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All About Llamas
Ahh, the lovable Llama. This mammal weighs in at around 250 lbs and reaches a height of 47 inches.
THE CORNISH REX CAT
cornish rex cat
The Cornish Rex is a slim, svelte and elegant cat. They are always ready to play and will actively seek you out with meows of anticipation. The Cornish Rex is great with kids and good company for other pets. Here is more about this unique and coveted breed.
Brief History
The Cornish Rex originates from England, UK. There is historical evidence to show that this breed existed long before the Devon Rex’s appearance in Devonshire. Both the Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex share a number of similarities in their history and general appearance.
The Cornish Rex first appeared in Bodmin Moor, a region within the northeast parts of Cornwall. A cat named Serena gave birth to 5 kittens, but one was unique with a curly coat that was cream and black. Serena’s owner consulted some cat experts who identified the unique kitten as one with a genetic trait passed down by its mother.
Physical Features
The Cornish Rex has a soft, wavy coat. They have long bodies and stand fairly tall. Their ears stand upright on a slim, egg-shaped head. Their famous eyes are often golden, but can be blue or grey. Possible coat colors include black, white, grey, brown, silver and roan.
Average Height:
11 to 15 inches
Average Weight:
6 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy:
11 to 15 years
Temperament
The Cornish Rex has an interesting sense of humor. They love attention and will readily seek it at every chance they get. They’re extremely intelligent and love social situations. The Cornish Rex will quickly greet you and, if possible, your guests. After that, the’ll quickly pick their favorite person and begin to follow them around. Cornish Rexes are curious and desire to help out in whichever activities that you’re up to. They’re always looking for something interesting to interact with or, even better, show you. This cat is very expressive. Cornish Rexes will use their gestures, meowing or snarling to get their point across. Their playful and outgoing nature makes the Cornish Rex a favorite with children. They can also be very affectionate and concerned — an excellent therapy cat.
cornish rex cat
Special Needs
The Cornish Rex is an active cat with quite a lot of energy. This often leads to energetic activity and leaping all over the house. To help with energy management, the Cornish Rex requires some training. You can teach the Cornish Rex how to sit, roll over, fetch and jump. Positive reinforcement throughout the training session helps the cat understand quicker. The Cornish Rex will get along well with other cats and dogs. However, they should be introduced to them slowly and under supervised conditions to avoid conflict.
Possible Health Concerns
The Cornish Rex is generally a healthy cat if they are cared for well.
Unfortunately, they may be prone to developing adverse health conditions due to their genetic parentage. Their famous wavy coats do not offer much protection from the sun rays. As such, they are prone to sunburn or lesions. They can also suffer from patellar luxation or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Exercise
The Cornish Rex is always upbeat and ready to play. They love playing with toy games and will even interact with puzzle toys. These are great for stimulating their physical and mental health. A cat pole is a good addition to the Cornish Rex’s toys as they love to climb up and over thing. This cat also relishes running. A jog in the yard or around the block with a cat harness and leash is a good idea.
Nutrition
Being quite an active cat, the Cornish Rex requires ample, balanced diet on a daily basis with substantial carbohydrates and protein. This is to provide them with the energy resources required for their active lifestyle. Cool, clean water is also necessary.
Grooming
cornish rex cat
The Cornish Rex has a short coat of delicate, wavy hairs. It is soft and silky in nature. Since they have no guard hairs, their undercoats are exposed. Thanks to this, grooming regimens should be mild — keep brushing to once a week!
Cornish Rex’s ears and paws can get greasy over time. This is due to sweat deposition. They should be cleaned up to 2 times a week. A mix of 50% cider vinegar and 50% water is ideal for this with a clean, soft cloth. Their nails should be trimmed every week and their teeth need to be brushed with a vet-approved toothpaste at least every 3 days. This prevents the development of gum disease.
The Cornish Rex is an active cat that loves family and social groups, and will also often make friends with other pets. They enjoy leaping and performing tricks. Ideal for families, couples or senior citizens, the Cornish Rex will be a loving and entertaining addition to any home.
