Twenty breeds, side by side — ten that bark and ten that meow. Sized, sorted, and catalogued for browsing, from working dogs bred for the field to lap cats bred for the windowsill.
Originally used by fishermen to haul nets and retrieve catch from icy water, which explains the water-resistant coat and famously otter-like tail.
Developed in the late 1800s as an all-purpose herding and guard dog, prized today for trainability that makes it a standard choice in police and service work.
Descended from miniature English bulldogs brought over by lace workers, then refined in Paris into the bat-eared companion breed known today.
Bred in the Scottish Highlands to retrieve waterfowl over both land and water, with a soft mouth gentle enough to carry an egg without cracking it.
Originally a water retriever — the trademark trimmed coat was practical, keeping joints warm in cold water while freeing the legs for swimming.
Bred to hunt in packs by scent, tracking hares across open country; that nose is still considered one of the most sensitive in the dog world.
The long, low build was purpose-built for digging into badger burrows — the name literally translates to "badger dog" in German.
Widely regarded as the most trainable dog breed, developed for herding sheep using an intense, low-crouched "eye" to control the flock at a distance.
Bred by the Chukchi people to pull light loads over long distances in extreme cold, built for endurance rather than raw pulling power.
Once bred to hunt wild boar, today it is best known simply as the tallest dog breed — often taller standing on hind legs than its owner.
One of the largest domestic cat breeds, developed naturally in New England barns, with tufted paws and a heavy coat suited to harsh winters.
One of the oldest recognised breeds, known for pointed colouring — darker face, ears, paws and tail — and an unusually loud, demanding voice.
Imported to Europe in the 1600s and prized ever since for its flat face and flowing coat, though that coat needs daily brushing to stay mat-free.
Descended from Roman-era working cats brought to Britain, now known for a round "teddy bear" face and an easygoing, undemanding temperament.
Created by crossing domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat, resulting in a wild-looking spotted or marbled coat and a notably athletic streak.
Named for a tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up, bred in the 1960s specifically for a placid, affectionate temperament.
Bred from a natural hairless mutation in 1960s Toronto; without fur to trap body oils, regular bathing is part of normal upkeep, not a luxury.
Each hair carries several bands of colour — called "ticking" — giving the coat a shimmering, almost wild-hare texture unlike a solid-coloured cat.
Traces back to a single folded-ear barn cat found in 1961; the fold comes from a cartilage gene that breeders now pair carefully for joint health.
A dense double coat stands up on its own when stroked, giving it a plush, silvery sheen; the breed is known for being reserved with strangers but devoted at home.