thick undercoat. When standing, a Shepherd's hocks are angled rather than perpendicular and the front legs are straight. Thighs are strong and muscular and the chest is deep. Erect high-set ears give the impression of alertness. Arched, round well-formed feet have large pads. The large black nose is extended to a flat tip.

Well-bred specimens of the breed are attentive, alert, resilient, steady of nerve, loyal, calm, obedient, responsive, self-assured, courageous and tractable. Lesser animals are nervous, fearful, timid or aggressive. So, as you can see, the quality of individual dogs varies considerably.

Mom and Dad had a German Shepherd – Keeshond cross that developed hip dysplasia, paranoia, arthritis and aggression. He had to be euthanized when he was 8 ½ years old. His brother, who had no behavioural or medical problems of any kind, is still alive at 15 ¾ years of age. So, even dogs from the same litter vary greatly in health and behaviour. This makes choosing a German Shepherd a difficult decision as you can never be certain of just what you will get.

However, if you get a good one, you will have a fabulous dog that will show you loyalty and devotion for many years.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: The Red Fox

The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is native to North America, Eurasia and northern Africa and it was introduced into Australia in the mid 1800's. At one time foxes were confined to the the wilds, however, the expansion of cities and towns into former wilderness areas has seen the fox become more bold in recent years. It is now possible to observe them wandering the streets like stray dogs.

This small canid is most commonly an orange-red colour, with black lower legs, black ear tips and top of the tail and white underbelly and tip of the tail. However, some morphs are black or black with a white tip on the tail and some are predominately red, ranging in shades from orange-red to dark red. They range in weight from 3.6 to 7.6 Kg (7.9 - 17 pounds) depending on where they live, with the largest ones found in Canada and Alaska. Some in these locales can weigh up to 14 Kg (31 pounds). Head and body length ranges from 46 to 90 cm (18 – 35 inches) with a tail of 30 to 55 cm (12 – 22 inches). Males tend to be about 15 percent heavier than females. Foxes generally live 3 to 5 years in the wild and 12 to 15 years in captivity. Foxes are extremely fast and can reach speeds up to 72 Km per hour (45 mph). This speed aids in catching prey and evading predators.

A few years ago, a female Red Fox with a black face, ears, back and legs showed up in Creighton, Saskatchewan, where I live. It was an offspring of a dark red male fox and a black female fox that used to hang around the mine site in nearby Flin Flon, Manitoba. This little fox was very friendly and an elderly neighbour used to feed it table scraps by hand. Even though foxes are usually crepuscular and even nocturnal, this fox, which Mom and Dad called “Pretty Lady,” patrolled our town all hours of the day and night. Mom and Dad found out that she liked wieners, so they always had a big bag of bulk wieners in the fridge. This fox would frequently jump up onto our front deck and “knock” on the front door with a paw. Mom or Dad would then peel the cellophane wrapper off a couple of wieners, cut them into pieces on a paper plate and put the paper plate on the front deck. She would eat her fill and then take any leftover pieces across the street and bury them on the edge of a vacant lot. If she didn't show up by the time we had finished supper, Dad would take a plate of wiener pieces and put it on the front deck and then whistle for the fox (similar to whistling for a dog). If she was within hearing distance, she would come running down the street and jump up onto the deck for her “supper.”

One night she was a little slow showing up and when she got to our house, she began to cry like a baby. Mom and Dad went to see what the problem was and discovered that a neighbour's cat was eating the wiener pieces. Dad chased the cat away and the fox jumped up onto the deck beside him and began eating.

I guess the Natural Resources officer felt that the fox was getting too tame, because when spring arrived, he caught her in a live trap and took her 300 Kilometres out into the northern forest.

Last fall an older Red Fox showed up on our back deck one day. She had a big scar on her face starting near her left nostril and curving up over her nose and ending at the top of the right eye socket which was empty and badly scarred. Mom and Dad began feeding her and she became a nearly daily visitor. She wasn't quite as tame as “Pretty Lady,” but she was bold enough to climb through our gate and come onto the deck for food. She also liked wieners, but she would eat any meat or fish scraps we had on hand. She kept coming until March, when she went back into the forest. We all hope she comes back in the fall.

