Page 31 - ShowSight Presents The Chinese Crested
P. 31
“...the original standard was changed to fit the style of the time by permitting the option of trimming faces and/or ears only in either variety, should the exhibitors desire.
BUT, THE STANDARD DID NOT PREFER ONE GROOMING STYLE AS COMPARED TO ANOTHER STYLE.”
with drop ears and trimmed faces. In speaking to some fanciers of the breed overseas, the term “Afghan type” was used to describe the puffs.
Prior to AKC recognition, the stan- dard specified that the Crested’s eye color should be “so dark as to appear black.” Thus, the early standard disal- lowed all light eyes and also disquali- fied blue eyes. Later, the palomino col- ors, which are self-colored dogs, were permitted to have a lighter (amber) eye, and a liver nose. Chocolates are a variation of palomino with a medium brown eye and a brown nose. All other colors of hairless and powderpuffs must have black noses, with corresponding dark eyes. In addition, early standard also provided that the hairless had no extra hair to hide any imperfections, and glamour was not a deciding factor in selecting a winner. Having a hair- less with excessive hair was considered a fault. Less hair and more skin, with
good movement was the trait that was selected for.
This early standard also addressed grooming. For example, a modified trim was introduced to the powderpuffs in America and was reflected in the stan- dard. Additionally, the original stan- dard was changed to fit the style of the time by permitting the option of trim- ming faces and/or ears only in either variety, should the exhibitors desire. But, the standard did not prefer one grooming style as compared to another style. Thus, a powderpuff would not be rewarded if its coat were trimmed into a V shape on its neck or if trimming extended past the dog’s Adam’s Apple. This was not and is still not considered acceptable as the trimming is not con- fined to the face and ears as indicated by the standard.
AKC officially recognized the Chinese Crested breed and the American Chinese Crested Club (ACCC) in April 1991.
The first official AKC show for Chi- nese Cresteds was Monday, April 1st (April Fool’s Day) and the top dogs in the breed showed up to vie for the first set of AKC points for the breed. Questions and intrigue filled the crowd, as the first AKC breed with a hairless variety competed for the first time. Since there were only a few Cresteds in the USA as compared to other breeds, the spectators lined the ring four layers thick, with all eyes on the first dogs to be exhibited. There were oohs and aahs heard when the hairless variety entered the ring, and even more shock when the world was introduced to the powderpuff.
For people unfamiliar with the breed, it was difficult to understand how these different looking dogs could be one breed. Shirley Thomas was the first judge for the breed. She put up a hairless, Razzmatazzma- nian Stripper, for Best of Breed, and a
“Thunder”, Best in Show, c. 1990.
“Maple”, Best in Show, c. 1992.
“Chessecake”, Best in Show, c. 1992.
