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THE SPHYNX CAT
sphynx
Part of the hairless cat breeds, the Sphynx draws human attention everywhere it goes. That’s great news, because Sphynx cats love human company and make great pets for city apartments and additions to homes with children.
Brief History
The Sphynx cat is a product of selective breeding in Canada during the 1960’s and are known for their almost dog-like personalities as well as famous hairlessness.
There are two types of the Sphynx breed: the American Sphynx and the European Sphynx. Both the European and American Sphynx groups are descended from two natural lines of mutation. The first line started in 1975 with the Pearson family’s dermis and epidermis barn cats and the second started in 1978 with two stray cats, Bambi and Punke, which were found in Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
Physical Features
The International Cat Association identifies the Sphynx as a unique cat breed with the following standards. They have a wedge-like head with high cheekbones. Their eyes are large and assume a lemon shape while their ears are also large with a soft down outside base and no inside hair. A Sphynx may or may not have whiskers and if present, these whiskers are either full or broken. Their necks are of medium length, well-muscled and powerful in build. Other unique features are: a barrel chest, torso of medium length, full and round abdomen, tapering tail with a whip like appearance and thick paw pads.
Average Height:
8-10 inches
Average Weight:
6-12 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-16 years
Temperament
Sphynx cats love attention and are generally very cheerful. They make great therapy pets being because of their loving disposition and constant smile. When not seeking or receiving attention, Sphynxes spend their time exploring their surroundings. While doing this, they are often very lively, energetic and curious.
sphynx cat
Special Needs
Sphynxes are highly social cats that can make a family out of anything. Because of this, they hate being locked away or put in enclosures that limit their freedom to move about. If you need to be away for long periods of time, consider adopting a friend for your Sphynx to play with.
Possible Health Concerns
The Bombay is a healthy and moderately active cat breed that may be susceptible to the following health conditions:
The Sphynx is a generally healthy cat breed, however they remain vulnerable to various diseases common to both mixed-breed and pedigreed cats. Sphynx owners should be on the lookout for: Urticaria pigmentosa and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Exercise
Sphynxs are energetic and love to spend most of their time involved in an activity. They play well with children and fellow pets and also excel in brain teaser games such as puzzle toys. Because of this, an exercise routine schedule isn’t necessary. However you can spare some time to walk with your Sphynx and play a game or two.
Nutrition
Sphynxs should do well with high nutrition cat food both home prepared or commercially manufactured. They love fruit as treats, but make sure to only give those with lots of fiber and vitamins such as apples. Clean water should also be available for them to drink and remain hydrated.
Grooming
Despite having a hairless body, the Sphynx’s coat and skin needs as much care as hairy cats. Wash your Sphynx on a weekly basis using a mild moisturizing shampoo or baby shampoo and keep the skin moisturized with scent free oil or lotion. Bathing the Sphynx from a tender age will teach it to accept baths and get more used to water. Brushing the Sphynx’s teeth helps prevent it from developing periodontal disease.
sphynx cat breed
What are Savannah Cats?
There’s something unmistakably striking about the Savannah cat. Descended from African wild cats and crossed with domestic cats, these exotic hybrids are graceful, captivating and leave you wanting to know more.
THE POMERANIAN
The foxy-faced, spunky Pomeranian has the corner on cute. But did you know they were originally bred to pull a sled? This tiny puff of fluff is royalty’s choice of lap dog, but their surprising background belies their petite and carefully-coiffed appearance.
Brief History
The Pomeranian is a descendant of the Spitz, the ancestors of today’s huskies and other sled dogs. The breed’s name comes from the region of Germany and Poland which was, in ancient times, known as Pomerania.
In the mid-1900’s, the Pomeranian was introduced to England. Back then, it weighed around 30 pounds and was most likely white in color. Canine historians think it probably descended from the Deutscher Spitz. It had pragmatic uses, including pulling sleds and herding sheep.
In 1870, the Pomeranian gained recognition through The English Kennel Club. But the breed earned its popularity boom when Queen Victoria took a fancy to it. She imported a Pomeranian from Italy, a red-coated dog named Marco. She became quite passionate about her dogs, who became beloved travel companions, and she maintained her own breeding kennel. She even exhibited her dogs at the famous Crufts Dog Show in London when it opened in 1891.
