Breeds and species
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 Swordtail
BeginnerActive The swordtail is a hardy livebearer in which the male has a characteristic sword-like extension of the tail fin. It is active, colourful and peaceful, suited t… 3 – 5 yrsSmall -
Aquarium Fish Bristlenose Pleco
Beginner The bristlenose pleco is a popular catfish that rasps algae off glass and decor day after day with its sucker mouth. It stays small, is peaceful and is conside… 5 – 10 yrsSmall -
Cats Munchkin
ApartmentBeginnerActive The Munchkin is a cat with distinctly short legs resulting from a natural genetic mutation. Despite its low build it is surprisingly fast, playful and confiden… 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Cats Nebelung
ApartmentBeginner The Nebelung is a rare semi-longhaired cat in silvery blue with emerald-green eyes – the longhaired sister of the Russian Blue. It is a quiet, gentle, somewhat… 15 – 18 yrsMedium -
Rodents Guinea Pig
Beginner The guinea pig is a friendly, sociable rodent that vocalises loudly and recognises its keepers. As a strongly social animal, it should never be kept alone – it… 5 – 8 yrsSmall -
Rodents Winter White Dwarf Hamster
BeginnerActive The Winter White or Siberian dwarf hamster is a small, stocky hamster with a dark dorsal stripe that can fade to white in winter. It is more social than the Sy… 1 – 2 yrsMini -
Rabbits Himalayan Rabbit
Beginner The Himalayan rabbit is one of the oldest rabbit breeds: small, cylindrical, white with dark points and reddish eyes. It is famed as one of the calmest, friend… 7 – 10 yrsSmall -
Cats Burmilla
ApartmentBeginner The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat with a bright silver coat, large green eyes and dark rims around the eyes, nose and lips that look like carefully applied ma… 12 – 16 yrsMedium -
Rodents Mongolian Gerbil
BeginnerActive The Mongolian gerbil is a clean, nearly odourless, daytime-active rodent that lives in company and digs burrows with passion. Its curious, tame nature makes it… 3 – 4 yrsMini -
Rodents Fancy Mouse
BeginnerActive The fancy mouse is a tiny, lively, curious rodent that is mainly for watching. It is strongly social – females live very well in groups – but needs patient tam… 1 – 3 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Corydoras Catfish
Beginner The corydoras is a small shoaling catfish that tirelessly searches the tank bottom. It is exceptionally peaceful, undemanding and, in a group of at least six, … 5 – 8 yrsMini -
Dogs Coton de Tulear
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Coton de Tulear is a small companion dog from Madagascar with a white, cotton-soft coat that gave it its name. It is a cheerful, adaptable and highly peopl… 14 – 16 yrsSmall -
Dogs Greyhound
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Greyhound is the largest sighthound and the fastest sprinter among dogs, yet in everyday life it is a surprisingly calm, quiet couch potato. It comes from … 10 – 14 yrsLarge -
Dogs Bolognese
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Bolognese is a small white companion dog from Bologna, Italy, with a fluffy, flocked coat that barely sheds. It is a calm, gentle companion exceptionally d… 12 – 14 yrsSmall -
Dogs Cardigan Welsh Corgi
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older and rarer of the two Welsh corgis, distinguished from the Pembroke by its long bushy tail and larger rounded ears. It is … 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Cats Snowshoe
ApartmentBeginnerActive The Snowshoe is a medium-sized pointed cat with clear blue eyes and the white paws that gave the breed its name. It was developed in Philadelphia in the 1960s … 14 – 20 yrsMedium -
Cats Ragamuffin
ApartmentBeginner The Ragamuffin is a large, semi-longhaired cat with a gentle and exceptionally affectionate nature, known for its silky coat, large expressive eyes and sweet e… 12 – 16 yrsLarge -
Aquarium Fish Black Tetra
BeginnerActive The black tetra is a lively, hardy shoaling fish with a silver front and a darkened rear body. It is undemanding, but in too small a group it tends to nip the … 3 – 5 yrsMini -
Aquarium Fish Blue Gourami
Beginner The blue gourami is a robust labyrinth fish with distinctive thread-like ventral fins it uses to feel its surroundings. It is undemanding and hardy, though mal… 4 – 6 yrsSmall -
Cats Korat
ApartmentBeginnerActive The Korat is a medium to small cat with a silver-blue single coat, a heart-shaped head and large peridot-green eyes that only reach their final colour at two t… 15 – 20 yrsSmall -
Rodents Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
BeginnerActive Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) is a dwarf hamster from the steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia, usually sold in pet shops simply as a Russi… 2 – 3 yrsMini -
Dogs Međimurje Dog
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Međimurje Dog or Međi (Canis lupus familiaris) is a Croatian native breed of small house guardian from the Međimurje region, recognised by the Croatian Ken… 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Dogs Cockapoo
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Cockapoo (Canis lupus familiaris) is a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and a toy or miniature Poodle, bred deliberately in the USA since the 1960s as one … 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Dogs Japanese Chin
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Japanese Chin (Canis lupus familiaris) is a small companion dog of the Japanese nobility with a flat face, silky coat and cat-like agility; the FCI lists i… 10 – 14 yrsMini
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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.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right breed?
Start with your lifestyle: space, time, experience, preferred activity level and grooming commitment.
Which pet is suitable for beginners?
Beginners often do better with pets that have clear needs, a stable temperament and manageable care.
Is size the most important factor?
No. Size matters, but temperament, activity level, grooming needs and suitability for your home are just as important.
What can I find on Živalce?
A breed and species encyclopedia in Slovenian, Croatian and English, editorial care and nutrition advice with cited sources, six directories — vets, grooming salons, dog schools, hotels and boarding, shelters and breeders — the “Which pet is right for me?” quiz and a search across the whole site. A free account adds a Corner for your own animals.
Is the health content veterinary advice?
No. The content is informational and prepared under our editorial policy with sources; it does not replace an examination or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal has a health problem, see a vet — immediately in an emergency.
How do I list my business (vet, salon, dog school, hotel, shelter, breeder) in a directory?
Through the application form of each of the six directories. Listing is free and the editors review it before publication; once claimed, you edit your listing from your account, and you can request a change or removal at any time through the contact form as well.
What does a user account give me?
In My Pets you add profiles of your animals with a photo, keep a care journal, record weight and set reminders. The records are private and visible only to you; you can delete the account at any time.