Cat Breed Selector

About the English Cocker Spaniel

An old land spaniel used to flush and retrieve game in dense cover, the English Cocker Spaniel is a merry, affectionate dog whose tail rarely stops wagging. Faithful and engaging, the English Cocker is an excellent family companion due to his even temperament and trainability. Though adaptable to different living situations, the breed requires daily exercise. His silky coat needs frequent brushing and stripping or clipping.

Did you know
President John F. Kennedy owned an English Cocker Spaniel named “Shannon.”

About the English Foxhound

Prized for his stamina, keen nose and determination, the English Foxhound is a versatile hunter whose roots in Great Britain date before 1800. Like most hounds, the breed is independent and can be stubborn. Bred to run long distances in a pack, the English Foxhound needs adequate exercise, but his short coat requires minimal maintenance.

Did you know
The English Foxhound is one of the rarest breeds in the U.S.

About the English Setter

An elegant, graceful gundog, the English Setter developed in England more than 400 years ago. This affectionate, friendly, gentle breed excels as a family companion. Athletic and energetic, the English Setter requires vigorous daily exercise. He loves his family and is not happy when isolated in a yard or kennel for long periods. The English Setter’s beautiful, feathered coat requires regular maintenance.

Did you know
​​​​​​​Although many people believe English, Gordon and Irish setters are representatives of different colors or varieties of the same breed, they are three separate breeds.

About the English Springer Spaniel

Originally born in the same litters as English Cocker Spaniels, the larger English Springer Spaniel was recognized as a distinct breed in 1902.

Temperament

An enthusiastic hunting companion used to flush game, the English Springer Spaniel is also a cheerful, affectionate and sociable family dog. Well-mannered and highly trainable, Springers love (and need) company, and get on well with both children and other animals. 

This active, rugged breed needs exercise and enjoys family activities such as walks, fetching and swimming. 

Characteristics

English Springer Spaniels are a sporting breed with a double coat, and long, luxurious ears. Their muscular bodies and smooth, efficient stride make them perfectly suited for long days of hunting fieldwork. 

The Springer’s kind eyes convey the inherent trust of a breed born to work and live with humans. 

Lifespan

12 to 14 years

Colors

The English Springer Spaniel’s coat is white in various combinations with black, tan and liver colors. 

Shedding

English Springer Spaniels shed occasionally, but weekly brushing will help minimize this. The longer hair around the Springer’s head, neck and underside can tangle if not brushed or combed regularly. 

Springers can also be trimmed to keep their coats neat, either by their owner or a professional groomer. 

Health

The English Springer Spaniel is a healthy breed; however breeders need to watch for elbow and hip dysplasia, and eye conditions. To avoid infection, the Springer’s long ears should be checked regularly. 

Best Dog Food for English Springer Spaniel Dogs & Puppies

English Springer Spaniels may benefit from an adult dog food for active dogs. For Springers who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula. 

English Springer Spaniel puppies should eat puppy food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development.  

History

The English Springer Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel and Field Spaniel didn’t start as three distinct breeds. Before the generations of careful and well-planned breeding that refined the breeds we know today, English land spaniels described as “cockers” or “springers” often arrived in the same litters. 

The springer-type spaniel was first used by hunters to work on game birds—a reputation the English Springer Spaniel maintains to this day. These eager and intelligent gun dogs are prized for their ability to detect game, flush it, then point and retrieve the downed quarry. 

Springers will do this tirelessly. When a long day in the field is done, they transform from determined hunting dogs into pleasant house pets, happy to be at home with family. 

English Springers first gained fame in North America in the 1920s, when their talents as rugged yet stylish gundogs were recognized in America and Canada. The breed’s sensitive nose, trainability and hardiness have made it a mainstay in K-9 detection work. 

Facts

• English Springer Spaniels were popular with presidents George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. The former owned a female named Millie and her puppy Ranger, and the latter owned another of Millie’s puppies named Spot.
• Oprah Winfrey and Princess Grace are two other famous Springer owners. 

About the English Toy Spaniel

Gentle, merry and playful, the English Toy Spaniel originated in the Far East and later appeared in England. Naturally well-behaved, this compact toy breed makes an affectionate family companion that plays well with children. The English Toy Spaniel’s small size makes him ideal for city apartments. His profuse coat is easy to groom and requires only biweekly brushing.

Did you know
Evidence indicates that the English Toy Spaniel was a favorite of Mary Queen of Scots. It is said that her favorite English Toy refused to leave her, even on the scaffold.

About the Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Swiss farmers used the strong, compact Entlebucher Mountain Dog to herd cattle from pasture to pasture. Named after the village of Entlebuch where he originated, this high-energy, intelligent breed learns quickly. Loyal and protective, he most enjoys being close to his family. The Entlebucher requires ample exercise and does best when given a job to do. His smooth, shiny coat needs minimal grooming.

Did you know
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the four Swiss Mountain Dogs, which also include the Appenzeller Sennenhund, Bernese Mountain Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund and Entlebucher Cattle Dog.

