Afghan Bay Retriever

The Afghan Hound is a tall, elegant sighthound that presents an aristocratic appearance with no trace of coarseness or plainness. Males typically stand around 27 inches at the withers while females measure approximately 25 inches, with both sexes weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. The breed possesses a distinctively refined head with a long, narrow skull that balances evenly with the foreface, and a slight but perceptible stop. The eyes convey an exotic Eastern expression, appearing to gaze into the distance, while the long ears are set low on the head and covered with luxurious silky hair. The jaws are strong with a scissor bite, and the nose is preferably black though liver is acceptable in lighter-colored dogs. The Afghan Hound's most striking feature is its magnificent coat, which consists of thick, silky hair that is very fine in texture. The hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters, and legs are well covered with this flowing coat, while the ears and all four feet are heavily feathered. A distinctive characteristic is the short, close-fitting hair that forms a smooth saddle along the back in mature dogs, contrasting with the longer coat elsewhere. The breed is crowned with a prominent topknot of long, silky hair that adds to its regal appearance. The coat should be shown in its natural state without clipping or trimming, and all colors are permissible except merle, though white markings on the head are considered undesirable. Additional distinctive features include very prominent hipbones, large feet with thick pads that served as shock absorbers on rocky Afghan terrain, and a tail that ends with a characteristic ring curl. The hindquarters are powerful and well-muscled, often appearing as high or slightly higher than the shoulders, creating the breed's unique silhouette. The legs are straight and strong, providing the foundation for the breed's remarkable speed and agility. When moving, the Afghan Hound displays great style and beauty, carrying its head and tail high with an elastic gallop that demonstrates tremendous spring and power in its smooth stride.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful, well-balanced dog of medium to large size, specifically developed to work in the challenging conditions of the Chesapeake Bay region. Males typically stand between 23 and 26 inches at the withers and weigh 65 to 80 pounds, while females measure 21 to 24 inches and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. The breed presents a strong, muscular appearance that conveys both power and athleticism without appearing coarse or cumbersome. A distinctive feature of the Chesapeake is that the hindquarters are often as high or slightly higher than the shoulders, creating a unique silhouette among retrievers. The breed's coat is its most distinguishing characteristic, perfectly adapted for retrieving waterfowl in harsh conditions including ice and snow. The double coat consists of a short, harsh, wavy outer layer that should never exceed one and a half inches in length, paired with a dense, fine, woolly undercoat that contains an abundance of natural oil. This oily texture gives the coat its remarkable water-resistant properties, causing water to bead and roll off rather than penetrating to the skin. The coat colors are specifically designed to blend with working surroundings and include various shades of brown ranging from light cocoa to dark chocolate, sedge ranging from reddish-yellow to chestnut, and deadgrass shades from faded tan to dull straw. The Chesapeake's head is broad and rounded with a medium stop, and the jaws are powerful enough to carry large game birds with a tender grip. The eyes are one of the breed's most striking features, being medium-sized, very clear, and distinctively yellowish or amber in color. The ears are small and set high on the head, hanging loosely and carried close. The tail is medium length, thick at the base, and may have moderate feathering on the underside. The feet are notably webbed, an adaptation that aids in swimming, with well-rounded, compact toes and thick pads.