Peka-A-West

The Pekingese is a compact, stocky toy breed that carries itself with an air of dignity befitting its imperial Chinese heritage. Despite their small stature, standing only six to nine inches at the withers and weighing between seven and fourteen pounds, these dogs feel surprisingly heavy when lifted due to their muscular, well-built bodies. The breed presents a distinctive lion-like appearance with a broad, flat head that is wider than it is deep, creating an envelope-shaped profile. Their faces are remarkably flat when viewed from the side, with the chin, nose, and brow all lying on one plane that slants slightly backward from chin to forehead. The overall balance of the Pekingese is of utmost importance, with the head appearing large in proportion to the body. The crowning glory of the Pekingese is undoubtedly their profuse double coat, consisting of a long, straight, harsh-textured outer coat and an abundant soft undercoat. This magnificent coat forms a luxurious mane around the neck and shoulders, extending beyond the shoulder blades and creating a cape-like appearance. Generous feathering adorns the ears, back of the legs, tail, and toes, contributing to their regal presence. The breed standard accepts all coat colors and markings equally, with gold, red, and sable being the most common, though cream, black, white, tan, and various combinations also occur. A black mask and dark outlining around the eyes and ears are considered desirable features. Their large, round, dark eyes are set wide apart and have a lustrous, slightly prominent appearance that gives them their characteristic sweet yet somewhat aloof expression. The heart-shaped ears lie flat against the head and are heavily feathered, framing the face beautifully. The Pekingese moves with an unhurried, dignified gait featuring a distinctive rolling motion over the shoulders, a trait that was historically believed to have been selectively bred to prevent these royal dogs from wandering far from their imperial masters.

The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, is a compact, sturdy terrier that presents a picture of strength and alertness despite its relatively small size. Standing approximately ten to eleven inches at the withers and weighing between fifteen and twenty pounds, the Westie possesses a well-balanced, slightly rectangular build with the body length from forechest to rump being equal to or just slightly greater than the height at the withers. This breed is strongly built with deep chest and back ribs, powerful hindquarters, and muscular legs that speak to its heritage as a working terrier capable of pursuing game through rocky Scottish terrain. The Westie's distinctive double coat is one of its most recognizable features, consisting of a harsh, straight outer coat approximately two inches in length and a short, soft, close-lying undercoat. This weather-resistant coat requires regular maintenance but should never be trimmed for show purposes, as its natural texture is essential for protection against the elements. The coat fills out the face, giving the Westie its characteristic rounded appearance and framing dark, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that convey keen intelligence and curiosity. The breed's small, erect ears are set wide on the skull and terminate in sharp points, adding to its alert expression. The head is broad in proportion to the body with a slightly domed skull and a defined stop between the eyes. The muzzle tapers very slightly from skull level, presenting a strong but not overly heavy appearance. The nose is always black, as are the eye rims, lips, and paw pads, providing striking contrast against the pure white coat. The Westie's tail is relatively short, typically five to six inches in length, carried over the back and is sturdy enough that it was historically used to pull the dog back from underground burrows. The breed moves with a free, strong, and purposeful gait, with a slight rolling action in the front quarters that is characteristic of the breed.