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An idiosyncrasy is a distinctive peculiarity of the mental or bodily constitution of any person, or that constitution or temperament which is peculiar to any person. The term sometimes corresponds with antipathy.
 Research Idiosyncrasy
The Africander (Afrikaner) is a native South African breed of cow. It belongs to the Sanga type and is used primarily for meat production. The breed is usually red with long lateral horns. Sanga type cattle, in huge herds, were owned by the Hottentots when the Dutch established the Cape Colony in 1652. The animals were obtained by the colonists who improved them for use as draft animals. It was
Africander oxen that drew the wagons which carried Boer farmers and families on the Great Trek of 1835 - 1836 from the Cape of Good Hope to the Orange Free State, Natal and the Transvaal to escape British rule. The
Africander is South Africa's most popular native breed, comprising 30% of the cattle population.
Africander cattle exhibit good resistance to heat, a high level of tick resistance, quiet temperament and a satisfactorily high level of fertility under harsh conditions. Mature cows weigh approximately 525 to 600 kg and bulls weigh 750 to 1000 kg. The Africander was used with Shorthorn in developing the Bonsmara breed and with Holstein cows in creating the Drakensberger.
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The Akhal-Teke is a Turkmenistan breed of light horse, originating around 1000 BC or before. The Akhal-Teke stands between 14 and 15 hands high and is dun, palomino, bay chestnut or grey in colour and have a sparse mane and tail. They are very long and slender through the frame with a finely modelled head and an unusually long and muscular neck. The shoulders are sloping, allowing a soft gait. The withers are high, and the back is long with a shallow ribcage. The legs are long and fine boned. The Akhal-Teke makes a good riding horse, having a brave but stubborn temperament. Traditionally they are used for racing, and are respected for their endurance.
Research Akhal-Teke
The American Shetland is an American bread of trotting pony which developed from 75 Shetland ponies imported to the USA in 1885. The Original Shetland ponies were cross-bred with Hackney ponies and later with small Arabians and small Thoroughbreds to develop a distinct breed of pony with a muscular arched neck, a long and narrow back, broad muscular hindquarters and unusually high withers, standing to about 11 hands high and of a generally good temperament.
Research American Shetland
The Asturian is an ancient breed of endangered Spanish pony from northern Spain, similar to the now extinct Galician pony. The Asturian stands between 11 and 12 hands high, is brown or black in colour and has a placid and good natured temperament.
Research Asturian
The Bali Pony is an ancient breed of Indonesian pony. They have a placid and good-natured temperament, stand between 12 and 13 hands high and are very strong for such a small pony. As might be expected of an old breed they are hardy, self-sufficient, rarely go lame and rarely need shoeing.
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The Basque Pony (Pottock) is an ancient breed of small pony from the Basque mountains along the French-Spanish border. They are small, standing between 11 and 14 hands high, hardy and strong with a placid and good natured temperament and are respected as riding ponies for children.
Research Basque Pony
The Belgian Warmblood is a Belgian breed of competition horse developed during the 1950s especially for competition uses. The Belgian Warmblood stands 16.2 hands high and is mostly bay but can be any solid colour and has an excellent temperament, versatility and athleticism.
Research Belgian Warmblood
The Bengal is a breed of short-haired domestic cat which was developed in the USA in 1970 by breeding an Asian leopard with a domesticated tabby cat. The fur is leopard-patterned, thick, soft and consists of random rosettes of light spots within darker outer circles on a rufus-coloured background. The ears are small and slightly pointed, the tail is long and tapering, the eyes are very large and round and golden. The hind legs are shorter than the forelegs, a trait that makes the cat look like it is stalking when it walks and it has the gentle temperament of its tabby ancestor.
Research Bengal
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a Swiss breed of guard dog bred during the time of the Roman Empire and used to protect supply lines. The Bernese has a long, silky, black, white and tan coloured coat and stands about 70 cm tall. They have a sound temperament and are loyal and alert.
Research Bernese Mountain Dog
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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