The Curious Compendium 2023-2024: Dobermans!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Lop eared rabbits!


There are several breeds that have developed but I will share general lop-eared rabbit facts. For one, they are the most easily recognizable given their floppy ears and have become popular pets. They come in nearly any color and pattern, and several body sizes depending on the exact breed too (even the length of their ears varies!). Because of their large ears, its important to keep them warm in about 80° F since they have difficulty regulating their body temperature. They are often friendly, social, calm, and can even be readily litter trained.

Any of our rabbit enthusiasts, if I got something wrong or there is something you would like to add here- please do! I know a bit about rabbits but not nearly as much as you can share. I for one, would love to learn more!

[bmathison1972]

The placement of the figures in that pic is good; you wouldn't want the image to appear lop sided...

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Ha, nice one! I do *try* to balance the figures for images.

Siberian huskies!

The breed originates with the Chukchi people of Siberia in eastern Asia- potentially as far back as 3,000 years. Here, they became hardy dogs that coukd withstand -100°F, intense blizzards, little food, and long daily work hours as sled dogs. The Chukchi people revered their dogs, believing that 2 huskies gaurd the gate to heaven and they judge a man by how he treated dogs in his life. The real breed spread in popularity and became a versatile animal of utility and later of strikingly wolfish good looks. The most famous instance in their history is of their involvement in the epidemic of diptheria in 1925 in Nome, Alaska. The closest reserve of medication was in Anchorage, over 600 miles away. 20 mushers and over 100 dogs formed a relay to move this precious cargo; Leonard Seppala and his lead dog Togo traversed the longest and the most dangerous portion of the relay- Togo led the team to safety during a dangerous blizzard in the Norton Sound, keeping the cargo safe as well. Gunnar Kaasen with his lead dog Balto was the team to make the final leg of the journey; and for years got most of the credit for this undertaking. Regardless, this is a breed that has energy to run and is known to be "escape artists" if not occupied mentally and excercised thoroughly. The breed is now a flashy pet for many, though they often end up being more than your average pet owner can handle. Intelligent, stubborn, full of energy, and ready to go on a moment's notice- this breed is now appreciated in many parts of the world.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

 bulldogs!


Developed in England during the 14th century they were originally used as the muscle needed to handle livestock in livestock yards and around butcher's- hence the name of "bulldog". The breed was stocky, tenacious, and feared nothing; not even an angry bull. They quickly began to be used in a variety of bloodsport- putting up a ferocious bull dog against a variety of animals including domestic and wild caught. This practice was not ended until 1835, at which point the breed fell off in popularity. Victorians then developed the breed to be less outwardly aggressive, and to exaggerate other physical features making the short legged, extra wide and stocky, brachycephalic (short-faced), and wrinkly breed known today. Unfortunately, this breed suffers a myriad of health concerns due to this including requiring reproductive assistance (with insemination and cesaerean section of pups), as well as breathing, dental, and vision concerns. There is a recent modern movement to return the breed to previous physical traits (such as longer legs and snout). It began in the 1970s by David Leavitt to recreate a healthier and more viable version of the "Regency period bull baiter"- it was recognized in the United Kennel Club in 2014 as the Olde English Bulldogge. There are some hopes that perhaps, this remodeled version may be reintroduced to the highly inbred population of English bulldog to save it from further damage.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

German shepherd!


Developed by men with eternally long names, this breed came on the scene in the 19th century due to the want of a German heritage sheepdog. A wolfish dog was purchased at a dog show in 1899 and is the founder for the breed. Early on, line breeding was a focus (also known as inbreeding, siblings were bred to each other in the effort to isolate and continue specific traits)- today, most German shepherds can trace their ancestry to only a handful of the first generation sires. Historical timing lended a hand to this breed's infamy- due to the early focus on purity and militaristic breeding rituals it quickly became a popular working animal for the Nazi regime and even Adolf Hitler himself. The dog made its way outside of Germany, even to far off places like the US and Australia where the wolfish appearance, strong sheep herding instinct, and adaptability to other working tasks made it valuable. This was the first popular breed for military work, as seeing eye dogs, and more. Unfortunately, this breed suffered more stereotype damage as it became linked to crime lords and drug runners. This is often considered the first breed to have suffered significant "breed specific legistlation" around the globe- Australia at one time wanted all existing GSDs in the country to be sterilized. Since then, they have gained good PR and have now become quite popular once again- though as with the husky this is NOT  a first time dog owner choice. Athletic and highly intelligent (nearly always scoring in the top 3 in variable studies) they need lots of excercise and stimulation to maintain mental and physical health. They also suffer from some health concerns common with large dogs- arthritis, displaysia, etc. AKC standards have also bred their animals to have restricted movement in their hindlegs in order to achieve a sloping back; this causes concern for the mobility of the animal, as well as radiating pain in addition to premature age related diseases in the breed.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Siamese cats!