THE JAPANESE BOBTAIL CAT
True to their name, the Japanese Bobtail is a playful breed with a short tail that resembles a pom-pom. According to ancient Japanese legend, the bob-tail is as a result of a cat that set her tail on fire while sleeping. The frightened kitty reacted by running, and accidentally set the town on fire. The truth behind the cat’s short tail stems from natural genetics. Generally, Bobtails are people-oriented, full of energy and extremely endearing. They adjust well to dogs and other animals.
Brief History
The Japanese Bobtail has existed in Japan for centuries. It is even depicted in ancient prints and paintings from Japan.
The Bobtail didn’t arrive in America until 1968 when Elizabeth Freret imported a number of kittens from Japan. This was recorded by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). This is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. Around the same time, another cat breeder named Lynn Beck, visited Japan and began importing Bobtails.
In 1976, the CFA accepted the breed for championship status. A few years down the line, the same organization gave recognition to a long-haired version of the Japanese Bobtail.
Physical Features
The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat with a muscular appearance. This is attributed by its slightly longer hind legs and medium-sized bodies. Their eyes are wide, large and alert while the eyeballs feature a shallow curvature that doesn’t bulge beyond the cheek bone. The eye color ranges from gold, blue to green. Japanese Bobtails have a wide range of colors and patterns. Preference is usually given to bold, dramatic markings. The tail is visibly short and it may be rigid or flexible. The hair on the tail is somewhat thicker and longer. Their bone structure is slender and dainty.
Average Height:
8-14 inches
Average Weight:
6-10 pounds
Life Expectancy:
15-18 years
Temperament
Japanese Bobtails are sweet, active and intelligent cats. They enjoy games like fetch, and highly developed muscles also allow them to jump hurdles and heights. Bobtails are also people-oriented, which makes them ideal companions. They tend to get along fairly well with most cat breeds and adjust well with dogs.
Japanese Bobtails are inquisitive in nature.
Possible Health Concerns
If well maintained, the Japanese Bobtail is healthy and strong. Despite this, they can suffer from a collection of adverse health conditions such as obesity. They can also suffer from periodontal disease. Japanese Bobtails are susceptible to viral infections like rabies, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. These infections are preventable through vaccination. This breed may also suffer infestation by parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and heartworms. It is important for the cat to undergo regular visits to the vet in order to avoid such health problems.
Exercise
Since they are quite active, they will require regular exercise. This is also for the purpose of maintaining healthy weight and lifestyle. 30 minutes of a brisk jog or playtime twice a day is enough for this cat.
Grooming
Taking care of the Japanese Bobtail is quite easy. This short-tailed feline will require frequent combing. For weekly removal of dead hair, it is best to use a flea comb. Their silky coat is water resistant which means that they rarely need a bath. It is important to note that some Bobtails have rigid tails so you should make sure you handle their tails gently when grooming.
The Japanese Bobtail thrives in environments where it is surrounded by adventurous and lively people. They are quite playful and provide great company along with adorable looks. This beautiful exotic cat has a warm personality and can be an excellent family cat.
THE COCKAPOO
Widely regarded as the “first designer dog,” the Cockapoo is a cute, love-able dog. It has a bubbly personality and is quite comfortable in social situations — especially around children. The Cockapoo was created by crossing an American or English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. It embodies the innate and physical characteristics of both breeds. This little dog packs a lot of love and energy in a compact body.
Brief History
The Cockapoo was created in America in 1960 and went on to become one of the most popular mixed breed dogs in the world. Known as a Spoodle in Australia, it is a cross between two beautifully looking and social dogs — the American or English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
Due to their mixed heritage, Cockapoos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a legitimate dog breed. Despite this, generations of this little dog have been developed by breeders over time with an attempt to finally establish them as an original breed.
cockapoo dog
Physical Features
The Cockapoo is an attractive little dog. It has a relatively soft coat of fur that does not shed, but requires regular grooming. The dog is small in stature and has smart, bright eyes. Their small size makes them the perfect dog for apartment and city living.
