Cats Classification PDF

Chapter One (Part 2) Classification of cats Shorthair Breeds 1.​ Abyssinian: ​ Oldest breed of cat ​ Earliest domesticated cats in Egypt ​ Agouti color patterns (refers as a ticked color pattern which means uneven pigment and comes from an allele of the Tabby gene) the tip...

Chapter One (Part 2) Classification of cats Shorthair Breeds 1.​ Abyssinian: ​ Oldest breed of cat ​ Earliest domesticated cats in Egypt ​ Agouti color patterns (refers as a ticked color pattern which means uneven pigment and comes from an allele of the Tabby gene) the tip of the hair is darker with a lighter band in the center ​ Usually short hair but Somali is a long-haired variant ​ Foreign body type but more muscular and not as severe as other of this body type -​ Slightly rounded wedge-shaped head, large ears, almond-shaped eyes, medium size ​ Very agile, inquisitive, sociable, and affectionate with their human family 2.​Siamese: ​ Siamese are considered an old breed -Was in manuscripts from Siam (Thailand) from the late 1300s ​ A “pointed bred”- darker pigments on ears, feet, legs and face - The coloring is from the skin temperature of the hair follicle - Inhibits full pigmentations of fur in the warmest areas of the body cooler areas of the body such as the leg, and head, display full pigment while the  the trunk of the body has reduced pigmentation - If they shave, the fur grows in a “seal” color and changes with time - if bandaged, the color will lighten on the foot - will be lighter in color in warmer climates - Kittens are born white, and darken as they mature ​ Squinting eyes and kinked tails used to be common but were determined to be a breed fault and have been mostly eliminated ​ Recognized colors, blue, chocolate, and lilac ​ Foreign body type with a wedge-shaped head which forms a triangle with the points located at the nose and tips of the ears ​ Energetic, playful, and demands attention (most vocal of cats) ​ 3.​ Manx ​ Originally found on the Isle of Man in the Irish sea -​ In isolated islands, the mutation for tail-lessness quickly became established ​ The amount of residual tail that an individual Manx is born with can vary ​ Dominant gene and is lethal in homozygous state -25% of kittens conceived will be lost -25% can have a long tail - some can have impairment of the ability to defecate normally or other skeletal deformities ​ Sturdy and round body with short front legs and longer back legs, head is large and broad ​ Short, thick, lush coat in a variety of colors and patterns  4.​ British, European and American Shorthairs ​ What most envision when they think of a pet cat today (domestic short-hair or long-hair) ​ Original working cat ​ British have a shorter body and wider heads than the European ​ Americans are similar to the British but have slightly longer legs and denser coat ​ Classic cobby type Long hair Breed 1.​ Persian ​ The oldest longhaired breed, introduced to Britain late 1800s ​ Colorpoint Persian is a Himalayan ​ Coby body type with short body neck and legs, heavy rounded head, large round eyes, and short bushy tail ​ The coat is very thick with a dense undercoat ​ Docile and gentle- requires lots of grooming which they tend to enjoy ​ Shortened muzzle, shortened jaw, overshot lower jaw, and widening of the face ​ Brachycephalic (short head) ​ In extreme (Peke-Face cat), can have blocked tear ducts, abnormal alignment of the teeth, and impaired respiration 2.​ Maine Coon ​ Developed in the US ​ Large hardly, heavy body with a thick coat ​ One of the largest breeds and can be 20 pounds ​ Long body and legs with a small head ​ Traditionally tabby but can now be any color 3.​ Norwegian Forest ​ Similar to Maine Coon but developed in Scandinavia ​ Ancestors typically black and white but can all colors today 4.​ Angora or Turkish Angora ​ Originated in Turkey ​ Originally all white with blue eyes but other colors are now seen ​ Sleek and silky appearance from especially long guard hairs on the neck, underbelly, and tail and less undercoat than a Persian  5.