THE FAMILY PETS

DOGS

SHIH TZU

Overview

The Shih Tzu is a wonderful family pet. He

gets along with other dogs or

Vital Stats:
animals, and his docile Dog Breed Group: Companion
Dogs
personality makes him a good Height: 9 inches to 10
inches tall at the
companion for children. Kids shoulder
Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
should sit on the floor to play Life Span: 10 to 16 years

with a Shih Tzu puppy, however, so

there is no risk of carrying and dropping him.

Colors in the breed are gold and white, red and white, black

mask gold, solid red, black and white, solid black, solid liver,

liver and white, blue and white, brindle and white, and silver

and white.

History

It’s thought that he originated in Tibet, bred by Tibetan lamas

to be a tiny replica of a lion, which is associated with

Buddhist mythology. The smallest of the Tibetan breeds, he is

noted for his heavy coat and tail that curves over the back. The
Shih Tzu served as companions and watchdogs to the monks in the

lamaseries. One belief held that they were incarnations of

mischievous household gods; another that they carried the souls

of lamas who had not yet achieved nirvana, the transcendence of

human desire.

The lamas presented the dogs as tribute to Chinese rulers, and

it was at the Chinese imperial court that they received the name

Shih Tzu, meaning “little lion” or “lion dog.” The Chinese also

gave the Shih Tzu another name — chrysanthemum dog — because the

hair on the face grows in all directions like the petals of the

flower. He rank 10th among the breeds registered by the AKC, a

position that has held steady for a decade.

Personality

Shih Tzus do not guard, hunt, or tunnel into the earth, although

they may retrieve balls for you to throw again. They are bred to

do one thing, and they do it well: They are companion dogs who

give love to the world and soak it back in. They’re an in-your-

lap kind of dog. They’ll bark to alert you that someone is at

the door; once whoever it is comes inside, there's a good chance

your dog will like the person as long as you do, because they

are trusting creatures.

Health

Shih Tzus are generally healthy, but like all breeds of dogs,

they're prone to certain conditions and diseases:

 Allergies are a common ailment in dogs. There are three

main types: food allergies, which are treated by

eliminating certain foods from the dog's diet; contact

allergies, which are caused by a reaction to a topical

substance such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, or

other chemicals; and inhalant allergies, which are caused

by airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, or mildew.

Treatment may include dietary restrictions, medications,

and environmental changes.

 Canine hip dysplasia, an abnormal formation of the hip

socket that can cause pain and lameness.

 Patellar luxation, which means dislocation (luxation) of

the kneecap (patella). The knee joint (often of a hind leg)

slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be

crippling.

 Juvenile renal dysplasia (JRD) is a genetic defect of the

kidneys seen in young dogs. The dog is excessively thirsty

and urinates frequently. He loses weight, vomits, and lacks

vigor. Currently, there is only one definitive test for the

disease that can be performed on breeding dogs — a wide-

 wedge biopsy of the kidney, which is very invasive and

carries a lot of risk. There have been swab tests developed

by geneticists, but, to this date, none of them appear to

be 100 percent reliable.

 Bladder stones and bladder infections can be caused by many

factors, such as excessive protein, magnesium, and

phosphorus in the diet, or long periods of time between

urination. Bladder infections can be caused by bacterial or

viral infections. If your Shih Tzu needs to urinate

frequently, has bloody urine, seems to have difficulty

urinating, or suffers a loss of appetite, take him to the

vet for a checkup.

 Eye problems are not uncommon among Shih Tzus because their

large eyes bulge. Disorders include keratitis, an

inflammation of the cornea that can lead to a corneal ulcer

and blindness; proptosis, when the eyeball is dislodged

from the eye socket and the eyelids clamp behind the

eyeball; distichiasis, an abnormal growth of eyelashes on

the margin of the eye, resulting in the eyelashes rubbing

against the eye; ectopia cilia, a condition similar to

distichiasis; progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative

disease of the retinal visual cells that progresses to

blindness; and dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), a

dryness of the cornea and the conjunctiva. Contact your vet

 right away if you notice any redness, irritation, or

excessive tearing.

 Ear infections strike the Shih Tzu because his drop ears

create a dark, warm ear canal — a perfect environment for

infection. Check and clean the ears weekly to avoid

problems.

 Retained baby teeth and tooth and gum problems are not

unusual because the Shih Tzu's baby teeth may remain intact

when the permanent teeth emerge. Sometimes it is necessary

for the veterinarian to extract the baby teeth. Because of

the Shih Tzu's undershot jaw, he also can have missing or

misaligned teeth. It's important to brush puppy teeth

regularly and report dental problems, such as bad breath

and loose teeth, to your veterinarian.

