Staffordshire Bull Terrier by Christina

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, often more fondly referred to as the Staff, Staffie or Stafford, is somewhat more of a "cult" than a breed. *g*  Those who are either enamoured or "owned" by one of these adorable creatures are more often than not blind to the existence of any other breed.  Why?  Because they have the ability to charm and can quite frankly melt your hearts.

 

Tough, stocky, boisterous and incredibly affectionate, Staffies do everything full throttle - eat, run, walk, play and LOVE! They are clear winners as one of Australia's favourite dogs. Once bull-baiters, modern Staffies are friendly to a fault, well behaved if trained early and adored by their owners. 

 

HISTORY

Staffords, though adorable and loveable today, were originally bred for the purpose of bloodsports such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting. Bulls brought to market were set upon by dogs as a way of tenderising the meat and providing entertainment for the spectators; and dog fights with bears, bulls and other animals were often organised as entertainment for both royalty and commoners.  The early Staffs were not bred for the handsome visual specimen of today, rather they were bred for the characteristic known as gameness. The pitting of dogs against bear or bull tested the gameness, strength and skill of the dog. These early "proto-staffords" provided the ancestral foundation stock for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. This common ancestor was known as the "Bull and Terrier".

 

At the introduction of animal welfare laws which made this act then illegal it was discovered it was cheaper and far easier to arrange dog fights. These fights were also easier to conceal from the law and so therefore dogs were pitted against each other instead of the larger bulls. Dogfighting or pit-fighting often involved gambling, with wagers placed on the animal most likely to be left standing at the end. They were released into a pit and the last one still fighting (or even surviving) was the winner.  An abhorable sport that is thankfully made illegal in most countries today, though sadly it the "sport" (which I term very loosely) still clandestinely take place.

 

However, despite its deplorable history as a pit-fighter the Staff today is a far cry from the animal (its) history depicts them to be.

 

The English Staffordshire was shipped to the US where it was bred with the American PitBull to produce the American Staffordshire (commonly known as an AmStaff). Despite this fact, the English Staffordshire bears little resemblence characteristically to the AmStaff or PitBull but by association.

 

APPEARANCE

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the result of breeding between the Bulldog and the English Terrier, now extinct.  As the original Staffordshire breed it originates from England and is a medium-sized, stocky, muscular dog with athletic ability.  With a broad head, defined occipital muscles, short foreface, dark round eyes, cute small ears and very pronounced cheek muscles the Staff is more commonly known for its wide mouth often referred to as a "smile" when open. Their lips show no looseness and very rarely drool (which is always a good thing....lol). Staffies are well muscled in the hindquarters with a strong tail which resembles an old fashioned pump handle - and that never EVER stops!. Coat colours are red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or brindle with white is also acceptable. Staffies stand about 35-40cm (14-16") at the withers (or back). Dogs weigh 13-17kg (30-40lb) and bitches 11-15kg (25-35lb).  Staffs can suffer from health problems common to other dog breeds including cataracts, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia and breathing problems. But overall they are a very healthy breed.

 

However Staffies are known to be at risk from melanoma, often seen in the stomach area as Staffys love to sunbathe on their backs.

 

TEMPERAMENT

Every dog is indeed different and has individual personalites, though common traits do continue to exist throughout Staffs.  Due to its breeding, Staffs are known for its character and indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. They love people and being with people, and with children in particular. And with its trustworthy stability and also quiet nature make the Staff a wonderfully all-purpose dog.  It has been said that "No breed is more loving with its family". (Fogle, Bruce (2002) Dogalog, Dorling Kinderley Ltd., London, pp. 182)

 

Staffs are naturally muscular and may appear intimidating; however, because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training.   They are very human-oriented and loyal, although they can be aggressive to other dogs.  Responsible owners should never let their Staffs off the leash in public places. 

 

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier appeared in the top 10 breeds most suitable for families and especially children in a report researched and published by Southampton University in 1996. This breed is highly intelligent, eager to please and very people friendly. In fact they are most happy when pleasing their human friends.  It adapts readily to most situations making it the foremost all purpose dog. Staffie pups are very easy to house train. 