About the European Burmese Cat Breed

The European Burmese is similar to the Burmese except for her body and eye shape, having a slim, elegant body that is roundly contoured and eyes that are slightly curved and slanted toward the nose. The European Burmese has a sweet, loving disposition and is extremely loyal to her family. An intelligent cat, this breed is an ideal pet that gets along well with cats and cat friendly dogs.

About the Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed

Known as the lazy man’s Persian, the Exotic Shorthair has the body type and easygoing nature of the Persian but without the coat length and need for daily grooming.

Temperament

A sweet, gentle feline, the Exotic Shorthair is also affectionate and loyal. Exotics are laid back and fun-loving, yet also quiet and sensitive, which makes them comfortable housemates and perfect family pets.

Exotics do not constantly demand attention, but will happily curl up in your lap. Bring out a toy on a stick, and they will eagerly play until they are exhausted.

Characteristics

Exotic Shorthairs are bred to meet the Persian standard in every way, except one. Instead of the long Persian coat, Exotics have a thick, dense, plush short coat.

This coat is unique to the Exotic breed. Combined with their flat, round faces, it gives them a soft teddy bear look.

Lifespan

15+ years

Colors

The Exotic Shorthair’s plush coat comes in white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac and silver, plus various patterns and shadings.

Shedding

Unlike its Persian cousins, the Exotic Shorthair is a shorthaired breed with a medium-shedding coat that does not mat or tangle. It requires only weekly combing to remove loose hair.  

Health

Exotic Shorthairs can have hereditary health issues, so reputable breeders take steps to screen for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and a tendency to develop calcium oxylate stones in the urinary tract.

Because of their flat faces, Exotics may have breathing problems. This face shape may also make them prone to heat sensitivity. An air-conditioned home is recommended.

Best Cat Food for Exotic Shorthair Cats & Kittens

Exotic Shorthairs will generally thrive on the nutrition of a quality adult cat food. For Exotics who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula.  

Exotic Shorthair kittens should eat a kitten food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development. 

History

The Exotic Shorthair was not an intentional breed. This delightful accident was the result of American Shorthair breeders trying to bring the silver color and green eyes of the Persian breed to their breed.

When they bred their cats with Persian cats, the resulting kittens didn’t look like American Shorthairs. Instead, they retained the Persian look, but with a short, plush coat.

To introduce the gene for a short coat, other breeders brought in Burmese or Russian Blue cats. Those offspring were bred back to Persians, creating the Exotic Shorthair breed.

Today the breed standards for the Persian and the Exotic Shorthair are identical, with the exception of coat length.

Facts

• Originally the Exotic Shorthair was named Sterling due to the breed’s beautiful silver coat. They later were named Exotic Shorthair because silver wasn’t a color previously found in American Shorthairs, making it exotic.

About the Field Spaniel

Recognized for his endurance and intelligence, the Field Spaniel is a medium-sized dog that finds, flushes and retrieves birds on land and in water. The Field Spaniel’s gentle affectionate personality makes him a fun-loving companion that likes to be involved in family activities. The Field Spaniel should be brushed weekly and needs occasional trimming.

Did you know
The Field Spaniel is a rare breed in the U.S., especially compared to the more popular spaniel breeds, the Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel. Poor breeding practices during the late 1800s nearly caused the breed to become extinct. Mortimer Smith is credited with reviving the breed.

About the Finnish Lapphund

Developed north of the Arctic Circle to herd reindeer, the Finnish Lapphund has a thick, water-repellant double coat that protects him from extreme cold. Agile and alert, this breed is eager to please and has a calm temperament, making him an ideal family pet. His sweet face is likened to that of a teddy bear. The Finnish Lapphund needs daily exercise to keep him from becoming bored as well as regular grooming.

Did you know
Although rare in the U.S., the Finnish Lapphund is the third most popular breed in Finland.

About the Finnish Spitz

With his pointed muzzle and prick ears, the Finnish Spitz resembles a fox. Once used to hunt small birds and game, the breed today primarily is a playful, friendly house dog. Known for his barking, the Finnish Spitz long ago summoned hunters by barking. A seasonal heavy shedder with a fluffy, dense double coat, this breed needs weekly brushing as well as moderate exercise.

Did you know
In barking contests, the Finnish Spitz has been known to bark up to 160 times a minute. The national dog of Finland, he sometimes is called the barking bird dog. The Finnish Spitz is slow to mature, reaching adulthood at 3 ½ to 4 years of age.

About the Flat-Coated Retriever

An excellent bird dog and swimmer, the Flat-Coated Retriever has a friendly personality and ever-wagging tail, making him an outstanding family pet. This intelligent, gentle breed is easily trained. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a puppy-like exuberance throughout his life. An active breed, he needs vigorous daily exercise and minimal grooming for his feathered coat.

Did you know
The Flat-Coated Retriever’s ancestors include the Newfoundland, English Setter, as well as sheepdogs and spaniel-like water dogs.A fairly popular breed prior to World War I, the Flat-Coated Retriever was overtaken in popularity by the Labrador and Golden Retrievers.