The Curious Compendium 2023 Tour Finale: Herding breeds!

Lovely Ferrets and Guinea pigs

The ferret on the left looks very funny, it looks like a "Lucha Libre", a mexican wrestling fighter.
What brand is he?

I really like the fur texture from the Guinea Pig above the "Lucha Libre" ferret.

Great Guinea pigs. I especially like the long-haired one at the left bottom. I am surprised how old many of our domestic animals are. Interestingly, Guinea pigs aren't from Guinea at all!

Nice ferrets and guinea pigs!! I'm patiently waiting for Safari to make a black-footed ferret

Very nice pets pic What is the most "wild fashion" in your Guinea pigs ?

rogerpgvg wrote:

Interestingly, Guinea pigs aren't from Guinea at all!

Incredible and silly! That's why in France we don't call them Guinea pigs but India pigs... Just as unbelievable and silly!

Thanks everyone! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], that is the K&M pets tube ferret and the Papo long haired guinea pig.

Saint Bernards!
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These big animals come from the Swiss Alps and were bred to help travelers navigate the Great Saint Bernard Pass circa the late 1600s. They were the original search and rescue dogs- their expert sense of smell, large body size to push snow, and thick coats (albeit shorter haired than now due to the collection of ice cicles) of hair to insulate from ice and snow helped to locate travelers in distress if the worst happened. They also gaurded hospice facilities in the region, and were well known for their ability to predict snow storms. They are indeed big; anywhere between 110 and 200 lbs! They only need a moderate amount of excercise but may need to be persuaded to do so. They do drool more than other dogs, but make up for it with their gentle and sweet nature, tolerance and obedience.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Thanks everyone! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], that is the K&M pets tube ferret and the Papo long haired guinea pig.

Saint Bernards!
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These big animals come from the Swiss Alps and were bred to help travelers navigate the Great Saint Bernard Pass circa the late 1600s. They were the original search and rescue dogs- their expert sense of smell, large body size to push snow, and thick coats (albeit shorter haired than now due to the collection of ice cicles) of hair to insulate from ice and snow helped to locate travelers in distress if the worst happened.  They also gaurded hospice facilities in the region, and were well known for their ability to predict snow storms. They are indeed big; anywhere between 110 and 200 lbs! They only need a moderate amount of excercise but may need to be persuaded to do so. They do drool more than other dogs, but make up for it with their gentle and sweet nature, tolerance and obedience.

Thank you for confirmation :)

Nce collection of Saint Bernards

Great collection of ferrets and Guinea pigs!
I have had guinea pigs all my life and at one time I used to breed various breeds/colours.At present I have a little group of 9.No one is really sure how they got their name and people who show them prefer to call them Cavies.As most people know they were bred for food and also to be used in folk rituals in the Andes.Because they are an easy animal to keep and rear in the Andean region there is now a large breed of guinea pig called a Cuy which is bred mainly for meat.They are short coated and mainly red and white.They are kept like livestock so are not handled a lot.There was a fad at one point in trying to keep these animals mainly in the USA,as there are many people from Peru and surrounding living there,but it was realised that do not make good pets due to their breeding!
The history of Ferrets is interesting as well.I'm at present reading a book about ferrets and their history.It has some interesting points to make.The older references eg Egyptian may in fact refer to the Egyptian Mongoose as the Common Polecat is not known in this region.Certainly the Romans and Greeks knew of them and used them.It is likely that they were domesticated in the Iberia as this is also the original home of the European Rabbit.Another factor that also points to domestication in the Mediterranean region is that that ferret is very similar to the subspecies of Common Polecat in this region and that ferrets are less tolerant of cold than Northern Common Polecats.
Wonderful group of St Bernards!
The big difference between the St Bernards in the USA and the UK/Ireland is that the long coated version is the popular one here.I have never seen a smooth coated St Bernard except in films like Beethoven!!The long coat apparently was introduced when a Newfoundland was used when the breed was nearly wiped out when distemper struck!Sadly this wasn't great as the coat,especially between the paws,collected snow/ice but by this time they were becoming popular as pets so the monastery kept the smooth coated dogs.It would be interesting to see why the smooth are popular in the USA and the longhaired in the UK/Ireland.Maybe our colleagues in Europe can help with seeing which is more common in their country.