 Umbilical hernias are common among Shih Tzus. Quite often,

these are caused by delayed closure of the abdominal

midline. If the hernia is small, it may close as the puppy

matures. Sometimes surgery is necessary to correct it,

usually while the puppy is being spayed or neutered.

 A portosystemic liver shunt is a congenital abnormality in

which blood vessels allow blood to bypass the liver. As a

result, the blood is not cleansed by the liver as it should

be. Surgery is usually the best treatment.

  Snuffles mayplague the Shih Tzu because teething tends to

be difficult. At about four months, the gums swell; since

the gums are directly under those pushed-in noses, there

isn't a lot of room. Puppies may snort, snuffle, snore

loudly, or wheeze during this time, and may even have a

clear nasal drainage.

 Reverse sneezing occurs when the dog is overly excited,

gulps his food too fast, or allergens are present. Nasal

secretions drop onto the soft palate, causing it to close

over the windpipe. The dog makes a wheezing sound and may

become alarmed. Talk soothingly to him and try to get him

to relax to shorten the episode. Some say that pinching the

nostrils closed, so the dog is forced to breathe through

its mouth, is the quickest way to stop the reverse

sneezing.

Grooming

Fortunately, the long coat is mostly seen in the show ring;

retired champions and house pets mostly sport a short puppy

clip. Some pet owners can do it themselves with a pair of

scissors (difficult) or electric clippers, but keeping your Shih

Tzu beautiful and free of mats and skin problems often requires

regular professional grooming as well as daily combing at home.

Tools you’ll need include a wire pin brush and a stainless steel

comb with fine and coarse teeth.

Bathe your Shih Tzu as often as you like, but be sure to comb

out any tangles before you bathe him. They will tighten up when

they get wet. Blow-dry the coat thoroughly to keep your Shih Tzu

from getting chilled.

Comb the moustache and topknot daily. A puppy will have enough

hair for a topknot when he is about 5 months old. Use a latex

band sold at dog shows or good pet supply stores to tie the

topknot. Rubber bands will break the hair.

The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually every

week or two. Clean the inner corners of the eyes daily with a

damp washcloth to minimize staining. To keep the hind end clean,

trim the fur around the anus. Brush the teeth with a vet-

approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh

breath.

Finding

A Shih Tzu should weigh between 9 and 16 pounds, but some

breeders produce, and some misguided puppy buyers want, even

smaller dogs. So-called Teacup or Imperial Shih Tzus are

simply dogs below the minimum healthy size for the breed.

They’re marketed as something special, but are plagued with

health problems and often live very short lives. The code of

ethics specifically bars its members from breeding undersize

dogs or using those terms to describe their puppies.

CHOW CHOW

Overview

The Chow Chow has several unique

characteristics: a blue-black

tongue, the coat of a teddy Vital Stats:

Dog Breed Group: Working
bear, the scowl of a lion, and a Dogs
Height: 1 foot, 5 inches
distinctive stilted gait. He is to 1 foot, 8 inches tall
at the shoulder
a Chinese breed, hailing from Weight: 40 to 70 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
that country’s chilly northern

region, and was developed as an all-purpose dog capable of

hunting, herding, pulling a cart or other vehicle and guarding

the home.

The Chow Chow is a medium-size dog. He has the typical spitz

appearance: a deep muzzle and broad head set off by a ruff,

small triangular ears, a smooth or rough double coat in red,

black, blue, cinnamon and cream, and a bushy tail curled tightly

over his back.

History

The Chow Chow is one of the few breeds who have a truly valid

claim to being an ancient breed. He probably descends from

ancient Tibetan mastiffs, and he himself may be the ancestor of

spitz breeds such as the Keeshond, Norwegian

Elkhound and Pomeranian.

The Chow’s homeland is China. Depictions of him, in particular a

bas-relief from the Han Dynasty that portrays him as a hunting

dog, date to 150 BCE. He has good scenting ability and has been

used to hunt game birds. In China, he was a versatile dog who

did many kinds of work but was also kept, unfortunately for him,

for his fur and meat.

Although he very likely originated in northern China, he was

most often found in the southern part of the country, especially

in the trading port of Canton. The dogs were often part of a

ship’s cargo and eventually began to be called “Chow Chow” after

the Chinese words used to indicate a miscellany of items, from

knickknacks and curios to dogs.

