This month we look at the Sheltie, a long-haired breed of guinea pig that is also known as the Silkie in the USA.
Guinea pigs, also known as caveys, originate from the Andres in South America where they grazed on grassy plains, and despite their name are rodents. They were first domesticated for food and fed household scraps and were important in traditional healing rituals for diagnosis, religious ceremonies as well as given as gifts.
They have enjoyed status in western Europe as a household pet since their introduction from traders in the 16th Century where they were kept as exotic pets by the upperclass including Queen Elizabeth I. Due to their docile nature and responsiveness to handling and feeding they were used for experimentation since the 19th Century giving the rise to the expression 'being a guinea pig'. They have now largely been superseded by rats and mice.
It's unknown as to exactly why they are called Guinea pigs but there are a few theories. Traders may have brought the animals into western Europe through Guinea, or 'Guinea' may be a corruption of the word 'Guiana' an area of South America although guinea pigs not being from that region. The English at the time also used 'Guinea' as a term for far away land, and perhaps the 'Pig' part maybe due to the noises they make
The Sheltie was first bred in the UK in the 1970s by breeding Peruvian breed guinea pigs with Self smooth blacks and was recognised as a breed in 1973.
They are known for their soft, shiny long hair that sweeps back away from the face and down the body.
They differ from the Peruvian by having less dense, long fur that falls in a different pattern that doesn't naturally part in the centre. As well as this their face is not covered by a fringe. From above their hair resembles a 'teardrop' shape. Their fur can be any colour for showing with the exception of tan.
It is important that this breed of guinea pig gets used to brushing and cleaning as this is integral for the care of their coat and makes this a more high maintenance breed. The fur needs to be trimmed; especially at the rear to prevent matting. 'Barbering' can be an issue if kept in groups as they may chew other's fur so give plenty of hay to keep occupied.
As well as for their appearance they are known for being laid back and gentle animals.
This month we're taking a look at the well known and popular breed the Siamese cat.
This is an old breed originating from Thailand (previously Siam) that has been illustrated in historic manuscripts such as the Tamra Maew written between the 14th and 18th centuries, demonstrating the age of the breed.
The cats were first brought over the West to the USA in 1878 and later to the UK in 1885 and 1886 and were the first demonstrations of point-colouration (dark ears, feet, nose, etc in relation to a pale body) seen in cats. The breed became popular and by the 1950s and 60s shows began favouring a more slender look, and wide-set ears along with a perfect triangle shape made with the nose and ears. As such the original more muscular style cats disappeared from shows but have still continued to be bred and are often called Thai cats.
The breed is distinguished by point-colouration, having almond-shaped blue eyes, wide-set large ears, triangular head, and a slender body with short fur. Temperment-wise it is known for being vocal and 'conversing' as well as intelligent, affectionate, and playful where even as adults cat may play fetch and can act dog-like.
The point-colouration seen is actually a form of partial albinism due to a mutated enzyme involved in pigment production. This enzyme is heat-sensitive where it fails to work at normal body temperatures but is able to function at the cooler extremities. All Siamese kittens are born cream or white and the points only develop later. Owing to the heat-sensitive nature of the colouration generally cats will be paler in warmer climes as well as darken more with age. The same recessive trait leading to the point-colouration also effects their eyesight and unlike most cats Siamese cats lack the mirror-like tapetum lucidum at the back of their eyes. This means that the night vision of Siamese cats is rather poor, making them more vulnerable to road accidents in more urban areas. The optic nerves can also be affected at the optic chiasm at the base of the brain where the nerves cross and many early cats were cross-eyed to compensate. This has largely been bred out now.
Many breeds owe their origin to the Siamese cat including the Balinese, Ocicat, Burmese, Himalayan, and Havana brown. The breed has been featured in the media such as in Disney's Aristocats, and the cat Tao from the book The Incredible Journey.
For the next pet breed focus we're going from paws to hooves and talking about the Welsh Pony.
The Welsh pony originates from Wales where ponies have existed since before 1600BCE. Historically they have been used on farms as working animals, as postal horses, and as cavalry, and later pit ponies. In the Middle Ages, Henry VIII ordered that stallions under 15 hands and mares under 13 be destroyed to improve the breed for use as war horses. This was later repealed by Elizabeth I as it was hard for poorer lands to grow enough food to support them.
Arabian horses left over from the Romans and later from the Crusades have mixed into the breed. Later other breeds have been added including the Thorough bred, & Hackney and the stud book for the breed was established in 1901. Nowadays they are often used for recreational riding and driving, as well as showing and jumping. They are also a popular breed for children as a riding pony.
The breed is known for its hardiness as well as their good temperament, intelligence, and free-moving gait, and is split into 4 different sections: A - Welsh Mountain Pony, B - Welsh Pony, C - Welsh pony cob type, & D - Welsh Cob. Welsh ponies have also been used in the development of other breeds of horse and pony such as the Morgan horse.
The Welsh pony is characterised by a small head with larger eyes with short backs and sloping shoulders, and range from 11 to 16 hands. They may be any solid colour with black, grey, chestnut, and bay being the most commonly seen. The breed is also considered friendly and trustworthy, with great endurance.
I thought that for around once a month I would do a focus on a particular pet breed - mainly cats and dogs but I'm open to looking at more unusual pets. Where I will produce some artwork as well as give a little info about the breed.
This month it's the beagle.
Size: Small to medium
Origin: Modern breed originates from Great Britain around the 1830s
Appearance: Long rounded ears, long tail with a white tip that's held upright. Medium length smooth coat that's usually tricolour (white, tan, and black)
History/usage: The beagle has a fantastic sense of smell and has been breed to be determined and often single-minded in order to track game such as hares and rabbits. It's sense of smell has also been utilised in airports where beagles are used as detection dogs looking for items such as food and drugs - they are even used to find signs of termites in Australia. They are also used in pet therapy and, more controversially, are the most common dog, by far, used in animal testing.