Average Height:
14-15 inches
Average Weight:
12-24 pounds
Life Expectancy:
13-20 years
Temperament
The Cockapoo has a cool and friendly temperament. It is slow to react aggressively and forgives quickly. Cockapoos love to show off their agility by running, jumping and rolling over. This dog enjoys human company and will also perform well around other dogs. The Cockapoo is often used as a therapy dog.
Special Needs
Since this dog is supremely social, it does not enjoy being alone for long periods of time. Cockapoos will develop social anxiety if repeatedly isolated. If you can’t be home enough to help your pup with this, consider adopting a companion for them.
Possible Health Concerns
The Cockapoo is generally a healthy dog. It may, however, develop some health issues. One of these is the laxating patella. This is a knee joint issue which affects many dog breeds.
In addition, Cockapoos can develop certain eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy where the retina gradually deteriorates over many years. This may lead to visual difficulty and eventually, blindness.
The luxating patella and Progressive Retinal Atrophy can be avoided through careful breeding.
One of the more attractive features of the Cockapoo is its floppy ears. Owners should also be aware that this feature will also make them prone to issues such as mites, yeast infections and bacterial infection as well. To avoid this, clean the dog’s ears every week.
Exercise
Being quite an active dog, the Cockapoo requires regular, consistent exercise. This is to prevent restlessness and ensure good overall health. Exercise can be accomplished through walks in the park, running through a doggy obstacle course or even a jog around the block. Two exercise sessions every day is ideal for the Cockapoo.
Grooming
The Cockapoo has an attractive coat that can be quite silky and curly. Regular brushing is necessary to keep it smooth and free of matting.
Well known for its lovely nature, beautiful coat and glitzy origin, the Cockapoo is a wonderful dog. They are known for being sociable and can fit in a variety of human and dog environments.
THE SIAMESE CAT
siamese cat
The Siamese is one of the oldest and most famous cat breeds, with ancestral roots in Siam, known today as Thailand. In Victorian England it gained the nickname “Royal cat of Siam” and was highly favored for its striking looks and an elegant coat color. These cats are beloved for their intelligent and curious natures.
Brief History
For many centuries, travelers to ancient Thailand brought home art and manuscripts that depicted the Siamese in full stature. Their migration to the western lands began during the late 19th century when they were used as show cats, most notably at the London Crystal Palace cat show. From here, they were introduced to the states when a US diplomat stationed in Thailand gave President Rutherford B Hayes a Siamese cat as a gift.
Physical Features
The Siamese coat is perhaps one of its most unique physical features for its color and glossy appearance. There are two types of Siamese cats: traditional and show. Traditional Siamese cats have apple shaped heads while show Siamese cats have wedge-shaped heads with ears that are large and triangular in shape. The show Siamese has a tubular body with long legs and flat paws. Both have striking almond-shaped blue eyes that sparkle with adoration and curiosity.
Average Height:
12-15 inches
Average Weight:
6-14 pounds
Life Expectancy:
11-15 years
Temperament
Siamese cats are known to bond deeply with their owners and always want to be a part of any activity you do. Whether it be following you around the house, climbing into your lap or sharing your bed, this breed loves to be involved. Siamese cats are also known for being extremely vocal — they have opinions and love chirping back to their humans.
siamese cat breed
Special Needs
Siamese tend to exhibit lots of beauty both inwards and outwards. Because of this, they are one of the most commonly-stolen cat breeds. Make sure to maintain close supervision when letting your Siamese cat outdoors.
Possible Health Concerns
Amyloidosis — when the amyloid protein is deposited in body’s organs, primarily the liver in Siamese cats.
Asthma/bronchial disease.
Congenital heart defects.
Exercise
Siamese cats are generally very active. When left with other cats and animals, Siamese will join whatever activity the rest of the pets are involved in. They love to play.
