Rattle

The American Rat Terrier is a compact, well-muscled small to medium-sized dog that presents an appearance of elegance combined with athletic capability. This breed comes in two distinct size varieties recognized by major kennel clubs: the Miniature, standing between 10 and 13 inches at the shoulder, and the Standard, measuring over 13 inches up to 18 inches in height. Weight varies proportionally with height, though the breed standard emphasizes moderate bone structure and a well-balanced physique rather than specific weight requirements. The body is slightly longer than tall, with a level back, well-sprung ribs, and a moderately wide chest that extends to the elbow. The breed's coat is short, smooth, dense, and characteristically shiny, requiring minimal grooming to maintain its healthy appearance. American Rat Terriers display a distinctive pied coloring pattern, featuring comparatively large patches of one or more colors combined with white. Acceptable colors include black, chocolate, red, apricot, blue, fawn, tan, and lemon, often appearing with tan points. The breed standard specifies that white should comprise between 10 and 90 percent of the coat, and solid-colored dogs without white markings are not permitted. The intense, dark shades with clearly defined color delineation are preferred in show specimens. The head resembles a smooth, blunt wedge when viewed from the front or in profile, widening gradually toward the base of the ears. The expression is intelligent, alert, and full of interest, achieved through obliquely set oval eyes that are positioned wide apart. Ears are set on the outside edge of the skull and may be carried erect, semi-erect, or tipped. The muzzle is strong and slightly shorter than the skull, tapering slightly toward the nose. The tail may be naturally bobbed, docked, or left full length, carried from slightly below horizontal to nearly erect depending on the dog's mood and attention level.

The Poodle is an elegant, athletic breed that comes in three recognized size varieties, each sharing the same breed standard except for height requirements. The Standard Poodle stands over 15 inches at the shoulder, typically ranging from 15 to 22 inches, with males generally weighing 60 to 70 pounds and females 40 to 50 pounds. The Miniature Poodle measures between 10 and 15 inches tall, weighing approximately 10 to 15 pounds. The Toy Poodle stands under 10 inches at the shoulder and weighs 4 to 6 pounds. Regardless of size, all Poodles display the same squarely built, well-proportioned body structure with an air of distinction and dignity characteristic of the breed. The Poodle's coat is perhaps its most distinctive feature, consisting of dense, curly, harsh-textured hair that grows continuously and does not shed in the traditional sense. This unique coat type makes Poodles popular among allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The breed comes in a wide array of solid colors including black, white, brown, apricot, red, silver, cream, blue, gray, and café au lait. Particolored Poodles, while not accepted in all registries for conformation showing, display attractive combinations of colors. The coat may be styled in various traditional clips for show purposes or maintained in simpler trims for pet owners, but regular professional grooming every four to six weeks is essential regardless of style. The Poodle's head is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop, and the muzzle is long, straight, and refined. The dark, oval eyes convey an expression of keen intelligence and alertness that has contributed to the breed's reputation as one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds. Ears are set at or slightly below eye level and hang close to the head, covered with long, wavy hair. The neck is well-proportioned, allowing for proud head carriage. The tail is set high and customarily docked in countries where permitted, carried up with confidence. The overall impression is one of an active, intelligent, elegant dog with an air of pride and confidence.