Papi-Inu

The Papillon is a small, elegant toy breed that stands between eight and eleven inches at the shoulder and typically weighs between three and ten pounds. This dainty yet surprisingly sturdy dog possesses a fine-boned frame that is slightly longer than it is tall, giving it a well-balanced and harmonious appearance. The breed moves with a light, graceful gait that reflects its lively personality and athletic capabilities. The head is small with a slightly rounded skull, and the muzzle is fine and tapered, approximately one-third the length of the head. The dark, round eyes are medium-sized and set well apart, giving the Papillon an alert and intelligent expression that is highly characteristic of the breed. The most distinctive feature of the Papillon is its large, wing-shaped ears that stand erect and are set at a forty-five degree angle on the head. These magnificent butterfly-like ears, from which the breed derives its French name meaning butterfly, are heavily fringed with long, flowing hair that creates an elegant and eye-catching silhouette. Some Papillons are born with drop ears, and these dogs are known as Phalenes, meaning moth in French. The breed's single coat is long, fine, and silky with no undercoat, which means the Papillon does not have the typical doggy odor and does not experience the heavy seasonal shedding common to double-coated breeds. The coat lies flat against the body and is shorter on the head and front of the legs, with profuse feathering on the chest, ears, backs of the legs, and tail. The tail is set high and carried arched gracefully over the back like a flowing plume, adding to the breed's elegant appearance. The breed's coloring is always parti-color, which means white with patches of any other color covering the body and head. Common color combinations include white with black, red, orange, tan, or sable markings. A white blaze and noseband are preferred in show dogs, creating a symmetrical and pleasing facial pattern.

The Shiba Inu is a compact, well-muscled dog that represents the smallest of Japan's native breeds. Males stand between fourteen and a half to sixteen and a half inches at the shoulder and weigh approximately twenty-three pounds, while females are slightly smaller at thirteen and a half to fifteen and a half inches and around seventeen pounds. The breed displays distinct sexual dimorphism, with males appearing masculine without coarseness and females appearing feminine without weakness of structure. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, creating a balanced, athletic appearance. The Shiba moves with a light, quick, and agile gait that reflects its original purpose as a hunting dog in the mountainous terrain of Japan. The Shiba Inu's head contributes significantly to its fox-like appearance, featuring a broad forehead with a slight furrow, a moderately thick and tapered muzzle, and a well-defined stop. The triangular ears are small, set well apart, and erect, tilting slightly forward in an alert posture. The eyes are somewhat triangular in shape, deep-set, and dark brown, with outer corners that slant upward. The overall expression is one of keen alertness and spirited boldness. The nose is black, though liver-colored noses are acceptable in cream-colored dogs. The lips are tight, and the bite should be scissor or level. The Shiba Inu's double coat is one of its most striking features, consisting of a soft, thick undercoat covered by a straight, stiff outer coat that stands up to two inches in length at the withers. The tail hair is slightly longer and fans out in a distinctive brush shape. The tail itself is thick, powerful, and carried in a sickle or curled position over the back. Acceptable colors include red, which is the most common and preferred shade, sesame, black and tan, and cream. All colors except cream must display urajiro, a specific pattern of cream to white coloring on the underside of the body, muzzle, cheeks, and other areas.