History Originating in Germany, Rottweilers were initially herding and cart-pulling dogs. They are considered to be among the oldest breeds, assisting Romans in Germany by driving their cattle and guarding outposts. However, today they are beloved family pets and working dogs. At the turn of the century the Rottweiler nearly died out, but dedicated breeders […]
These are not your average feline friends. Our list of unique cats ranges from the distinctive and quirky, to some of the rarest breeds you’ll likely encounter. If you are looking for a cat that will turn heads, read our list of Top 10 Unique Cat Breeds. Napoleon (Minuet) Named after the historical figure […]
The Collie originated in the Highland regions of Scotland and down to Northern England, where they were used as herding dogs. They were first exhibited in 1860 at a dog show in Birmingham, England. However, it wasn’t until Queen Victoria visited her Scotland Estate in the 1860’s and fell in love with this breed, that […]
History There is strong evidence that this longhaired, short-muzzled breed was exported from Afghanistan and Iran to Europe in the 19th century. They became so well-liked that even Queen Victoria owned several Persian cats, leading to the popularity of the breed amongst upper-class British. Persians found their way to the United States after World War II and became a […]
Finding the right cat for your family can be a big task. However, some cats are more suited to family life, than others. In this blog we discuss which cat breeds make great companions for kids and why. Ragdoll The Ragdoll is known for being easy going, affectionate and docile. They enjoy attention and are […]
History First developed in the 1990’s, the Groodle is a cross-breed of the Poodle and Golden Retriever. Breeders were keen to pair the placid and good-natured temperament of the Golden Retriever with the highly intelligent Poodle. What they produced was the perfect family pet and companion with ‘hybrid vigour’, meaning the new breed is healthier […]
History The Bombay cat originated in America in the late 1950’s and was named after the port city in India. Breeders were keen to create a cat that had a sleek, shiny black coat and resembled the Indian black leopard. What they delivered was exactly that. Crossing the Burmese cat and the black domestic shorthair, […]
History Border collies were bred for sheep herding and originated in 1700’s near the border of England and Scotland. It is believed that the Border Collie’s ancestors were other types of collies such as the Bearded Collie and Scotch Collie. Today, they are still popular working dogs but are also loved family pets. Due to […]
History Originating from Siamese cats that were carrying a mutant gene for long hair, the Balinese Cat was first noticed in the early 20th century. Originally, they were known as the Longhaired Siamese, but Siamese breeders protested this name. Eventually the name ‘Balinese’ was decided, due to their resemblance to Balinese temple dancers. The breed […]
Alaskan Malamute History A tribe of Innuit in North Western Alaska called the Mahlemuts, developed a breed of dog for hauling heavy loads in harsh weather – something few breeds could do. Although, unlike their ancestry breeds such as the Samoyed and Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute was built for power, not speed. This trait […]
History Developed from a litter of hairless kittens in 1966, the sphynx originated in Toronto, Canada. This genetically mutated litter was selectively bred with normal-coated cats and then bred back with other hairless cats. This process was not only used to produce the desired breed characteristics but also to widen the gene pool and produce […]
History The Cavoodle is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They have become increasingly popular over the last decade, especially with families and those with allergies. Cavoodle Appearance The Cavoodle is a small dog with a compact round face. It has a thick, soft coat that can may be wavy […]
History Even though Domestic Shorthair cats are not eligible for official showing, they still have a rich history. Thought to have originated in Egypt around 2000 BC, the Domestic Shorthair can trace its roots back to the pioneer settlement in North America where they were used for rat-catching. These cats worked hard to keep barns […]
Popular Cat Series: Bengal History of the Bengal cat The growing attraction of wild cats sparked the efforts of breeders in the United States to create a domestic cat with the appearance of a wild cat in the early 1960’s. The breeding of the Bengal cat, a hybrid of the Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and the […]
History The Chow Chow is a Chinese breed of dog known for pulling sleds, hunting, and guarding. However, the name comes from the Chinese word ‘chou’ meaning edible, as the breed was once believed to be used as a source of food. It was recorded that a Chinese Emperor once owned 5,000 of the breed […]
History The Exotic Shorthair was developed as a short-haired version of the Persian in the late 1950s. This was to improve their body type. The crossbreed gained recognition at cat shows, but unhappy breeders decided to set a breed standard that would disqualify it from their shows. However, they were finally recognised as a breed in 1966, under the […]
The German Shepherd was bred from different types of shepherd dogs in the early 1800’s and as its name suggests originated in Germany. The breed was taken to the UK where it was renamed the Alsatian to protect it from anti-German sentiments after the First World War.
History The early Russian Blue originated from Russia and was brought to Europe in the 1860’s by a navy soldier. They were later bred with the Siamese cat but the modern Russian Blue has no trace of Siamese in their bloodlines. Russian Whites and Russian Blacks were created by breeding with domestic white and black […]
History The British Bulldog was originally bred for herding, guarding and baiting bulls as their name suggests. In the 17th century, this breed was fair more athletic with a savage temperament as opposed to today’s lovable and stocky British Bulldog. The breed went into decline when bullbaiting was made illegal in 1835, however a new […]
This regal-looking medium-sized cat is thought to originate from Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia). It was brought to Britain in the 1860s by British Soldiers, purchased by local traders.
