Cat Breed Selector

About the Black Russian Terrier

Created after World War II, the Black Russian Terrier is one of the newest breeds in the world. Bred to be a powerful guard dog, this breed has a sharp sense of smell and double coat to protect him from harsh climates. Highly intelligent, the Black Russian Terrier is used by the Russian military. This easily trained breed needs moderate exercise, and his ruffled double coat requires extensive grooming.

About the Bloodhound

With his keen scent ability, the Bloodhound is used worldwide as a tracking dog in criminal searches and rescue efforts. This breed descended from the St. Huberts Hound of eighth century Belgium. Kind, docile and affectionate, the Bloodhound is a good family pet. The breed has a distinctive look due to abundant loose skin that hangs around the head and neck forming deep folds. The coat should be groomed weekly.

About the Bluetick Coonhound

The muscular, athletic Bluetick Coonhound is an excellent tracker skilled in treeing raccoons and other small animals. Like many coonhounds, the Bluetick is named for his coat color, which has a dark blue spotted pattern. Highly intelligent, this breed is a loyal, affectionate companion that gets along well with children and other pets. His low-maintenance, glossy coat needs occasional bathing and grooming.

About the Boerboel

The Boerboel historically served as a farm dog in 17th century South Africa, but today this strong, muscular, working breed is an excellent guard dog and loyal family companion. Intelligent, calm and confident, the Boerboel gets along well with children and other pets, but because he is a dominant dog, he requires structured, firm training. He has strong protective instincts and a willingness to please. Grooming is minimal for the Boerboel’s smooth, shiny coat.

About the Bombay Cat

The Bombay is an easy-going, yet energetic cat. She does well in quiet apartments where she’s the center of attention as well as in lively homes with children and other pets. She’ll talk to you in a distinct voice, and you’re likely to find her in the warmest spot in your home, whether that’s in the sunlight from a window or curled up under the covers in bed with you. Bombays are smart and learn tricks quickly, so keep them entertained by teaching them new tricks and providing them interactive toys to play with.

About the Border Collie

Prized for his intelligence, herding instinct and working ability, the Border Collie is a hard-working dog that also makes an affectionate pet for active families. Although he is a bit of a workaholic, he loves to settle down and cuddle when the work is done.

Temperament of the Border Collie

Border Collies are affectionate, smart and energetic.

Breed Characteristics

The Border Collie is a brilliant dog who is agile, balanced and durable. As a herding dog, they are a high-drive, high-energy breed, which means they require a little more than just a walk around the block for exercise. Border Collies love to have a job to do, but if they don’t work they require vigorous exercise. The perfect companion to this intelligent breed is an active person.

Border Collies are easy to train and excel in herding events, obedience, agility, rally and tracking competitions. They also enjoy sports like flying disc and flyball. Don’t be surprised if this lively dog herds everything they see – from other animals to people – it’s in their nature.

How Long does a Bordie Collie Live?

Border collie dogs typically live between 12 to 15 years.

Colours

Border Collies’ coats come in a variety of colours including black, blue, blue merle, brindle, gold, white lilac, red, red merle, sable, sable merle, seal and slate. They can also have tan points, white markings or be white ticked.

Shedding

The Border Collie breed has two different kinds of dense, weather-resistant double coats: Rough and smooth. The rough coat is medium length and feathered, while the smooth coat is shorter and coarser. Both types shed seasonally and should be brushed one to two times a week.

Common Health Conditions

Generally, Border Collies are a hardy and healthy breed, but as with every breed, they are prone to some health issues.

Collies can experience hip dysplasia, progressive renal atrophy, deafness, epilepsy, collie eye anomaly, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and trapped neutrophil syndrome. A responsible breeder will screen for these conditions.

Best Dog Food For Border Collies

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your Border Collie, it’s important to take his unique breed traits into consideration. Since Collies are an active breed, they may benefit from sport formulas to maintain their energy levels and ideal body condition.

Food for Border Collies can include:

• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17
• Purina One SmartBlend
• Beneful Dry Dog Food

 Best Dog Food For a Border Collie Puppy

When choosing a food for your Border Collie puppy, remember puppies of any breed have specific nutritional needs during their early developmental years. A formula containing DHA nourishes brain and vision development while antioxidants support their developing immune system so they thrive 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

Facts About Border Collies

• The Border Collie grew popular in the 19^th century when Queen Victoria became a fan of the breed.
• The world “Collie” is a Scottish word used to describe sheep dogs.
• The Border Collie was first classified as the “Scotch Sheep Dog”.
• The breed was featured in the hit movie, “Babe”, alongside a talking pig.
• The 18^th century poet laureate of Scotland described the essence of the Border Collie as “honest” and “faithful”.

