At first glance, the "Hairless" and "Powderpuff" varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs appear to be two different breeds, but hairlessness is a dominant trait within a single breed. The Hairless is the more popular variety, prized for its unusual appearance. The Hairless has soft, humanlike skin, as well as tufts of fur on its paws ("socks") and tail ("plume") and long, flowing hair on its head ("crest"). In addition to being a dominant gene, the "hairless" gene is lethal when homozygous. All living hairless Cresteds are therefore heterozygous for this trait.
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Temperament in the Chinese Crested
Existing in the Hiarless and the Powder Puff varieties, the most popular is the hairless breed, the Chinese Crested are still very rare. These dogs are mild, affectionate, lively, playful and cuddly. They are particularly affectionate with children, but kids should be taught not to play rough with them as they don't have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get injured easily. They are an entertaining companion. Intelligent and very alert. Puppies should be well-socialized and exposed to loud envrionments, when young to avoid potential timidity. If babied, they grow up to be a very well-adjusted. They learn quicky, are spry and are capable of performing tricks. If socilaized early, they're good with other pets. They don't bark much. Chinese Crested Dogs have a tenedency to climb and dig. They become very attached to their owners and have difficulty adjusting to a new one. Chinese Crested Dogs need and want constant companionship.
Formal Breed Standard for the Chinese Crested
General Appearance
A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are
born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail
and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed
serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Ideally 11 to 13 inches.
However, dogs that are slightly larger or smaller may be given full
consideration. Proportion -
rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length
from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the
withers. Substance -
Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or
alternatively, not a robust, heavy structure.
Head
Expression - Alert and intense.
Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide
apart. Dark-colored dogs have dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored
dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims match the coloring of the
dog. Ears - Uncropped large
and erect, placed so that the base of the ear is level with the outside
corner of the eye. Skull - The
skull is arched gently over the occiput from ear to ear. Distance from
occiput to stop equal to distance from stop to tip of nose. The head is
wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop
- Slight but distinct. Muzzle
- Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose
- Dark in dark-colored dogs; may be lighter in lighter-colored dogs.
Pigment is solid. Lips - Lips
are clean and tight. Bite -
Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff
are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for
absence of full dentition.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Neck is lean and clean,
slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and carried
high. Topline - Level to
slightly sloping croup. Body -
Brisket extends to the elbow. Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are
well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a moderate tuck-up at
the flanks. Light in loin. Tail
- Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is long enough to reach the
hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be
carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a
slight curve upward at the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless
variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered by long, flowing
feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is
completely covered with hair.
Forequarters
Angulation - Layback of
shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good reach. Shoulders
- Clean and narrow. Elbows -
Close to body. Legs - Long,
slender and straight. Pasterns
- Upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet
- Hare foot, narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate
length.
Hindquarters
Angulation - Stifle moderately
angulated. From hock joint to ground perpendicular. Dewclaws may be
removed. Feet - Same as
forequarters.
Coat
The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head
(called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes
to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture
of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Placement of hair
is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper
off slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and
smooth. Head Crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the base
of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair on the ears and face is
permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both
varieties. Tail Plume is described under Tail. The Powderpuff variety
is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Close
examination reveals long thin guard hairs over the short silky
undercoat. The coat is straight, of moderate density and length.
Excessively heavy, kinky or curly coat is to be penalized. Grooming is
minimal-consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.
Color
Any color or combination of colors.
Gait
Lively, agile and smooth without being stilted or hackneyed. Comes and
goes at a trot moving in a straight line.
Temperament
Gay and alert.
Approved June 12, 1990
Effective April 1, 1991
Note: Edited.
