Peke-A-Pap

The Papillon is a small, elegant toy spaniel distinguished by its distinctive butterfly-like ears that give the breed its name, derived from the French word for butterfly. Standing between 8 and 11 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 4 and 10 pounds, this dainty breed presents a fine-boned yet surprisingly sturdy frame. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, creating a balanced silhouette that moves with a light, dainty, yet free gait. The head is small with a slightly rounded skull, and the muzzle is fine and tapered, approximately one-third the length of the head, creating an alert and intelligent expression. The Papillon's most recognizable feature is its large, erect ears, set on the sides of the head and resembling the spread wings of a butterfly. The ears are heavily fringed with long, flowing hair that accentuates their distinctive shape. A closely related variety called the Phalene has dropped ears that hang down, though both ear types can appear in the same litter. The breed possesses a single coat without an undercoat, featuring long, fine, silky hair that flows abundantly from the chest, forming an elegant frill. The coat is straight and lies flat on the back and sides while forming profuse feathering on the ears, backs of the forelegs, and tail. The Papillon's coloring is always parti-colored, with a white base coat and patches of any other color. The most desirable pattern includes a white blaze and symmetrical markings on the head. The ears are typically colored, which enhances the butterfly appearance when viewed from the front. The tail is set high and carried arched over the body, covered with a long, flowing plume of hair. The eyes are dark, round, and alert, adding to the breed's intelligent and curious expression. Despite their delicate appearance, Papillons are surprisingly hardy dogs with an athletic build that supports their reputation as excellent competitors in agility and obedience.

The Pekingese is a compact, well-balanced toy dog with a distinctive lion-like appearance that reflects its imperial Chinese heritage spanning over two thousand years. Standing between 6 and 9 inches at the shoulder and typically weighing between 7 and 14 pounds, this breed presents a surprisingly stocky and muscular build beneath its abundant coat. The body is slightly longer than it is tall with a level topline, well-sprung ribs, and a broad chest that contributes to the breed's substantial feel when held. The characteristic rolling gait results from its unique combination of a broad chest, heavier forequarters, and lighter hindquarters, creating dignified movement. Some individuals, known as sleeve Pekingese, weigh under 7 pounds and were historically carried in the flowing sleeves of Chinese royalty. The Pekingese possesses a luxurious double coat that is one of the breed's most striking features. The undercoat is soft, thick, and dense, while the outer coat is coarse, straight, and stands away from the body to create impressive volume. The coat forms an impressive mane around the neck and shoulders, giving the breed its celebrated lion-like appearance. Extensive feathering appears on the ears, legs, tail, and toes, contributing to the breed's opulent presentation. The coat comes in a wide variety of colors including gold, red, sable, black, cream, white, and black-and-tan, as well as various parti-color combinations. All colors are equally acceptable in the breed standard, and many individuals display a distinctive black mask. The breed's flat, brachycephalic face is immediately recognizable, featuring a broad skull, wide-set dark eyes that are large and lustrous, and a short, wrinkled muzzle with a blue-black nose and lips. The facial wrinkles should be evident but not excessive. The large, heart-shaped ears are set high on the head and lie flat against the skull, covered with long feathering that frames the face. The tail is set high and carried curved over the back to either side, heavily plumed with long, flowing hair. The overall expression conveys dignity, self-importance, and confidence befitting the breed's royal ancestry. The Pekingese's unique physical structure requires special attention to grooming, temperature regulation, and care of facial folds.