What's Cuter Than a Baby Cheetah? A Baby Cheetah With Its Puppy Pal
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Zoos regularly match cheetahs with puppies, proving that cats and dogs really can get along. Cheetahs are more timid and reclusive than other big cats, and zoos say they often thrive when paired with a compatible canine. Finding the right match, however, can be tricky. The pairing idea began as a way to provide cubs born without siblings and raised by humans with an animal companion. The San Diego Zoo and the Cincinnati Zoo have matched cheetahs with puppies since the 1980s.
The best personality type for a cheetah’s puppy is one that is friendly, outgoing and a confident extrovert, said Allyssa Leslie, manager of outreach and cheetah programs at the Dallas Zoo. At Wildlife Safari in Winston, Ore., marketing director Jacob Schlueter said they look for a dog with a similar biological background to the cheetah—one that is alike in size, temperament and life span. For this reason, some breeds work better than others.
Labrador retrievers, because of their similar size and affable personalities, are often the breed of choice for cheetah companions. Some zoos, however, simply pick a mutt from the local shelter that matches their criteria... Canine companions can show cheetahs what is and isn’t a threat. That is especially important for big cats who become “ambassador” animals, interacting with the public at educational events. Winspear, a cheetah at the Dallas Zoo, has lived with Amani, a black Labrador retriever, since the two were six weeks old. Six years later, Amani still helps Winspear keep his confidence up.
Baby cheetah Winspear and Amani, a Labrador retriever puppy, at the Dallas Zoo. Photo: Dallas Zoo
Amani, left, and Winspear, are still a team. Photo: Dallas Zoo
At the San Diego Zoo, Ruuxa, a cheetah, and Raina, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, have been together since 2014 and are the zoo’s most closely bonded pair. At four months old, Ruuxa had surgery to correct a growth abnormality in his leg. Throughout the surgery, Raina stayed close to the operating table, patiently observing. The procedure was successful, but the surgeon had some bad news to deliver: he wanted the animals separated for three weeks because the cheetah needed to heal and he didn’t want the dog to disrupt that.
The animals wouldn’t have it. They cried and pawed at each other through the door of Ruuxa’s crate. Ultimately, the surgeon relented, Ms. Rose-Hinostroza said. She allowed Raina into the crate, and the two snuggled. Raina never touched the cat’s bandages, she said. “She was so gentle with them.”
Ruuxa, left, and Raina have been together since 2014. Photo: San Diego Zoo Global
Emmett and Cullen
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https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-cuter-than-a-baby-cheetah-a-baby-cheetah-with-its-puppy-pal-11561732229 (paid subscription)
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The kangal, a canine breed native to Turkey, nowadays helps farmers in the southwestern African country of Namibia where farmers receive the strong guard dogs courtesy of a local fund. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) helps the fund to transport dogs and protect cheetahs by donating a shelter and a vehicle.
Deployed to deter cheetahs from attacking livestock, a means of living for many farmers in the country, the kangal also helps maintain the natural cycle by preserving endangered cheetahs, which otherwise face the danger of being slaughtered.
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Little did I know when I rescued my dog, Tashi, she is this fierce breed. She is definitely a working dog and although she pretends she doesn't want to be a house dog, she loves being inside when I can get her there, especially in summer heat. We have fruit for the first time since we planted several trees and shrubs many years ago.
Beautiful animals!!
Of course, baby donkeys are pretty darn cute, too
Sorry-- I know this thread is about baby cheetahs-- couldn't resist. 
We need the distraction.