They come from Thailand (once known as Siam) and royalty bred them (for a hobby, to give as gifts, allowed to live in temples with monks etc.). They are striking for their coloration and come in some 33 different shades and combinations. They are often crosseyed to some degree and this is related to their eye structure. The breed is very friendly, vocal, and playful, making them popular pets. They gained recognition in the US in the 1870s when then president Rutherford B Hayes' wife, Lucy, received one as a gift from an American diplomat. Evidently, because they have genetics related to albinism , the breed's coat can change color somewhat depending on ambient temperature around them.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Chihuahuas!

This breed may date back as far as 100 AD- small toys fashioned to look similar have been found. The modern version of the breed descend from a type of dog called a Techichi; a type of dog kept by natives in the region of Mexico, Central America, and parts of northern South America. This small dog was kept by ancient Aztecs and Toltecs and when someone died, their small companion would also be sacrificed amd buried with them because they believed that the dog would guide their owner in the afterlife. This breed can be very small indeed; the current smallest dog record holder is Milly from Puerto Rico weighing less than a kilo and measuring at a whopping 10 cm tall! This small size can cause dental issues as their small mouths are often crowded with teeth. They are easy first time dogs for owners as they eat very little, need very little grooming, and can suffice with 20-30 minutes of excercise. Beware though- they are very vocal with strangers and can pack an attitude!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Neapolitan and misc. no breed mastiffs!


Neos, as they are often called, date back as far as 3000 BC in Rome! They have their beginnings from an extinct breed, the Molossus of ancient Greece. This history indicates that they were used as war and gaurdian dogs, Alexander the Great is credited with refining the breed by taking these large mastiffs and crossing them to short haired dogs from India. At this stage, they began to be used in Colloseum blood sport against both Gladiators and wild game. After this, they slowly lost popularity as time went on, nearly going extinct around the WWII era. Luckily, a journalist reintroduced them to the public and with modern refinement they again became the pride of Italy and were recognized by the AKC in 2004.

The other 3 mastiffs (below) I can't confidently assign a breed (the tan is most likely a neo also) but I thought I'd ask- any other suggestions?

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Checkered giant and Netherland dwarf rabbits!


Checkered giants (or giant papillion) date back to France's 19th century and were developes by crossing spotted rabbits with the Flemish giant rabbits. They are quite large, getting up to 11 or 12 pounds and are considered a "running rabbit" breed and it is reccomended to have lots of space for them to excercise. They closely bond with owners and make great pets.

Netherland dwarfs are the smallest breed coming in at 1.1-2.5 lbs on average. They have thick and dense coats that come in solid colors like sable, white, brown, etc. They were developed from Polish rabbits being bred in the Netherlands; because of their small size they are often shy initially, but will open up and bond with owners. They tend to get overgrown molars and enamel spurs- they need lots of roughage to chew on and regular checks on their teeth. Lastly, to keep the breed "breeding true" there are some difficulties; 25% of offspring will not survive, 25% are false dwarfs (longer face, ears, and body), and 50% will be true dwarfs (showing the flat face and small ears and the "cobby body" specified for the breed).

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Golden retrievers!

Developed during the mid 19th century in Scotland to be game bird retrievers. Early on, darker coated dogs were preferred and the golden color was viewed as undesirable.  The modern breed is often one of the most popular around, and considered some of the smartest. They are also easy to train due to their drive to please their owners- this also makes them easily adapted to become therapy or service dogs. There is a golden in Australia that holds the world record for the loudest bark; at 113.1 decibels it is louder than a chainsaw!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Bull terrier and miniature bull terrier!

Developed in the 19th century they were originally used for blood sport (dog fighting) and vermin control. The old English bulldog and the Manchester terrier were the primary source to create the breed;  between the muscle of the bulldog and the energy of the terrier they quickly became known as "canine gladiators". When dog fighting was banned in 1835, the breed then switched to a primarily ratting dog role. Today, this breed is the only one registered with a egg shaped head (a heavy convex shaped Roman nose) and triangular shaped eyes. They are often white, but can have colored coats. They are described as being very similar to a 2 year old- energetic, stubborn, loyal, and playful. They benefit more from a positive and affectionate training style. Unfortunately, the breed has a series of maladies that plague it including deafness (affecting 10% of bull terriers), numerous allergies and skin conditions (one is even lethal), breathing and heart conditions, and even OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

There is a smaller version of this breed as well that became known in the early 1900s. They share a common history with the bull terrier as they were created by simply breeding the smaller individuals. Unfortunately, the health of the breed has improved on the original.

I admit, this is a breed that I find attractive and I would love to own one someday- however, I abhor the health concerns breeders ignore and hope to see a movement to the older type and improved health conditions first.