The first known importation of Chow Chows into England was in

1880. Described as “Wild Dogs of China,” they were displayed in

the London Zoo and the dog-loving Queen Victoria took an

interest in them. From there, they made their way to the United

States, where they were exhibited in 1890. The American Kennel

Club recognized the breed in 1903, and the Chow Chow Club of

America was formed in 1906. The Chow ranks 65 th among the breeds

registered by AKC.

Personality

Despite his teddy-bear appearance, the Chow Chow is not a lovey-

dovey kind of dog. He is independent and dignified, usually

attaching himself to a single person. The Chow is protective and

will certainly have affection for his entire family, but most of

his devotion will be given to that one special person. Children

may be disappointed in the Chow’s complete lack of interest in

cuddling or being hugged.

He is distrustful of strangers and may be aggressive toward dogs

he doesn’t know. The Chow is highly territorial. Intruders or

people he doesn’t know will be warned off with a deep growl and

perhaps something a little more physical if they don’t take the

hint.

This intelligent but sometimes stubborn dog can be a challenge

to train. He responds well to clicker training and positive

reinforcement techniques such as play, praise and food rewards,

but he also likes to do things his own way. To be successful,

you must be patient and you must be willing to try many

different methods to see what works.

Health

Problems that may affect the Chow Chow include the following:

 Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a heritable condition in

which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint.

Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs,

but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog

with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.

Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by

environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-

calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling

on slick floors.

 Entropion causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or

injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes can be affected. If

your Chow Chow has entropion, you may notice him rubbing at

his eyes. The condition can be corrected surgically.

Grooming

The Chow comes in two coat types: rough and smooth. Both have an

undercoat and a top coat. The rough has an abundant coat that

stands off from the body. The head is framed by a profuse ruff,
and the tail is plumed. The legs have feathering as well. The

smooth does not have the abundance of top coat that

characterizes the rough, and he lacks a ruff and feathering on

the tail and legs. In all other respects, the coats are the

same. Grooming requirements depend on the type of coat. A smooth

coated Chow needs brushing only weekly. One with a rough coat

should be brushed every other day. Both varieties shed heavily

twice a year, during which time the coat will come out in

handfuls. A bath is rarely necessary, although a warm bath

followed by a very thorough blow-drying can help remove that

shedding coat.

The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually once a

month. Brush the teeth frequently for good overall health and

fresh breath. Check the ears weekly for dirt, redness or a bad

odor that can indicate an infection. If the ears look dirty,

wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle ear

cleaner recommended by your veterinarian.

Finding

Buy a Chow Chow only from a breeder who raises puppies in the

home and has exposed them to many different people, sounds and

experiences before they go to their new homes. When he comes

from such a background and continues to be socialized after

going to his new home, a Chow can be a good family dog, ideally
with older children who understand how to treat him with

respect.

Stay away from breeders who try to charge more for a Chow in any

color other than red or who tries to sell you a Chow in fancy

colors such as lilac, silver, chocolate, white and champagne.

Chows come only in red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. Any

other color description is simply a creative marketing term. Nor

is it true that colors other than red are rare. If a breeder

isn’t honest about coat colors, it’s fair to wonder what else he

or she isn’t honest about.

SIBERIAN HUSKY

Overview

Siberians can have blue eyes, brown eyes,

eyes that are a little of both, or one of

each color. There is no relationship

between eye color and eye disease in this

breed.

Vital Stats:
The Siberian Husky loves life. Dog Breed Group: Working
Dogs
Happy and affectionate, he’s a Height: 1 foot, 8 inches
to 1 foot, 11 inches tall
working dog but not a guard dog. at the shoulder
Weight: 35 to 60 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
His dense double coat makes him well-suited for cold climates,

where he can’t get enough of frolicking in the snow.

History

The Siberian husky is not a dog-wolf hybrid. The original dog

was developed about half a million years ago by the Chukchi

people in Siberia. He was a working dog who pulled heavy sleds

over long distances. The Chukchi tribe lived inland and had to

travel to the sea to hunt. They needed a way to get a full sled

of walrus meat back home. A sledding dog was just the answer.

The Chukchi women took care of the dogs, so the dogs were always

around children.

In the early 1900s, the dogs were brought to Alaska to compete

in long-distance races, notably the All-Alaska Sweepstakes.

Known as Siberians after their homeland, they gained fame for

their sledding capabilities and began to be used to deliver mail

as well as race.