Nutrition
Any cat-friendly diet, both home-prepared or commercially manufactured, should grow with the Siamese at all its ages. Siamese owners are also advised to check their diets when they get to adulthood. Fresh, clean water should also be available for them to drink.
Grooming
The short Siamese coat is easy to groom and maintain. While they do shed, if you adhere to a strict grooming routine, it shouldn’t be too cumbersome. Comb the coat on a weekly basis using a stainless steel comb to remove any dead hair.
Siamese cats are ideal for owners who crave companionship and affection. They are highly intelligent, hyper-vocal, and love staying active.
the siamese cat
THE LABRADOODLE
Known for their curly fur and agreeable disposition, the Labradoodle is a cute, fun-loving and dedicated dog. It was originally bred to be a guide dog, so it always enjoys human company and always seeks to provide companionship. The Labradoodle is highly intelligent and sociable and makes a lively life companion or a family dog. Thanks to its minimal coat shedding, the Labradoodle is ideal for people with allergies.
Brief History
The Labradoodle was bred to offer day-to-day support by the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. It is a cross of the Standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. Thanks to its calm and people-loving heritage, this dog is quite comfortable among people and other pets as well. Its origin is just as interesting as the dog itself. The very first Labradoodle was bred in 1989 for a visually-challenged woman who lived in Hawaii. Interestingly, her husband was allergic to fur, therefore her guide dog had to be hypoallergenic. The Labradoodle was born and retained the fun-loving nature of the Labrador and the intelligence of the Poodle —making it well-balanced and loving.
Physical Features
The Labradoodle can have a variety of physical features that largely depend on its genetic heritage and parentage. The Poodle and Labrador DNA in each Labradoodle’s body play a big role in determining the overall appearance of the dog. Commonly, this dog breed emerges in coat colors such as chocolate, blonde, apricot, black and charcoal.
Seeing as this dog breed is a result of breeding with a Standard size Poodle, it has a medium sized body. Its coat of fur can be soft and wavy or curly and taut. Their ears are droopy and widely considered to be one of the most attractive features of the dog.
Average Height:
21-24 inches
Average Weight:
50-65 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-14 years
Temperament
The Labradoodle is a cool, calm and sociable dog. This is due to its heritage. It is bred from two dogs that are well known for having a cool disposition. The Poodle is intelligent and the Labrador is a social, family-oriented dog. This dog breed is cat-friendly and interacts with felines and other dogs comfortably.
Special Needs
Seeing as it is a sociable dog, the Labradoodle can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.
Possible Health Concerns
Labradoodles are generally healthy dogs, however they can suffer from certain health issues. Some of these issues are eye diseases such as cataracts and progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hip dysplasia and Addison’s disease.
Labradoodle puppy
Exercise
The Labradoodle is a big dog that loves to play and have fun. This dog needs to get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise every day. For best results, your Labradoodle should exercise by running around in a fenced yard or dog park. Here, they can thoroughly work out their lateral muscles and have a great time. This dog makes a great jogging partner as well. Labradoodles also enjoy swimming.
Nutrition
The Labradoodle is an active dog and therefore requires a diet that can support its vibrant lifestyle. You should always strive to implement a balanced diet for your Labradoodle as it can do exceptionally well with 1 to 2.5 cups of dry food served twice every day. This is best done in the morning and in the evening after their exercise sessions. By feeding your Labradoodle twice in a day, you are able to prevent cases of gastric tension.
Grooming
The Labradoodle needs some grooming conducted so as to keep their coats in great condition. While it does not shed much, the Labradoodle still requires regular care for its coat. You should brush through its fur at least twice a day. This prevents matting and bunching up of the hair.
While grooming, you should remember to cut the hair inside the ear. Also, carefully shave the fur that is near the ear canal and under the ear too. Any hair around the eyes should be trimmed as well. This needs to be done so as to prevent the fur from obstructing your Labradoodle’s vision. Proceed to trim the hair around his pads. The nails should be trimmed as well. While bathing your Labradoodle, make sure to use a gentle shampoo. The baths should be infrequent to preserve the natural oils in their hair furthermore, your Labradoodle is best left to air-dry.
