Cocker-Pei

The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group, presenting a compact and sturdy build that combines athleticism with elegance. Males typically stand between 14.5 and 15.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 25 to 30 pounds, while females measure 13.5 to 14.5 inches and weigh 20 to 25 pounds. The breed possesses a well-proportioned body that is slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest that extends to the elbows and provides ample lung capacity for fieldwork. The head is rounded with a pronounced stop, and the muzzle is broad and deep with square, even jaws. The eyes are round, full, and dark brown in color, giving the breed its characteristic soft, appealing expression. The Cocker Spaniel's coat is one of its most distinctive features, consisting of silky, flat or slightly wavy hair of medium length. The body coat is shorter and finer, while abundant feathering adorns the ears, chest, abdomen, and legs. This luxurious coat comes in a remarkable variety of colors and patterns, including solid black, liver, and red, as well as parti-colors featuring two or more definite colors with white being one of them. The breed standard also recognizes tan points on black or liver backgrounds, creating striking tricolor combinations. ASCOB varieties include any solid color other than black, ranging from lightest cream to darkest red. The ears are perhaps the breed's most recognizable feature, set low on the head at eye level and covered with long, flowing hair that frames the face beautifully. The tail is typically docked in countries where the practice is permitted, carried in line with the topline or slightly higher when the dog is alert or in motion. The overall appearance suggests a capable sporting dog that retains the beauty and refinement developed through generations of selective breeding for both form and function.

The Chinese Shar Pei is a medium-sized dog of compact, square proportions that presents a unique and immediately recognizable appearance among canine breeds. Males typically stand 18 to 20 inches at the withers and weigh 45 to 60 pounds, while females measure 17 to 19 inches and weigh 45 to 55 pounds. The breed's most distinctive characteristic is the loose, wrinkled skin that covers the head, neck, and shoulders, creating deep folds that are especially pronounced in puppies and moderate somewhat as dogs mature. The head is large and slightly rounded with a broad, padded muzzle often described as hippopotamus-like, giving the breed its characteristic scowling expression. The Shar Pei possesses several other unique physical traits that distinguish it from all other breeds. The tongue and roof of the mouth are solid blue-black in color, a characteristic shared only with the Chow Chow among recognized breeds. The ears are small, thick, and triangular, set high on the head and lying flat against the skull. The eyes are small, sunken, and dark, contributing to the breed's serious expression. The tail is thick and round at the base, tapering to a fine point, and is set very high, carried in a characteristic curl over the back or to either side. The breed's coat comes in two acceptable lengths: the extremely short horse coat, which feels harsh and prickly like sandpaper, and the slightly longer brush coat, which should not exceed one inch at the withers. The breed name itself translates to sand skin in Mandarin, referencing the distinctive texture. Any solid color is acceptable, including black, red, fawn, cream, and chocolate, though white is not permitted. The coat requires minimal grooming, but the skin folds must be kept clean and dry to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Overall, the Shar Pei presents an appearance of calm dignity combined with alertness.