Posted by Jeanne on December 11, 2008
Perhaps the finest terrier with black-and-tan coloring is the Doberman Pinscher, a sort of glorified Manchester terrier, which has been developed in Germany within the last 60 years. He is about the height and weight of an Airedale, but perhaps by reason of his smooth coat and the fact that his tail is docked very short, he appears taller and slimmer than the British dog. He has a splendid carriage and an air of dignity and distinction. He is unusually intelligent, and to this fact may be attributed his phenomenal success as a police dog. His delightful personality is rapidly bringing him into favor with Americans looking for a dog of good size that doesn’t get in one’s way.
This big German derivative of the black-and- tan, or Manchester terrier, might best be described as a large, strong bull terrier, with the strict black-and-tan coat, although one sometimes sees him in solid black, brown, or mole- color “blue.” White should never be present in a good Doberman, nor other parti-color than black or tan.
Like most of the dogs popular with the Germans, this is best handled with a firm and uncompromising domination. He is a willing and effective fighter, and, true to his terrier blood, is a relentless enemy to all ground vermin, such as marmots, hares, and badgers.
Decidedly a “one-man” dog, he does not readily make friends nor welcome advances of a friendly nature. He is faithful and loyal to “the hand that feeds him,” however, and is justly popular with those who own him. He is certainly one of the handsomest of the smooth dogs, being glossy of coat, trim, and straight, and strong of leg and body, and bright and keen of eye, lacking entirely the rather piggy look of the bull terrier with which he has been compared. He is rather larger than the bull terrier, however.
Posted by Jeanne on December 10, 2008
Chow Chows are natives of China and are dogs of great individuality and distinctive appearance. While playful, intelligent, and willing to obey their masters, they, as a rule, have absolutely no interest in and will notice no other person. They are generally courageous but do not seek trouble. With their profuse coat, they are handsome in appearance and proud and aristocratic in bearing. Young Chow puppies are very popular and attractive due to their resemblance to the well-known “Teddy bear.”
- Head – Large and massive, with broad, flat skull, well filled under the eyes, moderate stop, proudly carried, with characteristic scowl.
- Muzzle – Short in comparison to length of skull; broad from eyes to end of nose, and of great depth. The lips should be full and overhanging.
- Teeth – Strong and level.
- Nose – Large, broad and black in color.
- Tongue – A blue-black. The inside of the mouth should be of the same color.
- Eyes – Dark, deep-set, of moderate size, and almond shaped.
- Ears – Small, pointed, stiffly carried. They should be placed wide apart, on the top of skull, and set with a slight forward tilt.
- Body – Short, compact, well ribbed up, and let down in the flank.
- Neck – Strong, full, set well on the shoulders.
- Shoulders – Muscular, slightly sloping.
- Chest – Broad, deep and muscular.
- Back – Short, straight and strong.
- Loins – Broad, deep and powerful.
- Tail – Tail set well up and carried closely to back, following line of spine at start.
- Forelegs – Perfectly straight, with heavy bone and upright pasterns.
- Hindlegs – Straight hocked, muscular and heavy boned. Feet – Compact, round and cat-like.
- Coat – Abundant, dense, straight and outstanding; rather coarse in texture, with a soft woolly undercoat. In the smooth-coated variety, the topcoat should be of about one and a half inches in length.
- Color – Any clear color, solid throughout, or, with lighter shadings on ruff, tail and breeching.
- Size – Chows should be massive and well proportioned.
- General Appearance – Lion-headed, scowling, compact, muscular, short-coupled, dignified, and powerful, with heavy off-standing coat.