The Siberian husky’s greatest feat came in 1925 when people in

Nome, Alaska, suffered a diphtheria epidemic in the middle of

winter. Antitoxin was needed desperately. A long-range relay of

about 20 mushers brought the antitoxin from Anchorage to Nome in

six days, nearly 700 miles in temperatures that hovered around

40 degrees below zero. The run brought fame to the breed.

Today the Siberian is still famous as a great sled dog who can

win races, but he’s also a terrific family pet and companion. He

ranked 18th among the breeds registered by the American Kennel

Club.

Personality

The Siberian husky is not a one-person dog. Nor is he a guard

dog. He might let you know someone is around, but he has no

concept of protecting you. The Siberian is a friendly and gentle

dog who is not overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive

toward other dogs. Among the qualities that make him a wonderful

companion are his intelligence, eagerness, and sense of humor.

This is a dog who will never let you take life too seriously.

The Siberian doesn’t need a lot of space to live in, but he does

need adequate exercise. He will enjoy having a place where he

can run safely and (health permitting) he’s a great companion

for anyone who likes to take long walks, runs, or hikes. You can

also harness his natural abilities and teach him to pull a sled,

wagon, or cart. He’s not a big barker. Instead, the Siberian

makes his own music. He will whine or moan, and when he feels

like it, he will hold his head high and release his Siberian

howl. There’s no other sound like it.

Health

Problems that may affect the Siberian husky include the

following:

 Cataracts: A cataract is opacity on the lens of the eye

that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye(s) of the dog

will have a cloudy appearance. Cataracts usually occur in

old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve

the dog's vision.

 Corneal Dystrophy: This condition affects the cornea or

outer transparent portion of the eyeball. It is an opacity

that is caused by a collection of lipids in the cornea. It

is usually seen in young adults and it generally affects

more females. There is no therapy for this condition, but

it does not seem to affect the vision.

 Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a degenerative

eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss

of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable

years before the dog shows any signs of blindness.

Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate

for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy

life. Just don't make it a habit to move the furniture

around. Reputable breeders have their dogs' eyes certified

 annually by a veterinary ophthalmologist and do not breed

dogs with this disease.

Grooming

The Siberian should look “well furred” according to the breed

standard, and indeed he does. He has a medium-length double

coat. The soft, dense undercoat is topped with straight guard

hairs that lie smooth. That double coat means that the Siberian

sheds. He sheds throughout the year; once or twice a year he

undergoes a process called “blowing coat,” which is just what it

sounds like. During this period you may feel that it is snowing

gray and white hair. A shedding blade or coat rake will become

your best ally.

That said, the Siberian is actually pretty easy to groom.

Outside of shedding season, brush him occasionally with a

slicker brush to remove dead hair. Trim the hair between the

foot pads. That’s all. A bath is almost never necessary. The

Siberian is a very clean dog with little to no odor.

The rest is basic care. Trim his nails as needed, usually every

week or two if he doesn’t wear them down naturally with all his

running around. Brush his teeth regularly with a vet-approved

pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.

Finding

The cost of a Siberian husky puppy varies depending on the

breeder’s locale, whether the pup is male or female, what titles

his parents have, and whether he is best suited for the show

ring or a pet home. The puppy you buy should have been raised in

a clean home environment, from parents with health clearances

and conformation (show) and, ideally, titles to prove that they

are good specimens of the breed. Puppies should be temperament

tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to give them a healthy,

confident start in life.

POMERANIAN

Overview

The foxy-faced dog, nicknamed “the little

dog who thinks he can,” is compact,

active, and capable of competing in

agility and obedience or simply

being a family friend. Vital Stats:

Dog Breed Group: Companion
Dogs
High heat and humidity can cause Height: 7 inches to 1 foot
tall at the shoulder
your Pom to become overheated and Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
possibly have heat stroke. When

your Pom is outdoors, watch him carefully for signs of

overheating and take him inside immediately. They definitely are

housedogs and should not be kept outdoors. Because they are so

small, Poms can be perceived as prey by owls, eagles, hawks,

coyotes, and other wild animals. Never leave them outside

unattended, and be watchful if there are predatory birds in your

location.

History

The Pomeranian takes his name from Pomerania, a region of

Northern Europe on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It’s believed

that this was where the dogs were first bred down in size from

larger Spitz breeds. The original Pomeranians weighed 20 to 30

pounds — much larger than the Pom that we know and love today.

