Rattle Griffon

The Brussels Griffon is a small, sturdy toy breed that presents a distinctive appearance often likened to that of an Ewok from the Star Wars films or described as possessing an almost human expression. This compact dog typically weighs between 8 and 12 pounds, with the breed standard specifying that quality should never be sacrificed in favor of size and that dogs should not exceed 12 pounds. Height generally ranges from 7 to 10 inches at the shoulder, with a square, thickset body that conveys robustness despite the breed's diminutive stature. The overall impression is of a well-balanced, alert little dog with remarkable presence and personality. The Brussels Griffon comes in two distinct coat types that are considered variations of the same breed in American registries. The rough-coated variety features a harsh, wiry, dense coat that stands somewhat away from the body and produces the characteristic bearded face with profuse eyebrow furnishings. The smooth-coated variety, sometimes called the Petit Brabançon, displays a short, tight, glossy coat that lies close to the body. Both coat types require regular grooming, though the rough coat demands more extensive care including hand-stripping for show dogs or clipping for pet maintenance. Acceptable colors include reddish-brown, black and reddish-brown mixed with a black mask, black with uniform reddish-brown markings, and solid black. The head is perhaps the breed's most striking feature, being somewhat large in proportion to the body with a distinctly domed forehead. The skull is round when viewed from the front and in profile, with a deep stop creating the characteristic pushed-in face. The muzzle is very short and set back under the eyes, contributing to the brachycephalic structure common to the breed. Large, dark, widely set eyes project a warm, expressive quality that gives the Brussels Griffon its famous almost-human expression. The black nose is extremely short with large, open nostrils set back between the eyes. Small, high-set ears may be cropped or left natural, with natural ears carried semi-erect. The tail is set high and typically docked where permitted.

The 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. 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.