The Miniature Pinscher is a beautiful breed of dog which has his origins in Germany. The name of the dog refers to the ears of this breed which used to be cropped or pinched. The dogs which belong to this breed have very long legs and small body, which can make you laugh at the first sight. This breed measures only between 10 to 12.5 inches at the withers.

         The coat of this breed is short and smooth at touch, with colors, harmonized to most breed standards, of red, stag- red, and black or chocolate with tan or rust markings, increased with the blue and fawn. The Miniature Pinscher often has a docked tail and the owners frequently crop their ears.

         The Miniature pinscher is an energetic dog and friendly that thrives on owner interaction. This breed is a loyal one and must be socialized in order to be integrated into families, and get along moderately with other animals or with children. The dogs must be socialized when they are puppies because in this way they can co-exist and interact with other dogs as adults. This breed is very harmless in the family, is showing affection but distrustful of strangers. This protective instinct will manifest as nonstop barking and challenging postures.

         Being an energetic breed, these dogs will need exercises every day. Daily walks are not enough so the owners must practice exercises or they can take him to a dog parks. This breed is not a perfect choice for homes because they have too much energy, the bark and if you do not have enough time to practice with the dog, there will the a serious problem. So, if you still want this breed in an apartment , you should know that a daily 45 minutes plus exercise regiment is a must in order to have this dog.

         When playing with a child, the dog can be easily injured. This breed has a very dry skin and because of it, they have issues; to moderate these issues, the dog must be washed no more than 3 or 4 times a year. During off periods a wipe down with a dampened towel should be used. When they are taking for a walk on a cold weather, they must be protected as they don`t have any protection against cold weather. This rule must be applied to hot weather, as well. This breed is also prone to obesity, so the owner must be careful with the amount of food he will give to the dog.

Miniature Pinscher Pictures Gallery

         The Chow Chow is a breed of dog which has its origins in Mongolia. The name Chow Chow is a Chinese slang for edible. The word chow means food in English, and the shipment of spices and mixed pickles from China became known as chow chow , as did a spicy pickle relish.

         The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog which is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears which are rounded at the tip.

         The Chow Chow has a double coat which is smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck. The Chow Chow may be colored in red, black, blue, cinnamon/ fawn, and cream. The eyes have an almond –shape, their tongue has an unusual color: blue- black/ purple and is very straight and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. Their nose is black.

         Another different feature which is not common to other breeds id their curly tail. It has thick hair and lays curled on its back. The Chow Chow dogs are very loyal to their owners and will bond tightly to its master. That is why they give affection only to those who are used to , so new visitors should not press their physical attention upon the resistant Chow as it will not immediately accept strangers in the same way it does with its family.

         A Chow Chow can live in an apartment only if the owner is giving enough opportunity for regularly- scheduled physical activity every day. The owners of the Chow Chow still need to be prepared to take a Chow Chow for brisk daily walk, even if they have a fenced yard, in order to meet the dog`s needs for mental and physical stimulation. While the Chow Chow exhibits low energy for most of the day, it will crave routine time to explore and play to maintain a happy and content disposition.

         The Chow Chow dogs are most affected by elbow dysplasia. They can also suffer from hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, and ocular disorders. The lifespan of the Chow Chow is between 10 to 15 years. Unless the Chow Chow is kept engages, boredom sets in and the Chow Chow will simply walk away or refuse to engage.

Chow Chow Pictures Gallery

         The Shar –Pei is a dog which comes from China. The name of Shar- Pei means sand skin and refers to the texture of its short, rough coat. You can observe that all the puppies have many wrinkles, but when they get mature, these disappear.

         What is very curious at this breed is their tail structure. The tail is carried over their backs on either side exposing the anus. The first tail set is a tightly curled tail, the second is the loose curl and the third is carried in an arch aver the back.

         Having small, triangular ears , a muzzle well shaped ,black mouth pigment, deep-set eyes , rising top line and a high- set tail make the Shar- Pei be a unique and splendid breed . The colors are different from fawn, red, sand to cream, black, lilac and even blue. They have the tongue colored in blue- black which make them fit to Chow Chow. Their nose can be black or brick, having or not having a black mask.