The breed became popular in Great Britain after Queen Victoria

fell in love with a Pom in 1888 while vacationing in Florence,

Italy. She brought one home with her, and the breed’s popularity

took off. Interest in the breed crossed the Atlantic to the

United States, where the first Pomeranian specialty show was

held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1911. Those earlier

Pomeranians had foxier faces than the Poms of today and were

more likely to be white, black, chocolate, cinnamon, brown, or

cream than the red and orange commonly seen now. Poms can still

come in any color or pattern, though. The breed is still very

popular, ranking 15th among those registered by the American

Kennel Club.

Personality

The perfect little Pom is calm and easy to live with. He enjoys

sitting in your lap and giving kisses. He is busy but doesn’t

bounce off the walls. That said, Poms do like to bark. Poms may

look like toys, but they are not good pets for young children.

They are too delicate to be handled roughly, and they prefer the

company of adults. Housetraining does not always come easy to

Poms. They can be stubborn about going outside to potty,

especially if it’s rainy or cold outside. Although they are

small, Poms don't seem to realize it and can have a "big dog"

attitude. This can spell disaster if they decide to chase a

bigger dog that they think is encroaching upon their territory,

or if they jump from a high place.

Health

Problems that may affect the Pomeranian include the following:

 Allergies: Some Pomeranians can suffer from a variety

of allergies, ranging from contact allergies to food

allergies. If your Pomeranian is licking his paws or

rubbing his face a great deal, suspect that he has an

allergy and have him checked by your vet.

 Epilepsy: Some Pomeranians develop epilepsy and have

seizures. If your Pom has seizures, take him to the vet to

determine what treatment is appropriate.

 Eye Problems: Pomeranians are prone to a variety of eye

problems, including cataracts, dry eye

(keratoconjunctivitis sicca) (dryness of the cornea and the

conjunctiva), and tear duct problems. These problems can

appear in young adult dogs and may lead to blindness if

untreated. Contact your vet if you notice any redness,

scarring, or excessive tearing.

 Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia occurs occasionally in

Pomeranians. Many factors, including genetics, environment

and diet, are thought to contribute to this deformity of

the hip joint. Affected Pomeranians usually are able to

lead normal, healthy lives, unlike some of the large and

giant breeds, who require surgery to get around easily.

 Legg-Perthes Disease: This is another disease involving the

hip joint. Many toy breeds are prone to this condition.

When your Pomeranian has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to

the head of the femur (the large rear leg bone) is

decreased and the head of the femur that connects to the

pelvis begins to disintegrate. Usually, the first signs of

Legg-Perthes occur when puppies are 4 to 6 months old. The

first signs are limping and atrophy of the leg muscle.

 Qualified vets can perform a surgery to cut off the

diseased femur so that it isn't attached to the pelvis any

longer. The scar tissue that results from the surgery

creates a "false joint" and the puppy is usually pain free.

 Patellar Luxation: This is a very common problem for Poms.

The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of

an anatomical part (as a bone at a joint). Patellar

luxation is when the knee joint (often of a hind leg)

slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be

crippling, but many dogs lead relatively normal lives with

this condition.

 Collapsed Trachea: This is a condition in which the

trachea, which carries air to the lungs, tends to collapse

easily. The most common sign of a collapsed trachea is a

chronic, dry, harsh cough that many describe as being

similar to a "goose honk." Since it can be caused by

pulling too hard against a collar while walking, you should

train your Pom to walk nicely beside you instead of pulling

at the leash, or use a harness instead of a collar.

Collapsed trachea can be treated medically or surgically.

 Dental Problems: Poms are prone to teeth and gum problems

and early tooth loss. Watch for dental problems and take

your Pom to the vet for regular dental exams.

Grooming

Pomeranians have what is called a double coat. The undercoat is

soft and dense; the outer coat is long and straight with a

course texture. Thanks to their small size, Pomeranians are easy

to groom, even with that entire coat. Brush the coat a few times

a week to prevent mats or tangles. Use a medium to harsh slicker

brush that will get down to the skin without hurting the dog.

You may have heard that Poms don’t shed. Forget that. They do.

Luckily, they are small enough that the amount of hair they lose

is negligible. If you brush your Pom regularly, shedding

shouldn’t be a big issue. Bathe a Pom every couple of months or

more often as needed. If you use a gentle dog shampoo, you can

even bathe a Pom as often as once or twice a week if you want.

The rest is basic care. Trim the toenails every week or two.

They should never get long enough to clack on the floor. Brush

teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for

good dental health and fresh breath.