 

However, due to the nature of its breeding for baiting and fighting purposes coupled with the press reports of dog attacks citing the Staff as a dangerous dog. Many countries have a Dangerous Dog Act which therefore make it illegal to own breeds such as the Pit Bull (the UK and Australia are just two). Whilst this is the case, there are certain fears now that breeders are re-naming their PitBulls as Staffordshire Bull Terriers to avoid prosecution (Maurice Chittenden (8 February 2009) "Sleeping baby Jaden Mack mauled to death by family terriers", The Sunday Times). Also, the description 'Staffordshire bull terrier cross' is frequently a euphemism for a dog such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, giving the original Stafford a bad name.

 

And while the Staff is often subject to breed bans worldwide that target the Bull and Terrier family, Australia, England, and New Zealand make clear a distinction between the American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier and thus are exempted from Breed Specific Legislation.

 

To quote UK RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans: "Staffies have had a terrible press, but this is not of their own making - in fact they're wonderful dogs. If people think that Staffies have problems, they're looking at the wrong end of the dog lead! When well cared for and properly trained they can make brilliant companions. Our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffie's desire to please by training them to show aggression".

 

MAINTENANCE/CARE REQUIREMENTS

Low-maintenance pets (except at bathtime...lol), staffies are happiest indoors with the family; they shed little hair and are easily house-trained. Fortnightly bathing is adequate if the dog spends most of its time indoors. While they enjoy a walk (20 minutes is ideal), most are also happy lounge lizards.

 

IN SUMMARY

Staffies are most suited environments where they are a member of the family.  They are not a dog to be tied up or left to their own devices to amuse themselves. They are strong, enthusiastic dogs and may bump over smaller children in their excitement, but are overall a loving and fiercely loyal breed.

Bobcat by Bobbi Z

The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat family, Felidae. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy.

With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller than the Canadian Lynx, with which it shares parts of its range, but is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name.

Though the bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from insects and small rodents to deer. Prey selection depends on location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although there is some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks and deposits of urine or feces. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has a gestation period of about two months.

Although the bobcat have been subject to extensive hunting by humans, both for sport and fur, its population has proven resilient. The elusive predator features in Native American mythology and the folklore of European settlers.

Physical characteristics

A Bobcat finds water in Tucson.

The Bobcat resembles other species of the Lynx genus but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to grayish brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. Its spotted patterning acts as camouflage. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short black tufts. There is generally an off-white color on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the southwest have the lightest colored coats, while those in the northern, forested regions are darkest. Kittens are born well-furred and already have their spots.  A few melanistic Bobcats have been sighted and captured in Florida. They appear black, but may actually still exhibit a spot pattern.

The face appears wide due to ruffs of extended hair beneath the ears. The fur is brittle but quite long and dense. The nose of the Bobcat is pinkish-red, and it has a base color of gray or yellowish- or brownish-red on its face, sides, and back. Bobcat eyes are yellow with black pupils. The pupils are elongated vertically and will widen during nocturnal activity to maximize light reception. The cat has sharp hearing and vision, and a good sense of smell. It is an excellent climber, and will swim when it needs to, but will normally avoid water.

The adult male Bobcat is 28 to 47 inches (70–120 cm) long, averaging 36 inches (90 cm); this includes a stubby 4 to 7 inch (10–18 cm) tail, which has a "bobbed" appearance and gives the species its name. An adult stands about 14 or 15 inches (36–38 cm) at the shoulders.  Adult males usually range from 16 to 30 pounds (7–14 kg); females average about 20 pounds (9 kg). The Bobcat is muscular, and its hind legs are longer than its front legs, giving it a bobbing gait. At birth it weighs 0.6 to 0.75 pounds (280–340 g) and is about 10 inches (25 cm) in length. By its first year it will reach about 10 pounds (4.5 kg).

The cat is larger in its northern range and in open habitats. A morphological size comparison study in the eastern United States found a divergence in the location of the largest male and female specimens, suggesting differing selection constraints for the sexes.

Behavior

The Bobcat is crepuscular (generally most active at twilight and dawn). It keeps on the move from three hours before sunset until about midnight, and then again from before dawn until three hours after sunrise. Each night it will move from 2 to 7 miles (3–11 km) along its habitual route. This behavior may vary seasonally, as Bobcats become more diurnal during fall and winter. This is a response to the activity of their prey, which are more active during the day in colder months.

