Examining the Chinese Crested: from coat standards to the controversy over tails, discover the good, bad, and ugly truths.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, May 2017 issue.
I often ask other judges, “Would you give 1st in the Hound Group to a Whippet with its tail laying on its back? Would you give 1st in the Non-Sporting Group to a Dalmatian with its tail laying on its back? Or would you give 1st in the Herding Group to a German Shepherd with its tail laying on its back?” Then why, why, why are Chinese Cresteds with their tails laying on their backs not only winning Groups, but also Best in Shows?
The Chinese Crested standard, under tail, states, “When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be carried slightly forward over the back.” The dictionary states ‘gaily’ refers to, “In a joyous or happy manner.” The standard does not say ‘gay’ tail, which is a completely different thing! And while it says the tail may be carried slightly over the back, it does not have to be! And back to the dictionary, slightly means, “to a small degree.” All Crested standards prior to full AKC recognition, stated, “Tail carried up or out” or words to that effect.
A Crested with its tail carried straight out was perfectly fine and it is interesting to see that some of our older judges seem to remember this! On the other hand, I remember a show years ago, not too long after the breed came into the Toy group, when a judge withheld first place in a puppy class with three beautiful puppies that trotted around with their tails straight out. Pekes, Poms, and Havanese carry their tails over their backs—not Cresteds! I have my own ideas why the tail section was rewritten when the breed came into the AKC, but I think you can figure it out! You find most bad tails on Powderpuffs, but the occasional Hairless will appear in the ring with a curly or corkscrew tail. It doesn’t help that many pro handlers and some owner handlers prop or push the tail over on the dog’s back. As a judge, I think, “Hey, thanks!”
I might have missed that bad tail, if you hadn’t pointed it out to me!” When judging Cresteds, a bad tail is something that should be evaluated like any other fault. Judging the overall dog, you may find yourself giving that dog points, a major or even the breed, if it is outstanding in other ways. But I find it extremely hard to believe that there wasn’t something better in the Toy Group to give first to—and Best in Show, please! Okay, now to coat. I think most judges realize that there are true Hairless, with sparse furnishings on the head, feet, and tail, little to no body hair, and skin smooth and soft! The so-called hairy Hairless tend to have body hair to some degree, which is removed for the show ring. The skin on these dogs may not be quite as smooth. But both are perfectly acceptable! Some judges like to run their hands backward over the dog’s back (toward the head) checking for stubble.
Believe me, all you are catching are the bad groomers! Under “Coat”, concerning the Powderpuff, the standard states, “The PP variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Grooming is minimal—consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.” Concerning both varieties, HL and PP, the standard states, “Hair on the ears and face may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties.” So every time I see a beautiful Powderpuff with a gosh awful “V” shaved to the skin on its neck, it drives me crazy. Nowhere in the standard is this allowed or condoned! It is so prevalent, that you rarely see a PP that hasn’t been subjected to this! I even had a newer handler say to me, “But the judges won’t put you up if you don’t do it!” Sorry to break it to you guys, but the judges I have talked to in person about this, hate it as much as I do! You may win, but it’s because most judges realize it is not a conformation fault, but the groomer/handler’s fault.
Movement has improved tremendously since the breed entered the AKC ring. You rarely see a Crested with hackney movement. Not all have great reach and drive, but most trot efficiently. Down and back movement is pretty good with the occasional cow-hocked dog. Powderpuffs tend to look closer in the rear as they go away, but this is almost certainly because of the heavy hock coat, in most cases, more profuse than the socks on the Hairless. Toplines are overall good and level. The Hairless can’t hide anything, but artful brushing on the Powderpuff topline can hide dips and rises that shouldn’t be there. The Chinese Crested is rectangular, not square and not off-square! The wording in our standard is misleading. It states, “Body length from withers to base of the tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers.” Some judges seem to glance at this and think, ‘Slightly longer than tall.’ No! The measurement is from the withers, not from the front of the dog!
You’re talking inches here from the chest to the withers, and this means rectangular, which is also the first word in the standard after “Proportions”: rectangular! There aren’t as many square Cresteds as there used to be and I have never seen one I thought was too long. I love that the Crested standard says, “Any color or combination of colors.” Some are definitely flashier than others, but we shouldn’t be swayed by that. Even the Hairless can come in various skin shades and they get darker in the summer sun. Many Powderpuffs change color over their lifespan. Temperament is fantastic. Rarely do you see a shy Crested. Some may not like the show ring and not always get their tail up, but all love people!
I’m sure other Crested people can attest to this. How many times have you tried to explain to someone what a Crested is and you end up saying, “You know, the hairless dog that always wins the Ugly Dog contest?” And the person always goes, “Oh yeah!” They know exactly what you mean! Then you hasten to explain that the breed really isn’t ugly! Will this ever end?
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