​ Turkish Van ​ Turkish Van- developed in the same region as Angora ​ Appearance of a large build Angora ​ Likes water and swimming ​ Originally white with red patches on the head and colored tail Rex 1.​ Cornish Rex ​ From Cornwall, England 1960 ​ A cat which has a short and kinky coat ​ Slender long body with a wedge-shaped head, large pointed ears ​ Guard and awn hair which are shorter and less dense than the overcoat of other shorthair breeds -The awn hairs are so short and soft they appear to be down hairs (undercoat), down hairs are actually reduced in length and number -Together form a short coat that falls into soft and wavy ripples ​ Nicked named the poodle cat 2.​ Devon Rex ​ From Devon, England  ​ Pixyish facial features with a wedge-shaped head, high wide cheeks, and large ears, slender and long-legged ​ Short down hair with few guard hairs leading to a rippling wave effect (not tightly waved like cornish Rex) Spotted Cats 1.​ Egyptian Mau ​ Originated through natural selection near Cairo, Egypt -Body type similar to Abyssinian but heavier -Modified tabby coat with regularly distributed dark spots ​ Mau means cat in Egyptian 2.​ Ocicat ​ Intended to resemble an ocelot ​ It started in Michigan by mating a chocolate point Siamese with an Abyssinian/Siamese female ​ Tawny light brown with dark brown spots but other colors can be seen 3.​ Bengal ​ A hybrid of a domestic cat and a wild Asian Leopard ​ Can be large (up to 22 pounds) ​ Males are infertile but females are not ​ Temperament can reflect the wild ancestry ​ Controversial breed Unusual Breeds ​ Not all cat associations will recognize the new cat breeds 1.​ Scottish Fold ​ Kittens born in Scotland with folded ears and made into a breed ​ The ears have definite fold lines and medium-sized cat ​ All color patterns except chocolate, lilac, and colorpoint ​ Dominant gene- in the homozygous state can have fused tail vertebrae and abnormal cartilage formation in the legs and paws which causes crippling ​ Reputable breeders breed fold to a normal cat to not have any crippled kittens 2.​ Ragdoll Cat ​ American breed developed in the 1960s from white and pointed Birman and Burmese cats ​ A large, heavily boned, and muscular cat that is always color-pointed ​ Relaxed, gentle, and lethargic nature- goes limp when held 3.​ Sphynx ​ Nearly naked cat (AKA Canadian hairless) ​ Spontaneous mutation causing “peach fuzz” and a lack of eyebrows and whiskers ​ Elongated and angular body type ​ Gentle and affectionate temperament ​ Can not protect itself from the cold (has to stay indoors) 4.​ Munchkin ​ Developed in Virginia Beach ​ Short-legged cat bred to normal cat and produced kittens with deformed legs ​ Is a dominant mutation ​ Due to the deformity, have trouble grooming as well as running or jumping normally ​ No purebred registry, controversial  Cats developed facts ​ Cats did not change drastically in appearance or temperament as traveled (unlike dogs) ​ Slight variations in body conformations and coast type in response to climatic difference ​ Caused by natural forces of adaptation over artificial selection ​ Moved around the globe with traders and sailors ​ Occasionally interbred with small wildcats -​ Increased variation in the gene pool and hybrid vigor ​ All cats (mixed or purebred) are Felis Catus What is a breed? A group of animals that has been artificially selected over many generations to possess a uniform heritable appearance -Does not have any geographic location -usually starts with a mutation Cats Events ​ The first “Cat event” in the late 1500s at a local fair in Winchester England ​ Competition to see which cat was the best mouser or ratter in the area ​ Pedigreed cats began around the second half of the 19th century -​ 1st show 1871, cats divided into classes by body type and color ​ National Cat Club in the UK in 1887 -American cat shows were also held in the 1870s ​ Many cat associations categorize breeds ​ The generally accepted breed categories include shorthair breeds, longhair breeds, Rex cats, Spotted cats, tailless cat ​ Cats are often described as being of either cobby or foreign body type ​ Cody cats: compact, heavy-boned, sturdy body type, deep chest, broad shoulders, hind quarters, short legs, short round head ( British short hair and Persian breed) ​ Foreign body: Light-boned, narrow wedge head, long legs, and a long slender shaped body (siamese cats) ​ Most people have nonpedigree cats ​ Classification of Dogs Spiz Breed ​ More closely related to their wolf progenitors than are other breeds of dogs ​ Distributed throughout the world, considered one of the oldest breeds ​ Short-bodied, stocky builds and thick double coats ​ Developed to work in cold environments as draft dogs to pull sleds or carts ​ Norwegian Elkhound, Siberian Husky, chow chow 1.