French Bull Rat Terrier

The French Bulldog is a compact, muscular dog with a smooth coat and sturdy bone structure that conveys considerable strength despite its relatively small stature. According to AKC breed standards, the French Bulldog should weigh under 28 pounds and stand approximately 11 to 13 inches at the shoulder, creating a well-balanced and proportionate appearance. The body is well-rounded with a broad, deep chest and strong, short back that contributes to the breed's distinctive and recognizable silhouette. The breed possesses a square-shaped head that is large and flat on top between the ears, with a well-defined stop and heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll above the extremely short nose. The characteristic bat ears are broad at the base, elongated, set high on the head, and carried erect with the opening directed forward, giving the breed its unmistakable appearance that distinguishes it from other bulldog varieties. The coat is short, smooth, and fine in texture, lying close to the body and requiring only minimal grooming to maintain its healthy appearance. Accepted colors include brindle, fawn, cream, and white, with various patterns and markings permitted by the breed standard. Brindle patterns range from sparse to heavy tiger striping, while fawn can vary from light cream to deep reddish shades. White markings are common and acceptable on the chest, face, and elsewhere on the body, though solid black, liver, black and tan, and black and white without brindling are considered disqualifications according to breed standards. The skin is soft and loose, particularly at the head and shoulders, forming characteristic wrinkles that require regular cleaning to prevent bacterial and yeast infections. The French Bulldog's expression is alert, curious, and interested, reflecting the breed's intelligent and engaging nature. The eyes are dark in color, set wide apart and positioned low in the skull, appearing round and moderate in size with no white showing when looking straight ahead. The breed moves with a free and vigorous gait, demonstrating good reach in the front and strong drive from the rear during movement. The roach back, a distinctive feature where the back rises slightly behind the shoulders before curving gently down to the croup, gives the breed its characteristic profile. The tail is either straight or screwed but never curly, set low on the body, thick at the root and tapering to a fine point, and carried low during movement.

The American Rat Terrier is a compact, elegant working dog that comes in two distinct size varieties recognized by the AKC. The Miniature variety stands 10 to 13 inches at the withers, while the Standard variety measures over 13 inches up to 18 inches, with typical weights ranging from 10 to 25 pounds proportionate to height. The breed displays a sturdy, muscular build that is slightly longer than tall, giving the appearance of elegance and fitness combined with power and balance required for their vermin-hunting heritage. The body is compact and strong with well-sprung ribs, a level back, and a moderate tuck-up at the loin that contributes to the breed's athletic and agile silhouette. The head resembles a smooth, blunt wedge when viewed from the front or profile, widening gradually toward the base of the ears in an unbroken line. The expression is intelligent, alert, and full of interest in the surroundings, with obliquely set oval eyes that are positioned wide apart. Eye color varies but should complement the coat and appears bright and attentive. The ears are set at the outside edge of the skull and may be erect, tipped, or button, with erect ears being preferred in many bloodlines. The muzzle is strong and slightly shorter than the skull, with a well-defined stop and powerful jaws that reflect the breed's vermin-hunting heritage and capability. The coat is short, smooth, and dense, requiring minimal grooming while providing protection during outdoor work in various conditions. The Rat Terrier's most distinctive feature is its pied coloring pattern, which is required by breed standards. White must be present on the body, typically comprising between 10 and 90 percent of the coat, combined with patches of one or more other colors creating the distinctive parti-colored appearance. Acceptable colors include black, chocolate, red, apricot, blue, fawn, tan, and lemon, with or without tan points. Intense, dark shades of color with clearly defined and delineated coloration are preferred. The breed moves with a ground-covering stride that demonstrates both agility and efficiency, essential qualities for a working terrier.