Crested Boxer

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 Boxer is a medium to large, powerfully built dog of the mastiff type that combines strength with agility in an athletic package. Male Boxers typically stand between 23 and 25 inches at the shoulder and weigh 65 to 80 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall and 50 to 65 pounds. The breed possesses a distinctly square build, with the length of the body approximately equal to the height at the withers, supported by strong, straight legs and a deep chest that provides excellent lung capacity for their active lifestyle. The head is the Boxer's most distinctive feature and must be in perfect proportion to the body according to breed standards. The skull is slightly arched with a broad, blunt muzzle that is approximately one-third the length of the head. The breed is brachycephalic, meaning they have a broad, shortened skull, and exhibits mandibular prognathism, where the lower jaw protrudes slightly beyond the upper jaw creating the characteristic underbite. The muzzle features natural folds running from the nose downward on both sides, and the nose sits slightly higher than the root of the muzzle. The ears are set high on the head and, when left natural, fold forward with a definite crease. The eyes are dark brown, medium-sized, and positioned frontally to give an alert, intelligent expression. The Boxer's coat is smooth, short, and tight-fitting to the body, showcasing the muscular definition beneath. Acceptable colors are fawn, ranging from light tan to deep mahogany, and brindle, which features black stripes on a fawn background. White markings are common and acceptable but should not exceed one-third of the total coat. The tail is set high and traditionally was docked, though many countries now prohibit this practice and a naturally long tail is increasingly common. A line of naturally short-tailed Boxers has also been developed in the United Kingdom.