Appearance of a breed

A number of physical features distinguish each breed. The physical description will tell you about the breed's coat color, texture, and other features, and, when appropriate, body, ear, head, or tail shape.
Cropping and Docking
Some breeds have traditionally had their tails docked and/or their ears cropped for reasons of appearance while they are puppies, but this practice is becoming increasingly controversial.
The ASPCA discourages unnecessary amputations of tails and ears. In most cases, there is no need to crop a dog's tail unless it has been damaged, in which case amputation may be necessary. The cropping of ears is also unnecessary; in fact, it is illegal in some countries.
Terminology
Dog fanciers have a specialized vocabulary to describe the physical characteristics of the different breeds. We have used general terms and photographs to describe the breed's basic body type; the texture and pattern of the coat; the formation of ear, foot and tail; and the type of head. Definitions for many unfamiliar terms are given in the glossary.
Colors
Although the actual range of colors of dogs is not very extensive--dogs are generally black, white, cream, tan, red, brown, gray, or a combination of these colors--the variety of shades is enormous. Dog fanciers have developed a specialized vocabulary to describe the range of shades that are acceptable for each breed in competition. To add to the confusion, the same color can be known by different names. "Chocolate" and "liver" are both terms that are used to describe brown in different breeds; Labrador retrievers are "yellow" while golden retrievers are "golden."
Coat Patterns
Coat patterns also have their confusing terms. A fine mixture of colored hairs with white hairs is called "roan" in English springer spaniels, "belton" in English setters, and "grizzle" in Norwich terriers. "Pied" and "particolor" both mean coats with large patches of two or more colors. And "merle" and "dappled" both refer to mottled or variegated coat patterns, such as those sometimes seen in collies and Australian shepherds. "Brindle" means a combination of darker and lighter hairs that creates a tiger striping.