Cornish Rex - The facts every owner of this cat breed should know
The Cornish Rex breed began as a happy accident of nature. A genetic mutation in a liter of kittens born in the 1950s in Cornwall, United Kingdom, resulted in kittens that had extremely fine and curly down for hair, not the typical thick coat like most breeds of cat. Even the whiskers were curly! Breeders were struck by this, and decided to selective breed this trait through inbreeding and crossbreeding. Many other breeds of cat were used during this period so the 'coat' on a Cornish Rex comes in many colors and patterns.
They are small to medium sized cats with a very slender appearance and live roughly thirteen years. Though they may feel heavier than they look, Cornish Rexes are very thin boned and have lean muscles. A Cornish Rex may also have a peculiar odor that some describe as 'cheesy', this odor is produced from scent glands in the paws.
Many people think a Cornish Rex makes a good pet for those with allergies, but they do shed somewhat (though far less compared to most other breeds) and will groom themselves regularly. Cornish Rexes make excellent pets as they enjoy being with humans and are social, playful, curious and affectionate. Though very active at times, they do enjoy taking breaks and a Cornish Rex can often be found curled up on the couch or in a lap.
Though they like being pet and groomed, due to the nature of the coat, Cornish Rexes should not be brushed too roughly, as this can damage the hairs. They get cold easily and should be kept indoors. Additionally, Cornish Rexes can be prone to baldness, a disorder known as hypotrichosis.
There is a website that has great information on Cornish Rex and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2007
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.
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How to Pick a Puppy
Picking a puppy can be a difficult task. Your decision needs to be not only well informed but also a decision you can be happy with for as many as twenty years. The first task is to establish if a breeder or a trip to the local animal shelter is the best option for you. Both options have their pros and cons.
When deciding on a breeder you get the benefit of having a registered animal with its complete history at your fingertips. You will have an idea of the animal's temperament, and you will be able to have your choice of the breed and color that is most suited to your tastes. However this could also mean the animal has not had proper vet care, handling, and could have diseases from inbreeding if you do not choose a reputable breeder.
If you decide to choose from the animal shelter you get the benefit of knowing you saved an animal's life. The puppy will have had vet care, and you will know ahead of time any medical problems that could be an issue. Animals from shelters often come spayed or neutered, if the animals is too young for the procedure you will be provided with a voucher to have the procedure done at low or no cost.
Once you decide which option is best for you, the most difficult choice will be which puppy is best for you. Don't let how cute all the puppies are cloud your judgment! Keep in mind you are choosing a pet that has to fit you and your lifestyle for up to twenty years. Do your homework and make a list of what traits you are really after. Do you want a pet that is going to be relaxed, and be content to hang out around the house while you are at work? Would you prefer a pet that is more active who will happily run with you on daily jogs?
Make a list of breeds you are interested in, traits in those breeds that you are after, and most importantly what life style this puppy will need to adapt to. When you have your list, and your choice of where you will get your puppy its time to start on your journey to acquiring your puppy.
If you have chosen to select your puppy from a breeder you will likely have to place a deposit before the litter is born, or shortly after it has arrived. It will take several trips to the breeder, usually at 4, 6 and 8 weeks to decide which puppy is best for you and your price range. Breeding quality puppies, and show quality puppies will cost more than a standard pet quality pup. Be sure to spend time with each puppy without setting your sites on one in particular right away. Make sure you look each puppy over to make sure the eyes are clear, that they respond correctly to sounds i.e. they do not run and hide from noises, and aren't aggressive.
Puppies from animal shelters may be adopted quickly so a few visits to decide on an animal may not be possible. Keep in mind animals in a confined area can be under stress and therefore are not showing their true personalities. If an animal is reserved it is not necessarily a bad sign, they can simply be nervous due to an unfamiliar situation.
Dogs are wonderful animals that can add value and quality to your life. Do your homework to assure that you are making a wise decision given your lifestyle and the needs of your pet.
What the Heck is a Labradoodle
If you are like most people hearing the term “labradoodle”, you are most likely confused. A labradoodle is a designer-dog resulting from the cross breeding of a labrador retriever and a standard poodle (crossbred dogs are often referred to as designer-dogs.) The labradoodle originated in Australia several years ago where they quickly discovered the potential to use labradoodles as service dogs.
Labradoodles have a loving and affectionate temperment. They appreciate affection and bond well with their families. They are very intelligent and tend to be quite active as well. They can become bored with repetition and enjoy alternating activities.
Labradoodles typically have curly coats but can have the straight coat of a labrador. Since labradoodles have minimal shedding they are extremely attractive to those who suffer from pet allergies. There have been claims that labradoodles do not have the typical doggie body odor.
Australian labradoodles are a multi generational cross that are typically 25% labrador retriever and 75% standard poodle. This proportion seems to guarantee non-shedding. American labradoodle breeders vary the percentages; a 50% mix puppy may shed and as such they are not the best choice for people with severe allergies.
Labradoodle puppies are selling from anywhere between $100 and $1500 depending on the standards of the breeder. Multi-generational cross puppies with health guarantees seem to sell for more than a 50% first generation litter.
Labradoodles can have the same genetic medical problems of the standard poodle and Labrador retriever, such as eye and hip problems. People shopping for a labradoodle puppy need to be careful, as with any breed, check references, view the parents of the litter, and ask for a written health guarantee.