​ Norwegian: Known for its tenacity as a hunter and guarder 2.​ Siberian Husky: pull sleds, herd reindeer. Thick double coat for harsh weather 3.​ Chow Chow: They show territorial aggression since they were guard dogs Mastiff Breed ​ The heaviest and largest breeds ​ 1st developed for dogs of war, guardians, and hunters of large game ​ Depictions of mastiff-type dogs in Egyptian monuments ​ Used by Romans for fighting and war ​ It is also used for dog fighting and bullbaiting -Fighting and baiting were banned in the 19th century which led to a decline in popularity​ 1.​ Mastiff: They require adequate space. Standing 30 inches or more at the shoulder. Still, retain the ability to guard and protect. 2.​ St.bernard: a dog that could both guard and herd 3.​ Boxter: Smaller than most mastiffs but known for its agility and strength ​ Mastiff, st. Bernard, Boxter Sight Hounds ​ Sighthounds (or gaze hounds) and scent hounds-both developed to hunt for nonfeathered game ​ Earliest hunting dogs with speed to follow the game ​ Developed by Egyptians and Sumerians ​ Tall and slender, long-legged, deep-chested ​ Build for speed ​ Chases quarry with a sense of vision over the sense of smell ​ Greyhound, Saluki, Afghan hound, Whippet 1.​ Greyhound: Foundation breeds from which many present-day sight-bound breeds are descended 2.​ Saluki: Great speed 3.​ Afghan hound: Very long, silky coat protection against the bitter cold of mountain regions 4.​ Whippet: Used for the sport of “ray racing”. Smallest sight hounds but the fastest Scent hounds ​ Followed the ground scent of the game to locate and track ​ Developed by Egyptians and Sumerians ​ Further refined in the Middle Ages in Europe ​ Some trained to kill quarry and some to corner and “give tongue” or bay to alert the hunter ​ Stamina is important  ​ Uses acute sense of smell to follow the game slowly and stamina to keep going until they find it ​ Strong, sturdy legs, heavy bones, and long head with pendulous ears ​ Bloodhound, basset hound, beagle and otterhound 1.​ Bloodhound: oldest scent hound. 2.​ Basset hound: Bell-like bark that issued whenever a scent is detected 3.​ Beagle: smallest of scent hounds. Selectively deaf when following a scent trail 4.​ Otterhound: Hunting otters. Persistence as a hunting dog both on land and in the water Terrier Breeds ​ The original purpose for most was to dig underground and hunt ground quarry (including rodents) ​ Short legged to work in rocky dens and push dirt to the side while they dig ​ Many also have long bodies ​ Long-legged for large game, throw soil between hind legs as they dig ​ Some bark or ‘worry” when finding the game, and others expect to kill ​ Resilience and high pain tolerance ​ Most have a wiry harsh coat to protect when in brush or digging into the ground ​ Airedale terrier, border terrier, bull terrier, schnauzer, dachshund 1.​ Airedale terrier: largest and youngest breed of terrier. Good swimmer and ability to scent 2.​ Border terrier: Used to hunt fox for hunting a variety of small game 3.​ Bull terrier: used for fighting, aggressive toward other dogs Gundogs ​ Find and retrieve shot games from long-distance ​ Hunters now required a dog that could find game, indicate it, and flush it out on command so the hunter could shoot it; also dogs to find and retrieve game shot from long distances ​ Pointers, setters, spaniels, retrievers 1.​ Pointers and setters: oldest of the gun dogs 2.​ Spaniels: all-purpose hunting breeds 3.