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 the 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.
HeadExpression
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 is to be 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, 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 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 The 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 is slender and tapers to a curve. It is long
enough to reach the hock. When the 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.
ForequartersAngulation
Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good reach.
Shoulders, clean and narrow. Elbows close to the body. Legs Long, slender and straight.
Pasterns Upright, fine and strong. Dewclawsmay be removed. Feet Hare foot, narrow with
elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.
HindquartersAngulation
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 colour 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.