Cat Breed Selector

About the American Staffordshire Terrier

Stocky and muscular with a strong, powerful head, the American Staffordshire Terrier resulted when the courageous Bulldog was crossed with a spirited, agile terrier breed. Friendly, intelligent and loyal, this people-oriented breed thrives as part of the family and when given a job to do. An excellent guardian, he loyally protects his family. The Am Staff has a low-maintenance short coat, but he requires regular exercise.

About the American Water Spaniel

Intelligent, energetic and eager to please, the American Water Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog and devoted family companion. One of the few breeds developed in the U.S., this rare breed only has about 3,000 registered dogs. The American Water Spaniel is an active dog that needs regular exercise. His naturally curly coat requires regular grooming and twice weekly brushing.

About the American Wirehair Cat Breed

Distinguished from other breeds by its wiry, dense coat that is described as feeling like steel wool, the American Wirehair is considered a national treasure. This intelligent and highly adaptable breed is playful and keenly interested in her surroundings. Easy to care for, the American Wirehair has a relaxed, loving, sweet personality, making her an ideal companion for families with children 6 and older and having other pets.

About the Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog originated in rural Turkey about 6,000 years ago to guard livestock and serve as a companion to shepherds. Large, powerful and possessive, this breed adores his family but can be suspicious of strangers. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog has two coat varieties, Short and Rough, both which require little grooming. The breed does best with moderate exercise.

About the Australian Cattle Dog

Agile, strong and courageous, the Australian Cattle Dog was developed in the 1800s in Australia. An intelligent and determined high-energy working dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is happiest in large, open spaces with an engaging job to do. This loyal and protective breed bonds closely with his family, but his owners must establish themselves as the pack leaders. The breed’s smooth, short coat requires occasional bathing and brushing.

About the Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd, or the “Aussie,” is known by many as the cowboy’s herding dog of choice but is also often found competing in agility or herding trials with owners who appreciate these sports. This medium-sized worker’s impulse to herd means they might not be a perfect fit for every household, but if you want an active dog who can train or work alongside you, the Australian Shepherd might be the dog for you. 

Temperament of an Australian Shepherd 

Australian Shepherds are smart, work-oriented and exuberant. This breed is usually even keeled and good-natured.  

Breed Characteristics

Australian Shepherds are intelligent working dogs with strong herding and guarding instincts. In fact, they’re known to herd anything from birds to kids to other dogs.  

Aussies are extremely active and require a lot of exercise. They love taking long walks or hikes with their owners, and make good running companions. Australian Shepherds thrive in canine competitions like obedience, herding, agility, or dock diving. 

How Long Do Australian Shepherds Live?

12 to 15 years 

Colours

Australian Shepherds' coats can be black, blue merle, red and red merle with tan points or white markings.  

Do Australian Shepherds Shed?

The Australian Shepherd has a waterproof, double-layer coat that requires weekly brushing sessions. During shedding season, they require more brushing with an undercoat rake to remove dead hair. 

Common Health Conditions

Australian Shepherds are a generally healthy breed, but they do have some health concerns, including hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancers. 

Best Dog Food For Australian Shepherds

Since Australian Shepherds are an active breed, they may benefit from a sport dog food to maintain their ideal body composition.   

These foods include: 

• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula 

• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula

• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17 Turkey & Barley Formula

Best Dog Food For Australian Shepherds Puppies

When choosing a food for your Australian Shepherd puppy, look for a formula with DHA to nourish brain and vision development and antioxidants to support their developing immune system during their first year of life.  

The following foods meet the needs of a growing puppy: 

• Purina Puppy Chow
• Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Puppy
• Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Puppy
• Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Puppy

History of the Breed

The Australian Shepherd descended from a line of Europe’s finest herders. The breed started near the Pyrenees Mountains where the Basques built a reputation as world-class shepherds. In the early 1800s, the Basques began pushing into the continent’s vast interior in search of rich pastureland for cattle ranching, eventually sailing east to the virgin Australian continent with their herding dogs in tow.  