         Moreover, this breed has three different coat types named horse, brush and bear coat. The first one is rough when touching, very prickly and off- standing. The bear coat is fairly prickly, can be rough or irritating when you fondle in the opposite direction of the fur.

         Furthermore, these Chinese dogs called Shar- Pei are not only splendid but also very intelligent and curious dogs and can be recognized for its wrinkles which make them to be a unique breed. At the beginning the dogs were used for fighting but today they are trained and they are capable of being obedient, agile and can be used, too on the farm. All Shar- Pei need to be training and early socialization with children, strangers and other animals. They can be stubborn, strong willed and very territorial. They are active and are often more content to laze around the house.

         Last but not least their the temperament of all Shar- Pei is often suspicious of strangers. This breed has very much love to give and is devoted to the family. They are very independent and reserved , loyal and endearing.

         Even if you are single or your family has a very large number of members, you can choose a Shar- Pei because this breed gives you affection, love and can protect you from the strangers. All Shar- Pei are independent and when you are walking on the street with it, everybody will admire this breed.

Shar – Pei Dog Pictures Gallery

         Brought on board of the Mayflower by the first settlers, the American Shorthair was a useful enemy of the pests damaging food resources. It thrived on catching mice and developed as a breed, being one of the first acknowledged breeds at the dawn of the twentieth century. The American Shorthair was later bred with various other cats imported to the States and the result was a large variety of colors, patterns and combinations.

         American Shorthairs are low maintenance cats who will only require the usual once a week brushing to keep a healthy and good looking coat. If tenderly cared for and fed quality food they will be by your side for a long time, being famous for living well in their twenties. The short thick coat is made of a dense rich undercoat which stands a bit of from the body, creating a plush puffy look.

         The physical appearance of this cat is a healthy and robust one. American Shorthairs are large strong animals who like to hunt mice as much as they love to play outside or with the members of your family. They have strong, muscular bodies well anchored on their feet and display beautiful symmetry. The head is large, with almost square looking jaws and its eyes are wide and friendly. The ears are medium sized and slightly rounded at the top, covered with a very fine hair. Males are, as usual, larger than females and can reach up to fifteen pounds in their adulthood. Females are slightly smaller, with an average of eleven pounds.

         But how are American Shorthairs as pets? They are the perfect companion for your family. Calm and friendly, they will get along just fine with new people or any of your other pets. They adapt well and quickly to new situations and they will cope with being left alone while you are at work. It is always good to allow these cats some moving space if you can. Otherwise a scratching post should be available, to let out all that energy and satisfy its natural instincts of sharpening claws. These cats are surprisingly agile and will get rid of any mice trouble you could have. They are hard working and will do whatever they can to earn your affection and approval.

         American Shorthairs will not demand much of your attention and they will never bore you with their tedious meowing like other cats. They are warm and gentle creatures and they learn fast. You can teach them to stay off the table or fetch things. Event though they aren’t lap cats they will show love in their own ways. It’s just that these cats have been accustomed to being real workers and helpers instead of parading aroud the house like other breeds.

         Having been established as a robust and agile cat which was designed to terminate mice, the American Shorthair is not known to be predisposed to nay health problems. Like many other breeds, if kept mostly indoors, no exercise available, with as much food as they desire, they will have an obesity issue. Therefore it is recommended that you feed it no more than 70kcal/kg a day.

American Shorthair Cat Pictures Gallery

         The Golden Retriever is widely known and there are some differences between the British type and the American one. The first one has got shorter legs, a deeper chest and even a shorter tail. Generally, a male is between 56 – 61 centimeters while the female is a little shorter and it can measure up to 51 – 56 centimeters. When talking about this breed, the UK standard does not mention any average weight. At a first look one can easily differentiate the European Golden Retriever from the American one by looking at their eyes. The eyes of the first one are remarked for being round and dark while the American counterparts are noted for their triangular and slanted composition. When talking about the color of the coat, the breed is popular for the beautiful shades of gold and even cream. Note that red or mahogany are not permissible colors.

