The Curious Compendium 2023-2024: Dobermans!

[Gwangi]

Australian Shepherds and Australian cattle dogs are my favorite dog breeds that I'll never own. And it has nothing to do with having Australian in the name, it's just coincidence. I worked on a beef cattle farm for over a decade where I got to work with both breeds, I just adore them, but they are not compatible with my lifestyle.

And this is what all too many animal lovers get mistaken- that just because you enjoy or approve of a pet/breed does NOT mean you should own one! Do the research and just get animals you can actual care for and will fit your lifestyle.

I really like both the breeds you mention too. But for myself as well, they're too much dog for my current lifestyle. I will appreciate them from afar.

Exactly! Honestly, the dog breeds that best fit my lifestyle are not breeds I'm overly fond of on the aesthetic level, but I would rather have a breed that I'm compatible with than one I find visually appealing. They're living things, not decorations or status symbols. My sister-in-law is a mother of three, student, has a full time job, and a small yard, and the dogs she picked are husky mixes. 

[Saarlooswolfhound]

That was going to be my #1 example of dogs I feel for... huskies, GSDs, heelers... too many out there who don't get their needs met because they were chosen as part of their owners fashion statement. When I was getting a new dog I decided to get a breed puppy rather than a rescue at the time as I needed something very specific. Turns out his breed might be my one and only- we just click really well. That's more the approach people need to be taking to make a good connection. I think huskies are gorgeous and have a great breed historical significance etc., but they are waaaay too much dog for me.

[Gwangi]

That was going to be my #1 example of dogs I feel for... huskies, GSDs, heelers... too many out there who don't get their needs met because they were chosen as part of their owners fashion statement. When I was getting a new dog I decided to get a breed puppy rather than a rescue at the time as I needed something very specific. Turns out his breed might be my one and only- we just click really well. That's more the approach people need to be taking to make a good connection. I think huskies are gorgeous and have a great breed historical significance etc., but they are waaaay too much dog for me.

There was a time when I advocated strongly for mixed breed shelter dogs vs. buying purebred from a breeder but my opinions have changed. I believe mixed breed shelter dogs are fine for people really committed to dogs in general and have time for them, but for those wanting a sure bet, specific breeds with known characteristics are probably best. You know what you're getting that way, or should know if you've done your research.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Irish and English setters!

Irish setters were bred to be gun dogs during the 17th century in Ireland- they originally had a red and white coat but the solid red became standard by the 19th century. The development of the breed is highly speculative but it is thought that a variety of spaniels, setters, and pointers were used. They are highly energetic but easily trained and eager to please. They suffer from seizures (called primary epilepsy) and are gluten intolerant; when fed gluten they develop an increase in immune cell presence and a decrease in intestinal absorption.

English setters are one of the oldest gun dog breeds as they date back to the 14th century in England. Believed to be descended from crossing the Spanish pointer, water spaniels, and the English springer spaniel, they make superb hunting dogs. The term "setter" refers to how they hunt game birds- by adopting a crouched position to indicate to the hunter the presence of birds. Also quite an energetic breed they too are easily trainable and make excellent family dogs as they do hunting companions.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

That was going to be my #1 example of dogs I feel for... huskies, GSDs, heelers... too many out there who don't get their needs met because they were chosen as part of their owners fashion statement. When I was getting a new dog I decided to get a breed puppy rather than a rescue at the time as I needed something very specific. Turns out his breed might be my one and only- we just click really well. That's more the approach people need to be taking to make a good connection. I think huskies are gorgeous and have a great breed historical significance etc., but they are waaaay too much dog for me.

There was a time when I advocated strongly for mixed breed shelter dogs vs. buying purebred from a breeder but my opinions have changed. I believe mixed breed shelter dogs are fine for people really committed to dogs in general and have time for them, but for those wanting a sure bet, specific breeds with known characteristics are probably best. You know what you're getting that way, or should know if you've done your research.