If captured at a young age, Red Foxes will make good domestic pets, however, in many areas, it is against the law to own a wild animal as a pet, so before considering getting a fox as a pet, check with your local authorities so that you don't find yourself in court.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Burmese Cat

Originally only sable (brown) in colour, selective breeding has produced a wide variety of colours, however, only sable, champagne, blue and platinum are recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). This cat is longer-lived than most purebred cats, with an average lifespan of 16 to 18 years. It is small to medium sized, but much heavier than it appears, weighing 4 to 6 Kg (8 ¾ to 13 ¼ pounds).

The Burmese cat has eyes which are either yellow or gold in colour, and which are large and very expressive. They use these eyes to hypnotize their human family into loving them for a lifetime. They are very intelligent animals and as they mature, they take over running the household. They use their large eyes and velvet paws to aid them in this endeavour. Female Burmese cats take a very active role in managing the house, getting involved in everything that is going on. They frequently voice their opinions on the way things are being done. The males are more laid back in nature and prefer to supervise, occasionally vocally, but more quietly than the females. They like to do their supervision from a laying position, preferably from someone's lap.

The Burmese cat has a short-haired coat which is glossy, with a satin like finish. The only grooming required is a daily petting.

Burmese cats are very affectionate and love human company, often following family members around like a dog. They will “talk” but are not as vocal as Siamese cats and they have a softer and sweeter “meow.”

Because they enjoy human company, these cats are not suited for being left alone for long periods of time. As kittens they are quite clumsy, often landing on their backside with a thump. The usually maintain kitten energy and interests throughout their life. They can be taught to play fetch and tag, again demonstrating some dog-like characteristics. If introduced to vehicle rides as a kitten, they are comfortable travelling in vehicles. They are seldom aggressive, but if attacked by another cat they will vigorously defend themselves. They get along well with children and dogs.

If you would like an intelligent, affectionate cat that displays some dog-like characteristics, then a Burmese cat would be a very good choice.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The Airedale Terrier

The largest of all Terriers, the Airedale Terrier hails from Yorkshire, England and the first recorded breed classes took place at the Airedale Agricultural Society show in 1864. Also called the Waterside Terrier, this dog is a powerful swimmer. It is also referred to as the “King of Terriers” because it is 22 to 24 inches ( 55-61 cm) tall at the shoulders and weighs 44 to 50 pounds (20-23 Kg). The Airedale Terrier is a muscular, active dog, readily joining in children's games. It is outgoing and friendly and is a wonderful family dog, a companion for the country or the city. Its life expectancy is 13 years, although individual dogs have lived for shorter or longer periods.

The Airedale has small dark eyes and a keen expression. Combined with its quickness of movement, the Airedale always appears to be expecting something to happen. It is alert and fearless, but not aggressive. The Airedale tail is set high on the body and it is carried proudly erect when it has been docked (cut short shortly after birth). Because of current laws in some countries, the custom of docking dog's tails in now almost a thing of the past.

The Airedale Terrier has a hard, dense, wiry double coat which is waterproof. It sheds twice yearly and in between shedding periods, its coat needs occasional stripping to alleviate tangles and mattes. The body saddle, top of the neck and surface of the tail are black and the rest of the dog is tan. No other colour combinations are acceptable.

The Airedale Terrier, like all Terrier breeds, is a great vermin hunter, but today, it is mainly used as a great family dog, although it is occasionally used as a guard dog or police dog.

Its ears are “V” shaped, the forelegs are straight and thickly boned. It has small, round, compact feet with well cushioned pads and arched toes. Thighs are muscular and powerful and the stifles are well bent. Its beard covers very powerful jaws which operate in a scissor like manner.

The Airedale Terrier is believed to have originated from the crossing of an Old English Rough-Coated Black and Tan Terrier with an Otterhound. This dog has a tendency to be stubborn and also to get involved in street brawls with other dogs. It likes activity and daily walks should be provided.