         On the other hand, the American Golden is more compact and ganglier than the European type. The dimensions should stand between 58 – 61 centimeters at a male and a female should measure between 55 – 57 centimeters. When talking about their weight the is not a big difference between a male and a female: 65 – 75 lb for the first one and 55 – 65 for the last one. The color of the coat can vary from gold to any shades of it, it is dense and water repellent as well.
What both the British and the American Golden Retriever have in the common is the temperament. Generally they can be described as being kind, friendly and confident.

         Having all these personality features they cannot be referred to as “one man dogs” because they are friendly to both strangers and those who are familiar to them. Taking all these into account, one cannot make such a dog a good guard dog. But, despite this, the dog is extremely calm, naturally intelligent and biddable. The intelligence and obedience of the Golden Retriever are the main features of the breed and due to them, this breed occupies the fourth rank in Stanley Coren` s The Intelligence of Dogs. In addition, these dogs are widely known for the patience with which they treat children and adults as well as other dogs, cats and every living creatures. Because of their high level of sociability towards people, calmness and willingness to learn they make perfect guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs and last but not least search and rescue dogs.

         The moment they reach their maturity, one will realize that they love hard working and they love to be focused on different tasks; but you should not overwhelm them. Another characteristic is their agility in competitions and performance events.

         You should also be aware of the fact that in spite of all these features that make this dog perfect for any family, you should at your turn give them affection and take good care of it. This breed is prone to genetic disorders and other diseases. For example, hip and elbow dysplasia, skin diseases with allergies, eyes diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, and so on.

Golden Retriever Dog Pictures Gallery

         Another member of the “blue” family, the Russian Blue is a rare breed and its birth is the subject of much speculation. One of the legends says that soldiers had these cats on their backs with their claws scratching them to blood when departing in battles. Others say the Russian Blue was the Tsar’s favorite and that Queen Victoria also had one she adored as a pet. Most of the people believe that these cats were brought to England from the Russian islands called Arhanghelsk. This is why they were also known under the name of Archangel cats.

         Russian Blue kitties are warm and playful. When they grow up they become shy towards strangers and whenever somebody new comes in the house they have the tendency to go hide, coming out only when the coast is clear again. They are devoted to the entire family but choose a single person closest to their heart and that lucky one enjoys an overabundance of love and attention from this imperial feline.

         Where aspect is concerned Russian Blue individuals are blue-grey, with a thick rich undercoat and a grey-silver coat. They are short haired cats so they do not need special attention where grooming is concerned. An occasional combing and passing your humid hands through their coat will insure the falling hair’s cleansing. The Russian Blue’s almond shaped eyes are usually of a deep green and are positioned on a cobra like face. The wedged head is adorned with large and pointed ears disposed laterally. These cats pay special attention to hygiene and they will refuse to accept anything less than a perfectly clean litter box. Therefore it is indicated to never skip this detail out of sight if you do not want to encounter any smelly “surprises” on your carpet or in other comfy, clean places.

         A Russian Blue’s constitution is slender and shows long strong muscles without being cobby. They are elegant felines, although some present a disposition for gaining extra weight. You should watch the portions (70kcal/kg a day is enough). These cats are independent and will be perfect choices for people who have to work outside the premises for a living. They will greet you “smiling” at the door, with their calm and relaxed look. These smart creatures will indulge in any number of games, some of them dog-like: fetch, opening doors and closets and anything that can be opened. When stressed or bothered they will take refuge in high places and wait for the nuisance to disappear.

         Russian Blues do not appreciate noisy or loud spaces. They are also very quiet and pleasant creatures who require moderate attention. Although having escaped near extinction after the second World War these cats are still extremely rare and expensive. Their spectacular looks are complimented by an aristocratic personality.

Russian Blue Cat Pictures Gallery

         The Beagle is a well known breed of small to medium – sized dog. It is a member of the Hound Group, being similar in the way in which it looks to the Foxhound, but being slightly smaller, with shorter legs and longer, soft ears. Due to their well developed ability to detect almost anything only by the way in which it scents, they are primarily raised for tracking hare, rabbit. They are also employed as detection dogs so that they can detect agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. Another explanation for their popularity is the fact that they do not suffer from any inherited health problems and because of their size.

