Cats & dogs

A little closer
to every breed.

Discover 231 dog entries and 56 cat profiles. Every animal is an individual; breed descriptions are a starting point, not a guarantee.

Meet the breeds

Read profiles below, or browse the complete index. Each reading page contains up to 18 full profiles.

Parson Russell Terrier

A small English working terrier, usually mostly white, with a relatively square body. It is distinct from the Jack Russell Terrier and has an energetic, purposeful character.

Coat

The coat is mostly white and may be smooth, rough or broken.

Activity

Vigorous activity and mental engagement suit this energetic terrier. Agility or flyball can be options for a suitably prepared individual.

Sources & credits
  • Parson Russell Terrier · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Pekingese

A small Chinese companion breed with a low body, short face and profuse coat. Its courtly history is reflected in a distinctive, lion-like outline.

Appearance & size

The Pekingese's flat face and large eyes are some of the breed's most obvious characteristics. The body is compact and low to the ground.

Coat

A long straight outer coat and dense undercoat form a substantial mane around the neck.

Care

The double coat needs thorough brushing, with attention to cleanliness around the longer rear furnishings.

Sources & credits
  • Pekingese · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Peruvian Hairless Dog (Small, Medium, Large)

A Peruvian breed represented by small, medium and large size categories. Hairless and coated individuals occur within the breed family.

Coat

Hairless dogs may retain small patches of hair; fully coated individuals also occur.

Sources & credits
  • Peruvian Hairless Dog · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

A small French scent hound with a rough-coated, rustic appearance. Its low body was developed for following quarry through dense cover in the Vendée.

Appearance & size

A small, low-bodied scent hound with a rustic, furnished face.

Activity

Provide both exercise and mental stimulation, with a securely fenced yard. Keep scent-led exploration on a lead outside enclosed areas.

Care

Regular thorough brushing helps remove loose hair. Hand stripping may be appropriate for the outer coat; ask an experienced groomer about technique.

Sources & credits

Pharaoh Hound

A slender Maltese hunting breed traditionally used for rabbits. Large upright ears and a short tan coat distinguish its alert-looking outline.

Coat

The adult coat is short and close-lying, in tan or richer tan, sometimes with white markings. Some puppies carry a fuller coat before maturity.

Sources & credits
  • Pharaoh Hound · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Pointer

An athletic pointing dog developed in England. Its field role is locating game, while its substantial energy also matters in companion homes.

Coat

The short coat has a noticeable sheen. Black, orange, liver and lemon occur, either solid or with white; tricolors also occur.

Typical behavior

Many are responsive and energetic, with field-bred individuals often especially interested in sustained activity.

Activity

Plan for ample exercise and purposeful engagement. Obedience, agility and jumping are possible activities for a suitably prepared dog.

Sources & credits
  • Pointer (dog breed) · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

A medium-sized Polish herding dog with a shaggy double coat. The furnished head can look larger than the underlying body proportions suggest.

Coat

A dense undercoat sits beneath rougher straight or wavy outer hair, with numerous colors and patterns.

Sources & credits
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Pomeranian

A small spitz-type companion with upright ears, a full double coat and a plumed tail over the back. Many are alert, outgoing and keen to join household life.

Coat

The thick double coat and highly plumed tail create a full outline.

Activity

Outings, walks and shared games provide activity and family contact. Small size does not remove the need for engagement.

Care

Brush through the coat regularly, paying attention to behind the ears, beneath the forelegs and between the hindlegs.

Sources & credits
  • Pomeranian dog · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Poodle (Miniature)

The Miniature Poodle is the middle size of the three Poodle entries in this collection. A curly coat, alert manner and interest in shared learning connect it with its larger and smaller relatives.

Appearance & size

The middle size among the three Poodle entries, with a balanced athletic body beneath the curly coat.

Coat

A dense curly coat requires regular grooming. A wide range of colors occurs, with acceptance differing between organizations.

Activity

Shared training, games and suitable dog sports can provide engagement for an active, interested individual.

Care

Regular brushing and periodic professional trimming help maintain the dense coat. Include gentle ear, nail and foot checks, with grooming adjusted to the chosen pet trim.

Sources & credits
  • Poodle · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Poodle (Standard)

The Standard Poodle is the largest Poodle entry in this collection. Its curly coat and athletic frame reflect a water-working history, while modern companions often enjoy varied training and play.

Appearance & size

The largest of the three Poodle entries, with an athletic body and proud carriage beneath the curly coat.

Coat

A dense curly coat requires regular grooming. A wide range of colors occurs, with acceptance differing between organizations.

Activity

Shared training, games and suitable dog sports can provide engagement for an active, interested individual.

Care

Regular brushing and periodic professional trimming help maintain the dense coat. Include gentle ear, nail and foot checks, with grooming adjusted to the chosen pet trim.

