Bird Breeds – Blue Fronted Amazon

This popular breed of Amazon is found primarily in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.

This Blue Fronted Amazon is considered a parrot, and has a body made up of mostly green feathers, a yellow face, and blue coloring right above the beak which gives it its name.

They are known to be very good talkers if trained properly. In fact, they can learn a very extensive vocabulary as well as scream.

The Blue Fronted Amazon is typically found atop the canopy in tropical rain forests, and for this reason does best in a large cage if kept as a pet.

They enjoy human interaction, and will be quite forthcoming if hand-fed early on.

(photo: treez44est)

Cat Breeds – Russian Blue

Although there is some speculation involved in the history of this cat breed, popular belief suggests that they originated in the Archangel Islands of Northern Russia, and were later brought to Europe.

Originally, they were coveted for their brilliant coats which resemble that of a seal, and today little has changed, as they are still a highly sought after breed.

The Russian Blue is believed to be a naturally occurring breed, although some crossbreeding took place during a shortage of the breed around the time of World War II.

This medium-sized cat sports a short, pristine blue coat with silver lining, and vivid green eyes.

The Russian Blue is a playful and extremely intelligent breed, and tends to grow very close to its owner(s). These cats do well with all people, and don’t mind being left alone all day.

They are truly one of the most beautiful cats in the world.

(photo: waldojaquith)

Horse Breeds – Friesian Horse

The history of the Friesian horse dates a long way back to Roman times where historians documented the presence of Friesians mounted at Hadrian’s Wall.

But it said that the Friesian horse first originated in the Netherlands.  And it is also known as the only indigenous horse breed from the Netherlands still present today.

For years the Friesian was known as the greatest warhorse in Europe, and in the early 20th century it gained popularity as a trotting horse after being crossed with faster breeds, which unfortunately almost destroyed the breed.

Friesian horses are always black, and usually stand between 15 and 16.3 hands.  They are most noted for their thick manes and tails, and the feathering on their lower legs.

They are popular today as carriage and harness horses, but also good for all-around riding.

(photo: fchosson)

Dog Breeds – Basenji

The Basenji, a member of the “sighthound” family, is one of the most ancient dog breeds in the world, dating back to Ancient Egyptian times as noted in depictions on the steles of the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs.

This breed was originally developed for hunting in central Africa because of its’ ability to utilize both sight and scent as a means to hunt.  Known as an intelligent dog, the Basenji is characteristically alert and often detached socially.

The Basenji is known as the “barkless dog” because it makes a yodeling sound as opposed to the common bark.  This is due to its oddly shaped larynx.

The Basenji is a small, short-haired dog with a rather abrupt back-end and a light build.  The Basenji comes in a variety of colors such as brindle, chestnut red, black, and tri-color, but always features white paws, chest, and tail tip markings.  The tail is also upright and tightly curled.

Due to its temperament, the Basenji is not recommended for families with small children and other animals.

(photo: llima)