Crested Cavalier

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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an elegant toy spaniel that stands between 12 and 13 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 13 and 18 pounds. This breed possesses a well-balanced, graceful build with a body that is slightly longer than it is tall, giving it an elegant yet compact appearance that embodies the ideal companion dog. The overall impression is one of refined beauty combined with the athletic capability inherited from their sporting spaniel ancestors. The chest is moderately deep, providing adequate lung capacity for activity, and the back is level with a slightly rounded croup. The head of the Cavalier is one of its most endearing features, with a slightly rounded skull that appears almost flat when viewed from the front. The muzzle is full and slightly tapered, with a shallow stop and a well-developed nose featuring wide-open nostrils. The large, round eyes are set well apart and display a warm, sweet, gentle expression that is characteristic of the breed and highly prized in show specimens. The ears are set high on the head and are long and well-feathered, with abundant silky hair that frames the face beautifully. The expression is one of the breed's most important features according to breed standards, projecting a soft, melting look that conveys their gentle and loving nature. The Cavalier's coat is moderately long, silky in texture, and may have a slight wave but should never curl tightly. Feathering adorns the ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail, adding to the breed's elegant and refined appearance. The breed comes in four recognized color patterns: Blenheim, featuring rich chestnut markings on a pearly white background; tricolor, with black and white combined with tan markings over the eyes, cheeks, and under the tail; ruby, a solid rich reddish-brown throughout; and black and tan, featuring jet black with bright tan markings. The tail is well-feathered and carried happily but never much above the level of the back when in motion.