Bull Chow Terrier

The Bull Terrier is a strongly built, muscular dog that presents a unique and immediately recognizable appearance among all canine breeds. The standard variety typically stands between twenty and twenty-four inches at the shoulder and weighs between forty-five and eighty pounds, while the miniature variety stands under fourteen inches and weighs between twenty-five and thirty-five pounds. The breed's body is solidly constructed with a short, strong back, well-sprung ribs, and substantial bone structure that conveys remarkable power and agility. The chest is broad when viewed from the front, and the underline forms a graceful curve from the brisket to the belly. Despite their muscular build, Bull Terriers should appear balanced and capable of athletic movement. The Bull Terrier's head is its most distinctive feature and is unlike that of any other dog breed. Viewed from the front, the head is egg-shaped and completely filled, presenting a smooth curve from the top of the skull down to the nose without any stop or indentation between the eyes. The profile shows a gentle downward curve from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose, creating a Roman-nose appearance that is unique to this breed. Small, thin, triangular ears stand close together and are carried stiffly erect. The eyes are small, dark, and deeply set, appearing triangular in shape and placed obliquely, which gives the breed its characteristic keen, determined, intelligent expression. The Bull Terrier's short, flat, harsh coat lies close to the body and has a glossy appearance when the dog is in good condition. The breed comes in two color varieties: white, which may have markings on the head but should be pure white on the body, and colored, which includes brindle preferred, as well as black brindle, red, fawn, and tricolor. Colored dogs may have white markings but the color should predominate. The tail is short, set low, and carried horizontally, tapering to a fine point. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes.

The Chow Chow is a powerfully built, sturdy dog of square proportions that presents a distinctive, lion-like appearance unlike any other breed. Standing seventeen to twenty inches at the shoulder and typically weighing between forty-five and seventy pounds, with males generally larger than females, the Chow Chow combines a compact, muscular body with dignified bearing. The breed's most immediately recognizable features include its abundant coat, distinctive blue-black tongue and mouth, and unusual stilted gait caused by rather straight rear legs that create a unique movement pattern. The Chow Chow's head is large and broad with a flat skull and short, broad muzzle that give the face a somewhat pushed-in appearance, though not as extreme as truly brachycephalic breeds. The muzzle is well-padded, giving the face a square appearance when viewed from the front. Small, triangular ears are thick and rounded at the tips, standing erect and tilting slightly forward, giving an alert and somewhat scowling expression. The deep-set, dark brown, almond-shaped eyes convey the breed's characteristic dignified, aloof expression and appear almost hidden by the surrounding facial fur. The blue-black pigmentation of the tongue, gums, flews, and roof of the mouth is a unique breed characteristic and should be solid in color, with pink spots considered a serious fault. Two coat varieties exist in the Chow Chow: rough and smooth. The rough variety features a profuse, dense, straight outer coat that stands off from the body, with an exceptionally thick ruff around the neck creating the breed's distinctive mane-like appearance reminiscent of a lion. The smooth variety has a shorter coat without the prominent ruff but still possesses dense, plush fur with a noticeable undercoat. Both varieties have soft, woolly undercoats that provide excellent insulation. Acceptable colors include red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, with each color being solid throughout. The heavily plumed tail is set high and carried close to the back, completing the breed's distinctive silhouette.