If you are interested in an active, outgoing friendly dog, then you may want to consider and Airedale Terrier as a pet for your family.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Abyssinian

The origin of this cat is unknown, although many stories exist about it. Unfortunately, none of them have any hard evidence to back them up, so they just remain stories. In fact, one story has it originating in Egypt, but DNA testing has revealed that it likely originated near the Indian Ocean.

The Abyssinian cat has a very distinctive ticked coat as exhibited in the above picture. The Abyssinian is one of the most popular short-haired cats in the United States. This cat's body is medium in length and lithe, with well developed muscles. Its tail is broad at the base and slowly tapers almost to a point. The legs are slender and fine boned; the paws small and oval shaped. Its eyes are nearly almond shaped and can be green, gold, copper or hazel in colour. The head is broad and wedge shaped. If you view a profile of this cat, you will see that the nose and chin form a vertical line. The Abyssinian's ears are broad and cupped at the base, tapering to a rounded point at the tips. Most Abyssinians have hair tufts on their ears, a must have feature for show animals. A “M” shaped marking often appears in the forehead hair, above the cat's eyes, which has led to it being referred to as “frown lines.”

All Abyssinians have a darker shade on the backs of their hind legs and the pads of their paws. The original Abyssinian's coat was a warm, reddish-brown with black ticking, however, over the years, other colours have been developed. New colours are Sorrel, which is a cinnamon (yellowish-brown) base with chocolate brown ticking, paw pads and the back of hind legs. Fawn Abyssinians have a light-cream base with darker cream ticking, pads and backs of hind legs. Blue Abyssinians have a light-beige base colour with blue ticking, paw pads and backs of hind legs.

A separate group among Abyssinians is the Silver Abyssinian, which is not recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association, even though this colour has be around for a long time. Silver Abyssinians have a silvery-white base colour, with tickings of black, blue, warm dark cream or cinnamon.

Rare colours include Red, Cream, Tortoiseshell, Lilac and Chocolate, which are bred on a small scale in Great Britain and Holland.

Abyssinians are very active and playful. They can become depressed without daily activity and attention. As a result, Abyssinian cats should not be considered as “lap cats,” because they have to be doing things. If allowed outside, they are great hunters as they are physically capable and intelligent animals.

If you are interested in a cat that is active, good looking and loves to play games, then an Abyssinian is a cat that you should consider.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The Affenpinscher

The exact origin of this dog is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in Germany about 1600 AD. It is suspected that it was created as the result of crossing local Pinschers with Pug-like dogs from Asia. There is also speculation that the Affenpinscher may be the parent of Belgian Griffons and a relative of miniature Schnauzers.

The German word “Affe” means monkey, so this dog is also called Monkey Dog. If you examine its features and watch its actions and mischievous nature, it will remind you of a monkey. The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest toy breeds in existence.

The Affenpinscher has a height of 9.5 to 12 inches (24 – 30 cm) and a weight of 7 to 9 pounds (3 – 4 Kg). It has a life expectancy of 14-15 years, although a recent study in Britain involving a significant number of Affenpinscher owners and breeders revealed that the mean lifespan there appears to be about 11.4 years. No explanation has yet been revealed regarding this lifespan discrepancy.

This dog was originally used as a vermin hunter and even today, if it is given a chance, an Affenpinscher will prove it is a formidable rat catcher. However, its current role is that of companion dog. It is fiercely loyal to its human family and very protective of its members. It is watchful of strangers and fearless toward aggressors.

The Affenpinscher is very lively and self confident. It is often described as a “Big Dog” in a little dog body.

This dog has a rough, harsh coat which is short and dense in some areas and shaggy in others. It comes in black, grey, silver, red and tan and belge (mixture of red, black and white hairs). Some may have Badger pied markings on the head and ears. The hair on the head stands away from the skull. It has well feathered feet, which are short and round. Its eyes are large, dark and sparkling, surrounded by bushy eyebrows, an abundant moustache and a bushy beard. The Affenpinscher has medium length legs, straight and well boned. Its tail, which is covered in short hair, is carried high which is another sign of its self confidence.

