Puppy cat

Some Maine Coon felines follow their owner from one part of a room to another, jumping onto objects such as sinks, counters, and so on in order to maintain their owner's attention.

Puppy cat (or puppy-like cat, dog-like cat, etc) is a term used to refer to specific breeds of domestic cats that feature unusual behavioral tendencies that are reminiscent of young domestic dogs, those tendencies within the general, broad scope of feline behavior being enhanced through selective breeding. Specific examples include the tendency to follow owners and other people around from room to room, the desire to receive frequent moments of physical affection such as being held and pet, a lack of aggression toward some fellow animals (such as other felines), and a general placid nature. "Puppy cat" and related terms have been used to label breeds such as the 'Maine Coon',[1] 'Manx',[2][3] and 'Ragdoll'.[4][5] While these attributes are found desirable for owners interacting with their cats, problems can occur when the felines are exposed to dogs and strange people, with the cats possibly being too trusting and too friendly for their own good.[4]

The notion of cats that act, sound, look, and otherwise are highly similar to dogs has been explored in several fictional works in modern popular culture, including the animated series Bee and PuppyCat. Viral images of cats attempting to infiltrate groups of dogs and other such things are also a part of internet humor alongside 'lolcats'.

Example breeds

American Shorthair or Random Bred

Well-raised kittens demonstrate affection towards humans and a pleasant, docile nature. This trait is not specific to any particular breed, as the upbringing of the kitty is a more important factor. Positive interaction with humans in the first few months of life is particularly important.

A particular cat's behavior can be assessed by its restraint in using claws during play, tendency to follow their human care taker, and appreciation of close and frequent human contact.

Maine Coon

One of the largest cat breeds in existence, the origin of the Maine Coon has been shrouded in a great deal of myths and legends. The felines are, in the words of Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians President Kara Burns and Dr. Lori Renda-Francis, "often referred to as 'dog like'". This occurs not just in terms of their size and stature but also because of the cats' usually pleasant mannerisms and tendency to closely follow their owners, and obey them. Maine Coon cats also are often trainable given their intelligence and affectionate nature. The felines have large and silky coats yet grooming is made easier given their desire to be frequently handled.[1]

Manx

In terms of the Manx breed, many of these cats show behaviors like that of puppies, such as coming when their owners whistle or call their names. Cats of this breed are known for jumping and climbing about obstacles as well as burying things, even collecting and burying toys at times. Manx felines will also display strong affection generally. Dr. David Taylor, writer and founder of the founder of International Zoo Veterinary Group, has labeled the breed as "positively dog-like".[2][3]

Ragdoll

Many ragdolls feature noticeable points, such as this blue-eyed cat.

Originating from the southern California area in the United States, the Ragdoll breed gained its name by the animals' tendency to go limp when picked up as well as for their general tendencies to rest in that kind of bent position. The breed is known for how the cats usually display a calm, relaxed temperament, with the animals often seeking physical affection from owners and following owners around. The felines will sometime even play games such as 'fetch' given their love for socializing-type activities.[4][5]

Ann Baker, a Persian cat breeder, developed the Ragdoll in the 1960s starting with the offspring of a domestic long-haired white cat named Josephine, selecting for positive temperaments, pleasing looks, and non-matting fur. The Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed in 1993 in the "miscellaneous" class. Physically, the cats generally have light-colored coats with Siamese-like points, with darker edges in areas such as the cats' paws and ears. Male ragdolls can become physically quite large, going up to around twenty pounds, even while still maintaining a general sort of playfulness well into adulthood. Since members of the breed are prone to be overly trusting, owners must exercise caution when bringing the cats outdoors. However, the felines generally interact well with children, seniors, and other pets.[5]

In fictional media

The animated series Catscratch depicts the adventures of three talking animals that, while being cats, display both human-like and dog-like behaviors while having various mishaps. In the particular episode Off the Leash, the cat Waffle runs away from home and manages to hang out with a group of dogs for a time, though soon encountering a dog-catcher. Created by Doug TenNapel, who has also worked on Adventure Time and other cartoons, the program was broadcast from 2005 to 2007 on Nickelodeon.

The ongoing cartoon program Bee and PuppyCat features as a title character a magical being of unknown origin that appears and acts like a cat-dog hybrid. First airing in August 2013 on YouTube,[6] Natasha Allegri created the web series as a personal project with influences from Japanese cartoons such as Sailor Moon. The series is produced by Frederator Studios.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kara Burns; Lori Renda-Franci (2014). Textbook for the Veterinary Assistant. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118813768.
  2. 1 2 "Top Three Dog-Like Cat Breeds". Pet MD. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Taylor, David (2011). The Complete Contented Cat. David & Charles. p. 22. ISBN 9780715336410.
  4. 1 2 3 Benjamin L. Hart; Lynette A. Hart (2013). Your Ideal Cat: Insights Into Breed and Gender Differences in Cat Behavior. Purdue University Press. pp. 99–101. ISBN 9781557536488.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ragdoll". VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Bee and PuppyCat is as adorable and bizarre as ever". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  7. ↑ Liz Ohanesian. "Bee & PuppyCat, the Rare Cartoon About an Adult Woman". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
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