Dog & Cat Breed Profiles

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Airedale Terrier

"King of the Terriers" — largest, used in WWI as messenger dogs.

23–32 kg 11–14 years

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Akita

Powerful, dignified Japanese guardian. Loyalty legend (Hachiko). Experienced owners only.

32–59 kg 10–14 years

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Alaskan Malamute

The big freight-hauler of the Arctic. More powerful than a Husky, equally challenging.

32–43 kg 10–14 years

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Australian Cattle Dog

Tough Australian cattle drover, blue or red speckled. Tireless and intensely loyal.

15–22 kg 12–16 years

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Australian Shepherd

Striking, intelligent working dog. Needs serious exercise and a job. Ideal sport partner.

16–32 kg 12–15 years

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Basset Hound

Long-eared, low-slung scent hound. Mellow, stubborn and slightly comical.

20–29 kg 12–13 years

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Beagle

Compact, sociable, scent-driven hound. Cheerful family dog with a serious nose.

9–14 kg 12–15 years

🐕‍🦺

Belgian Malinois

Elite police, military and protection-sport dog. NOT a beginner family pet.

18–36 kg 12–14 years

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Bernese Mountain Dog

Gentle giant Swiss farm dog. Devoted family companion — sadly short-lived.

36–52 kg 7–10 years

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Bichon Frise

Cheerful little fluff cloud. Hypoallergenic, family-friendly, long-lived.

5–8 kg 14–15 years

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Bloodhound

World's best nose. Used in human tracking — court-admissible evidence in many jurisdictions.

36–50 kg 10–12 years

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Border Collie

Widely considered the most intelligent dog breed. Needs a working life or sport.

14–22 kg 12–15 years

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Border Terrier

One of the most family-friendly terriers — bred to keep up with horses.

5–7 kg 12–15 years

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Boston Terrier

Cheerful "American Gentleman" in a tuxedo. Compact, friendly and surprisingly trainable.

5–11 kg 11–13 years

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Bouvier des Flandres

Belgian cattle drover and WWI messenger dog. Powerful, intelligent guardian.

32–54 kg 10–12 years

🥊

Boxer

Powerful, playful family dog. Stays puppy-like for years and adores children.

25–32 kg 10–12 years

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Bull Terrier

Egg-headed, comical, playful clown. Tough exterior, soft heart.

20–30 kg 12–13 years

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English Bulldog

Calm, affectionate, low-energy companion. Significant brachycephalic health concerns.

18–25 kg 8–10 years

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Bullmastiff

Calm, powerful guardian — bred to apprehend poachers without injuring them.

45–59 kg 7–9 years

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Cairn Terrier

Plucky Scottish terrier made famous as Toto in The Wizard of Oz.

6–7 kg 13–15 years

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Cane Corso

Italian working mastiff. Powerful, devoted protector — only for experienced owners.

40–50 kg 9–12 years

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Sweet-natured royal lap-spaniel. Affectionate, easy and brilliant with families — but watch for heart disease.

5.5–8 kg 9–14 years

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever

America's state dog of Maryland. Tougher and more independent than the Lab.

25–36 kg 10–13 years

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Chihuahua

Smallest dog breed in the world — bold, devoted, surprisingly long-lived.

1.5–3 kg 14–17 years

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Chow Chow

Lion-maned ancient Chinese guardian. Independent, dignified, often aloof.

20–32 kg 8–12 years

🐩

Cockapoo

Cocker Spaniel × Poodle cross — affectionate, low-shed, family-friendly.

5–11 kg 13–15 years

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Cocker Spaniel

Cheerful sporting spaniel. Beautiful coat, sweet temperament, real exercise needs.

12–15 kg 12–15 years

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Dachshund

Bold, comical and full of personality. Long backs need careful protection.

7–14 kg (standard), 4–5 kg (mini) 12–16 years

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Dalmatian

Spotted carriage dog famous from 101 Dalmatians. Athletic and high-energy.

20–32 kg 11–13 years

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Doberman Pinscher

Sleek, intelligent, loyal guardian. Needs an experienced active home.

27–45 kg 10–13 years

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English Springer Spaniel

Cheerful, athletic gun dog. Brilliant family dog with a serious need for exercise.

