La-Chon

The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy dog that presents the distinctive appearance of a fluffy white powder puff, combining elegant beauty with surprising substance beneath its abundant coat. Standing 9.5 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 12 and 18 pounds, this breed achieves a perfect balance of compact strength with graceful elegance. The body is slightly longer than tall, with a level topline and a high-set plumed tail that curves gracefully over the back. Despite their delicate appearance, Bichons possess medium bone and well-developed musculature that reflects their heritage as active companion dogs capable of performing tricks and participating in various canine sports. The breed's head is well-proportioned to the body, with a slightly rounded skull, a moderately defined stop, and a muzzle that is neither snippy nor coarse. The eyes are one of the breed's most captivating features: dark, round, and expressive, set looking straight ahead, and surrounded by dark pigmentation called halos that accentuate their alert, curious expression. The ears are drop-shaped, set slightly above eye level, covered with long flowing hair, and blend into the head when properly groomed. When groomed, the head appears as a perfectly round ball of fluffy white hair, creating the breed's signature look. The Bichon Frise's coat is undoubtedly one of its most distinctive features, consisting of a soft, dense undercoat and a coarser, curlier outer coat that combine to create a unique plush texture remarkably similar to velvet. When properly maintained through regular bathing and brushing, the coat springs back when touched and stands off from the body to create the characteristic powder puff appearance. The coat is always white, the only color accepted. Adult dogs may retain slight buff, cream, or apricot shadings around the ears, but excessive coloring is undesirable. The coat requires extensive dedicated grooming including daily brushing and monthly professional grooming to maintain its beauty and proper texture.

The Lhasa Apso is a small, sturdy dog with a distinctive rectangular body shape, appearing noticeably longer than tall when viewed from the side, reflecting centuries of careful breeding in the isolated highlands of Tibet. Standing 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder, with females sometimes slightly smaller, and weighing between 12 and 18 pounds, this breed presents a substantial yet compact presence. The body is well-balanced with a level topline, strong loins, and sturdy, straight legs with well-developed muscle. The overall structure reflects the breed's heritage as a hardy mountain dog, developed to withstand the harsh climate of the Tibetan Himalayas where it served as a vigilant sentinel in Buddhist monasteries and noble palaces. The breed's most striking feature is its heavy, dense double coat that parts naturally in the middle and falls straight to the floor when fully grown, creating a dramatic curtain of hair that can completely obscure the body. The outer coat is hard and straight, neither woolly nor silky, providing protection against harsh weather while the softer undercoat provides essential insulation. The abundant head furnishings fall gracefully over the eyes and face, with a well-developed beard and distinctive whiskers contributing to the breed's distinguished, almost mystical appearance. The heavily feathered tail curls over the back, blending into the body coat. Lhasa Apsos come in all colors, with the breed standard accepting any color or combination without preference. Common colors include honey, gold, wheaten, cream, white, black, slate, smoke, and various parti-color combinations. Some dogs display characteristically darker tips on the ears, beard, and tail. The breed's dark brown, almond-shaped eyes are set moderately deep and wide apart, conveying an intelligent, sometimes imperious expression. The ears are pendant and heavily feathered, hanging close to the head. The feet are round and catlike with abundant hair between the toes, providing protection in snowy terrain. The overall impression is of an ancient, dignified dog with aristocratic bearing.