Lhasanese

The Lhasa Apso is a small but well-built dog with a distinctive long, flowing coat that was developed in the harsh climate of the Tibetan Himalayas. Males typically stand ten to eleven inches at the shoulder and weigh fourteen to eighteen pounds, while females are slightly smaller at nine to ten inches and twelve to sixteen pounds. The breed has a rectangular body shape, being longer than tall, which gives them a balanced and substantial appearance despite their small size. Their build is sturdy and well-muscled, reflecting their origins as hardy sentinel dogs in Tibetan monasteries and palaces. The coat of the Lhasa Apso is one of its most striking features, consisting of a heavy, dense double coat that parts naturally down the middle of the back and falls straight to the floor when fully grown. The outer coat is hard and straight, neither silky nor woolly, while the undercoat provides insulation. All colors and color combinations are acceptable in the breed standard, including golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, black, white, brown, and parti-colors. Many Lhasas have darker ear tips and facial furnishings, and the coat color may change as the dog matures. The head of the Lhasa Apso is one of its most distinguishing characteristics, featuring a moderately narrow skull that is neither domed nor completely flat. The muzzle is of medium length, approximately one and a half inches from the stop to the tip of the nose, which should be black. The dark brown eyes are medium-sized and set looking straight ahead, giving the dog an alert and intelligent expression. Heavy head furnishings fall over the eyes, and a beard and whiskers frame the face. The pendant ears are heavily feathered and hang close to the cheeks. The tail is well-feathered and carried in a screw fashion over the back, often with a kink at the end.

The Pekingese is a compact, stocky toy breed with a distinctive appearance that reflects its imperial Chinese heritage, where it was bred to resemble the lion, a symbol of Buddha in Asian cultures. These dogs are small but surprisingly heavy for their size, standing six to nine inches at the shoulder and weighing up to fourteen pounds, with the breed standard disqualifying any individual exceeding this weight. The smallest Pekingese, historically called sleeve dogs because they were carried in the voluminous sleeves of Chinese royalty, may weigh as little as six pounds. The body is longer than tall, low to the ground, and presents a compact, pear-shaped outline when viewed from above. The head of the Pekingese is its most distinctive feature, being massive in proportion to the body with a broad, flat skull and a very short, flat muzzle that creates the breed's characteristic brachycephalic profile. The large, round, prominent eyes are set wide apart and dark in color, giving the dog a bold, direct expression. The heart-shaped ears lie flat against the head and are heavily feathered, framing the face. The breed has a slight undershot jaw, and the nose is black and positioned between the eyes, with the skin folds of the face contributing to the breed's unique leonine appearance. The Pekingese coat is one of the breed's most impressive features, consisting of a long, coarse outer coat with a thick, soft undercoat that forms a magnificent mane around the shoulders and neck, enhancing the lion-like impression. The feathering on the ears, back of the legs, tail, and toes is profuse and luxurious. All coat colors and markings are acceptable in the breed standard, including red, fawn, black, white, sable, and cream, with or without a black mask. The tail is set high, carried well over the back to either side, and covered with long, profuse hair. The breed moves with a distinctive rolling gait caused by its broad chest and bowed front legs, presenting an unhurried, dignified movement.