Thanks to the royal endorsement, the breed was exhibited in dog shows in the United States under the American Kennel Club’s Miscellaneous Class the following year. Eight years later, it earned a regular classification. It was accepted in various colors. The trend of miniaturizing the Pomeranian continued, and it was selectively bred to have a bigger coat and a “puff ball” appearance.
Physical Features
According to the AKC breed standard, the Pomeranian is “long a favorite of royals and commoners alike [and] has been called the ideal companion. The glorious coat, smiling, foxy face, and vivacious personality have helped make the Pom one of the world’s most popular toy breeds.”
The AKC recognizes nearly two dozen color patterns, the most common being orange or red.
Although it is descended from northern sled dogs, the Pomeranian is recognized as a toy breed.
Average Height:
6 to 7 inches
Average Weight:
3 to 7 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12 to 16 years
Temperament
The Pomeranian is inquisitive, bold, and lively.
Special Needs
With a thick double coat, the Pomeranian needs regular brushing to keep clean and free of mats. His undercoat will typically shed heavily twice a year. Like many toy dogs, he can be prone to obesity and needs his diet monitored carefully, as well as given a daily dose of exercise. Unless the Pom is raised with children, he generally does not do well with them. Being a petite toy breed, he can be fragile, and care must be taken to avoid injury.
Possible Health Concerns
Pomeranians can be prone to the following:
Patellar luxation
Dental disease
Tracheal collapse
Patellar luxation
Patent ductus arteriosus
Exercise
Although all dogs benefit from some outdoor time to sniff around and enjoy a leash walk, Pomeranians require a moderate amount of exercise. They do well in apartments and can thrive on an outdoor jaunt a couple of times a day with a game of fetch.
Nutrition
A Pomeranian’s diet should be maintained to avoid overfeeding. He will thrive on quality kibble, with extras such as meat or fish and steamed vegetables.
Pomeranians are ideal companions for a quiet home, and most of them thrive in a lap-dog lifestyle. Once he settles into your lap, it won’t be long before he finds a secure place in your heart.
How to Keep Different Types of Pet Spiders
Although not for everyone, many children and adults enjoy raising spiders, also known as arachnids, as pets. Pet tarantulas and wolf spider pets are interesting to observe and are the two most popular types of spiders kept as pets.
How to Add a Dog to a Family That Already Has Pets
At some point, there’s a good chance you’ll think about adding a dog into your furry family. While a dog can be a welcomed part of the family, some of your pets may not adjust easily to the newcomer. Their first encounter can have unpredictable outcomes, and like with people, first impressions count for a lot. So if you’re thinking of adding a dog to your home, be sure to take the following advice into consideration.
SUMMER SAFETY FOR PETS
Summer has arrived, although I am aware that some of you in many parts of the United States went directly from winter to summer without the slow transition of spring. Nevertheless, hot weather is upon us and we should all be aware that there are some definite dos and don’ts that should be observed in the summer all across the country regarding our pets.
Summertime Pet Care: Safe Tick Removal
Ah, yes...for some people and pets in many parts of the United States the summer of 2014 was a most welcome change after a record winter of snow and artic cold. We couldn’t wait to hit the bicycle and walking paths through the woods and the dog parks to help work off the extra pounds gained throughout the harsh winter. But wait, there may be some critters lurking on the hairy bodies of our beloved dogs and cats that have the potential to cause problems as we move into the latter months of warm weather. Caution: your pet may have been in contact with nasty external parasites that can not only cause irritation and discomfort, but bring disease to both you and your pet. Here is a brief overview of what could be a problem. Your veterinarian can determine if there is cause for alarm.
THE WHIPPET
The Whippet originated from the U.K and is part of the UKC, Sighthound Group and the AKC Hound Group. This breed first came about more than 100 years ago and was bred in the late 19th century. Initially used for racing, these dogs are great in track running over short distances and can reach high speeds in seconds. They were named the “poor man’s racehorse,” because they were used for gambling in the U.K. by the working class.
Brief History
This lightning-fast sprinter dog breed is a smaller version of the Greyhound. During Victorian times, miners enjoyed dog racing and rabbit hunting, but found Greyhounds to be expensive in their upkeep. To solve this, they bred a smaller version, resulting in the Whippet.
This is the fastest breed of its size and can run up to 35 miles per hour. It is believed that this breed descended from a cross of various terriers, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds and possibly Pharaoh Hounds. The name is thought to have been derived from “Whappet,” an old word that means small dog that makes a lot of noise. This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1888 and by the English Kennel Club in 1891. They enjoys hunting, racing, agility, sighting, and lure coursing.