Sources & credits
  • Poodle · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Poodle (Toy)

The Toy Poodle is the smallest Poodle entry in this collection. Small stature does not remove the family's interest in learning or the need for regular coat maintenance.

Appearance & size

The smallest of the three Poodle entries, with a balanced compact body beneath the curly coat.

Coat

A dense curly coat requires regular grooming. A wide range of colors occurs, with acceptance differing between organizations.

Activity

Shared training, games and suitable dog sports can provide engagement for an active, interested individual.

Care

Regular brushing and periodic professional trimming help maintain the dense coat. Include gentle ear, nail and foot checks, with grooming adjusted to the chosen pet trim.

Sources & credits
  • Poodle · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Porcelaine

A medium-sized French scent hound with a shiny white coat and orange markings. It combines an elegant outline with a strong interest in movement and family contact.

Appearance & size

A medium-sized, athletic French scent hound with a lean muscular body.

Coat

The thin, shiny, close-lying coat is white with orange patches; orange ticking is often visible on the ears.

Activity

Daily exercise, mental stimulation and human contact matter for this active scent hound.

Care

Regular grooming and occasional baths maintain the short coat. Add routine ear, nail and dental attention, together with early social experiences and consistent teaching.

Sources & credits
  • Porcelaine · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Portuguese Podengo

A Portuguese hunting-dog family with small, medium and large size categories. Each category occurs in smooth and wiry coat forms; the family overview does not replace the separate size entries.

Coat

Two coat forms occur across the Podengo family: short and smooth, or longer and wiry.

Activity

Daily exercise, attention and opportunities to play are important across the Podengo family. Housing size alone is not a substitute for meeting those needs.

Sources & credits
  • Portuguese Podengo · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Portuguese Podengo (Large)

The largest Portuguese Podengo size category, developed for hunting with sight and scent. Both short smooth and longer wiry coats occur.

Appearance & size

The large stands 55 to 70 cm (22 to 28 in) at the withers and weighs 20 to 30 kg (44 to 66 lb).

Coat

This size category occurs with either a short, smooth coat or a longer, wiry coat.

Activity

Provide daily exercise, attention and play in secure surroundings. The large size category retains the family's keen hunting interest.

Sources & credits
  • Portuguese Podengo · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Portuguese Podengo (Medium)

The medium Portuguese Podengo size category, developed for hunting with sight and scent. Both short smooth and longer wiry coats occur.

Appearance & size

The medium stands 40 to 54 cm (16 to 21 in) and weighs 16 to 20 kg (35 to 44 lb).

Coat

This size category occurs with either a short, smooth coat or a longer, wiry coat.

Activity

Provide daily exercise, attention and play in secure surroundings. The medium size category retains the family's keen hunting interest.

Sources & credits
  • Portuguese Podengo · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Portuguese Podengo (Small)

The smallest Portuguese Podengo size category, developed for hunting with sight and scent. Its compact size still comes with an active, inquisitive character.

Appearance & size

The small stands 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) and weighs 4 to 6 kg (9 to 13 lb).

Coat

This size category occurs with either a short, smooth coat or a longer, wiry coat.

Activity

Daily exercise and shared play matter even in the small category. A small home can work only when movement and engagement needs are met.

Sources & credits
  • Portuguese Podengo · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Portuguese Water Dog

An athletic Portuguese water-working breed historically used alongside coastal fishermen. Its abundant coat and interest in cooperative activity remain important in companion life.

Coat

The abundant coat occurs in black, brown and combinations with white. Pet trims and traditional show trims change the presentation.

Activity

Shared training and games suit this intelligent, people-oriented water-working breed. Obedience and agility can be possible outlets.

Care

Maintain the abundant coat against mats and keep hair from obstructing the eyes. Choose a practical grooming routine rather than leaving the coat unattended.

Sources & credits
  • Portuguese Water Dog · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history

Prague Ratter

A very small Czech companion breed with an alert, lively manner. Smooth and longer coat forms occur, and gentle handling matters for such a small dog.

Appearance & size

The Pražský Krysařík is a small toy dog, similar in appearance to the Chihuahua and the Miniature Pinscher, with a height of 20 to 23 centimetres (7.9 to 9.1 in) and a weight of 1.5 to 3.5 kilograms (3.3 to 7.7 lb).

Coat

Smooth and longer coats occur; black and tan is a familiar color combination.

Activity

Pražský Krysařík might be small, but is nevertheless an easy dog to train as long as it is treated consistently. It can be trained for agility, freestyle, obedience, tracking etc.

Care

A light regular brush removes loose hair from the smooth coat. Use gentle, reward-based teaching to give this small dog's energy a constructive outlet.

Sources & credits
  • Pražský Krysařík · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikipedia text shortened, reorganized and paraphrased; independent registry facts added. Images excluded. Wikipedia-derived adaptations remain CC BY-SA 4.0; no exclusive ownership claimed. · License · Original revision / history
Complete English A–Z index · all 287 profiles