All animal breeds
Explore character, care and the everyday life you could share.
97 animals in this selection Each has a story.
Animal list
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Aquarium Fish Goldfish
Beginner The goldfish is one of the oldest domesticated fish, cold-water and long-lived. Despite the popular image of a small round bowl, it needs a large tank or pond … 10 – 20 yrsSmall -
Terrarium animals Ball Python
Beginner The ball python is the most popular terrarium snake – calm, slow and rarely aggressive. When alarmed it curls into a tight ball, which is how it got its name. 20 – 30 yrsMedium -
Dogs Miniature Poodle
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Miniature Poodle is a scaled-down but equally sharp version of the Poodle - an adaptable, highly trainable apartment-friendly companion whose smaller size … 13 – 16 yrsSmall -
Terrarium animals Bearded Dragon
Beginner The bearded dragon is the most popular terrarium lizard – active by day, placid and used to people. It does, however, need a large enclosure with strong UVB an… 8 – 12 yrsSmall -
Terrarium animals Crested Gecko
Beginner The crested gecko is a nocturnal arboreal climber from New Caledonia, 20–25 cm long including the tail. It is recognised by the eyelash-like skin crests above … 15 – 20 yrsSmall -
Rabbits New Zealand White Rabbit
Beginner The New Zealand White is a larger rabbit breed with a snow-white coat and reddish eyes that, despite its name, originates from the USA. Its calm, patient tempe… 5 – 8 yrsMedium -
Aquarium Fish Molly
Beginner The molly is a hardy, medium-sized livebearer popular for community tanks. It is undemanding and peaceful, but appreciates slightly harder, mildly brackish wat… 3 – 5 yrsSmall -
Cats Toyger
ApartmentBeginnerActive The Toyger is a “toy tiger” – a domestic cat deliberately bred so its dark stripes on an orange coat evoke a tiger. Behind the wild look hides a friendly, even… 12 – 15 yrsMedium -
Aquarium Fish Honey Gourami
Beginner The honey gourami is a small, gentle labyrinth fish in a honey-orange colour. It is one of the calmest gouramis and an excellent choice for a smaller community… 4 – 6 yrsMini -
Cats European Shorthair
ApartmentBeginner The European Shorthair is the pedigreed, standardized version of the ordinary European house cat – a robust, adaptable and genetically diverse breed, officiall… 12 – 18 yrsMedium -
Rodents Roborovski Hamster
BeginnerActive The Roborovski hamster is the smallest and fastest pet hamster – barely 4–5 cm long. It is extremely lively and more for watching than cuddling, a delight for … 3 – 4 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Guppy
Beginner The guppy is a small, colourful livebearer and one of the most popular beginner species. It is undemanding, peaceful and social, but breeds extremely fast, so … 2 – 3 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Zebra Danio
BeginnerActive The zebra danio is a fast, extremely lively shoaling fish with zebra-like stripes and among the hardiest beginner species. It tolerates a wide range of conditi… 3 – 5 yrsMini -
Parrots Lineolated Parakeet
Beginner The Lineolated Parakeet is a tiny South American parrot with fine black barring on its plumage, regarded as one of the quietest and calmest parrots of all. It … 10 – 15 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Platy
Beginner The platy is a small, colourful livebearer widely considered one of the easiest fish for beginners. It is peaceful, undemanding about water and thrives in a co… 3 – 5 yrsMini -
Cats Neva Masquerade
ApartmentBeginner The Neva Masquerade is the colourpoint sister of the Siberian cat: a powerful, thickly coated Russian beauty with a dark facial “mask” and blue eyes. It is a c… 12 – 15 yrsLarge -
Aquarium Fish White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Beginner The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a small, extremely hardy shoaling fish that tolerates cooler water and needs no heater. It is peaceful, colourful and one of… 3 – 5 yrsMini -
Rodents Syrian Hamster
Beginner The Syrian or golden hamster is the largest and most popular pet hamster. A solitary nocturnal animal with an endearing look, it becomes trusting with gentle h… 2 – 3 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Harlequin Rasbora
Beginner The harlequin rasbora is recognised by the black triangle on its copper-orange body. It is an undemanding, long-lived shoaling fish and one of the best choices… 5 – 8 yrsMini -
Terrarium animals Corn Snake
Beginner The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a non-venomous snake native to the southeastern United States, reaching 90-150 cm and living 15-23 years in captivity… 15 – 23 yrsSmall -
Cats Chartreux
ApartmentBeginner The Chartreux is an old French cat breed with a blue-grey woolly coat, copper eyes, and an unusually quiet, devoted temperament. 12 – 15 yrsMedium -
Parrots Red-crowned Kakariki
BeginnerActive The Red-crowned Kakariki is a small green parakeet from New Zealand with a distinctive red patch on its head. It is an extremely lively, curious and relatively… 10 – 15 yrsSmall -
Rodents Fancy Rat
BeginnerActive The fancy rat is regarded as one of the most intelligent and affectionate small pets. It is a clean, extremely social and trainable animal that recognises its … 2 – 3 yrsSmall -
Cats Tonkinese
ApartmentBeginnerActive The Tonkinese is a cross between the Siamese and the Burmese, combining the best of both: a silky coat in the mink pattern, aquamarine eyes and an extremely so… 12 – 16 yrsMedium
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Load moreHow to choose the right pet or breed
Do not choose by appearance alone. Temperament, size, activity level and daily care needs matter just as much.
Think about how much time you can spend on grooming, training, play and companionship. Beginners often do best with breeds whose needs are clear and manageable.
Be careful with broad health claims: some breeds may be more prone to certain issues, so speak with a veterinarian or a responsible breeder.