Rottie Chow

The Rottweiler is a medium-large breed that presents an impressive picture of strength and athleticism. Males typically stand between 24 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh between 95 to 135 pounds, while females measure 22 to 25 inches and weigh 80 to 100 pounds. The breed possesses a compact, substantial build with a broad chest and well-developed musculature throughout the body. The head is broad and moderately arched between the ears, featuring a well-defined stop and a muzzle that is neither too long nor too short in proportion to the skull. The overall impression is one of immense power and endurance combined with surprising agility for a dog of this size. The Rottweiler's coat is straight, coarse, dense, and lies flat against the body. The outer coat is medium length, shorter on the head, ears, and legs, while the undercoat is present mainly on the neck and thighs. The breed displays a distinctive black base coat with clearly defined rust to mahogany markings appearing in specific locations including over each eye, on the cheeks, as a strip around each side of the muzzle, on the throat, and on the chest as two triangular marks. Additional markings appear on the forelegs from carpus to toes, inside the rear legs, and beneath the tail. Distinctive features include almond-shaped dark brown eyes that convey an expression of goodwill and loyalty, triangular pendant ears that are set high and carried forward, and a strong jaw with a scissors bite. The neck is powerful and well-muscled, of fair length with a slight arch. The tail is carried as a natural extension of the topline when the dog is relaxed or moving. The Rottweiler moves with a balanced and harmonious trot, demonstrating drive and power from the rear with a corresponding reach in front.

The Chow Chow is a medium-sized, powerfully built breed with a distinctive lion-like appearance and regal bearing. Males and females typically stand between 17 to 20 inches at the withers and weigh between 45 to 70 pounds, with males generally falling at the higher end of these ranges. The breed presents a square profile with the height from ground to withers approximately equal to the body length from point of shoulder to point of hip. The body is compact and sturdy with a broad, deep chest and well-sprung ribs, supported by straight, heavy-boned legs that contribute to the breed's characteristic stilted gait. The head is large and broad with a flat skull that exhibits minimal stop, giving the breed its distinctive frowning expression. The muzzle is broad and moderately short, roughly equal in length to the skull. The most distinctive feature of the Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue, gums, lips, and roof of mouth, a unique characteristic shared by only one other breed. The eyes are deep-set, almond-shaped, and dark brown in color, contributing to the scowling expression. The ears are small, thick, triangular, and carried stiffly erect with a slight forward tilt, adding to the alert appearance. The Chow Chow comes in two coat varieties: rough and smooth. The rough-coated variety displays an abundant, dense double coat that stands off the body, with a particularly profuse ruff around the head and neck creating the lion-like mane for which the breed is famous. The smooth-coated variety has a hard, dense outer coat with a definite undercoat but no ruff or feathering. Acceptable colors include solid red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, with lighter shading on the ruff, tail, and breechings. The tail is set high and carried closely over the back, adding to the breed's compact, balanced silhouette.