Social structure and home range

A Bobcat on the Calero Creek Trail, in San Jose, California.

Bobcat activities are confined to well-defined territories, which vary in size depending on sex and the distribution of prey. The home range is marked with feces, urine scent, and by clawing prominent trees in the area. In its territory the Bobcat will have numerous places of shelter: usually a main den, and several auxiliary shelters on the outer extent of its range, such as hollow logs, brush piles, thickets, or under rock ledges. Its den smells strongly of the Bobcat.

The sizes of Bobcat home ranges vary significantly; a World Conservation Union (IUCN) summary of research suggests ranges anywhere from 0.02 to 126 sq mi (0.6 to 326 km²). One study in Kansas found resident males to have roughly an 8 sq mi (20 km²) range and females less than half that area. Transient Bobcats were found to have both a larger (roughly 22 sq mi/57 km²) and less well-defined home range. Kittens had the smallest range at about 3 sq mi (7 km²). Research has shown that dispersal from the natal range is most pronounced with males.

Reports on seasonal variation in range size have been equivocal. One study found a large variation in male range sizes, from 16 sq mi (41 km²) in summer up to 40 sq mi (100 km²) in winter. Another found that female Bobcats, especially those which were reproductively active, expanded their home range in winter, but that males merely shifted their range without expanding it, which was consistent with numerous earlier studies. Other research in various American states has shown little or no seasonal variation.

Like most felines, the Bobcat is largely solitary but ranges will often overlap. Unusually for a cat, males are more tolerant of overlap, while females rarely wander into others' ranges. Given their smaller range sizes, two or more females may reside within a male's home range. When multiple male territories overlap a dominance hierarchy is often established resulting in the exclusion of some transients from favored areas.

In line with widely differing estimates of home range size, population density figures are divergent: anywhere from 1 to 38 Bobcats per 25 sq mi (65 km²) in one survey. The average is estimated at one Bobcat per every 5 sq mi (13 km²), or slightly less. A link has been observed between population density and sex ratio. One study noted that a dense, unharvested population in California had a sex ratio of 2.1 males per female. When the density decreased, the sex ratio skewed to 0.86 males per female. Another study observed a similar ratio, and suggested that males may be better able to cope with the increased competition, and that this would help limit reproduction until various factors lowered the density.

Hunting and diet

The Snowshoe Hare is a principal prey species of the Bobcat. Rabbits and hares, along with rodents, are taken most often by the cat.

The Bobcat is able to go for long periods without food, but will eat heavily when prey is abundant. During lean periods, it will often prey on larger animals that it can kill and return to feed on later. The Bobcat hunts by stalking its prey and then ambushing it with a short chase or pounce. Its preference is for mammals about 1.5 to 12.5 pounds (0.7 to 5.7 kg). Its main prey varies by region. In the eastern United States it is the Cottontail rabbit species, and in the north it is the Snowshoe Hare. When these prey species exist together, as in New England, they are the primary food sources of the Bobcat. In the far south, the rabbits and hare are sometimes replaced by Cotton Rats as the primary food source. The Bobcat is an opportunistic predator that, unlike the more specialized Canadian Lynx, will readily vary its prey selection. Research has shown that diet diversification positively correlates to a decline in numbers of the Bobcat's principal prey; the abundance of its main prey species is the main determinant of overall diet.

The Bobcat hunts animals of different sizes, and will adjust its hunting techniques accordingly. With small animals, such as rodents, squirrels, birds, fish and insects, it will hunt in areas known to be abundant in prey, and will lie, crouch, or stand and wait for victims to wander close. It will then pounce, grabbing its prey with its sharp, retractable claws. For slightly larger animals, such as rabbits and hares, it will stalk from cover and wait until they come within 20 to 35 feet (6 to 10 m) before rushing in to attack. Less commonly it will feed on larger animals such as foxes, minks, skunks, small dogs and house cats. Bobcats are also occasional hunters of livestock and poultry. While larger species such as cattle and horses are not known to be attacked, Bobcats do present a threat to smaller ruminants such as sheep and goats. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Bobcats killed 11,100 sheep in 2004, comprising 4.9% of all sheep predator deaths. However, some amount of Bobcat predation may be misidentified, as Bobcats have been known to scavenge on the remains of livestock kills by other animals.

