Berner Chow

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, striking breed that commands attention with its sturdy frame and impressive stature. Males typically stand between 25 and 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 80 to 115 pounds, while females measure 23 to 26 inches tall and weigh 70 to 95 pounds. The breed exhibits a well-balanced, muscular build with strong legs and a broad, deep chest that reflects their heritage as working farm dogs in the Swiss Alps. Their body is slightly longer than tall, giving them a rectangular silhouette that conveys both power and agility. The overall impression is of a large, sturdy dog capable of performing demanding physical tasks in challenging mountain terrain. The most distinctive feature of the Bernese Mountain Dog is their beautiful tricolor coat, which displays a jet black base with rich rust and crisp white markings in a symmetrical pattern. The pattern typically includes a white blaze on the face extending between the eyes, a white chest marking often described as a Swiss cross, white paws, and a white tail tip. Rust-colored markings appear prominently above the eyes, on the cheeks, on each side of the chest, and on all four legs beneath the black. The coat itself is long, thick, and silky with a slight wave, featuring a dense undercoat that provides excellent insulation against cold weather. This double coat sheds heavily year-round and requires regular brushing to maintain its lustrous appearance. Additional physical characteristics include a flat, broad skull with a well-defined stop and a strong, straight muzzle. The medium-sized triangular ears are set high and hang close to the head when relaxed. Large, expressive dark brown eyes give the breed an intelligent and gentle appearance that reflects their friendly temperament. The tail is long and bushy, carried low when relaxed but raised with a gentle upward curve when alert or in motion. Their substantial bone structure and muscular development enable them to perform impressive draft work, as these dogs were historically bred to pull carts weighing up to 1,000 pounds through mountainous terrain.

The Chow Chow is a medium-sized, powerfully built breed with a distinctive appearance that has been compared to both a lion and a teddy bear. Males typically stand 19 to 22 inches at the shoulder, while females measure 17 to 20 inches. The breed generally weighs between 45 and 70 pounds, with males averaging 55 to 70 pounds and females ranging from 45 to 55 pounds. The body displays a square, compact profile that emphasizes balance and proportion, with the height at the withers equal to the length of the body. The Chow possesses a broad skull, small triangular ears that stand firmly erect, and deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that contribute to a naturally serious or scowling expression often described as dignified, proud, or aloof. The most famous physical characteristic of the Chow Chow is their unique blue-black or purple tongue, which extends to the lips and gums. This distinctive feature is so important to the breed standard that dogs with pink tongues or spotted tongues are disqualified from conformation showing. The breed comes in two coat varieties: the more common rough coat, which is long, dense, and stands off from the body creating an impressive lion-like mane around the head and neck, and the smooth coat, which is shorter, hard, and dense without the abundant ruff. Both coat types feature a thick, woolly undercoat that provides excellent insulation. Accepted colors include red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, with no color considered more valuable than another. Additional distinctive features include the breed's characteristic stilted gait, resulting from unusually straight rear legs with minimal angulation at the hocks and stifles. This structural feature causes the Chow to move with short, quick steps rather than the flowing, ground-covering movement seen in most other breeds. The tail is set high and carried closely curled over the back, blending with the coat. The heavy coat, especially in the rough variety, requires regular grooming to prevent matting, particularly around the head where the mane develops. Bathing should occur monthly, with thorough drying essential to prevent skin issues. The overall impression is of a compact, powerful dog with an ancient and noble bearing that reflects thousands of years of history.