Collins Complete Dog Manual. Collins Dictionaries
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Название: Collins Complete Dog Manual
Автор: Collins Dictionaries
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Домашние Животные
isbn: 9780007513116
isbn:
Description
A small athletic dog, it is full of vitality, slightly longer than its height at the shoulders. The wiry or smooth coat is mostly white with black and/or tan patches. Note that the long-legged Parson Jack Russell should not be confused with the smaller-legged Jack Russell terrier. This dog has courage without recklessness coupled with stamina. It is also one of the great ratters, with razor-sharp reactions. Ever vigilant, the Jack Russell’s keen senses will flush out small prey, such as rats and mice. This is an easily-trained, fun dog that is into everything.
Fact File
Group: Terrier
Country of Origin: England
Male:
35 cm (14 in)
Female:
33 cm (13 in)
Coat: There are two distinct types: the smooth variety and the rough coat.
Life Expectancy: 13–15 years
Guarding Instinct: A very watchful dog; intruders beware.
Temperament & Grooming
Temperament: Happy-go-lucky fun dog, very intelligent and trainable.
Grooming: The smooth variety requires only a weekly brush whereas the rough coat needs hand stripping or trimming every four to five months as well as weekly brushing.
Exercise & Feeding
Exercise: Basically, this is a country dog needing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. The long-legged Parson Jack Russell loves to be hunting outside.
Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.
Health Problems
A generally healthy breed but buy from eye-tested parents.
West Highland White Terrier
Feisty, stubborn, friendly, playful and affectionate, the Westie is a bright pet for town or country. A clean and biddable terrier. A fun dog that one minute will be digging up your flower beds while hunting non-existent moles and the next minute will be lying on your lap with all the love of a spaniel. A family dog full of zest.
History
Up to the mid-1800s the terriers of Scotland were a nondescript mixed lot that kept down the rats and foxes on the small crofts. As foxhunting became fashionable, gentlemen began taking notice of terriers but white dogs were not liked. However, a Colonel Edward Malcolm, thinking one of his own brown terriers was a fox as it emerged from an earth, accidentally shot it, and from then on he developed this unmistakable white terrier and was the breed club’s first chairman in 1906.
Description
A short-legged, square dog with a profuse wiry white coat that needs careful attention in order to maintain the typical shape. The head should be slightly domed with very dark eyes. The Westie was used as an all-purpose worker that was kept as a ‘vermin’ killer and taken out to hunt foxes, otters and wild cats. It had stamina and courage, and was agile enough to clamber over rocks and penetrate the smallest holes where its prey could hide.
Fact File
Group: Terrier
Country of Origin: England
Male:
28 cm (11 in)
Female:
Slightly smaller.
Coat: There are two distinct types: the smooth variety and the rough coat.
Life Expectancy: 12–16 years
Guarding Instinct: A good, alert guard.
Temperament & Grooming
Temperament: Playful, mischievous, happy.
Grooming: It needs stripping and shaping every three months and combing daily.
Exercise & Feeding
Exercise: Twice-daily walks are essential and the Westie needs the freedom to run and play-hunt in a garden with the family.
Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.
Health Problems
Some eye problems are under investigation; a type of eczema and fairly rare Perthe’s disease.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
(© Jean-Michel Labat)
The loyal Staffie is fearless, people-friendly and intelligent but must be disciplined and trained. This dog is relatively easy to train providing patience is asserted. Despite its bloody history, it is now one of the most faithful and affectionate, family-loving pets. A Staffie will fiercely guard babies and is good with older children when they show respect.
History
The Duke of Hamilton, a sporting rake who lived around 1770, developed a lighter fighter (the big Bulldogs not being fast enough), which is claimed to be the forerunner of the breed today. At the end of the eighteenth century, they were the best fighting dogs in existence. Later on, they also proved themselves in rat-pits where a dog, Billy, killed 100 rats in seven minutes thirty seconds. However, it was not until the 1930s that a Breed Standard was created and the Staffie became a showdog and companion.
Description
A chunky, well-muscled, medium-small dog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a wide head, a pump-handle tail and walks with a jaunty air. The Staffie has a wide, deep chest and straight forelegs. Even though it is very muscular, the Staffie is an agile dog. Affectionate and loyal, these dogs make good pets – a wonderful family dog but not for the novice owner.
Fact File