You summed up the crux of the argument very well; I 100% advocate for the mixed breed/shelter dogs in need of homes. But I also don't judge others for finding a reputable breeder and gaining a domestic companion of a particular type. As an example, there is a reason that certain breeds are used for special needs assistance (such as labradors). It can be hugely beneficial to have an animal that may be more predictable (but remember that animals are individuals- one lab will be different to the next). There are situations where you might need a very specific animal over taking a chance on one that may be less predictable. Regardless, I have done both routes (currently have a purebred(?) rescue and a dog I could have registered with the UKC but chose not to- to be discussed more later) and both have had their challenges and both have been immense blessings in my life. I just dropped 500$ on my little old man to ensure his health!

I advocate for being a responsible person which means being realistic about your lifestyle and life situation and doing IMMENSE amounts of research prior to obtaining an animal. Its just better for everyone involved.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Chartreux, Bengal, Somali, and Egyptian Mau!

These cats are thought to have been brought to France from the Middle East in the 1500s and were originally bred by Carthusian monks. This small blue colored breed is friendly and docile and like to learn new things. The breed is thought to get its name from the Chartreuse liquor the monks would make.

Bengals were created in the 1960s by crossbreeding small Asian leopard cats to domestic cats; the idea is credited to Jean Sudgen Mill. These cats are incredibly intelligent and energetic; they require an active and attentive owner to satisfy their needs. This cat breed enjoys water!

The Somali is a sister breed to the Abyssinian (both named from their home country of Abyssinia and now known as Somalia!). This breed is often described as a long haired Abyssinian and was developed from a cat with this long hair gene was imported to Great Britain by Lord Robert Napier. The breed underwent true development in the 1960s; the breed is very smart but also very willful. They benefit from short and positive training sessions. They are prone to pyruvate kinase deficiency and hereditry retinal degeneration.

Egyptian maus date back as far as 3,000 years ago in Egyptian texts and pictorial art; the word "mau" is Egyptian for cat. Genetic studies of preserved cat mummies indicate they are domesticated from a subspecies of Egyptian wildcat. During and after WWII the breed suffered a decline in popularity and nearly went extinct. The exiled Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy is credited with reviving the breed during the 1950s.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Malinois, Australian Cattle Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Kelpie, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi!


The Belgian malinois is named after the city it was developed in, Malines, Belgium. Originally they were shepherd dogs but quickly became useful for policework and the military during WWII. Another very intense breed, they are very intelligent and active and require lots of stimulation and socialization.

Australian cattle dogs were created in 1825 when Thomas Simpson Hall crossed an English drover's cur with a dingo. The breed is often called a red or blue heeler- the first part referring the roan color of the dog and the second part to how they nip at the heels of livestock to move and control them. Headstrong and energetic, they too require socialization, excercise, and mental stimulation!

The kelpie is another Australian breed developed from loosely termed "collies" brought to the region in the late 1800s. Their name indeed is linked back to the Celtic folk monster- a river water spirit. The breed is often friendlier than other herding/gaurding breeds, and is also very intelligent and energetic!

Cardigan Welsh corgis date to 1200 BC in Wales, brought there by the Celts. Used to herd, gaurd, and clear roads for moving herds they are very energetic, smart, and have surprising stamina even given their small stature. They are indeed a separate breed from-

The pembroke Welsh corgi is thought to date back to 1107 A.D. when Flemish weavers brought them to Wales. Very similar to the Cardigan in background and personality (herding/gaurding dog = smart, tenacious, energetic little things) and they love family life and bond tightly to owners. One primary difference to tell the two breeds apart is their tails; the Cardigan often will have a full tail while the Pembroke is usually docked short. Additionally, Cardigans are a bit bigger and have more coat color variety than Pembrokes.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Burnese Mountain Dogs!





