Chinese Crested

Companion Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Chinese Crested is one of several hairless breeds in the world. They are believed to have evolved from the hairless dogs of Africa. They were traded by merchants and sailors and therefore were found in port cities around the world.

The Chinese Crested enjoyed a temporary popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the United States, then again became popular in the 1970s.

The Chinese Crested was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.

General Appearance

The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned, elegant, graceful, toy-type dog that comes in two coat types - Hairless and Powderpuff. The two types are born in the same litter. They are rectangular in proportion, and balanced to allow for freedom of movement. The Chinese Crested is fine-boned and slender, but not so refined as to appear breakable; nor do they have a robust, heavy structure.

Characteristics

The breed is gay, alert, playful and entertaining and they serve as loving companions.

Head

The head is wedge-shaped and smooth, without excess wrinkle, and presents a graceful appearance with an alert, intense expression.

SKULL

Fairly long and slightly arched. The cheeks are clean and flat. The stop is slight but distinct. The distance from the occiput to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose.

MUZZLE

Tapering, but not pointed, with fine, tight lips.

TEETH

A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a scissors or level bite.
Missing, mis-aligned or primitive-looking teeth are not to be faulted in the Hairless variety. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff variety are to be faulted.

EYES

The medium sized, almond shaped eyes are set wide apart. They are very dark in dark colored dogs, but may be somewhat lighter in light colored dogs. There is little or no haw or white showing. Both eyes must be the same color. Eye rims match the coloring of the dog.
Serious Faults: Blue or very light colored eyes. Eyes of two different colors.

NOSE

Narrow, in keeping with the muzzle, and solid in color. A dark nose is preferred, but any color pigment is acceptable and varies with the color of the dog.
Faults: Partially pigmented or butterfly nose.

EARS

The uncropped ears are large and erect. They are placed so that the base of the ears is level with the outside corner of the eye. In the Powderpuff coat variety, drop ears are permissible. Ear carriage must be the same with both ears.
Serious Faults: One or both ears not completely erect in the Hairless variety. One or both ears that are not either completely erect or completely dropped in the Powderpuff variety.

Neck

The long, lean, clean neck is slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull, and is carried high.

Forequarters

Shoulder angulation is 45 degrees to the point of the shoulder, allowing for good reach. Shoulders are clean and narrow. The elbows are held close to the body.

FORELEGS

The straight forelegs are long and slender, and they are set well under the body. The upright pasterns are fine and strong. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.

Body

The body is rectangular in proportion. The topline is level to the croup, where it slopes slightly. The loin is light and there is moderate tuck-up.

The chest is fairly broad and deep, extending to the elbow. The breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well-developed but not barrel shaped.

Hindquarters

Angulation of the hindquarter must produce a level back.

HIND LEGS

The hind legs are set far apart. The stifle is firm, and the long second thigh sweeps smoothly into the hock joint. Rear pasterns are short. Dewclaws may be removed.

Feet

The hare feet are narrow, with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.

Tail

The slender tail is long, fairly straight and tapering. It is set high and carried up or out, falling naturally when the dog is at rest.

Coat & skin

Grooming is minimal, consisting of only what is necessary to present a clean and neat appearance.

POWDERPUFF COAT TYPE

The Powderpuff type is completely covered with a double, soft, silky coat. The guard hairs are long and thin. The undercoat is short and silky. The coat is straight and of moderate density and length. The tail is completely covered with hair. Hair on the ears and face may be trimmed for neatness.
Excessively heavy, kinky, or curly coat is to be penalized.

HAIRLESS COAT TYPE

The Hairless type has hair only on certain portions of the body: the head (referred to as a crest); the tail (referred to as a plume); and on the feet, from the toes to the pasterns on the front feet, and from the feet to the hock joint on the hind feet (referred to as the socks).

The head crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the base of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair is permitted on the ears and face and may be trimmed for neatness. Two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered with a long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume.

Hair texture is soft and silky. It flows to any length. Placement of the hair is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth.

Color

Any color, or combination of colors, is acceptable.
Disqualification: Albinism.

Height & weight

The ideal height range is from 11 to 13 inches. Dogs that are slightly smaller or larger may be given full consideration.

Gait

The characteristic gait is elegant, agile, and smooth, with good reach and drive.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.

Chinese Crested hairless

Chinese Crested powderpuff coat