Some owners advise that the Affenpinscher is difficult to house break and train, while others say it is a very intelligent dog which takes very well to all sorts of training. The discrepancy here may be attributed to either differences in individual dogs, or the competency of the trainers.

The Affenpinscher is very territorial about its toys and food and displays a tendency to snap at interlopers. In view of this, it is suggested that this breed should be kept away from small children and other small pets.

Like all toy dogs, the Affenpinscher is prone to hip dysplasia and a collapsing trachea. Try to keep the dog from jumping and climbing up and down stairs during its first year of life. When taking it for a walk, use a harness instead of a collar to attach the leash to the dog.

The Affenpinscher needs to be groomed two to three times a week. This will remove loose hair, so shedding will be very minimal. (Some claim that this dog is a non shedding dog, but that is not true because it has hair in follicles. Over time all this type of hair dies, is shed and regrows.) Grooming will also reduce tangles and matting of the dense fur.

It you are looking for a self confident, active, fiercely loyal companion dog, then an Affenpinscher may be the dog for you.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/affenpinscher.htm can provide more information

Dog Breeds: The Greyhound

The first documentation mentioning this speedy canine occurred in 1016 when they were included in the Forest Laws made by King Canute. Interestingly, dogs with a similar appearance were carved into Egyptian tombs, dating back 4000 years, which leads one to believe that their origin may have been the middle east, and that they were brought to Great Britain by the Celts who picked them up during their wide ranging travels.

Greyhounds, which can run at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 Kilometres per hour), were originally used for large game coursing. In more modern times, this gentle, affectionate, kindly canine has been used in coursing, racing and as companion dogs. They enjoy interacting with children, so can be considered as family pets. Because of their coursing background, it is advisable to keep greyhounds away from rabbits, cats and small dogs.

Greyhounds weigh from 60 to 70 pounds (27-32 Kg) and stand 27 to 30 inches (68 – 76 cm) in height. Their life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.

Greyhounds that have been rescued or retired from racing establishments make great companion dogs, but they chase anything that moves. Because they seldom bark and are used to spending long periods of time in relatively small spaces (being carted from race track to race track in small dog crates or vehicle mounted kennels) they make excellent dogs for apartment dwellers.

Greyhounds have a long relatively wide face and a flat skull. They have a capacious chest which provides ample space for their heart and lungs. Their forelegs are long, straight and well boned. They have fine close hair coloured white, fawn, red, red-brindle, black-brindle and black, plus combinations of the aforementioned colours. Their neck is long, arched and muscular. Their ears are small, fine textured and rose shaped at the base.

Greyhounds enjoy going for walks and if turned loose in a field they will run about. If you want an affectionate companion dog, then you may want to consider getting a greyhound.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Facts

I decided to do something a little different today. Over the past while I've come across some tidbits about dogs and I thought you might find them interesting.

Even though a human stands upright and a dog walks on four feet, the two have very similar skeletons. The only real difference is that a dog does not have a collar bone.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an unusual ridge of hair which grows along the middle of its back. This ridge of hair grows in the opposite direction to all the other hair on its back.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. They can detect one part of urine in 60 million parts of water.

Trained blood hounds have phenomenal scenting ability. If they are following a trail and they lose it at the edge of a body of water, they can often regain the lost trail after they cross the body of water.

The first living creatures to return from space alive, were the dogs Belka and Strelka along with a grey rabbit, 42 mice, 2 rats, flies and a number of plants and fungi on August 19, 1960.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has a daily walk around the grounds of Buckingham Palace. She is accompanied, a few steps behind, by her two Corgis, on leashes held by the dog handler.

A lonely dog, deprived of canine or human companionship for long periods each day can easily become destructive. Therefore, they should have someone or something to keep them occupied. Many people leave either a radio or television on to “entertain” their dogs.

Many dogs respond favourably to music and some will even provide vocal accompaniment. A few dogs have even learned to “play” an instrument such as a piano or a mouth organ.

