The Curious Compendium 2023-2024: Dobermans!

[Gwangi]

I guessed about the cats, but that's a neat breed mix for your dog if that is the case. If she is a rescue and that was the shelter's guess- they all too often get it wrong! I also agree about the birds, easy keepers would be best for me if I ever try those out. I guess my comment was more in regard to the tropical birds that can be pets (parrots, cockatiels, etc.).

Puppies are a funny thing; as an owner I get to times when I think "oh its time for a new puppy" but then I stop myself and remember when my younger dog was a puppy... He was challenging in his own way and he really wasn't as bad as some stories I have heard! My rescue dog was about 4 when we got him and he too had his own challenges but that was because of previous abuse. I digress, I will share more on my dogs when I get to present their breeds here.

But from my brief exposure of helping raise some of my nieces and nephews while their parents worked- puppies/dogs are waaaaay easier. 

She didn't come from a shelter but she was a rescue of sorts. A young couple had bought her as a Bernese Mountain dog and then they didn't have time for her and sold her to us via Craigslist. Of rather, rehomed her to my wife who bought the dog as a "surprise" for me. Yeah, it was a surprise alright! I didn't really want another dog and I don't advocate giving animals as gifts, especially high maintenance animals like dogs! But I digress, that was 9 years ago and she's a good dog. Since she's getting long in the tooth I think my next dog will be a puppy, I'm undecided about that, but I won't get another dog while this one is still around. I have no interest in being a multi-dog household again!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Ah, I see. Perhaps this section may help you visit some breeds if/when you decide  to get another puppy/dog.

Ok, I figured after one of the smallest breeds we may as well tackle one of the largest. Great danes are often what first comes to mind for many people.


Firstly, they are very large! Standing at about 32 inches tall at the shoulder, but can be as tall or taller than a man when standing on two legs. They also can weigh as much as a person- at about 175 lbs when full grown. This breed was originally created in Germany (despite the name) in the 1800s for hunting wild boar. Despite their large size, they are often gentle enough to play with kids and have a calm demeanor. They are often pretty low energy, but in order to stay fit they should have 2-3 hours if activity a day. They unfortunately are very short-lived; they often only live 5-8 years maximum. "Just Nuisance" was a dane who was enlisted in the Royal Navy on the HMS Afrikander between 1939-1955 at the age of 7. He got his name because he was a large even for a great dane and would sleep on the gangplank, making it difficult for people to board and disembark. He never went to sea and never fought any battles, he primarily was a morale booster for any troops that got to be around him.

[sbell]

Ah, I see. Perhaps this section may help you visit some breeds if/when you decide  to get another puppy/dog.

Ok, I figured after one of the smallest breeds we may as well tackle one of the largest. Great danes are often what first comes to mind for many people.


Firstly, they are very large! Standing at about 32 inches tall at the shoulder, but can be as tall or taller than a man when standing on two legs. They also can weigh as much as a person- at about 175 lbs when full grown. This breed was originally created in Germany (despite the name) in the 1800s for hunting wild boar. Despite their large size, they are often gentle enough to play with kids and have a calm demeanor. They are often pretty low energy, but in order to stay fit they should have 2-3 hours if activity a day. They unfortunately are very short-lived; they often only live 5-8 years maximum. "Just Nuisance" was a dane who was enlisted in the Royal Navy on the HMS Afrikander between 1939-1955 at the age of 7. He got his name because he was a large even for a great dane and would sleep on the gangplank, making it difficult for people to board and disembark. He never went to sea and never fought any battles, he primarily was a morale booster for any troops that got to be around him.

@Saarlooswolfhound Something didn't work with your photo! It has URL tags around the IMG tags (I deleted them in my quote to see if that was the issue, and it is)

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Oh no, I'm sorry to read that sbell. I posted this picture how I have done all the others... does anyone else have issues viewing the original posted image for the great danes?

[sbell]

Oh no, I'm sorry to read that sbell. I posted this picture how I have done all the others... does anyone else have issues viewing the original posted image for the great danes?

It started working eventually. Weird!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Weird indeed- maybe there was an issue with postimage's side of things...?

[sbell]

Weird indeed- maybe there was an issue with postimage's side of things...?

Possibly. At least it seems to have fixed itself now

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Next up our first cat group- Persians!



The origins if this breed is unknown, but they were first imported to Europe from Persia in the 1600s- hence their name. They also may be called the Shiraz cat, or the Iranian cat. This cat has two types- the "doll face" is the traditional look for this look, but the much more recent and popular brachycephalic (meaning it has a shortened nose/smooshed face) type developed from a batch of kittens born in the 1950s. This condition can cause some health issues for animals; in this case this type of Persian can have difficulty cooling off their bodies, dental concerns, and sometimes breathing concerns. They come in nearly any color you fancy- but be aware their coat does require some attention to keep the animal healthy. One of the reasons they are so popular (especially historically with aristocracy and other famous people) is they are very relaxed and low energy cats; they don't require much excercise, they often just "hang out" in the same spot for hours at a time, and don't have the off-putting habits of other cats to claw furniture or people.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Beagles!



