Shiffon

The Brussels Griffon is a small, sturdy toy breed with an almost human-like facial expression that has captured hearts worldwide. Standing between nine and eleven inches at the shoulder and weighing six to twelve pounds, this compact dog presents a well-balanced, square-proportioned silhouette with good substance despite its diminutive size. The overall impression is one of alertness and self-importance, with a jaunty carriage that suggests confidence far exceeding the breed's actual stature. The body is thickset and short-coupled with a level topline and deep chest. The head is the breed's most remarkable feature, large and rounded with a domed forehead that gives it a distinctive appearance. The face features a very short, pushed-back muzzle with an undershot jaw, creating the breed's signature monkey-like or almost human expression. The eyes are large, round, prominent, and set well apart, conveying an alert, curious expression. Eye color is dark brown to black, enhanced by long black eyelashes. The ears are small, set high on the head, and may be cropped to stand erect or left natural in a semi-erect, folded position. The nose is always black, set high between the eyes. The breed comes in two distinct coat varieties that determine which Griffon type an individual represents. The rough-coated variety features a dense, wiry coat with distinctive longer hair forming a beard, mustache, and eyebrows that frame the face and earned the breed its nickname as the bearded dog. The smooth-coated variety, sometimes called the Petit Brabancon, has a short, straight, glossy coat lying close to the body with no wiry texture. Both varieties appear in four accepted colors: red, belge which is a mixture of black and reddish-brown, black and tan, and solid black. The tail is typically docked to one-third its length and carried high, though docking practices vary by region.

The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy companion dog with a distinctive appearance that reflects its ancient Chinese heritage. Standing between nine and ten-and-a-half inches at the shoulder and weighing nine to sixteen pounds, this breed presents a compact, well-balanced silhouette that is slightly longer than it is tall. The overall impression is one of substance without coarseness, displaying a proud carriage with the head held high and the heavily plumed tail carried in a graceful curve over the back. The body is solid and well-proportioned with a deep chest and level topline. The head is one of the breed's most distinctive features, appearing round and broad with a short, square muzzle that gives the face a chrysanthemum-like appearance when viewed from the front. The eyes are large, dark, and prominent, set wide apart and conveying a warm, trusting expression. A notable characteristic is the undershot bite, which is required by the breed standard. The ears are large with long leather, set slightly below the crown of the skull, and covered in abundant hair that blends into the neck coat. The nose is always black, positioned at or slightly below eye level, though liver-colored dogs may have liver noses. The coat is the Shih Tzu's crowning glory, consisting of a luxurious double layer that is long, flowing, and dense. The outer coat is long and silky, while the undercoat provides insulation and volume. The hair grows in all directions on the face, creating the characteristic chrysanthemum pattern, with a distinct fall over the eyes and a full beard and whiskers. The coat accepts virtually any color, with white blazes on the forehead and white tail tips considered highly desirable in parti-colored specimens. When properly maintained, the coat flows to floor length, though many pet owners prefer shorter utility clips for easier maintenance.