18–25 kg 12–14 years

🦊

Finnish Spitz

Finland's national dog. Fox-like Spitz used to bark up game birds.

11–16 kg 13–15 years

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Flat-Coated Retriever

Glossy black or liver retriever. "Peter Pan" of dogs — eternally puppy-like.

25–32 kg 8–10 years

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French Bulldog

Small, charming, low-exercise — perfect city companion. Significant breed health risks to be aware of.

8–13 kg 10–12 years

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German Shepherd

Highly intelligent, loyal, trainable working dog. Needs an experienced owner with time for training.

22–40 kg 9–13 years

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Giant Schnauzer

Powerful working schnauzer used as police and military dog. Not for novices.

25–48 kg 10–12 years

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Golden Retriever

The classic golden family dog — sweet-natured, loyal, easy to train and devoted to children.

25–34 kg 10–12 years

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Great Dane

Gentle giant — one of the largest dog breeds. Famously sweet despite imposing size.

50–82 kg 7–10 years

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Greyhound

45 mph couch potato. Surprisingly low-energy at home — sprinters, not marathoners.

27–32 kg 10–13 years

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Havanese

National dog of Cuba. Affectionate, hypoallergenic and brilliant with families.

3–6 kg 14–16 years

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Irish Setter

Glamorous mahogany gundog. Joyful, energetic and famously slow to mature.

25–32 kg 12–15 years

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Italian Greyhound

Miniature sighthound. Elegant, fragile, surprisingly fast.

3.5–5 kg 14–16 years

🐶

Jack Russell Terrier

Compact, fearless and tireless. A working terrier in a small package — not a toy dog.

6–9 kg 13–16 years

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Keeshond

Dutch barge dog with a magnificent fluffy coat and "spectacles" face markings.

15–20 kg 12–15 years

🐩

Labradoodle

Lab × Poodle cross. Friendly, athletic, often (but not always) low-shedding.

15–30 kg 12–14 years

🦮

Labrador Retriever

America's favourite family dog: friendly, trainable, energetic and great with children.

25–36 kg 10–14 years

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Leonberger

Lion-like German giant. Gentle, family-oriented, sadly short-lived.

41–77 kg 7–9 years

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Lhasa Apso

Sacred Tibetan watchdog. Long-coated, alert, affectionate with family.

5–8 kg 12–15 years

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Maltese

Tiny, elegant lapdog with a flowing white coat. Devoted and brave for their size.

3–4 kg 12–15 years

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English Mastiff

Massive ancient guardian — calm, dignified, affectionate. Among the heaviest dog breeds.

54–104 kg 6–10 years

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Miniature Schnauzer

Spirited little terrier with a famous beard. Hypoallergenic and family-friendly.

5–9 kg 12–15 years

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Newfoundland

"Nanny dog" — sweet, gentle giant bred for water rescue. World-class with kids.

45–68 kg 9–10 years

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Norfolk Terrier

Smallest working terrier. Drop-eared, friendly, family-oriented.

5–6 kg 12–15 years

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Norwich Terrier

Erect-eared sister breed to the Norfolk. Sturdy, friendly, alert.

5–6 kg 12–15 years

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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Smallest retriever — bred to lure ducks within range by playing.

16–23 kg 12–14 years

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Old English Sheepdog

Iconic shaggy "Dulux dog" sheepdog. Affectionate, family-friendly, high-grooming.

27–45 kg 10–12 years

🦋

Papillon

Tiny "butterfly-eared" dog. Surprisingly athletic and one of the smartest toy breeds.

2–5 kg 14–16 years

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Pekingese

Ancient Chinese imperial lap dog. Dignified, independent, brachycephalic.

3–6 kg 12–15 years

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Royal favourite — short legs, big personality. Athletic herder despite their stature.

9–14 kg 12–14 years

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German Shorthaired Pointer

Versatile hunting dog and tireless athlete. Brilliant family dog for active homes.

20–32 kg 12–14 years

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Pomeranian

Tiny, fluffy, vivacious. The smallest of the spitz breeds — bold and full of attitude.