​ Retrievers: Water dogs to retrieve ducks and geese Livestock Herding Breeds ​ Control and move herds of livestock from place to place ​ 1.​ Border Collie: Known for agility and ability to work with sheep using direct eye contact 2.​ Corgi: Cattle dog that moves herd by nipping at the heals of the animals 3.​ German Shepherd: Used as a herding dog but moved into protection and police work Livestock Guarding Breeds ​ Protectors of livestock, guarding from natural predators ​ Highly attentive, trustworthy, and protective ​ Large enough to survive potentially harsh conditions and present a deterrent to predators ​ Kuvasz, Komondor, Great Pyrenees 1.​ Kuvasz and Komondor: old guarding breed 2.​ Great Pyrenees: protect sheep, guard dogs Toy Breeds ​ Probably the first dogs to be kept by humans strictly for companionship ​ Some have always been small, some breeds were reduced in size ​ Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese 1.​ Chihuahua: Smallest breed. 7-10 inches at the shoulders 2.​ Pomeranian: Used to herd sheep 3.​ Maltese: Oldest breeds of dogs. Known for silky white coat  Dogs developed facts ​ Natural selection is primarily responsible for major changes associated with domestication ​ Smaller less pack-oriented and less nervous individuals led to the creation of “village dogs” which are the ancestors of our present-dog domestic dog ​ There are still free-range dogs around the world ​ Breeds gradually developed from natural selection to favor animals depending on the environment ​ Humans then took a puppy from the free-range group to bring into the home (more likely than domesticating a wild wolf) ​ Selective breeding by humans to favor the traits we want -​ A dog who works well for the shepherd will get more attention (and food) than the ones who can't work will ignored and not cared for ( and not bred) -​ It can also develop breeds that will be more aggressin when breeding for fighting or guarding dogs -​ Generally, there is more genetic variability when selecting from an open group Purebred Dogs ​ ​ Purebred dogs: is an artificial construct created by wealthy dog fanciers in the 1800s ​ The upper and privileged classes began to compare their dog’s working abilities and to compete among themselves, comparing the quality of animals ​ Selection of very specific traits and isolation of a group of founding animals associated with a family or estate ​ Bred to artificial ideal for a breed or a “breed standard” -the size of an original group affects the gene pool -Once a studbook is closed, there will be inbreeding after several generations -Reducing genetic variability which can be detrimental -leads to some genetic disorders being more common in a breed -If there is an abnormality, that dog should not be bred, or the breeding not repeated. Early Breeds ​ Evidence Romans bred dogs for herding, sporting, war, arena fighting, scent hunting, and sight hunting; plus smaller house dogs ​ Led to 5 early types of dogs: mastiffs, spitz dogs, sight hounds, hunting dogs, and sheepdogs ​ 1800s Charles Darwin published their theories on natural selection and evolution  ​ As breeders understood generic and inheritance, it led to line breeding, crossbreeding, and the concept of a purebred (restricting the gene pool) ​ Before this, there was much more variability in appearance in a breed because the dogs would just breed but people started to control the breeding Show dogs ​ 1st dog show in Great Britain in 1859 for Pointers and setters ​ British Kennel Club was established in 1873 to standardize both dog shows and dog breeds; American Kennel Club 1884 ​ Working ability but also required rigid conformity in size, color, body shape, and movement -​ Started to select dogs within related lines to breed to one another to attempt to increase the homozygosity of certain traits -​ Selecting for mutations to produce unusual variants -​ This led to a variety of changes in the breeds ​ Now had 7 working dogs (spitz, mastiff, sighthounds, scent hounds, terriers, gundogs, and herding breeds) and toy or miniature breeds for companions ​ At one time there were subspecies within dogs but currently,y all are canis are familiar