Posts tagged "purebreed"

The Havana brown is a cat that, like its name says, is a deep, chocolate brown, similar in appearance to a sable Burmese, but with a deeper, more mahogany coat. Like many breeds, Havana browns are of average size, height, and musculature. They should have green eyes, apple shaped heads, and large ears. Of course, their coat is their biggest distinguishing characteristic, and although there are other brown cats, none have the rich, homogenous luster of the Havana brown.

According to Wikipedia, the origins of the Havana brown are hard to pin down, but it seems to have first shown up as a man-made breed in late nineteenth century England. Most likely, it was born from a cross between a Siamese and another cat, perhaps one with a solid coat. They didn't have a name or a real breed until the 1950s, when a group of English women bred a chocolate-point Siamese with a black shorthair, and since then, they have existed as a breed and are recognized by all major cat fancier organizations.

Havana browns are curious and intelligent cats. We spoke to Carolyn Huddy, a Havana brown breeder who was present when the first Havana browns came to America, about what it's like to live with one of these mahogany beauties:

"The Havana brown is a gentle, loving breed. They are quiet cats, but will let you know when they are hungry. They love attention and give love back ten-fold. They like to adorn your lap, are intelligent, loyal, purr incessantly and have an affinity for nuzzling in your hair. This seems to be an inborn trait as every Havana brown I have known of mine and others has this same quality."

If you are interested in adopting a sphynx, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Purebred Cat Rescue.

Anna and I spent Thanksgiving on Cape Cod at her older sister Alicia's house. Unlike their younger sister, Emily -- who looks after a pair of rescue dogs with her fiance Dave -- Alicia and her husband Hal have a pair of Weimaraners, of whom they are very fond.

"We grew up with springer spaniels, and I've always loved hunting dogs," Alicia says. "They're great family dogs, and they tend to be good to their people."

The advantage of purebreds is that you have a good idea of what their sizes and temperaments will be as they get older, Alicia explains, and Weimaraners in particular are good-natured, athletic dogs. "It had nothing to do with William Wegman," Hal asserts, referencing the famous Massachusetts photographer with a proclivity for dressing up his Weimaraners in women's clothing.

Still, they wanted to steer clear of profit-minded breeders, and to meet their pup's parents if possible. So when Alicia heard that a man in her father's neighborhood had bred puppies for his own kids -- and had an extra -- she figured it was the perfect arrangement.

Despite its name, the American shorthair is older than America itself. Records show that American shorthairs were brought over by early settlers, and there is even proof that there were American shorthairs on the Mayflower.

Given their variety of coats -- there are more than eighty -- and the similarity in name with the non-purebred domestic shorthair, this breed is confused for mutts. However, they are more purebred than many other breeds.

With their origins in Europe, American shorthairs were selected for their strength, agility, and ability to hunt mice and rats which was a major concern for most Europeans after 75 million died from the bubonic plague. American shorthairs were also were bred to be large and affectionate, making them excellent companions.

American shorthairs are an easy-going, affectionate cats that require little maintenance. Sly, the Cat Care Guru of petcareeducation.com told us some of the pros and cons.

"Unlike some other cat breeds, American shorthair cats are relatively low-maintenance. [They] are much more independent than some other breeds, and may present some difficulty with behavioral issues. If you are looking for a loyal cat that does not require constant attention, the American shorthair cat is probably the best choice. Most American shorthair cats are relatively easy to train. They learn fast, and can easily adapt to changes in their environment. Due to their friendly nature, it may be necessary for you to teach your cat about any potential dangers in their home environment."

If you are interested in adopting an American shorthair, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Purebreed Cat Rescue.

We all know who rules the roost. Your dog, and in some cases, your cat.

From the kitchen to the couch, your pet is the dictator of the house, and you ought to let everyone know about it.

Obey the Purebreed! supplies propaganda to let house guests, neighbors and the soccer mom behind you in traffic know that your Shar Pei is hell bent on world domination. The breed-specific t-shirts, posters, dog bowls and bumper stickers boast a variety of graphics and designs all with one bottom line: Your breed is top dog.

Prices range from around $4 for stickers to $40 for sweatshirts. Start shopping from their long list of breeds and designer mixes, or go with the simple "Mutt" for your mixed canine.

And if you're less about war and more about peace, you'll still find a shirt to spread your message with one of the variations of "A Insert Breed Here is my Homedog."

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