Some dogs, trained to aid the disabled, can load and unload washing machines. Others can “answer” the phone by picking up the receiver and holding it for their disabled companion to talk to the caller.

Dogs have now been trained to detect impending heart attacks or epileptic seizures and can then warn their owners, so appropriate action can be taken.

The Newfoundland dog has webbed feet which enables it to swim exceptionally well, in spite of being a large dog with a heavy coat. As well as the Newfoundland, many “water dogs” such as retrievers also have strong webs between their toes to assist them in swimming. Many arctic breeds, like huskies, also have webbed feet which keep them from sinking too deeply into snow

Any breed of Tibetan origin that has tan markings above its eyes is called “four eyes.” Many Tibetans believe that these dogs can see evil up to three days in advance.

Dogs that have been rescued should be seen by a veterinarian before being put up for adoption so that any potential new owner will know the needs of the dog and can then make an informed decision regarding getting it for a pet.

Greyhounds that have retired from racing or been rescued from racing establishments make great dogs for apartment dwellers. They are affectionate, quiet (they seldom bark), and they are used to small places because in the racing world they frequently had to stay in small crates when being transported from place to place.

Diarrhoea in dogs is frequently caused by a rapid change in diet or a slight chill. It can usually be rectified by withholding food from the dog for 24 hours and then feeding the dog a light diet for the next few days. Fresh water should be available at all times. If you notice blood in the diarrhoea or if vomiting and diarrhoea occur together or if other unusual symptoms accompany the diarrhoea, get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

For hundreds of years, dogs were expected to work in return for food and shelter, but in modern times they are more valued for their companionship. One duty they performed was pulling dog carts, which carried all manner of things, including people, parcels, milk containers, fruit and vegetables, wood, meat, bread and coal.

“Lassie,” one of the most famous canine movie stars, was in actual fact a male dog by the name of “Pal.”

Until next time,

Teia

A Great Pet: Budgerigars

Usually called a Budgie, this small parrot originated in the harsh inland part of Australia where it has lived for more than five million years. It became popular as a pet cage bird and is now bred domestically in most countries.

In the wild, this bird is a small long-tailed green and yellow bird with scalloped black marking on the wings and shoulders. However, aviary bred birds also come in blue and white, all white, all yellow and various combinations of these colours. Their beaks are olive grey and their legs bluish-grey. Two of their toes face forward. The male budgie has a blue cere (the area containing the nostrils) and non breeding females have a pale brown or whitish cere. A breeding female will usually have a brown cere.

Male budgies are usually cheerful, extroverted, flirtatious, peacefully social and very vocal. They can frequently be taught to talk, sing and do tricks. The amount of their vocabulary depends on the bird and the amount of time you spend teaching it. Most will learn 20 to 30 words, however, some have learned up to several hundred words. Female budgies are usually dominant and socially intolerant birds. They can also be taught to talk, sing and do tricks, but their vocabulary is usually quite limited.

All budgies like to chew, particularly females, and they will chew anything that they can get their beaks on. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that they have cuttlebone, mineral block (iodine enriched) and soft wooden pieces to both satisfy their need to chew and to keep their beaks properly trimmed.

Budgies are relatively small, but very active birds. The minimum cage size for a single bird is 18 by 18 inches (46 by 46 cm). However, to keep your bird happy and healthy, a cage 18 inches wide by 30 inches long (46 by 76 cm) is recommended. The spacing between the cage bars should be ½ inch (1.25 cm) or less.

Several male budgies can be placed in a cage, which should be appropriately larger in size, but be very careful about putting more than one female in a cage, as they frequently fight viciously doing serious and sometimes fatal injuries to each other.

Budgies should have a daily supply of seeds and fresh water, but that can be supplemented with fruit, vegetables and nuts. DO NOT FEED THEM AVOCADOS AS THEY ARE TOXIC TO Budgerigars.

Budgies typically live from 5 to 8 years, but if well cared for and provided healthy diets and exercise, some will live 15 to 20 years.

