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AKC Standard
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
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