These dogs hail from Bern, Switzerland and were used as farm dogs, to herd and guard livestock, and pull carts of dairy products. The dogs are so strong that they can pull 1,000lbs of weight! Drafting is a sport these dogs enjoy. They are built for cold weather and love family life! Unfortunately, due to breed history (they nearly went extinct in the 1800s and efforts to recover the breed led to severe inbreeding) they suffer a lot of health concerns. These include many of the "big dog" maladies such as elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as various cancers, bloat, Von Willebrand's disease, and histiocytosis as well as others.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Ok, I have replaced a few updated groups:

[bmathison1972]

I've had my eye on one of the Schleich BMSD but the CollectA one looks nice, too!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

I think the older sitting Schleich is my very favorite, but the CollectA is my next pick! It has a good size especially.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Basset hounds!

The name basset is French for "low", just like in corgis and dachshunds this breed carries a gene for dwarfism. This breed has been around since the 7th century and were originally used for hunting game like birds, deer, and small mammals. Being a hound, they have the second best scenting traits of all dogs, love to be in social packs vs. being alone, and have a loud, distance traveling baying bark. This breed is high maintenance as they need regular bathing/grooming to maintain their skin and coat, are susceptible to a variety of health concerns including obesity (not the least of their worries!). But they are very friendly, easy going, family loving dogs.

[BlueKrono]

My favorite breed! What are the bottom center and bottom right ones? I've never even seen those before.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Not sure on the center figure but it is reminiscent of 90s/00s gum machine figures. The other is the New Ray with a spruced up paint job done by myself.

[BlueKrono]

Ah, that explains it. That is an improvement!

[bmathison1972]

Any of them named Angela? 

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Any of them named Angela? 

Ba dum tsssss...

Kurilian bobtails, Japanese bobtails, Manx, and American curls!


Kurilian bobcats are from a chain if volcanic islands that span between Hokkaido, Japan and Kamchatka, Russia; called the Kuril Islands. The breed is thought to be a mixture of the Japanese bobtail and Siberian cats brought together by sailors. These cats caught the attention of explorers who brought the short tailed cats home to Russia in the 1900s; today they are rare in the West, but are more commonly found in Eastern regions such as Russia and Japan. They are a fairly large breed but are gentle and outgoing.

The Japanese bobtail is thought to have originated in China and was brought to Japan in the 7th century as a gift between Emperors. In the 1600s the breed is creditex with saving the silk industry from a threatening rodent population! Still a rare breed in general, they can be seen in the good luck charms that depict Maneki-Neko. They are social, sweet, and vocal.

The manx has a murkier history- its earliest recording is in 1750 and it may have come from the Isle of Man or it may have been a tailless cat that was brought there. In either case, their unique look of having no tail is caused by a mutation that quickly spread throughout the isolated island population. Some may be completely tailless, others might have some length and each degree has its own designation.

The American Curl began when a family discovered a cat outside their home with the unique trait- when bred she passed the trait to her kittens and so breed development began circa 1981 in California. The trait is a dominant gene, meaning kittens only need one copy to express the uniquely curled back ears. Unlike Scottish folds, this trait has no negative associates health risks! The gene pool was kept very wide so the cats can be just about any color or coat type; they have very kitten like behavior their entire lives and are very friendly. They can be more prone to ear infections given their unique ear shape (a functional condition rather than a genetic one) and their love of water. If I were to ever get a purebred cat this is one of my favorites!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Dobermans!


Developed during the 1800s in Germany by Louis Dobermann, they were originally used as gaurd dogs when he went to collect taxes (his profession). They are believed to be the result of mixing German pinscher, great dane, German shepherd, Manchester terrier, and greyhounds. Today they have been adapted to search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and for military/police work; they also excel at sports such as agility, dock diving, fly ball, obedience, and others. These energetic dogs need lots of excercise but are considered to be very sweet, intelligent, perceptive, and as having a great sense of humor. As a larger breed they have several common health concerns like hip dysplasia, but also have some other tendencies for diseases like von Willebrand's disease.