After building up their flocks, the Basques left for California, in search of better ranching land. California ranchers admired the breed, misinterpreting their place of origin, giving the name, “Australian Shepherd.” They’ve been part of cowboy culture ever since. Working the land isn’t their only skill, however. Australian Shepherds are versatile, working as therapy dogs, drug detectors, service dogs and search-and-rescue dogs.

Facts

• The Australian Shepherd’s name comes from his association with the Basque Shepherd Dogs that came to the U.S. from Australia in the 1800s. 

• As they age, their coloring darkens and becomes more “pure.” 

• The Aussie is a popular breed, appearing at rodeos and horse shows and in movies and TV shows. 

• Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd originated in the Basque region of Europe and is not registered in Australia as a native breed. 

• Although the breed has been around since the 1800s, they weren’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1993. 

About the Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is a spirited, alert and self-assured dog bred in Australia to control vermin population and guard livestock. Friendly and affectionate with a strong sense of devotion, the Australian Terrier is an excellent family dog. This small, sturdy breed can live comfortably in the city, country or suburbs. His waterproof coat sheds little and is easy to maintain.

About the Balinese-Javanese Cat Breed

A Siamese in every nature except for her long, silky ermine coat, the Balinese, also known as the Javanese, has a distinctive luxurious tail plume. This long, slender cat is lithe but muscular. An easygoing breed with a clownlike personality, the Balinese adores people. This regal, aristocratic, intelligent cat is talkative, though less vocal than the Siamese. A healthy breed, the Balinese can live up to 20 years.

About the Basenji

An elegant, lightly built hunting dog from Africa, the Basenji is known as the “Barkless Dog” due to his making a noise that sounds like a yodel when excited. His distinctive features are a wrinkled forehead and tightly curled tail. Though aloof around strangers, the Basenji is an affectionate, alert and intelligent breed full of activity and play. The Basenji’s short, odor-free coat requires minimal grooming.

About the Basset Hound

Despite his short legs and stout body, the ever-popular Basset Hound boasts strength and stamina to rival that of big dogs. 

Temperament of a Basset Hound

The good-natured and affectionate Basset Hound is patient with children and gets along well with other dogs. The loyal Basset is an exceptional scent-hound used to hunt small to medium-sized game, including rabbits, birds, fox and deer.  

Despite his charming qualities, the Basset Hound is stubborn and strong-willed, which can make training difficult. Early, regular training and socialization from puppyhood can help overcome this obstacle.  

Breed Characteristics

Basset Hounds are easily recognized by their short legs, long, droopy ears, and soulful eyes.  

The short legs and longer body move effortlessly, but the Basset is not necessarily fast.  

How Long Do Basset Hounds Live? 

12 to 13 years 

Colours 

Bassets can be a wide range of colours, including black and white; black, brown and white; black, tan and white; black, white and brown; black, white and tan; brown, black and white; lemon and white; mahogany and white; and red and white.  

Do Basset Hounds Shed? 

As moderate shedders, grooming Bassets several times a week will help keep it under control.  

Common Health Conditions

The Basset Hound has a high risk of obesity. He also has a higher risk for ear infections, hip and elbow dysplasia, bleeding disorders, glaucoma, hypothyroidism and luxating patella.  

Responsible breeders screen their stock for such conditions to help produce the healthiest Bassets possible.  

Best Dog Food for Basset Hound Dogs & Puppies 

Adult Basset Hounds will do well on a complete and balanced dog food. Basset Hound puppies should eat a complete and balanced puppy food for their first year of life. Puppy food has all the essential nutrients Bassets need for their growth and development. 

History of the Breed

The Basset Hound hails from France and Belgium. The breed is thought to be a cross of older French breeds by friars. Bassets were bred to be scenthounds who could lead hunters by foot to prey such as rabbit and deer. Their accuracy as scent-hounds made them a popular breed among the French aristocracy.  

Facts

• The Basset Hound may have developed from genetic dwarf dogs from litters of French hunting hounds.  

• In French, the word “bas” means “low.” 

• It’s thought that Lafayette gifted George Washington Basset Hounds following the American Revolution.  

