Petpedia: The Persian Cat

Posted under Petpedia by oahupet on November 29th, 2008 11:13 pm

By: Ailurophile

The Persian is one of the oldest cats in existence, with records of its presence dating back to times of Pharaohs in Egypt. It is generally believed though that the cat originated in Persia, now known as Iran. They were brought over to Europe centuries ago though it was not until the later half of the nineteenth century that their fame truly began to spread. In United Kingdom they are called Persian Longhairs or simply Longhairs. A felid without an established pedigree is referred to simply as Domestic Longhair Cat.

Over the years, through selected breeding the appearance of Persian cats has changed quite a bit from the time when they were first introduced to the rest of the world. Their traditional doll face has been developed into a shortened muzzle and flattened high nose. Coat has become more and more thick and long with a variety of colors and patterns include silver, gold, tabby, solid and bicolors. Body is cobby with short and strong legs and round head. Eyes are big and expressive and ears low and widely set.

Though they are highly sought for their beauty, the Persians also suffer from some health issues. Their long silky double layered coat frequently gets matted and requires regular washing, drying and combing to prevent tangles and hairballs. The modern flat-faced Persians frequently develop respiratory problems owing to their flattened nose that obstructs breathing as well as the tear ducts, meaning that their eyes and nose require daily wiping to clean away crusts. Some Persians develop Polycystic Kidney Disease as well. Responsible breeders though are making efforts to preserve the health of this splendid cat above all.

Persians are the most gentle and docile of all cats. They are very affectionate and tolerant animals who fare best in a peaceful, loving environment. It is best to keep them as indoor pets to free their long exuberant fur from parasites even as they have been occasionally reported by some to be surprisingly good hunters.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Persian cats.

Petpedia: Beagle

Posted under Petpedia by oahupet on November 27th, 2008 5:08 pm

Friendly Loyal And Loving
Submitted By: Dakota Dog

A small to medium sized dog, the beagle weighs between 20-28 lbs and is 12″ to 16″ in height. Sometimes referred to as the English Beagle, this breed is energetic, friendly and loyal both as a family companion and hunting dog.

Coat colors accepted by the AKC are orange and white, lemon and white, red and white or tri-colored. Black, white and tan tri-colored coats are the most common. Their medium length coat is smooth, hard and close. It requires minimal brushing and only needs washed occasionally.

Friendly, loyal, loving and playful are all qualities that make them excellent family pets. Homes with other dogs, pets and children can all welcome the Beagle as part of the family. They require minimal socialization and actually enjoy the companionship of other pets and their family. A very energetic breed, the beagle needs a home that will give them plenty of play time, exercise and regular walks. When outside they should be in a fenced in yard and a leash should be used for walks as they have a tendency to explore and follow scents. They make good watchdogs as they will let you know if someone is at the door by barking, but they are naturally friendly with strangers, so don’t expect them to be good guard dogs.

Originating in England, this scent hound was bred for hunting rabbits and quails. They would often hunt in packs or pairs, but can also hunt well alone as well. They have an excellent sense of smell which makes them good at tracking and as narcotics dogs. Today they are mainly seen as companion dogs in the United States, but they are also used as hunting dogs.

A breed with such a friendly, loving nature is perfect for just about any family dynamic. Because of their high energy level and need for regular exercise, they work best with active families or those that have a yard where they can have plenty of time to roam and run. If you are looking for an affectionate breed that enjoys family companionship and loves to play, then the Beagle is the perfect dog for you.

About the Author
Learn more about the Beagle or discuss dogs with other dog lovers at http://www.deardoggy.com/

Petpedia: Papillon

Posted under Petpedia by oahupet on November 26th, 2008 7:54 pm

By: Ashley Peach

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes to make great family pets. There are always dog lovers out there that have a favorite breed, but how do you know what you may like if you don’t know the breeds peculiarities. If you have never really been around dogs you should always find as much information about them as possible including the breeds that are available and how you should interact with them. The Papillon dog breed is considered a toy. It is one of the smaller dogs among the list. You will find that it is also an older breed in European history.

Dating back to the sixteenth century you will find the Papillon was considered a lap dog for most of the nobles in Europe. The name means butterfly in the French translation and when you see this dog you will understand why it is an apt name. The ears really resemble the wind span of a butterfly with the shape and the hair that grows around them. In fact you could argue their ears are actually larger than their face. You will find the Papillon dog weighs nine to ten pounds and stands about eight to eleven inches. They have one of the finest coats in the dog breeds as well. They are usually white with patches of black, tan, and other colors. The coat is long and almost silky. You will find they are soft to pet and that their hair is going to be a little longer than most dog breeds. Luckily the hair doesn’t grow to long on their limbs, but they are fairly fluffy in appearance all around.

Like most dog breeds in the toy category you will find the Papillon dog to be extremely playful, alert, and affectionate. They are also well known for their elegance. They do not make a great guard dog as they tend to be overly affectionate with everyone. You will find they are not shy or aggressive. They like to be the center of attention, and despite their size you will find them to be quite sturdy. The Papillon likes to have plenty of affection and doesn’t do well with mistreatment; therefore older children are recommended before adding the Papillon to your family. You will also find they can be a little protective towards the family or owner, but they will never be dangerous.

Training is one of the easier options you have with this dog breed. Most dogs can display a stubbornness during training, but not the Papillon. They are eager to learn and like complex problems for their intelligence. If you are hoping to integrate them into a family you will need a little socialization training regarding other pets. They tend to like being protective and the attention seeker, which may cause issues. You will find the Papillon is often a show dog or used for therapy because of their temperament. You will also find they need to have daily exercise if you hope to keep them healthy and happy. They do need to have yard space or parks that they can go to for running and playing. You should never leave this dog in the backyard unsupervised though. They tend to have issues escaping.

Care for your Papillon requires weekly grooming for their hair. They are medium shedders and they tend to get a little tangled during the week. You will also find they are prone to ear issues and the paws need to be trimmed at appropriate intervals. Health issues you may find with these dogs are cataracts, petalla luxation, and Von Willebrands disease.

Author’s Resource:

Ashley Peach is a writer for the websites dog accessories, dog beds and dog collars.

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