Affen Tzu

The Affenpinscher is a small, sturdy toy dog that stands between nine and eleven and a half inches at the shoulder and weighs seven to ten pounds. This compact breed possesses a well-balanced, square build with medium bone structure, exhibiting neither a delicate nor overly robust frame. The body is proportioned so that the height at the withers is approximately equal to the length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, creating the characteristic square silhouette. The breed carries itself with a distinctly confident and alert posture, holding its head high to project an air of self-importance and comic seriousness. The coat is one of the Affenpinscher's most distinctive features, consisting of dense, rough, harsh hair approximately one inch long on the shoulders and body. The hair may be shorter on the rear and tail, while the head, neck, chest, stomach, and legs display longer, less harsh furnishings. Mature dogs develop a characteristic mane or cape of strong hair that blends into the back coat at the withers area. The longer hair on the head, eyebrows, and beard stands off from the face, framing it to create the breed's signature monkey-like expression. Acceptable coat colors include black, gray, silver, red, black and tan, or belge, with black being preferred by most standards. The head is carried confidently and remains proportionate to the body, featuring a round, domed skull with a prominent forehead and clearly defined stop. The muzzle is short and straight with a flat bridge, while the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw in a slightly undershot bite. Large, round, dark eyes are placed well apart and sparkle with mischief, contributing to the breed's distinctive facial expression. The ears are set high and may be cropped to stand erect or left natural in either erect, semi-erect, or dropped positions.

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, compact toy dog standing between eight and eleven inches at the shoulder and weighing nine to sixteen pounds. The breed presents a slightly longer than tall body proportion with solid substance and excellent balance throughout. Despite their small size, these dogs are neither delicate nor fragile, possessing a robust build that gives them a surprisingly solid feel when lifted. The breed carries itself with a distinctly proud and arrogant head carriage, moving with a smooth, flowing, effortless gait that demonstrates good front reach and rear drive. The breed's most recognizable feature is its luxurious double coat, which is dense, long, and flowing with a soft undercoat for warmth. The outer coat has a slightly wavy texture but should never be curly. When left uncut, the coat grows to impressive lengths that sweep the floor, requiring significant grooming maintenance. The hair on the head grows in all directions, creating a characteristic chrysanthemum-like appearance when viewed face-on. A topknot is traditionally tied to keep hair from obscuring the eyes. All coat colors and markings are permissible and considered equally acceptable by breed standards, though white blazes on the forehead and white tail tips are particularly prized. The head is broad and round with a warm, sweet, wide-eyed expression that captures the breed's friendly nature. The skull features a definite stop leading to a short, square muzzle that is unwrinkled and set no lower than the bottom eye rim. Large, dark, round eyes are set well apart and should not bulge excessively. The breed has a distinctive undershot bite, with the lower jaw slightly wider than the upper. Large, heavily-coated ears hang down and are set slightly below the crown of the skull, blending into the overall coat. The tail is set high and carried in a well-plumed curve over the back.