History of the Breed

The Border Collie’s history dates back to the Roman Empire when the Romans conquered Britain. During this time, the Romans brought their own livestock and herding dogs. These sturdy dogs remained a fixture in Britain long after the Roman Empire dissolved.

Soon after, Viking raiders invaded Britain, bringing their own breed of smaller, spitz-type herders. As the breeds were crossed, a more compact and agile herder was produced, perfect for working stock in the hilly, rocky highlands of Scotland and Wales.

Over time the Border Collie became known as the world’s greatest herder with their sweeping outruns, stealthy crouching and creeping and explosive bursts of focused energy.

About the Border Terrier

A persistent worker with great agility and endurance, the Border Terrier was bred in the 18th century to protect farm stock along the border of Scotland and England. An admirable hunter that learns quickly and responds well to obedience training, the breed makes a good-tempered, affectionate family companion. An active dog, the Border Terrier does best with a job and when well-exercised. His water-resistant coat requires regular brushing and biannual stripping.

About the Borzoi

A graceful, elegant sighthound, the Borzoi was bred hundreds of years ago in Tsarist Russia. With his extreme speed, agility and courage, he excelled as a hunter of wolves, foxes and hares. An affectionate family dog, the Borzoi needs daily exercise. His lustrous coat requires regular brushing and bathing.

About the Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are a well-mannered breed known as “The American Gentleman.” They are an affectionate companion who enjoys being close to their family. 

About the Bouvier des Flandres

The sturdy, rugged Bouvier des Flandres originally was bred to herd cattle near the Belgian town of Flanders. His name means “cowherd from Flanders,” but along with herding, the breed performed farm jobs such as drafting and guarding. With his calm, gentle temperament, this breed is a loving family companion The Bouvier needs frequent grooming to strip his rough, shaggy coat and plenty of exercise.

About the Boxer

Although the Boxer was bred for dog fighting and hunting big game, the breed now thrives on human companionship. With a patient and protective nature, Boxers make excellent family dogs.

Temperament of the Boxer

The Boxer is a spirited, energetic dog breed. As such, he needs daily exercise. Long walks, runs or play time in a fenced yard will help him stay physically fit.

As a highly intelligent dog, he’s a skilled problem solver and may find repetitive training boring. Early socialization and training is critical for this powerful breed, however. Although he’s patient and protective of children, he’s wary of strangers and fearless when threatened.

Characteristics of the Breed

Boxers have an athletic build and a wrinkled, expressive forehead when alert.

How Long Does a Boxer Dog Live?

The boxer will typically live between 10 to 12 years.

Colours

Standard breed colors are fawn or brindle with white markings.

Do Boxer Dogs Shed?

The Boxer’s short coat requires little grooming and sheds on occasion.

Common Health Concerns

Boxers have a risk for various health conditions, including hip dysplasia, heart conditions, thyroid deficiencies and certain cancers. Responsible breeders screen regularly for such conditions to help develop a healthy breed.

Additionally, Boxer dogs do not do well in extreme heat or cold, so be mindful of this when exercising a Boxer outdoors.

Best Dog Food for Boxers & Boxer Puppies

An adult Boxer will thrive on a high-protein dog food to support his high energy levels and active lifestyle. Boxer puppies need a complete and balanced puppy food to support their growth and development.

History of the Breed

Boxers originated in 19^th century Germany, but their ancestors date back to 2,500 BC. The breed is thought to have descended from the medieval Bullenbeisser, a German large-game hunter of bison, bear and wild boar.

By 1865, big-game hunting died out, leaving the Bullenbiesser unemployed. That’s when German dog fanciers began developing what we recognize today as the Boxer.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) registered its first Boxer in 1904. Boxers grew in popularity after Bang Away won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the 1950s. Since then, the breed has sat firmly in the top 10 most popular breeds in America.

Facts

• Boxers were one of the first breeds trained for police work in Germany.
• The breed gets its name for the way they play or defend themselves with their front paws.
• Boxers are related to almost every other type of bulldog.

About the Boykin Spaniel

An enthusiastic hunter, the Boykin Spaniel also is an affectionate dog that loves to be with people and other animals. With his cheerful temperament, the Boykin is particularly excellent with children. This energetic breed needs lots of exercise and thrives with an active family. The Boykin’s feathered coat ranges from flat to wavy and requires regular grooming to prevent matting.