Paige-with regard to the names,you are correct about confusion!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-sometimes they are incorrectly called King Charles Spaniels.
They come in 4 colours
King Charles-black/tan/white.
Blenheim-red/white and apparently named after the palace where the colour was bred.
Ruby-red all over.
Black and Tan.
The King Charles Spaniel called The English Toy Spaniel in the USA.They are very rare here in the UK where the Cavalier is much more popular.
They come in the same range of colours
They have a brachycephalic face like a Pug.
They are smaller then the Cavalier.
They also in the past used to have the bottom one third of their tail docked but don't think that is as common now.
Hope this may have helped!

Springer spaniels!
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This breed is one part of two that was split off from the original breed called a "field spaniel". The breed was split up by breeding smaller pups to other smaller sized pups (creating the cocker spaniel to be discussed later), and the larger pups to the larger pups= springer spaniel. The Kennel Club of Great Britain recognized this split in 1892. Their name comes from how the dogs flush game birds; they "spring" into tall grass to scare the birds into taking to the sky. The dogs are social and bond tightly to their owners and family- they often make good gaurd/alert dogs for their suspicion of strangers. This breed does require grooming to maintain their lucious coat and it comes in several colors such as liver and white, black, lemon, tan, etc.- they've won the third most best in show awards at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

@ Taylor, thank you for sharing all that! I enjoy your added information especially since you have read a bit more/deeper into a lot of these domestics.

Just one comment on the ferrets- I wonder if some of these might have been traded "exotic" animals for ancient peoples like the Egyptians? We know they feares nearly nothing and kept all sorts of animals on farms as pets, for zoo like entities, and eventually for mummification. I would not be surprised if someone smuggled a polecat south out of its original range to profit off of it as an exotic intrigue. But if they have mummified examples then this could be figured out factually... I am gonna do some reading!

Thanks for the distinction in "pigs" vs. cavies vs. cuy(s?) too. I found information a bit difficult to find on these animals and their domestication.

And thank you for the dog info too! I have seen long haired St. Bernards here but short haired is indeed more common. I didn't realize that came from newfoundlands- I would have guessed one of the other local stocks like Pyrenees or Bernese mt. dogs. And of course the spaniel info too; how confusing! I vote for an official name change as in nearly 30 years of my life I never truly understood/recognized the difference. But now I know I prefer the longer nosed Cavalier rather than the brachycephalic American version.

No problem Paige,glad you like the extra info!
Lovely selection of Springer spaniels-do you know the makers of the large black/white one on the left and the tan/white on the right?

The black and white one has no stamp but its big; the tan figure is from a set by Stargo off of Amazon.

Abyssinian, Exotic, British shorthair cats!

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The origin of the Abyssinian is unknowm but DNA studies indicate an Asian origin and were later crossed to European breeds. This breed is loving, intelligent, athletic, and considered an easy breed to keep in a first time cat owning home. Kittens are often born dark in color but their coat lightens color with age. They are well known to enjoy a high perch and watch the goings on below them.

The exotic shorthair was developed in the 1950s by crossing American shorthairs with Russian blues, Burmese, and Persian cats. A very playful and loyal cat, they tend to be nervous around strangers and need time to warm up. Being brachycephalic, this leads to tooth misalignment, tear duct issues, possible heart conditions, and breathing issues. Unlike Persians though, they are easy to groom given their short coat.

British shorthairs are believed to be descendents of cats brought to England during the Roman invasion in the first century A.D. They were first recognized at a cat show held in the Crystal Palace in 1871. Originally used for their vermin population control skills, this is also a cat believed to have inspired the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. The cat itself is popular for its round features and dense, plush coat. The breed is relatively healthu but can be prone to obesity, an autoimmune disorder, a heart condition, and a kidney disease.

I had a few days off for work and decided to just enjoy them and take a step back from things for a few days. Then when I went to start my post for today postimg was doing some maintenance! Alas, here we go again finally!

Old English sheepdog, French briard, Komondor, and Bearded collie.
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Old English sheep dogs were developed in southwestern England to help drive and manage cattle. Their ancestry has some mystery to it but could contain dogs from Russia and Scotland. They have a thick and long double coat paired with a bear like gait. They are often described as energetic, patient playmates, and friendly but protective dogs.