         Although the breed has got a large historical background having existed for over 2000 years, one can say that the Beagle that we can admire today is modern and that it was developed in Great Britain around 1830. The Beagle is said to be a mixture of the Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern hound and even a slight of features which correspond to the Harrier.

         At a first look, one can say that the Beagle resembles to a Foxhound, but with some main characteristics, it is way smaller, its head is broader, and the expression is completely different. The legs are shorter in proportion to the body. They can measure up to 41 centimeters, and weight between 8.2 and 16 kg. The head of the Beagle is completed by some large and long ears, a medium – length neck, and continuing with a broad chest tipped with white. The tail does not curl over the back, being held upright when the dog is active. Although the Beagle is tricolor (white with large black areas and light brown shading) it can appear in a range of colors, the hound color being the rarest. There are also two – color varieties which always have a white base color with areas of a second one. Tan and white is the most spread two – color variety, but you can also find other colors like lemon, red, brown, liver and even black.

         Because of their well developed ability to detect anything by the way in which they smell, the Beagle is better at ground – scenting than at air – scenting. The temperament of the Beagle can be described as being temper, “merry” and generally they are not neither aggressive nor timid. They enjoy company, and even if at first they tend to be standoffish with strangers in the end they are almost every time won over. For this reason they make poor guard dogs. Other main feature of the breed is the fact that they are intelligent, determined, but because of their stubbornness they prove to be hard to train. The smell can prove to be very distracting when you try to train them, because every time they detect a new scent they tend to follow it and not listen to the trainer. But they are eager to please, easily bored or distracted. All in all, the Beagle can be described in one word as the breed with the lowest degree of working or obedience intelligence.

         In relation with other companion, for example the children they tend to act perfect and they are also very popular as family pets, as well as interacting with other pack animals. They are not demanding with regard exercise. Even if you are single or your family has a very large number of members, you can choose a Siberian Husky because this breed gives you affection and love. Due to the fact that they have health problems , the lifespan for a Siberian Husky is around 12 to 15 years.

Beagle Dog Pictures Gallery

         The Rottweiler is a large breed of dog originally from Germany which is very intelligent and hardy. The appearance of this breed is natural and rustic, their behavior self- assured, steady and fearless.

         The Rottweiler dogs have a medium length skull, broad between the ears. The occipital bone is well developed without being conspicuous. The nose is also well developed, more broad that round with large nostrils and is colored in black. The lips are black and close fitting with corner of the mouth not viewable. The eyes have medium size, almond – shaped and dark brown. The eyelids are close fitting. The ears are medium, pendant, triangular and set high on the head. The neck of this breed is strong, well muscled, arched.

         The Rottweiler is a trotting dog. In movement the back remains firm and relatively stable. Movement is symmetrical, steady, full of energy and unrestricted, with good stride. The coat is formed from two parts: the top coat and the undercoat. The top coat is of medium length, coarse, dense and flat. The second one must not show through the top coat. The Rottweiler males have from 25 to 27 cm and 50 kg while the females have from 22 to 25 cm and 42 kg.

         The Rottweiler dogs have a great temperament. They are fond of children, devoted, acquiescent eager to work. They are calm and confident, courageous and independent. They are a good protector of your family and your home because of its intelligence and power.

         The Rottweiler has a reasonably good natural balance, force- barks when need and when working cattle uses a very frightening charge. There is a natural change in forcefulness when herding sheep.

         This breed is a relatively healthy, disease free one. Nevertheless as with any species, hereditary conditions do occur in some lines. Potential purchasers must ask breeders about any history of hereditary disease in their lines. Another very important thing you must know is that if you feed your dog and you do not make some exercises every day, the dog may become obese. Some of the consequences of obesity can be very serious like: arthritis, breathing difficulties, diabetes, heart failure, reproductive problems, skin disease, reduce resistance to disease and overheating caused by the thick jacket of fat under the skin.

         Even if you are single or your family has a very large number of members, you can choose a Rottweiler because this breed gives you affection, love and can protect you if you are attacked by someone.