[Gwangi]

I admit, this is a breed that I find attractive and I would love to own one someday- however, I abhor the health concerns breeders ignore and hope to see a movement to the older type and improved health conditions first.

I feel the same exact way. I like the look of this breed but I probably won't ever own one.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Its just such a shame- the breed 100 years ago was an attractive dog, and now its one of the big examples of exaggeration in look and the decline in overall health. Just look at the body type and the skull shape over time.


And I learned something new and unfortunate last night when I was brushing up on the breed. They suffer from a condition called Lethal Acrodermatitis; its a condition that affects the skin of white skinned/furres bull terriers (both standard and miniature) and kills the animal by 2 years of age. The animal will suffer from skin lesions, skin infections, nail disease, hyperkeratosis, delayed growth in puppies, and other health issues like diarrhea, eating disorders, and others. I just don't understand the ethics of breeding any animal that may suffer from these issues. Its a terrible thing, but I digress.

But for anyone interested, I would reccomend looking up different pet breeds (particularly dogs) from 100 years ago compared to today. Even the less drastic changes are telling for a breed.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Birman, Ragdoll, and Norwegian Forest cats!

Birman cats were originally companion animals for Burmese temple priests and were considered sacred. They are born white and develop their colors and blue eyes as they grow up to age 2. They are a rather rare breed in the West still and often confused for ragdolls and longhaired Siamese. They can have some compulsive behaviors such as sucking/licking, and even chewing on and swallowing things they shouldn't.

Ragdolls are so named for their tendency to go limp like a "ragdoll" when picked up. They too are born white and develop colors as they age. Their eyes can be blue, gold, or green! They are popular for being amiable, intelligent, easy to train and easy to groom, and many people who are allergic to cats can tolerate ragdolls.

The official cat of Norway since the 1950s, the Norwegian Forest cat is included in the region's Norse mythology (specifically being related to the goddess Freya). They are quite lynx like; they have thick water resistant fur and extra floof on their feet and ears to tolerate the cold. They are the ancestor of the Maine Coon, are quite affable to other animals, but are slow to grow and mature (often taking about 5 years). This is a breed I would like to own one day!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Shiba Inus!

As one of the oldest recorded breeds (dating back for at least 2,000 years) they were origiginally bred to be hunting dogs. They have a prey drive, boundless energy, and an excellent sense of smell and hearing; all designed to track, flush, and chase wild birds and game like boar. They nearly went extinct due to WWII with bomb raids and distemper outbreaks. They are often long lived- getting up to 15 years but the oldest ever was 26! They have a dense coat and they shed a ton; be prepared for intense grooming.

[Shane]

My favorite dog breed, I'm lucky enough to have adopted one almost 8 years ago. He's such a great best bud.

[bmathison1972]

My favorite dog breed, I'm lucky enough to have adopted one almost 8 years ago. He's such a great best bud.

and your Safari version is my favorite rendition in plastic 

[sbell]

I'll admit, when I saw the title of Akita Inu I was intrigued, it's a great breed and I can't think of many toy figures.

Seeing that the post is Shiba Inu makes more sense -- probably slightly more accessible than Akitas, and more familiar!

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Bah! This is the downside of typinf these up right before bed... I lose my mind. The title is fixed- thanks @sbell! At least I wrote it down correctly in the actual post. I do have a few akitas, but not nearly as many as shibas.

@Shane, that's really neat that you have one currently- are they as big a handful as I have read about? My understanding is that they are a bit like German Shepherds- they are a "lot of dog" for most people.

No disrespect to the Safari model, but it is not my favorite of what I have. Probably unsurprisingly, I like the Japanese brand models for this breed best- but Toymany/Eyscota did a nice job on their puppy versions too. And Safari's figure is wonderful all the same.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Brittany and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!



The brittany is a spaniel type dog that was developed in the 17th century as a hunting companion. It may be evem older though, as similar looking dogs are a common European tapestry detail during the medieval times. The breed is small (only about 30-50 lbs) and is an energetic hunter. They come from the Brittany region in France, and while popular with hunters of the time, they also were also essential for poachers of this time/era as well. Today, they excell at sports such as agility, diving, and hunting trials.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel was developed in the 1600s from asian lap dog breeds. They get their name from King Charles II, said to be so fond of his dogs that he neglected his royal duties and thus became known as the "cavalier King". They do keep some of their spaniel heritage in their enjoyment to chase small animals but these are companion dogs, not hunting dogs. They are often known as the "comforter spaniel" and used as emotional support/therapy dogs. They are a shortened muzzle dog (brachycephalic) and thus have some breathing concerns with some lines. They can have eye issues as well, but most importantly they suffer from syringomyelia- a condition where the spinal cord develops lesions and thus neurological effects.