Breed of the Month: Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is made of a square, muscular body; coming in various coat colors ranging from black, black and tan (most common) to red. A headstrong attitude is one of the many components that make up this wonderful dog!

Berlin, my uncles' Doberman!
She's colored with black and tan.

History: Developed by a German tax collector who wanted a medium-sized guard dog, the Doberman Pinscher breed was started around the 1860's. The Rottweiler, Greyhound, and German Short-haired Pointer are just a few of the breeds used to make the Doberman we know and love today.

(AKC)

Temperament: The Doberman Pinscher is a very headstrong and loyal dog. They thrive for human interaction. They are very loyal and affectionate, making them a wonderful family dog. However, the Doberman has a lot of energy and will need room to run. "They are not suitable for kennel or backyard life." (Dog Breed Info) A very active, loving and caring family would be best suitable for this breed. If not given the proper care and attention the Doberman can become aggressive. Socializing and setting boundaries are a must for this breed in order to avoid aggression.

Ms. Berlin!
She is 9 years old and very sweet!

Grooming: Luckily, the Doberman doesn't require a large amount of grooming. Occasional baths should suffice just to keep the coat nice and shiny. Cropping the ears (around 12 weeks of age) and docking their tails (no later than 3 days old) are personal preference and will be up to the breeder and/or owner.

Health Concerns: The most common health problem that the Doberman Pinscher is known for is Von Willebrands Disease. This is an inherited blood clotting disorder. Wobbler Syndrome ("fusion of the neck and compression of the spinal cord" (Dog Breed Info) cancer, hip dysplasia and skin issues are also other possible health problems that an owner may face. The life expectancy for the Doberman is around 12-14 years.

Ms. Maggie May! She is a
 co-worker's dog!
She is around 7 1/2 months old
and a very precious girl!

Did You Know? 
The Doberman Pinscher is a very good therapy dog, being very careful and aware of their surroundings.
This breed has been known to be very good in nursing home settings, because of it's tentative and careful nature.
The gene responsible for the "White Doberman" is also said to be the same gene that white lions and tigers are born with!

This breed is perfect if you're looking for an affectionate, caring and protective dog! I hope you have loved reading about this breed! If you are looking for a doberman, there are several websites that can give you just that! I will post on Facebook what breed will be featured next! If you have a breed you would like to read about, let me know!



Here's to a tail waggin' day!

-Noelle


*Information obtained for this blog came from the following sites: Dog Breed Info and AKC.org
*Pictures can be obtained from the websites provided.
*Owner's pictures have been approved by the owner and given permission to use.

Breed of the Month: Russian Blue

Striking green eyes and a shimmering silver coat are what makes the Russian Blue a magnificent cat for owners who appreciate beauty.


The Russian Blue (bing images)

History: The Russian Blue, once called the "Archangel blues," is believed to have originated in the Archangel Isles in Russia; making it's way to London in 1871 with British sailors who were fascinated by the look of the breed. In the late 1900's, the Russian Blue was introduced in the US.

Temperament: Surprisingly, the Russian Blue is an easily trainable cat and enjoys a good game of catch every now and then. It is a very active cat and if ignored, has been known to act "hurt" in order to receive affection from it's owner. Although, as most cats, the Russian Blue is content with spending time alone and entertaining itself. My grandfather had a Russian Blue named Grey and I remember never seeing him unless he was being fed.

Grooming: With most cats, unless long haired, grooming isn't necessary. Regular nail clippings and affection are about the only grooming requirements the Russian Blue will need.


Look at those eyes! (Great Pictures of Cats)

Health Concerns: The Russian Blue is a pretty healthy breed. The only main concern for an owner with a Russian Blue is weight control. This breed loves to eat, therefore monitoring food consumption is a must to ensure your pet doesn't become overweight. A healthy Russian Blue can live anywhere from 10-15 years.

Did You Know? The Russian Blue is considered a "natural" breed meaning no human intervention has occurred.
During World War II, the Russian Blue was almost extinct. It was saved with the help breeders that combined the Siamese and British Blue creating the breed we know today.

Unfortunately there isn't much more known about the Russian Blue. Cats are very elusive and very hard to study. Of course, getting to know your pet whether it be a Russian Blue or any type of breed is of utmost importance!

If you think the Russian Blue is the breed for you there are plenty of sites online where you can find the one that is just right.

(Petfinder)

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

-Noelle

*Information obtained for this post is from cattime.com and petmd.com
*Pictures can be found via link provided.




Breed of the Month: Golden Retreiver

Ever wondered where your dog or cat came from? What its "purpose" was when being introduced? How long it's been around? Well this is the post for you, whether you're a cat person or a dog person, I am going to be doing a "Breed of the Month" post at the beginning of every month to teach you more about the breeds you know and love.

My boy at 4 months

It's only natural to kick off the breed of the month with my favorite breed. Which is why I'm going to start with the Golden Retriever. You will learn that I am very partial to Golden Retrievers. Not only because I have one of my own, but because they are really one of the happiest breeds I have ever met- and who doesn't love a happy dog? 

History: If you mix the Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) what do you get? The Golden Retriever! It originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800's (AKC). It was bred mainly for hunting purposes as it had the nose of a Bloodhound and the speed of an Irish Setter. It's thick, furry, water-repellent coat makes colder weather ideal.

Creo, my fiancé's dog, LOVES to play fetch.

Personality: The Golden is very lovable and in most cases very good with children. A very active and easily trainable breed, the Golden will (in most cases) do well with other animals as well as new people as they are always looking for treats. If bored, the Golden can become destructive so he/she will definitely need an active family to keep the energy level low and boredom at bay.

Grooming: The most common complaint from a Golden owner is hair because trust me, the Golden has a lot. The coat does need to be groomed daily because of it's thickness but in most cases your Golden will come to love grooming and enjoy a relaxing brush on the porch. 

Health Problems: Cancer, hip dysplasia, heart problems, and skin allergies are the most common health problems most Golden owners will encounter as your pet ages. Ayden (my dog) has very bad allergies so he is on a special diet which controls his flare ups. Obesity is another common problem for Golden's, as they love to eat. Your veterinarian can tell you the appropriate amount to feed your pet if you are unsure. The life expectancy for Goldens is 10-12 years.

Ayden!

Did you know? Golden's will darken with age. Their "true" coat color will generally appear around one year of age.
The Golden Retriever is one of America's most popular breed of dog.
Golden's have been trained to detect all types of cancer as well as being introduced to diabetic patients to alert when there has been a change in insulin levels. There are also "seizure watch" Goldens, in which they are able to warn when a seizure is on the merge.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the Golden Retriever as much as I have enjoyed sharing this information. There are plenty of amazing breeds out there and this is just the beginning. My next breed of the month will be a cat called the "Russian Blue." If you have a Russian Blue, send me pictures through Facebook and your pet could be featured in the next Breed of the Month.

Lucy and Desi, Ayden's parents!

For more information about the Golden Retriever, and to watch videos of Golden's in action- please visit the American Kennel Club. 

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle

*Information for the blog post was obtained from Dog Breed Info and AKC.
*Pictures used in this post received verbal consent by owner.