The French briard hails from 8th century France, specifically Brie. They were originally used for herding sheep and protecting them from wolf predation. Later on they became the official dog for the army- running supplies to the front lines, acting as sentries, and finding wounded soldiers. Also very energetic, they are often unfriendly to strangers (human and canine) but with good training can be tolerant. They are also muscular in build, have a high prey drive, and can be very independent.

Komondors are known for their iconic corded white coat; this helps them blend into a flock of sheep in their charge to surprise would be predators, as well as being a warm winter coat. Hungarian shepherds needed a working dog and developed this breed in the 9th century in the Danube basin region. They are descendents of aftscharka dogs, an Asian herding breed, brought to the area by the Huns. They were also used in the military given their hardy disposition. Today they are rather rare, with only about 10,000 dogs worldwide.

The bearded collie was developed in Scotland; descended from Polish lowland sheepdogs left in the area and then crossing with local working dogs circa the 1500s. Used for working sheep since then, the breed has also been known as the "highland collie" and "mountain collie". They became well loved by both farmers and the upper classes alike due to their friendly and intelligent nature; many dogs have been included in paintings from the period. Popularity stepped off after WW I but was redeveloped by G. O. Willison after WWII as he bred them for dog shows and created the Bearded Collie Club in Britain.

Shar pei and Chow!
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Shar peis have been around since about 200 BC, statues have been discovered in ancient Chinese burials. They were bred to be gaurdians for royalty. They are most well known for their extra loose skin and wrinkles; this was designed so that an opponent would not be able to get a good grip and allow the shar pei to turn while even being held to attack back. Their name comes from the Chinese words for rough skin- this is due to their coarse feeling short haired coat. They have black tongues, come in many colors, and make great loyal companions that are suspicious of strangers. Their temperament of being independent and suspicious benefits from an experienced and confident dog owner.

The chow also dates back to 200 BC and were also bred for royalty. While initially used as gaurd dogs and companions, they were also used for hauling things and hunting.  They are well known for their fluffy thick coat which comes in a variety of colors and requires extensive grooming, in addition to their blue-black mouth (lips, tongue, gums etc.), and straight hind legs that gives them a stilted gait. They also have 44 teeth when most other breeds have 42! They are very aloof with strangers but bond closely to owners; they also benefit from an experienced owner.

Thank you Andreas!

Scottish Fold!
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This breed is distinguished by its folded in ears; kittens are born with normal upright ears and as they age the ears fold downwards due to a genetic mutation/defect. There are three degrees to this folding- single, double, and triple folding. Only about half of the kittens in a litter will carry this gene to expression. The first cat to present this feature was discovered in Scotland in 1961 and was originally called a "lop ear" after the rabbit. The "breed" cannot be bred to itself- a folded eared cat must be bred to another such as the British shorthair or else the offspring will suffer intense cartilage and joint disorders. The breed is known for osteochondrodysplaysia- a condition that affects all joints and cartilage in the cat and expresses or causes deformities, abnormalities, and arthritis in the entire skeleton. Additionally, the cats are much more prone to ear infections given the folding of the ears. Besides these health concerns, they are described as very playful, relaxed, and loving cats with sweet personalities. They are also well known for adopting odd and silly postures such as sleeping on their backs or sitting upright like a person.

Great collection of Scottish Folds.Very popular in the UK despite the fact that they cannot be shown as the GCCF-which governs the showing of cats has disqualified them due to the problems you mentioned.There is also a long haired version called a Coupari named after the village where the original Scottish fold was discovered.

That is an immense comfort to me and I didn't realize they weren't accepted at shows by the GCCF. The health concerns of poorly bred specimens of this line are horrific to really contemplate.

Pugs!
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Another Chinese breed designed for royalty, pugs were intended to be lap dogs and companions. Their wrinkles were considered lucky and could even resemble good luck characters in Chinese. Pugs were introduced to Europe by Dutch traders circa the 1500s- Queen Victoria was a big fan and bred them herself. These guys have a rather thick coat despite it being short- it needs lots of grooming and can contribute to their heat sensitivity (alongside being brachycephalic). Predictably, they do have their health concerns. Their wrinkles require extra care to keep dry, and they suffer skin allergies and ear infections often, and are prone to obesity. They have a very a very friendly nature and are rarely aggressive, they are very eager to please but can be difficult to train as they lose interest in learning commands and would rather play. A pug has won at Westminster only once; in 1981.