If you want an inexpensive, entertaining pet cage bird, then a Budgerigar or Budgie is a great choice.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Manx Cat

Long-haired Cymric



Nearly Tailless Manx




1900 Manx Silverwing cat

The Manx (Kayt Manninagh or Stubbin) is a cat that originated sometime before the 1700's on the Isle of Man. Their exact origin is unknown, but folk lore claims that they got onto a Spanish galleon in the Far East and came ashore when the ship foundered on the cliffs at Spanish Head on the coast of the Isle of Man.

These cats either have no tail, or just a small stub of a tail, and hind legs that are longer than the front legs, which gives it the appearance of always walking down hill. Many stories have been started about this short-tailed or tail less cat including one that suggests that it comes from a cross between a cat and a rabbit. This supposedly explains the long hind legs and the short tail. However, it is just a story, because scientists have determined that the short tail, or lack of a tail comes from a genetic mutation. The longer hind legs compensate for the curvature of the animal's spine and provide better balance to compensate for the lack of a tail.

When my dad was a young boy living on Vancouver Island, he got a Manx kitten from a farmer who brought back a pair of Manx cats when he returned from a visit to the Isle of Man prior to the start of the second world war. Dad's cat was named “Taffy” and she was a magnificent rat hunter. She looked similar in appearance to the Manx cat from the 1900's in the picture above, being a kind of Tortoise-shell colour. She had a stub of a tail and a very aloof looking manner about her, although she was very affectionate to, and protective of, my dad. She liked to play “boats” with my dad. They'd both stand in the creek and push a small homemade wooden boat back and forth to each other. She had one or two litters of kittens a year until the age of 13 years. These kittens were in great demand as the rural area where dad was raised had a rodent problem. “Taffy” died of old age when she was 16 years old.

One of “Taffy's” offspring, a male, belonging to dad's younger brother, liked to spend time hanging around the local pub, where he was given the odd brew. He grew to an enormous size and looked just like a Bobcat.

Apparently, completely white Manx cats are fairly rare and as a result, they can fetch prices of $4000 or more at sales.

As well as having long hind legs, the Manx has small slightly rounded ears, a round head, large round eyes and a small nose. They have two coat lengths. The short-haired Manx has a double coat with longer, coarse outer hair, featuring guard hairs, over a short, thick undercoat. The long-haired Manx, which is often called a Cymric, has a silky textured double coat of medium length hair, with britches, belly and neck ruff, tufts of fur between the toes and lots of hair inside the ears. The Manx cat can come in Tortoise-shell, Tabby, Calico and all solid colours.

So, if you would like to get a Manx cat, be advised that they are rather rare and quite pricey. However, they are even tempered, affectionate and good with children if raised from a kitten in the presence of children.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. For additional information on these great cats, go to http://fanciers.com/breed-faqs/manx-faq.html

Dog Breeds: The Aidi

Originating in Morocco more than 3000 years ago, the Aidi was first introduced to North America during the Twentieth Century. It is still relatively rare here.

Other names that it has been called are “Chien de l'Atlas,” “Atlas Shepherd Dog,” “Berber” and “Kabyle Dog.”

The Aidi has a very keen sense of smell and, as a result, it is used to guard livestock by the Berber nomads. It is sometimes used to track game which is then brought down by a Sloughi, a very revered dog in that region of Africa. Because of its superior tracking capabilities, police in some locales use it as a tracking dog and to find missing and lost persons. It is also being used as a watch dog because it is easily trained to do this and many other tasks.

Because it is quite high strung and has a great deal of energy, the Aidi needs a lot of things to keep it occupied. Although it is sometimes used as a companion dog, it is only now being considered as a household pet, but only if it is given enough exercise, tasks to complete and stimulating diversions to keep it happy.

The Aidi stands 21 to 24 inches tall (53-61 cm) and weighs 50 to 55 pounds (23-24 kg). It is relatively lean and well muscled, with a deep chest. It has a strong 2 inch (5 cm) long coat of varying colours which is well suited for the harsh climate of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Libya and Algeria, which is hot during the day and extremely cold at night.