• A 1928 issue of Time magazine featured a story on the 52nd-annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, written from a Basset Hound puppy’s perspective.  

About the Beagle

Once used as a hunting companion by English gentlemen in the 1500s, the Beagle is a friendly and cheerful family companion

Temperament of the Beagle

Beagles are affectionate, smart and energetic dogs who love to be with their families and also explore the outdoors.

Breed Characteristics

Beagles not only have an adorable face, but they are also generally loving and loveable, happy and companionable, making them great family dogs.

The Beagle is an intelligent pack dog who loves the company of other dogs and people. In fact, it was bred to work in packs, so they are happiest when they have company. A Beagle left alone for too long may get restless and destructive, so it’s important to ensure your dog receives enough exercise and has something to keep him busy during the day if you’re at work.

Although energetic, your Beagle's specific exercise needs will depend on their age and health. Over time, you'll get to know your dog and whether they prefer lots of exercise or lounging on the couch. They are known escape artists, so watch them outside. When on walks, it's important to keep him on a leash, as his instincts are to run off and track if he catches a compelling scent.

As trackers, they love to follow their nose and chase balls or their favorite people. They also love to play, so teaching tricks and playing games is always a hit with this breed.

How Long do Beagles Live?

10 to 15 years

Colours

Beagles are commonly tri-colour (black, tan and white), but their coats also come in combinations of black, tan, red, white, brown, lemon, blue and redtick.

Do Beagles Shed?

The Beagle's smooth, dense double coat gets heavier during the winter and sheds in the summer. They also shed moderately throughout the year.

Common Health Conditions

Responsible breeders should screen the Beagle breed for conditions like hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, luxating patella and eye disorders. It important that you discuss this before adopting a dog and are aware if the parents have or have had any health conditions. 

Best Dog Food to Feed a Beagle

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your Beagle, it’s important to take his or her unique breed traits into consideration. As an active breed, they may benefit from a sport performance formula, but provided their food is completed and balanced, they'll get the nutrition they need to be healthy from any complete and balanced dog food.

Recommended food for Beagles include:

• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20
• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17
• Purina One Dry Dog Food
• Beyond Dry Dog Food

Best Food for Beagle Puppies

When choosing a food for your Beagle puppy, remember puppies of any breed have specific nutritional needs during their time of development. A formula containing DHA nourishes brain and vision development and rich in antioxidants supports their developing immune system to help them thrive during their first year of life.

The following foods meet the needs of a growing Beagle puppy:

• Purina One SmartBlend Healthy Puppy
• Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food

Facts about the Breed

President Lyndon B. Johnson owned three Beagles named “Him,” “Her” and “Edgar.”

The National Beagle Club was formed in 1888.

There are two varieties of Beagles, 13 inch and 15 inch.

One of the most famous Beagles in U.S. popular culture is Snoopy.

Beagles are scent hounds used primarily for hunting rabbits to larger hares.

History

Beagles may be one of the oldest dog breeds, but their origin is a bit of a mystery, as is their name. Some experts speculate “Beagle” comes from the Gaelic word “beag” which means "little". Others presume the breed was named after the sound they make while hunting: “be’geule” in French.

Small pack-hounds were employed to hunt rabbit and hare in England before 55 B.C. By the 1500s, most English gentlemen had Beagles as hunting companions. They used larger hounds to track deer and smaller hounds to track hares. The modern-day Beagle is an ancestor of the smaller version of the breed.

Beagles are known as “foot hounds,” meaning they track on foot without needing a horse, making them popular among those who couldn’t afford to feed and stable horses or had difficulties riding horseback.

The breed was imported to America after the Civil War and was popular amongst U.S. rabbit hunters. Beagles were registered with the American Kennel Club in 1885.

About the Bearded Collie

One of Britain’s oldest breeds, the Bearded Collie is a strong, agile herding dog with a shaggy coat. His name comes from the long hair, or “beard,” under the chin. Known for his playfulness and ever-wagging tail, the Beardie is an active, intelligent and devoted companion. This working breed requires extensive grooming due to his long coat and fine undercoat.