1.5–3.5 kg 12–16 years

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Poodle (Standard)

Hypoallergenic, highly intelligent, athletic — and significantly under-rated as a serious working dog.

20–32 kg 12–15 years

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Portuguese Water Dog

Athletic Portuguese fishing dog with a hypoallergenic curly coat. Obama's dog Bo.

16–27 kg 11–13 years

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Pug

Charming, comical lap dog. Significant brachycephalic health concerns to budget for.

6–8 kg 12–15 years

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Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees)

White Pyrenean livestock guardian. Calm, nocturnal-watchful, deeply protective.

38–60 kg 10–12 years

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Rhodesian Ridgeback

"African Lion Hound" with a famous ridge of hair on the back. Powerful, independent, devoted.

32–41 kg 10–12 years

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Rottweiler

Powerful, confident guardian. Devoted to family — needs an experienced, consistent owner.

35–60 kg 8–10 years

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Rough Collie

The "Lassie" Collie. Gentle, devoted, brilliant family dog.

20–32 kg 12–14 years

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Saint Bernard

Famous Swiss alpine rescue dog. Gentle, patient, extraordinary with children.

64–82 kg 8–10 years

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Samoyed

White Arctic spitz with the famous "Sammy smile". Friendly, fluffy and demanding to groom.

16–30 kg 12–14 years

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Scottish Terrier

Dignified, independent Scottish terrier — the "Scottie". Famously serious for a small dog.

8–10 kg 11–13 years

🐶

Chinese Shar-Pei

Iconic wrinkled Chinese guardian. Aloof, independent, with serious health concerns.

20–30 kg 8–12 years

🐕

Shetland Sheepdog

Smaller cousin of the Rough Collie. Bright, sensitive, brilliant at agility.

6–11 kg 12–14 years

🐶

Shiba Inu

Fox-like Japanese spitz. Bold, independent, famously cat-like and clean.

7–11 kg 13–16 years

🐶

Shih Tzu

Affectionate Tibetan lapdog. Beautiful coat, charming temperament, manageable exercise needs.

4–7 kg 10–16 years

🐺

Siberian Husky

Stunning, athletic and notoriously challenging. A working sled dog in a pet body.

16–27 kg 12–14 years

🐶

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Irish all-purpose farm dog with a soft, wavy, hypoallergenic coat.

14–18 kg 12–14 years

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Staffordshire Bull Terrier

"Nanny dog" of the UK — affectionate, brave, brilliant with children. Often misunderstood.

11–17 kg 12–14 years

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Standard Schnauzer

Original German farm-and-yard guardian. Mid-sized, hypoallergenic, alert.

14–20 kg 13–16 years

🐕

Tibetan Mastiff

Ancient Himalayan livestock guardian. Independent, nocturnal, fiercely territorial.

45–73 kg 10–14 years

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Vizsla

Hungarian "velcro dog" — affectionate, athletic, brilliant family hunting companion.

20–30 kg 12–14 years

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Weimaraner

"Grey Ghost" of dogs — striking silver coat and serious working drive.

25–40 kg 11–14 years

🐶

West Highland White Terrier

Compact, white, alert Scottish terrier — the iconic "Westie".

7–10 kg 13–15 years

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Whippet

Smaller cousin of the Greyhound. Athletic, gentle, and famously affectionate.

8–18 kg 12–15 years

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Wire Fox Terrier

Spirited, intelligent fox-hunting terrier. The original "Asta" of the Thin Man films.

7–9 kg 12–15 years

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Yorkshire Terrier

Tiny, bold and famously long-lived. Hypoallergenic coat needs daily care.

2–3 kg 13–16 years

🐈

Abyssinian

One of the oldest known cat breeds. Athletic, curious, "the clown of the cat world".

3–5 kg 13–15 years

🐈

American Shorthair

America's working cat. Sturdy, healthy, easy-going, brilliant with families.

3.5–7 kg 15–20 years

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Bengal

Wild-looking, athletic, demanding. Bred from Asian Leopard Cat × domestic — needs an active home.

3.5–7 kg 12–16 years

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Birman

Sacred Cat of Burma. Calm, devoted, with white "gloved" paws and blue eyes.