It has been known to kill deer, especially in winter when smaller prey is scarce, or when deer populations become more abundant. One study in the Everglades showed a large majority of kills (33 of 39) were fawns, but that prey up to eight times the Bobcat's weight could be successfully taken.^[26] It stalks the deer, often when the deer is lying down, then rushes in and grabs it by the neck before biting through the throat, base of the skull, or chest. On the rare occasions that a Bobcat kills a deer, it eats its fill and then buries the carcass under snow or leaves, often returning to it several times to feed.

The Bobcat prey base overlaps with that of other mid-sized predators of a similar ecological niche. Research in Maine has shown little evidence of competitive relationships between the Bobcat and Coyote or Red Fox; separation distances and territory overlap appeared random amongst simultaneously monitored animals.With the Canadian Lynx, however, the interspecific relationship affects distribution patterns: competitive exclusion by the Bobcat is likely to have prevented any further southward expansion of the range of its felid cousin.

Information © http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobcat

Borzoi by Dusty

The exact origin of the Borzoi (or sometimes known as Russian Wolfhound) is unknown.  What is known is that it is an ancient breed, the "standard" for being found as far back at 1650.  After the Russian Revolution, many Borzoi were slaughtered due to their association with the Czars.  They became nearly extinct, however some Borzoi's were found in England in the early nineteenth century.  How they came into England is unknown.  Queen Victoria had a pair presented to her at one point.  The first Borzoi to come into the United States from Russia were imported in 1890.  These dogs were not hardy and lacked stamina and strength which were required if used for hunting.  In 1903, a breeder by the name of Thomas, went on a quest to find a Borzoi of superior quality.  He finally found them in Russia and was able to obtain the Borzoi's he was looking for.  The name change from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi came in late 1936, to conform with the name used for the breed in the rest of the world.

Average lifespan;

Up to 9 years of age.

Size and weight;

70-80 lbs

Personality, temperament and behaviour;

These dogs are sight hounds and will chase rabbits, birds, or anything that moves.  Their eyesight is keen, even in the dark.  They are "soft" dogs and require gentle handling as a harsh word will send them away very easily with their tail between their legs.  It is said never to smack a Borzoi, for they never forget.  Quite honestly, they don't need a smack.  They aim to please.

Care requirements;

Due to their large size and deep chest, a raised bowl for them to eat and drink from is important.  They can be prone to stomach tortions or bloat.

A brief summary and conclusion

Having owned one for five years now, I can honestly say, he's a joy.  Easy to train, obedient and loving, in an aloof sort of way.

The Percheron Horse by Jayne

The Percheron Horse is a breed of heavy draft horse which originated in the Perche Valley region of France. In the Middle Ages, they were used as war horses because of their size and bulk.  Since that time, they have pulled heavy stage coaches, and, when the railroad was introduced, they switched to farm duty and heavy labor.  In more recent times, efforts have been made to breed a lighter, more elegant Percheron.  Today, they are used in hitches, as well as being ridden and appear in shows under saddle and in harness.

They vary in height from 15 to 19 hands high, with the median height being between 16.2 - 17.3 hands high.  They weigh an average of 1900 lbs, but can weigh up to 2600 lbs.

They are generally black or grey in color.

They are known to be of good temperament and very "easy keepers." They can adapt well to either a pasture or stable environment, although, as with all horses, regular turnout and exercise will help keep them physically and mentally healthy.

As with any horse, regular grooming will help keep their coat and mane and tail in good condition and will help the owner find any problems or irregularities before they become serious.

Regular hoof care and trimming is essential - usually on a six to eight week schedule.

Goliath, the world's tallest horse is a Percheron gelding standing 19.1 hands and weighing 2500 lbs. He goes through 18 pounds of Pilgrim's Pride Grain, 40 pounds of Coastal Bermuda hay and 20 gallons of water a day.

You can see photos of my horse, Star, who is a Percheron, on my website at http://www.geocities.com/jaynep12002/horses.htm

Jayne