If you need a good guard dog, or a tracking dog that can live in harsh climates, then an Aidi would be a good choice. Just remember that it needs plenty of exercise and stimulating tasks to keep it satisfied.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The Afghan Hound

Sometimes called the Tazi or the Baluchi Hound, the Afghan Hound is one of the more glamourous of the large breed of dogs. It stands about 25 to 29 inches tall (63-74 cm), weighs 50 to 60 lbs (23-27 Kg) and has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

It has a beautiful long coat and comes in just about any colour. This long coat has one drawback as the dog tends to develop hairballs from grooming itself. There have been incidents where some of these dogs have choked to death on a large hairball, so owners are encouraged to groom Afghans daily to remove any loose hair.

The dogs originated in Afghanistan, hence the name, but they can now be found nearly everywhere. As well as being used as pets, show dogs and herd dogs, because of their strength and speed, Afghans are frequently used in dog races in many countries. They are also highly regarded as excellent competitors in agility trials.

Afghans have an Oriental expression and their eyes appear to look right through you, presenting a very aloof and dignified temperament. Some owners find this breed's Oriental or Eastern personality hard to handle. As well, with their strength and speed, they require extensive obedience training which can be difficult as they have a reputation of being difficult to train. In spite of this, many people hold these dogs in very high regard. One way to ease the difficulty in training is to utilize this breed's strong pack allegiance. Since a daily walk is required to prevent the dog from developing behaviour problems, the Afghan should be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the leash. This will reinforce the dog's natural instinct that the “pack leader” always goes first. In this way the dog will learn that the human is always first and must be obeyed because they are the “pack leader”. With this in mind, the owner should also teach their Afghan to enter and exit doorways after the human.

Afghans have four very distinctive features. Many have a ring (tight curl) at the end of their tail and a saddle of short course hair from the front shoulders to just in front of the hind quarters. Most also have a long topknot and all have high hip bones.

Afghan owners should be aware that this breed has a very high prey drive and as a result they usually do not get along with other small animals, so they should be tightly controlled when around small pets.

So, if you would like a large regal looking dog, you should consider the Afghan Hound as one of the top contenders.

Until next time,

Teia

Grooming and General Care of Your Dog

Medical Update: I went to the vet last Wednesday and had a thorough examination. My groin has completely healed and the lump beside my nose has disappeared. The area of my chin that was covered with weeping lumps has healed up, and the swelling has nearly all gone away. The vet told dad that he could reduce my “Prednisone” treatment from one half tablet in the morning and one half tablet at night to one half tablet in the morning. Dad must continue to monitor my condition and let the vet know if anything shows up again. Now, on the following Monday, everything is still OK, so hopefully my problems have been solved. Unless something happens again, no further medical reports will be given. Thanks to all who sent get well messages. Now, on with today's post which deals with grooming and general care of your faithful companion.

The amount of grooming your dog will need depends on the breed of the dog and the length and texture of her coat. Generally, dogs with long hair will require more grooming than short haired dogs. Some long haired breeds will require a bath every week or so to keep their coat from matting, with daily brushing in between.

Before commencing to brush your dog, you should examine her for cuts, sores, mats in the area where the legs meet the body and in the hair on her ears. Also check her anus for crusted stool as this could cause a sore to develop. And, check inside her ears to ensure that there is no wax buildup.

Dogs with short hair only need to be bathed occasionally, but they still need weekly brushing to remove dead hair and surface grunge.

Non shedding dogs will require regular baths and hair cuts to keep them looking nice and to prevent matting of their coat. You should purchase a breed specific book so that you can get advice and tips for your dog from specialists.

If you plan to enter your dog into dog shows, then you should consult with a professional groomer to learn what needs to be done to prepare your dog. And, even if your dog is just a family pet, you should take her to a professional groomer at least once to learn how to properly groom her and what tools you will need.

