Dogue de Boxer

The Boxer is a medium to large, well-muscled dog presenting a powerful, athletic appearance while maintaining elegance and agility. Male Boxers typically stand twenty-three to twenty-five inches at the shoulder and weigh sixty-five to eighty pounds, while females measure twenty-one and a half to twenty-three and a half inches and weigh fifty to sixty-five pounds. The breed exhibits a square profile when viewed from the side, with the length of body equal to the height at the withers, creating balanced proportions that contribute to efficient, ground-covering movement. The head is the Boxer's most distinctive feature, characterized by a blunt, broad muzzle that is approximately one-third the length of the head with a pronounced stop creating a definite angle between the skull and face. The breed possesses an undershot jaw, meaning the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw, which is essential to the breed type. Deep wrinkles appear on the forehead when the ears are erect, and the cheeks are well-developed without excessive loose skin. The eyes are dark brown, set forward on the skull, and convey an intelligent, alert expression. The nose is broad and black with well-opened nostrils. Ears may be cropped to stand erect or left natural to fold forward with a definite crease. The coat is short, smooth, and tight-fitting, showcasing the muscular definition beneath. Boxers come in two base colors: fawn, which ranges from light tan to deep mahogany red, and brindle, featuring dark stripes on a fawn background. White markings are common and may appear on the chest, face, and feet, though flashy white markings covering more than one-third of the body are discouraged by breed standards. A black mask on the face is required and adds to the breed's distinctive expression. The tail is set high and traditionally docked, though natural tails are increasingly common in regions where docking is prohibited. The chest is deep and moderately broad, with well-sprung ribs and a slight tuck-up in the loin.

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is an ancient breed presenting a massive, powerful appearance that commands immediate attention. Males typically stand twenty-three and a half to twenty-seven inches at the shoulder with a minimum weight of one hundred ten pounds, while females measure twenty-three to twenty-six inches and weigh at least ninety-nine pounds. The breed possesses a stocky, muscular build set somewhat low to the ground, combining tremendous strength with surprising agility for a dog of such substantial size. The head is the most remarkable feature of the Dogue de Bordeaux, being proportionally the largest head in the entire canine world when compared to body size. The skull is broad and rounded with a pronounced stop and deeply furrowed brow that creates an expressive, somewhat serious countenance. The muzzle is powerful and broad, approximately one-third the length of the head, with an undershot jaw where the lower jaw extends beyond the upper. The lips are thick and pendulous, contributing to the breed's characteristic drooling. The nose is broad with well-opened nostrils, and the color coordinates with the mask, ranging from black to brown to reddish depending on the individual's coloring. The coat is fine, short, and soft to the touch, lying close to the heavily muscled body beneath. All Dogue de Bordeaux display some shade of fawn, ranging from light tan through rich mahogany red. Three mask patterns exist within the breed: black mask, which is most common and covers the muzzle and may extend around the eyes; brown mask, which shows the same pattern in a liver shade; and no mask, where the face appears the same color as the body. Limited white markings are acceptable on the chest and feet. The skin is thick and loose, particularly around the neck where it forms a noticeable dewlap, and on the face where it creates the characteristic wrinkles. The ears are small, pendant, and set high, hanging close to the cheeks. The tail is thick at the base, tapering to the tip, and is carried low.