Findings

A Pomeranian can go to his new home at 8 to 10 weeks of age, but

some breeders like to keep pups until they are 12 to 14 weeks

old to make sure they are mature enough to go to their new homes

and to see which ones will shake out as show prospects.

CATS

SIAMESE CAT

Overview

The Siamese breed has become one of the most

popular in the world, because of it's beautiful

appearance and distinctive

personality. It is one of the oldest

Vital Stats:
breeds of domestic cats known to Common nickname: Meezer
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
man, originating from Asia. The Life Span: 11 to 15
years
sophisticated Siamese looks dressed

for an elegant masquerade ball in pale evening wear with chic

black accessories and tanzanite-blue eyes.

History

It's oriental heritage is very interesting, and the name

'siamese' comes from Siam, which is now known as Thailand.

According to some legends, the Siamese was once considered

sacred, and kept in temples by priests and people of extreme

importance. The breed’s other turns in the spotlight have

included representation in family favorite movies "The

Incredible Journey," "The Aristocats" and "Lady and the Tramp."

Today the Siamese is one of the most popular cat breeds

registered by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Personality

This is a cat who has a passion for his people and will involve

himself in everything they are doing. When they’re not around,

he will entertain himself by turning on faucets, opening

cabinets, seeking out new hideaways to frustrate anyone who

might be searching for him, and watching television with clear

interest. He may also be willing to walk on leash and play fetch

with the same enthusiasm as a certain other four-legged animal

to which he disdains being compared.

The Siamese may be more famous — or infamous — for his voice

than for his looks. He will “talk” to you all day long and well

into the night, expressing his opinion on what you’re feeding

him, what you’re doing, how much (or how little) attention

you’re giving him, and what the dog next door is doing. Keeping

a clean litter box is one of the most important chores in owning

a Siamese cat.

Health

Problems that may affect the Siamese include the following:

 Amyloidosis, a disease that occurs when a type of protein

called amyloid is deposited in body organs, primarily the

liver in Siamese

 Asthma/bronchial disease
  Congenital heart defects such as aortic stenosis

Grooming

The short coat of the Siamese is easy to groom. Comb him weekly

with a stainless steel comb. Trim the nails as needed, usually

every 10 to 14 days. Cats can be prone to periodontal disease,

so brush the teeth at home with a vet-approved pet toothpaste

and schedule regular veterinary dental cleanings.

Colors and Patterns

Siameses have a variety of unique, different coats but, in some

governing bodies only the four original colors are accepted as

Siamese coloring and color point or point restricted the only

accepted pattern. The four original colors are:

Seal Point

The traditional color of a Siamese cat is Seal Point. The

sensational color pattern of pale creamy coat shading to dense

seal brown points and clear brilliant deep blue eyes first set

their paws on the road to fame in the late 1800's.

Blue Point

According to the records the first Blue Point Siamese was

exhibited in England, in 1890. The points are grey and blue and

the body color glacial white, shading gradually to the same cold

tone as the points.

Chocolate Point

The color standard for a Chocolate Point requires the points to

be the color of a bar of chocolate, and the body coloring ivory

all over, with very little shading.

 Lilac Point

Lilac Point Siamese are derived from mating between Siamese

carrying both chocolate and blue coloring. These Siamese have

delicate mushroom pink points, faded lilac pads and nose leather

and their blue eyes contrast well with their off-white

(magnolia) body coloring.

PERSIAN CAT

Overview

The Persian is the glamor puss of the cat

world. His beautiful, flowing coat, sweet

face and calm personality have combined to

make him the most popular cat

breed. He is high maintenance and Vital Stats:

Common nickname: Iranian
he has some health issues, but cat; Persian
Longhair, Shirazi
for many his looks and Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
personality overcome those drawbacks.

The Persian’s sweet, gentle face turns up to gaze at his

favorite people the way a pansy turns its face to the sun. He

communicates with his expressive eyes and his soft, melodious

voice.

History

Persians take their name from the country where they are thought

to have originated. They became popular pets in animal-mad

Victorian Britain and were seen at the very first cat shows in

that country. Persians have always been bred to have a round

head, short face, snub nose, chubby cheeks and a short, cobby

body, but over time those features have become exaggerated. The

result is that the Persian now comes in two types, show and

traditional. Today the Persian is the most popular cat

registered by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Personality

Persians are gentle, quiet cats who like a serene environment

and people who treat them kindly. Unlike more athletic cats,

they prefer lounging on a sofa to scaling the heights of your

bookcase or fireplace mantel. Children are acceptable to the

Persian as long as they are content to simply pet him and not

drag him around or dress him up. On the other hand, the Persian
may be a welcome guest at a little girl’s tea party and will bat

decorously at a peacock feather before returning to pose

beautifully on his sofa. In general, just make sure children

treat this cat with the gentle respect he deserves.