Thank you my friend!

Saluki, Borzoi, and Afghan hounds!
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The saluki is another ancient breed dating as far back as 5,000 years at least. Also bred by and for royalty, but in this case for Egyptian pharoahs; these dogs were known as the "royal dog of Egypt" for years. As one breed of the sighthound group, these guys are hunters; designed in every way to be the fastest and most efficient domestic hunter on 4 legs. Foxes, rabbits, and even gazelle were put to the test to get away from these speed demons! Because of this they have a very high prey drive and are not reccomended for first time owners or to be off leash without a solid recall command. They are gentle, sweet tempered, adaptable, and loyal. They come in lots of colors and patterns and need plenty of excercise.

The borzoi, one of our giant breeds, stands at 28 inches tall at the shoulder and is 75-105 lbs for a male. They come from Russia and are a cross of greyhounds with Russian sheepdogs; they were originally called the Russian wolfhound but the name changed in 1936. Also a sighthound they are large but speedy predators that were used to eradicate a number of wild predators but also pursue game. The breed requires excercise and can be susceptible to bloating and stomach upsets. They are calm and gentle but are known to be stubborn and independent. They are often white with some color markings and have a curly or waved longer hair coat.

Afghan hounds have also been around for some time; at least 4,000 years. They too have been used for hunting from Afghanistan all the way to India! As a sighthound they too have an intense prey drive and excercise requirement. They have a long lucious coat in numerous colors and while it does shed less than most breeds, it does require a lot of grooming to maintain it. As puppies they have longer fluffy hair on their cheeks and "saddle" area but this will fall out and grow back shorter with age. They also have musk glands on their face that can have a strong odor. They became popular in 1981 after Barbie was introduced with an afghan hound named Beauty. And the first dog ever cloned was an afghan named Snuppy in 2005.

I come here to take refuge from the sad reality of the world and find myself reading dreadful stories about animal breeds that, in my humble opinion, should never have seen the light of day.
Your posts are a bit hard for me these days, even though your photos are always so pleasing.

Saluki, Borzoi, and Afghan hounds! At last, breeds that don't seem to be suffering too much! Thank you very much

Shame that there are not more Borzoi models made.

Oh, I'm sorry Christophe! My intention is not to bring additional sadness your mind. The domestic categories have been a little difficult for me to work on presenting too... I have actually learned a TON and I already thought I knew a lot about these domestic animals. But it has also been quite frustrating to learn of the deliberate disregard for some breeds' health and wellbeing.

I think the important thing in these cases is to note that with each one, there ARE people around the globe who are trying to fix these problems. There will always be people who prefer the older/unhealthier version, but modern movements are making an effort to either restore the older version to a breed, or start anew to fix the issue. THOSE are animals and breeding programs I will support.

I.e. when I bought my first "purebred" puppy, my terrier Buck, I put a TON of research into it. At the time, I needed a very specific animal because of emotional, personal, financial, etc. reasons and so instead of going for a rescue I did buy a puppy. I don't remember how I got turned on to the DRT, but I spent over a year reading, watching videos, looking at breeders, and finding any scrap of information I could before I committed to it. With actually getting Buck, things just fell into place at the right time as my childhood best friend (unfortunately a backyard breeder's "designer" dog but the best dog ever anyway) had just passed and puppy Buck would be ready to go home a month later. But one of my criteria was to have a healthy breed. DRTs are a somewhat younger breed and have not been over line bred or hyoer focused on one outcome or look. And almost 7 years into it, I am thrilled my choice and newest best friend.

My point is that its great to adopt and rescue an animal in need (my spaniel has also been one of the best thing that happened to me and he chose us not the other way around) but sometimes it is a better decision to get an actual breed if you have needs for a specific kind of dog (for whatever reason) that's important too. I.e. you would not want a pomeranian as a service animal or a medical alert dog- there's a reason labradors are the first choice in those instances.

But overall, we need to be celebrating the animals for what they are and making their wellbeing a priority.

I love sighthounds! My dream would be to get an Ibizan hound and a wolfhound or deerhound someday.

I was reminded of my love for the borzoi while writing this last night- they are such neat dogs! I wish more sighthounds were made- an Ibizan/Pharaoh hound would be a dream!