If you just try to do it all yourself, without expert advice, you could end up spending a lot of unnecessary money on items that either don't work, break or become unserviceable quickly, or just don't do what you want them to do. For example, if you plan on cutting your dogs hair yourself, make sure you get good quality dog clippers. Hair clippers for humans will not stand up to regular clipping of your dog's hair. Some types of hair require special types of brushes. Dog nail clippers must be used to cut your dog's nails. Human nail clippers either will not cut the nails, or they will splinter the nail when cutting.

When dad was younger he cut the hair of the family dogs, and both mom and dad groomed and bathed them. Now that they are older, they take us to a professional groomer for baths and haircuts. They brush us and clean our eyes, ears and bums between visits to the groomer, and give us emergency baths when we get really grubby. Our groomer, as well as giving us a bath and haircut, also trims our nails and thoroughly cleans our ears and removes excess hair from the inside of our ears so wax doesn't build up.

For further information on grooming view:

“Drying the Dog” posted Wednesday August 26, 2009.
“Tips, Techniques and Equipment for Brushing Your Dog” posted Wednesday July 1, 2009.
“Improve Your Dog's Health with Proper Grooming” posted Sunday April 26, 2009.
“Bathing Your Dog” posted Wednesday March 25, 2009.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Obesity and Overfeeding

Medical Update – The vet phoned dad and said that there was no indication of deep infection and to start the steroid prescription. Since then my groin has healed and the lumps on my chin and beside my nose have started to shrink in size. Unfortunately I'm still losing weight. Dad will be taking me back to see the vet tomorrow, so hopefully he can come up with a solution to the weight loss. (This is the exact opposite of today's blog topic, which as the title says is obesity.)

An alarmingly high proportion of dogs, these days, suffer from obesity. The primary cause of this is due to over eating and lack of exercise.

Most dog owners, now-a-days, have very busy lives with many work related and social responsibilities. As a result, their dogs don't get taken for as many walks as the should. Many days their food is either left down all day, like mine, or care is not taken in measuring out the proportions recommended for the size or breed of their dog.

Some breeds are more prone to becoming obese than others. Cocker Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers are two breeds which are very susceptible to obesity. On the other hand, Terrier breeds are the least susceptible breeds to becoming obese.

If your dog shows a tendency to having a weight problem, ensure that she only eats what you give her. Do not allow other family members or well meaning neighbours to give her treats or special tidbits. Please have your dog examined by a veterinarian (vet) before considering putting her on a diet as there may be an underlying medical problem that is responsible for your pet's weight gain. As mentioned last time, in multiple dog families, you have to be vigilant that food guarding or food gorging is not taking place. This is a jealousy or psychological type problem that needs to be discussed with your vet so that you can find a safe and satisfactory solution.

The one downside to having your female dog spayed, or your male dog castrated, is that hormonal changes take place which alter their weight regulating mechanism. This means that the same amount of food after the operation may result in weight gain. If this occurs, discuss it with your vet to arrive at a sensible solution. It may be necessary to reduce the number of calories in the food provided. This may involve switching to calorie reduced food, or adding more bulk to your dog's current food to make it seem more substantial.

One method that has proved fairly successful with a number of dogs is providing them with uncooked carrots as treats instead of dog biscuits. Uncooked carrots can also be chopped up and added to your dog's regular food to provide extra bulk when the amount of food is reduced to lessen the calories consumed. As well as reducing calorie intake, these vegetables are good for aiding the teeth cleaning process. Some dogs are satisfied with the carrots just being washed and the tops and tips being removed, while others prefer to have their carrots with the tops, tips and skin removed.

Since cold winter weather increases a dog's appetite, adding bulk without increasing calories is necessary at this time of year. Where I live in northern Canada, winter is long and cold – temperatures in the minus 30 to minus 50 degree Centigrade* range, often accompanied by a wind, makes outdoor exercise impractical much of the time. As a result, reduction of calories is essential or weight gain at this time of year is inevitable.

Until next time,

Teia

* Centigrade or Celsius temperatures are scales where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees – in the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. At minus 40 degrees, all three scales are in synchronization.