Rottweiler Dog Pictures Gallery

         The Ocicat is one of the most spectacular cat breeds you will ever come across. The peculiar wild look of this kitty’s coat will pleasantly surprise you, as well as its elegant and imposing posture. If you are a fan of big cats and have secretly yearned for a fierce feline as your personal pet……you will find the Ocicat is the answer to your prayers.

         This lovely animal is only wild on the outside, its breed being characterized by an extremely sociable and outgoing character. They are extremely loyal and affectionate, their intellect and personality being famous for the resemblance with those of dogs. They will develop numerous dog-like tricks among which are: walking on a leash, fetching toys or other stuff, responding to whistling. Opening doors and drawers are also things an Ocicat can do, but, then again, any number of intelligent cats will do these things, breed or no breed.

         The strange name of these little miniature leopards comes from the resemblance with yet another wild cat, a smaller one compared to the leopard: the ocelot. However, the great resemblance has nothing to do with wild cats cross breeding. These exquisite fellows were the result of Abyssinian and Siamese crossed breeding, the result being later on contributed to by the American Shorthair for its distinctive spots. The selective breeding was the work of an American owner who intended to create a lovely and friendly wild cat look alike for everyone to enjoy in the comfort of their houses.

         Since they’ve been around – it has already been 45 years now!- these cats have caught the eye with their glossy, tight, spotted coat which in spite of its beauty and unique patterns is very easy to groom. These guys don’t shed a lot of hair and their needs are very low. Being the sociable and affectionate animals that they are, they tend not to take to being left home alone for long times very well, but leaving this aside, they need minimum grooming and do not need any sophisticate treatments or feeding. Another field where the Ocicat scores big is the health sector. These felines are extremely resistant and the cross breeding has only brought advantages and health improvements to the members. They don’t have any specific predispositions to diseases or health problems and they tend to be happy and healthy if loved.

         An Ocicat will get along perfectly with another pet, especially with a do or another cat. They ideal choices for both a first and a second pet and they will always be devoted to you and your family. Ocicats will not cause trouble around children or strangers, in fact they will always greet them in search of a little play time or a lap nap.

Ocicat Pictures Gallery

         The Saint Bernard dog is a big breed of dog which has the origin from the Swiss Alps, used in general for rescue. This breed has become known through tales of alpine rescues and for its huge size. The Saint Bernard dog is a very big breed which has a large head. The coat can be smooth or rough , with the smooth coat close the flat. The rough coat is dense but flat and more abundant around the and legs. The coat is typically red color with white but sometimes can be a mahogany brindle with white. Black shadow is usually found on the face but it can be as usual on the ears. The tail of the Saint Bernard is long and heavy.

         About 200 years ago, the Saint Bernard looked different from the way they look nowadays because avalanches killed off many dogs at the beginning of the 19th century. The dogs were used to rescue everyone who was in danger and also many died because of the severe weather. In an attempt to preserve the breed, the remaining Saint Bernard dogs were passed over at the middle of the 19th century and so lost much of their use as rescue dogs in the snowy climate of the alps.

         The Saint Bernard dogs are no longer used for alpine rescues nowadays but they do participate in a variety of dog sports including carting and weight pulling. The proof is the large number of prizes they won until now.

         The Saint Bernard dogs grow fast and their weight can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones. That is why the dog must get o proper food and must do a lot of exercises every day. Most of the dogs are affected by hip- dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. Bone cancer has been shown to be hereditary in the breed. Saint Bernard dogs are also susceptible to eye disorders, in which the eyelid turns in or out, to epilepsy and seizures and eczema.

         Like all very large dog, Saint Bernard dogs must be well socialized with people and other dogs when they are young. A Saint Bernard dog not properly introduced to and socialized with children form young age poses a threat, not having learned to distinguish between a child and other smaller animals.

         Even if you are single or your family has a very large number of members, you can choose a Saint Bernard because this breed gives you affection and love. Saints Bernard is not an aggressive breed but they will bark at strangers and their size makes them deterrents against possible intruders. Due to the fact that they have health problems , the lifespan for a Saint Bernard is around 7- 10 years.

Saint Bernard Dog Pictures Gallery