The Persian may greet you with a quiet meow, but in most cases

he lets his eyes do the speaking for him. He doesn’t mind

spending time alone, but your presence will always make him

happy. When you go on a trip, it may be better to have a pet

sitter come in and care for him in his own familiar surroundings

than to board him in a strange place.

Health

Problems that may affect the Persian include the following:

 Breathing difficulty or noisy breathing caused by

constricted nostrils

 Dental malocclusions, meaning the teeth don’t mesh well

together

 Excessive tearing

 Eye conditions such as cherry eye and entropion

 Heat sensitivity

 Polycystic kidney disease, for which a genetic test is

available

 Predisposition to ringworm, a fungal infection

  Seborrhea oleosa, a skin condition that causes itchiness,

redness and hair loss

Grooming

There’s no getting around it: a Persian cat is high maintenance.

The coat must be groomed daily with a stainless steel comb to

remove mats, tangles and loose hair. Mats and tangles can be

painful to a cat, and loose hair gets all over your clothes and

furniture, so you can see the benefit to spending the time

needed to care for the coat.

Depending on its color, a Persian can have a silky, shiny coat

or one with a soft, cotton-like texture. The drawback to the

soft coat is that it tangles more easily and requires additional

grooming time.

In addition to daily combing, the Persian should be bathed

weekly. Blow the coat dry (using the lowest heat setting to

avoid burning the cat), combing as you go. Because of his

pushed-in face, the Persian’s eyes can have a tendency to tear.

To prevent ugly staining, wash or wipe his face daily,

particularly beneath the eyes. Trim the nails as needed, and

don't forget to brush the teeth regularly with a vet-approved

pet toothpaste.
Colors and Patterns

Cat fanciers have sought to equalize competition among breeds by

dividing the huge Persian class into smaller groups. For

convenience, this is done on the basis of similar colors or

patterns.

The seven groups recognized by the largest registry, the CFA,

are: Solid Color, Silver and Golden, Shaded and Smoke, Tabby,

Parti-color, Calico and Bicolor, and Himalayan.

1. Solid Color Division

 White

 Black

 Blue

 Red

 Cream

2. Silver and Golden Division

 Chinchilla Silver

 Shaded Silver

 Chinchilla Golden

 Shell Cameo (Red Chinchilla), Shell Cream (Cream

Chinchilla), Shell Tortoiseshell and Shell Blue-Cream

3. Shaded and Smoke Division

 Shaded Cameo (Red Shaded), Shaded Cream, Shaded

Tortoiseshell and Shaded Blue-Cream

 Black Smoke, Blue Smoke, Cream Smoke, Red Smoke,

Tortoiseshell Smoke and Blue-Cream Smoke

4. Tabby Division

 Brown Tabby

 Blue Tabby

 Cream Tabby

 Lilac Tabby

 Cameo Tabby and Cream Cameo Tabby

 Silver Tabby

 Blue Silver Tabby

 Brown Patched Tabby, Blue Patched Tabby, Chocolate

Patched Tabby and Lilac Patched Tabby

 Silver Patched Tabby and Blue Silver Patched Tabby

5. Parti-Color Division

 Tortoiseshell

 Blue-cream

 Chocolate Tortoiseshell

 Lilac-cream
 6. Calico and Bicolor Division

 Dilute Calico

 Chocolate Calico and Lilac Calico

 Bicolor

 Smoke and White

 Shaded and White

 Tabby and White

7. Himalayan Division

HIMALAYAN CAT

Overview

This is a people-oriented cat with

the sweet and sedate personality of

the Persian attitude of the Siamese

and, of course, the striking

Vital Stats:
points and bold blue eyes of Common nickname: Himmy
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
the Siamese. He was created by Life Span: 15 years
crossing the Siamese and the

Persian and then breeding the offspring until the desired

characteristics were achieved.

History

A kitten named Newton’s Debutante was the first Himalayan, back

in 1931. He was the result of a breeding program by Virginia

Cobb and Clyde Keeler, who wanted to produce a Persian cat with

the colorpoints of the Siamese. They were followed in the 1950s

by Canadian breeder Ben Borrett, whose goal was to create a

longhaired cat with colorpoints. First known as a Colourpoint

Longhair, the new cat was recognized in 1955 by the Governing

Council of the Cat Fancy. American cat registries recognized the

breed in 1957, calling it a Himalayan.