The Labradoodle is a loving, intelligent and addition to any family. The dog does not require much maintenance and is generally a strong, healthy dog. The Labradoodle lives for a long time.
THE GOLDENDOODLE
The Goldendoodle is a delightful, loyal and sociable dog. Goldendoodles are active, love company and will feel comfortable in any social situation. Their friendly disposition makes a Goldendoodle the perfect family dog.
Brief History
Goldendoodles are result of crossing a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. This breed was named “Goldendoodle” in 1992. It was first crossbred in England, but many Goldendoodle enthusiasts believe that it originated from America.
To get more uniform results, this dog breed has been interbred within itself. During this process, only top quality Goldendoodles are interbred with each other. The Goldendoodle is not a pure breed and is therefore not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Physical Features
The Goldendoodle can be medium sized or large in stature. This is because it was bred using a regular sized Golden Retriever with a Standard Poodle. It has wavy or curly fur coat which can be apricot, black, chocolate, red, silver or brown in color.
Average Height:
20 to 29 inches
Average Weight:
50 to 90 lb
Life Expectancy:
10 to 13 years
Temperament
Having a fairly social heritage, the Goldendoodle has a cool temperament and a pleasant disposition. They are calm, happy and always excited to meet new people. The Goldendoodle believes that everyone is a friend and is quick to accept new individuals into the family.
Goldendoodles are quite outgoing making great companions for children and adults as well.
Quite the active dog, the Goldendoodle enjoys playing games such as tug of war, fetch, chasing and taking a dip in the pool. They are also quite comfortable relaxing or lounging with the family.
The Goldendoodle is not a habitual barker but they will always inform their family of a stranger in the house or within the compound with a few, sharp barks.
Special Needs
The Goldendoodle is a highly active dog. To keep all its energy in check, it is necessary to train them. Agility courses are ideal for managing this dog’s energy. Participating in agility courses helps to keep it in top physical and emotional condition. In addition to that, this course also gives the Goldendoodle an excellent opportunity to bond with its owner.
Possible Health Concerns
The Goldendoodle is prone to a variety of health issues. These are problems that are usually faced by Golden Retrievers and Poodles. They include: Von Willebrand’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, Juvenile Cataracts, Hip or Elbow dysplasia.
Exercise
The Goldendoodle needs to get lots of regular exercise and should do well with 2-3 walks a day, lasting around 30 minutes.
Those who have a fenced backyard can grant their Goldendoodle enough exercise through running around with the kids or playing ball.
Nutrition
Goldendoodles are highly energetic. Being medium-sized dogs, they need nutrition that will promote the growth of their bone and tissue thus they require a diet that is high in protein. While buying some food for your Goldendoodle, make sure that it contains more meat-centric than grain-centric protein. An example of such is dehydrated turkey.
Starch and carbohydrates also come in handy. Let your Goldendoodle consume foods containing ingredients such as pumpkin puree and dried seaweed. The latter is also a natural plaque remover. Oils are also essential for the Goldendoodle and food containing virgin coconut oil or milk thistle oil is ideal for them. Dried fruit is also good because it boosts the dog’s immune system.
Grooming
Goldendoodles have a rich, luscious coat which requires regular, attentive grooming. This coat needs to be brushed on a daily basis to prevent matting. In addition, your Goldendoodle needs to be provided with some professional clipping at least every other month. This session includes trimming the fur, clipping its nails and a good bath.
The Goldendoodle is an excellent dog to have in your home. They are known for being loving companions (often a top choice for therapy dogs!), an ideal playmate, your exercise partner and just a wonderful family dog.
PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION FOR PETS:
It’s all about guiding and empowering you to help your pet avoid injury, provide practical solutions and achieve rapid restoration of health and function!