This breed is very old- so old that the exact origins and development are unknown for certain. They must have come from small hounds and probably from the UK. The earliest instances of these dogs state that they were essentially "pocket sized"- only getting to be about 9 inches at the shoulder or smaller to make them easier to handle and transport for hunts (today most beagles are bigger than this, but are still considered a small breed). They have an incredible nose that houses some 220 million scent receptors- this scent organ will often lead a beagle on a merry tracking chase where the dog will get itself lost. They come in lots of colors but are most often the tricolor of many other popular hound breeds. They have a white tipped tail thought to help lead hunters after them in the brush. Their big floppy ears shift to hang down their nose when they put their head down to scent- this helps waft and isolate the scent around their nose. They are a social breed having been bred to live with a pack of similar dogs and are very vocal as well; barking, baying, and howling at a moment's notice and for no particular reason. But overall they have a very sweet demeanor and are great with kids.

[bmathison1972]

The 2021 Beagle (and the Boxer that came out with it) are one of the reasons I decided to expand dog breeds. CollectA and Safari have been leading the charge in this area in recent years.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

And of course those are the figures I don't have (yet)! I really love CollectA's boxer especially because its a "natural" form for one.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Thanks Roger, I enjoyed learning about the Persians too as I found out lots of new information about them.

Dalmatians!

This is one of the *the* most recognizable breeds out there; just like the beagle, it is ancient and has unknown origins. We know that it is European, dates at least as far back as Egyptian depictions of them, and that they once had a stronghold in Dalmatia, Austria (where they get their names). Historically, they are a diversely useful dog- often depicted "coaching" (running a short way in front of horse drawn coaches to clear the road of crowds), ratting, hunting, and other athletic pursuits. The gene that is responsible for their unique piebald spotted coat unfortunately also is connected to blindess and deafness; about 15-30% of the breed suffers from this and other ailments. All puppies are born completely white and will develop their unique (like a fingerprint) spots within a few days- weeks of life. This is a very active breed and if it doesn't get its mind and body worked regularly- it *will* find trouble to occupy itself instead! The "accepted" look of this breed is a white dog with black spots- but there are dalmatians of different spot color such as blue or lemon, and even long coated dalmatians!

[bmathison1972]

...only 72 to go!

[Gwangi]

...only 72 to go!

That's what I was going to say!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Ha, count on it! Its a popular enough breed I am sure its possible.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

snowshoe- The breed was developed by crossing American shorthairs with the "old type" Siamese and  Oriental shorthairs, it was recognized in the 1960s. They get their name from their white feet; they are born white and develop their color points and blue eyes over the course of 3 weeks. They are very smart and energetic, often bonding with one member of the family closely.

Turkish angora- They are named after the capital in Turkey (now known as Ankara). This long haired cat enjoys high perches like the top of the refrigerator or standing on your shoulders. They are very outgoing, talkative, and expressive.

munchkin- this cat was developed over a gene that makes the long bones (in the limbs such as the humerus and femur) grow much shorter than they do normally. Unfortunately, the breed also suffers from other health concerns such as arthritis, spine and joint issues, and hyperthyroidism. They are still playful and energetic, but have some difficulty reaching higher spots as other breeds can.

burmese- often described as "bricks wrapped in silk", this is a deceptively muscled cat. Developed in the early 1900s in the US this breed comes from an actually Burmese born cat with dark fur being crossed to American born siamese cats- the breed was recognized in 1979. Since, their popularity has helped them be involved in developing other breeds like the bombay. This cat is playful and energetic, but has very little in the way of survival instincts and its reccomended to keep them as indoor only pets.

bombay- this breed was created in 1965 in the US and was intended to look like a mini black panther. Often called a "velcro cat" they become very attached to their owners and anything they are doing. Another intelligent and athletic breed, they will find the warmest and nicest spots to sleep- often on top of their owner. This cat is also entirely black; nose, paw pads, everything except for their eyes.

balinese- this breed got its start in the 1940s in California and is truly just a longhaired siamese. There just so happened to be a spontaneous occurence of long haired kittens in a litter.  Like the short haired siamese, they are very playful, social, and do best in a house with a family/kids to help keep them busy.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Labradors!


Originally bred to retrieve cod fish that had escaped fisherman, and to help bring in nets. They have a very clearly defined double coat; one with stiff gaurd hairs that are weather proof, and a warm soft hair layer that insulates their body heat. This breed comes in nearly any color from yellow, chocolate, and black. Given their working heritage and intelligence, this breed benefits from having a job. Whether it be a sea going retriever, a hunter's companion, a service dog for the disabled, or just one who gets a lot of active play, they are an incredibly populat breed (especially in the US).

[Saarlooswolfhound]

The equine page is now live!
https://thecuriouscompendium.wixsite.com/curiouscompendium

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Dachshund!


The breed name is german for "badger dog", and that is exactly what they were bred to do- hunt badgers. Their short stature, muscular torso, and fierce spirit were all designed to help the little dog go down badger burrows and go nose to nose with this fierce forest animal. The have kept their very houndlike features such as their strong sense of smell and tracking as well as their vocal nature where they bark at intruders or anytime they are excited by something. They come in lots of colors and 3 coat types; the smooth haired has short and soft hairs (this is the original type), the long haired type has long and silky hair thought to be originally bred to withstand cold temperatures, the last type is the wire haired with stiff prickly hair thought to help it pursue prey through briars and thickets safely. Again, because of the dramatization of their proportions over the years, this breed now has several health issues to take into concern (many of them involving their spine or stunted legs).

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Today is the two-year anniversary for The Curious Compendium!!! I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone here who has supported this project. It has been a much bigger task than what I originally thought, and it has hit several bumps in the road but this is something I am really proud of achieving. I hope for many more years for the TCC and for longevity for its sister project as well, Zoonotic. Thank you ATF members for being a part of it!