Rob Amend
Author for A-Z Animals

Rob Amend is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily covering meteorology, geology, geography, and animal oddities. He attained a Master's Degree in Library Science in 2000 and served as reference librarian in an urban public library for 22 years. Rob lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, photography, woodworking, listening to classic rock, and watching classic films—his favorite animal is a six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey.


Teacup Chihuahua Picture

Chihuahuas are enthusiastic and friendly dogs that originated some time ago in Mexico. Though they are wary of strangers, they are loyal and loving dogs that deal well with children… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Teacup Poodle Picture

Introduction The teacup poodle is a designer/toy variety of the standard poodle that so many dog owners know and love. The origins of the poodle are shrouded in mystery, but… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Maltipom Picture

The Maltipom is a first-generation designer toy breed created by merging Maltese and Pomeranian parents. It has its origin in the United States. In combining the two, you end up… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Black Mouth Cur Picture

"From the dog's description in the book, it is believed that Old Yeller was a black mouth cur." Introduction The black mouth cur is something of a jack-of-all-trades in the… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Scottish Deerhound Picture

"The Scottish deerhound was bred to hunt the giant red deer." Introduction The Scottish deerhound is a giant coursing hound bred in Scotland to hunt the giant red deer. Evidence… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Lagotto Romagnolo Picture

Introduction The Lagotto Romagnolo is an older breed, developed in Italy to hunt waterfowl in the 1600s (possibly dating back to Etruscan civilization before the 2nd century BC.) The breed… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Swedish Lapphund Picture

Summary The Sami people (formerly known as Lapps) bred the Swedish Lapphund to herd reindeer. This furry black (sometimes brown) dog is the oldest of Sweden's native dog breeds. It… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Shikoku Picture

Introduction The Shikoku is a Japanese member of the working group of dogs. One of six native Japanese breeds, the medium-sized, spitz-type dog was bred by Japanese hunters to track… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Dandie Dinmont Terrier Picture

Introduction The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a feisty little dog with enough attitude for a dog three times its size. Bred in Scotland in the 17th or 18th centuries to… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Shetland Sheepdog Picture

Introduction The Shetland Sheepdog is a lovable bundle of energy. This tiny member of the herding group was bred in the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland to herd… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Korean Jindo Picture

Introduction The Korean Jindo is an ancient hunting dog from the non-sporting group that developed over thousands of years on the Island of Jindo, southwest of South Korea. They freely… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Pharaoh Hound Picture

Introduction The Pharaoh Hound, considered a "primitive" type, is a dog from the hound group. Originally from Egypt, it was brought by the Phoenicians to the island of Malta 2,500… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Bracco Italiano Picture

Introduction Few dogs have a history like the Bracco Italiano. An ancient Italian hunting breed dating back to images from the 4th and 5th centuries BC, this member of the… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Brazilian Treehopper Picture

Brazilian Treehoppers are insects from the Membracidae family, of the Hemiptera order of true bugs. They have a distinct cluster of ball-shaped growths on their back, which gives them an… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago


Finnish Lapphund Picture

The Sami bred the Finnish Lapphund to herd reindeer! Introduction The Finnish Lapphund is an ancient hunting and herding dog bred by the Sami people in the Lapland region of… Read More

By Rob Amend 2 years ago