3–6 kg 13–16 years

🐈‍⬛

Bombay

Mini "panther" — jet-black coat, copper eyes and a Burmese-like devoted nature.

3.5–5 kg 12–18 years

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British Shorthair

Calm, dignified, plush-coated. The classic "British Blue" cat.

3–7 kg 12–17 years

🐈

Burmese

Sweet-natured, dog-like cat. Affectionate and people-oriented.

3.5–6 kg 15–18 years

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Chartreux

France's national cat. Quiet, plush blue-grey "smiling" cat. Often confused with British Shorthair.

3–7.5 kg 12–17 years

🐈

Cornish Rex

Slender, ultra-curly cat. Athletic, sociable and warm to the touch.

2.5–4.5 kg 11–15 years

🐈‍⬛

Devon Rex

Pixie-faced curly-coated cat. Elf-like, playful, often well-tolerated by allergy sufferers.

2.5–4.5 kg 9–15 years

🐈

Egyptian Mau

Spotted natural breed from Egypt. Fastest domestic cat, deeply bonded with their family.

3–5.5 kg 12–15 years

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Korat

Ancient Thai "good luck" cat. Silver-blue coat, peridot-green eyes.

2.7–4.5 kg 15–19 years

🐈

Maine Coon

Gentle giant of the cat world. Dog-like temperament, magnificent coat, big personality.

4–9 kg 12–15 years

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Manx

Tailless cat from the Isle of Man. Sturdy, dog-like, affectionate.

3.5–5.5 kg 8–14 years

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Munchkin

Short-legged cat — controversial breed due to dwarfism gene. Playful and affectionate.

2.5–4 kg 12–15 years

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Nebelung

Long-haired Russian Blue. Quiet, elegant, often allergy-friendly.

3–7 kg 15–18 years

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Norwegian Forest Cat

Sturdy Scandinavian longhair. Mythological "skogkatt" of Norse legend.

4–9 kg 14–16 years

🐈

Ocicat

Spotted cat that looks wild but is fully domestic — created from Siamese, Abyssinian and American…

3.5–7 kg 12–18 years

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Oriental Shorthair

Siamese in 300+ colours and patterns. Talkative, slim, intensely social.

2.5–5 kg 12–15 years

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Persian

Glamorous longhair. High grooming demands and brachycephalic health concerns.

3–5 kg 12–17 years

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Ragamuffin

Cousin of the Ragdoll. Calm, plush, available in any colour or pattern.

4–9 kg 12–16 years

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Ragdoll

Famous for going limp when held. Affectionate, dog-like, brilliant with children.

4.5–10 kg 12–17 years

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Russian Blue

Quiet, elegant, often well-tolerated by allergy sufferers. Long-lived and undemanding.

3–5 kg 15–20 years

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Savannah

Hybrid of Serval and domestic cat. Striking, athletic, demanding — restricted in some places.

3.5–11 kg 12–20 years

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Scottish Fold

Owl-faced cat with folded ears. Sweet temperament — but the gene that folds ears causes painful…

3–6 kg 11–15 years

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Selkirk Rex

Curly-coated "sheep cat" with a calm, family-friendly temperament.

4–7 kg 14–17 years

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Siamese

Talkative, intelligent, intensely bonded. The vocal aristocrat of the cat world.

2.5–5 kg 12–15 years

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Siberian

Russian forest cat — sturdy, friendly, surprisingly hypoallergenic.

3.5–8 kg 12–18 years

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Singapura

World's smallest cat breed. Sepia-toned, big-eared, deeply affectionate.

2–3.5 kg 11–15 years

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Snowshoe

Pointed cat with white "snowshoe" feet. Affectionate Siamese cousin.

3.5–5.5 kg 14–19 years

🐈‍⬛

Sphynx

Hairless, warm, intensely social. Not low-maintenance despite the lack of fur.

3.5–5 kg 8–14 years

🐈

Tonkinese

Burmese × Siamese cross. The talkative, playful "Tonk" combines the best of both.

2.5–5 kg 12–16 years

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Turkish Van

Ancient Turkish breed famous for loving water. Athletic, affectionate, distinctive markings.

3–9 kg 12–17 years