Physical Features
The Whippet is a medium-sized dog that is elegant and muscular. Their length is typically equal to, or slightly longer than, their height. With a long, narrow head and a powerful, long muzzle, the Whippet has a black nose and small ears. This breed also has a long neck, with a long tapered tail. Their coats are smooth, short, and in a wide range of colors. This breed has a keen and alert expression with a smooth, muscular and strength. Their hindquarters are long and powerful.
Average Height:
18-22 inches
Average Weight:
20-28 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Temperament
This is a friendly and amiable dog breed that enjoys people and other animals. This breed does well with children. Although the Whippet has a pronounced prey instinct, when positively trained, they can be one of the easiest breeds to live with. This pup is capable of great speeds when running and is totally focused when doing so. They do best with lots of exercise with a fenced and secure garden or backyard. This is a very sensitive dog breed that needs tons of positive reinforcement and does well with lots of attention and affection.
Special Needs
This athletic dog breed does well with plenty of off-leash exercise. Early socialization with other dogs, people and animals is recommended. Puppy training classes help overcome any shyness issues. That said, the Whippet is sensitive, active and playful. This breed does well with an active family and enjoys most canine sporting activities. In fact, this bred excels at many of them. They also enjoy lounging on beds and couches.
Positive dog training for this breed needs to be consistent, yet one needs to take sensitivity and intelligence into consideration, and not break their playful spirit with unnecessary reprimands.
Attentive and experienced pet parents are recommended. These dogs do well with either country or city living, as long as they gets the right amount of exercise. This breed’s skin is very thin, and needs to be protected from cold or from vegetation that may cause skin lacerations. Weight needs to be maintained in this breed. They need to live indoors with their thin body frame. Be sure to have a plush dog bed nearby.
Possible Health Concerns
This is a healthy and active dog breed that may be susceptible to the following:
Cardiac Diseases: Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is common in Whippets. Soft systolic hear murmurs are common in dogs that perform in athletic training. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Cancer: Older dogs may be predisposed to osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mastocytoma, melanoma, histiosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Canine cancer is on the rise. Consult with your veterinarian regarding any changes in your elderly dog. Feed a healthy natural high-quality diet.
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of the thyroid hormone, and can cause weight gain in this breed, as well as constipation, and cold sensitivity.
Exercise
This dog breed needs regular exercise and plenty of off-leash runs.
Don’t allow for young Whippets to play with larger dogs. All pups enjoy playing so much that they forget how big other dogs really are. Make sure to protect your puppy from injury when they’re playing with other dogs. This breed also needs protecting from skin lacerations if outside, or with other dogs.
Whippets are usually calm at home, but have explosive energy when at the dog park. This breed needs to have long supervised runs. Be forewarned: puppies can climb and jump over garden fences easily. Lure coursing and agility are favorite canine sports for this breed. They are athletic, fast and have tremendous energy. That said, a well-trained and well-exercised Whippet makes for a well-balanced dog that is a pleasure to have at home. They don’t do well in the cold and must be protected from low temperatures in winter months.
Nutrition
This breed does well on a high-quality dog food. If you’re opting for home-prepared dog food, consult with your veterinarian first. The Whippet has a tendency to metabolize food quickly and lose weight, so make sure you’re attentive to their appetite. At the same time, make sure to watch their weight.
Look for high-quality ingredients such as whole meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, and take heed of different macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbs.
Grooming
The Whippet has almost no odor and is a clean breed. This dog breed needs minimal grooming maintenance, and is easy to groom. Weekly bathing, together with everyday grooming help keep skin free of dirt and healthy. Nails need to be trimmed as needed. This breed needs to be brushed every day, and also needs to have daily dental brushing, and ear cleanings.
The Whippet is a popular breed because of its size and friendly personality. That said, be sure to have your home well prepared. Secure fencing is a must! With their alert and intelligent personalities, Whippets escape easily, so new pet parents must be sure that all back gates are locked and the backyard is super safe.
This breed is sensitive, caring and needs lots of TLC. They are also easy to travel with and to take along on trips. They may be shy with strangers, but are gentle all round. Once Whippets have decided to chase something, there’s no stopping them. Off-leash runs need to take place somewhere safe like the dog park.
