Ruffie

(RUFF-ee)

The ruffie is one of the most common and beloved domestic animals in all of Subeta. These canines make loyal, playful companions for just about anyone - from families to young couples to single professionals and octogenarians. They get along well with other animals as well, making them a great, well-balanced pet all around.

The ruffie is a small-to-medium size pet, standing an average of 16 inches (41 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 20 to 25 pounds (9-10.8 kgs). The average ruffie owner is encouraged to neuter their pets, as there are no shortage of ruffies often available in Delphi's adoption agency. There are professional breeders, however, always working to better the breed, including its temperment and health. Ruffies will have 4-6 pups a litter on average, although they have been known to have as many as 10!

A very adaptable animal, the ruffie is suited to life in both apartments and on large farms. They are moderately intelligent, and they do respond well to positive reinforcement training. However, they can become overwhelmed by learning too many things at once, so a slow-and-steady approach works best for them. Ruffies can be trained to be service animals as well, and they are able to assist with a number of daily household tasks. Ruffies do need regular grooming, as their fur is quite thick, and regular exercise is important to keep them fit and trim. They will play simple games such as chase and tug-of-war, and the smartest ruffies are quite fond of agility training as well. One thing they do not excel at, however, is being a good guard dog - while they can be protective of their families, their willingness to accept pets from a stranger makes them poorly suited for this profession!