Personality

Like their Persian siblings, Himalayans are quiet, placid cats.

You are more likely to find them reclining gracefully on a sofa

than perched on top of the refrigerator, but they are playful in

a sedate kind of way and enjoy having an assortment of toys.

Certainly you shouldn’t expect a Himmy to be inactive. What

these cats like best, though, is sitting in a lap or simply

being in their person’s company. They are not demanding of

attention and can do well on their own during the day, but a

quiet meow and a speaking glance with those blue eyes will let

you know if they feel neglected.

Himalayans do best in homes with older children who won’t chase

after them or clumsily bop them on the head. They aren’t big on

playing dress up, but they might not mind riding in a doll buggy

or being a guest at a little girl’s tea party.

The Himmy is intelligent, although he’s not always given credit

for it. Challenge his brain and keep him interested in life by

teaching him tricks and providing him with puzzle toys that will

reward him with kibble or treats when he learns how to

manipulate them.

Health

Problems that may affect the Himalayan include the following:

 Breathing difficulty or noisy breathing caused by

constricted nostrils

 Dental malocclusions, meaning the teeth don’t mesh well

together

 Excessive tearing

 Eye conditions such as cherry eye, entropion and

progressive retinal atrophy

 Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a nervous system disorder

 Heat sensitivity

 Polycystic kidney disease, for which a genetic test is

available
  Predisposition to ringworm, a fungal infection

 Seborrhea oleosa, a skin condition that causes itchiness,

redness and hair loss

Grooming

Beauty never comes easy. The Himalayan is a real glamourpuss and

like any star requires the daily attention of a devoted stylist.

Expect to comb the long, flowing coat daily with a stainless

steel Greyhound comb to prevent or remove mats and tangles. A

slicker brush can also be a good tool to have on hand. He needs

regular baths to stay clean and sweet-smelling. Introduce a

kitten to bathing as soon as you bring him home and he will

accept it readily. Some Himalayans have a problem with excessive

tearing of the eyes. To prevent ugly staining, wash the cat’s

face daily, particularly beneath the eyes.

The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually

weekly. Check the ears every week for redness or a bad smell

that could indicate an infection. If the ears look dirty, wipe

them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle cleanser

recommended by your veterinarian. Brush the teeth frequently

with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and

fresh breath. Start brushing, nail trimming and teeth brushing

early so your kitten becomes accepting of this activity.

Colors and Patterns

Chocolate Point: This is one of the most difficult point colors

to produce. The body is clear ivory; the points are a warm milk-

chocolate. The facial mask tends to be incomplete or to create

goggles around the eyes. Because the cat will often sit with the

front paws tucked under its warm body, they tend to be a lighter

color than the other points.

Seal Point: Deep seal-brown points should provide clear contrast

with the pale fawn body color. The stomach and chest may be even

lighter in color than the back. “Fever ticking” will be most

visible in this point color because it is the darkest. This

occurs when the cat runs a higher-than-normal body temperature

for any reason. Hairs in the mask especially will be damaged and

grow in white, creating a speckled or ticked effect. They will

eventually be replaced with normally colored hair.

Lilac Point: The body color for this cat should be glacial white

with no shading. The points are a frosty gray warmed with pink

tones.

Blue Point: Blue points should be in high contrast to the bluish

white body which shades to white on the stomach. Flame (Red)

Point: This color is very late to mature. The body is creamy

white. Mature point color should be deep orange to deep red.

Often, cats are several years old before the color is fully in.
Cream Point: The dilute of red, the points of this cat should be

buff cream on a creamy white body. They will also be very late

to develop.

Tortie Point, Blue-Cream Point, Chocolate-Tortie Point and

Lilac-Cream Point: The body color of these cats should

correspond to the most prominent color of the parti-color

points, with only subtle shading allowed. The points must show

unbrindled patches of both colors.

Seal Lynx Point, Blue Lynx Point, Flame Lynx Point, Cream Lynx

Point, Tortie Lynx Point, Blue-Cream Lynx Point, Chocolate Lynx

Point, Lilac Lynx Point, Chocolate-Tortie Lynx Point and Lilac-

Cream Lynx Point: These are basically tabby pointed cats. Once

again, the body color should correspond to the basic color in

the points. The points themselves should have clearly defined

markings, including the tabby “M” on the forehead and barring on

the legs and tail. The overriding influence of the tabby pattern

makes it particularly difficult to produce clear body color.