The Oriental

History
Which came first, the Oriental or the Siamese?

The Siamese was imported to Britain from Thailand in the late 1800s. Some of these cats were “pointed,” meaning that the coat had a light background with dark points on the ears, legs, tail, and snout. But other cats were solid -colored, and after years of crossing with Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, and other breeds, the end result was the Oriental Shorthair.
Like the Siamese, the Oriental has a wedge-shaped head with big ears and almond eyes.

The Pomeranian

Background
The tiny ball of fluff that we know as a Pomeranian used to be a lot bigger!

Originally used as sheep herders along the coast of the Baltic Sea in Pomerania – present day Germany and Poland – the Pomeranian has shrunk over the years.

The Shetland Sheepdog

Background
Lively like a roving Scotsman, The Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) is a miniature version of a Collie that originated on the small but rugged Shetland Islands northeast of Great Britain.

The British Shorthair

Background
If the American Shorthair is a true American cat, the British Shorthair is a true British cat!

Brought to Britain by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, the British Shorthair has come a long way since its early days as a mouser and ratter. Over the years, the British Shorthair interbred with cats native to Britain, and later with Persians (which contributed to their thick coat). Eventually, the breed became more popular for its placid and loyal personality than its hunting abilities.

The Great Dane

Background
He’s the gentle giant of the dog world!

The Scottish Fold

History
The story of the Scottish Fold begins in a barn.

In 1961, on a farm in Perthshire, Scotland, a small white cat was found in a barn. Her name was

The Siberian Husky

Background
The perfect sled dog!

The Siberian Husky was used for centuries and centuries to pull the sleds of the Chukchi Tribe on the eastern Siberian peninsula. Huskies were also used for herding reindeer and guarding. Perfectly adapted to the brutal Siberian weather, the Husky is a hardy, thick-coated dog with legendary stamina; he was so prized for his speed that he was brought to Alaska by fur traders for sled dog races.

The Doberman Pinscher

Background
Believe it or not, the Doberman was bred to protect a hated tax collector. Now he’s one of the most loving, loyal, and protective pets a family can have.

The French Bulldog

Background
The “Bouledogue Francais,” or French Bulldog, likely descended from the English bulldog. Judging by his smaller size and bat-like ears, most think that the French Bulldog actually arose from the toy or miniature Bulldog, which originated in Nottinham, England, where he was used as a ratter in the shops of laceworkers.

The American Shorthair

Background
The American Shorthair is a truly American cat! The direct ancestors of the American Shorthair were the first domestic cats to settle in the New World, traveling over with pilgrims on the Mayflower where they were used to catch rats and mice.

As settlement in North America increased, a lot of the imported European cats interbred. Eventually, a selective breeding program established in the early 19th century perfected the breed, which is now the eighth most popular breed in the United States.