Crested Apso

The Chinese Crested is an elegant toy breed that stands between 11 and 13 inches tall at the shoulder and typically weighs between 8 and 12 pounds. This breed possesses a fine-boned, graceful build with a rectangular body shape that is slightly longer than it is tall. The head is wedge-shaped with a cleanly tapered muzzle, and the ears are large, erect, and uncropped, giving the dog an alert and attentive expression. The almond-shaped eyes are set wide apart on the skull, and their color typically corresponds to the coat color, ranging from dark brown to lighter shades. The slender tail has a slight curve and is carried alertly when the dog is active but hangs in a gentle sickle shape when at rest. This breed exists in two distinct varieties that can appear in the same litter: the Hairless and the Powderpuff. The Hairless variety has smooth, soft skin over most of its body with silky tufts of hair on the head called the crest, on the feet called socks, and on the tail called the plume. The exposed skin can be any color, often with spots, freckles, or mottled patterns that darken with sun exposure. The Powderpuff variety is covered entirely with a soft, silky double coat of fine, straight hair that creates a flowing, veil-like appearance. Both varieties come in a remarkable range of colors and color combinations, with at least twenty different variations accepted in the breed standard including solid colors and mixed patterns. The Chinese Crested's most distinctive features are undoubtedly its unique coat patterns and elegant overall appearance. The Hairless variety's exposed skin requires special attention and ongoing care, as it can range from pale pink to dark gray or black, often with distinctive freckles or larger spots. The breed's fine bone structure, lithe movement, and graceful carriage give it an almost ethereal quality, making it instantly recognizable among toy breeds and a frequent head-turner wherever these distinctive dogs appear.

The Lhasa Apso is a small but sturdy dog that stands between 10 and 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 13 and 18 pounds. Despite their compact size, these dogs possess a solid, well-balanced build that is longer than it is tall, giving them a distinctly rectangular silhouette that contributes to their dignified appearance. The head appears round when viewed with the full coat, and the muzzle is moderately sized with a well-defined stop. The ears hang down in graceful folds of long hair, and when the dog is in full show coat, the different ends may look remarkably similar due to the profuse hair covering both head and tail. The coat is one of the most distinguishing features of the Lhasa Apso and represents a significant aspect of their ancient breed heritage. This magnificent double coat is long, heavy, dense, and flowing, parting naturally down the middle of the back and cascading to the floor on both sides when properly maintained. The outer coat is straight, hard in texture, and neither silky nor woolly, while the undercoat is dense and provides excellent insulation against both cold and heat. On the face, the eyes are often hidden by a long fall of hair, and a distinguished beard adorns the muzzle. The coat comes in all colors, including golden, sandy, honey, grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-color, black, white, and brown, often with darker tips on the ears and beard. The tail is set high and is carried well over the back in a distinctive screw fashion, often with a characteristic kink at the end, and is covered with the same profuse coat as the body. The Lhasa Apso's dark, medium-sized eyes convey an intelligent and dignified expression, though they may be difficult to see through the abundant facial hair. Their small, heavily feathered feet are round and cat-like, providing a firm foundation for this compact and regal breed.