Chinese Imperial Breed Standard

The purpose of the Chinese Imperial Dog is that of personal and family pet and companion. They are sturdy, happy, playful little dogs with an affectionate and loving temperament that is ideal for their role in life. They are intelligent, out-going, trusting and energetic little dogs that will also be content to sit quietly on a lap for as long as it is allowed. They are vivacious and cooperative with a streak of independence. Their facial expression is sweet, wide-eyed, and innocent. They are compact, well boned, and muscled dogs with substance appropriate to their size.

                   

SIZE PROPORTION AND SUBSTANCE

For both Dogs and Bitches, the ideal will weigh between four and seven pounds. The Chinese Imperial Dog measures less than 8.5 inches at the top of the shoulder and will be disqualified from the show ring if more than 9.0 inches. The length of the back from the shoulder to the junction of the spine and tail should be slightly longer than the measurement of the length from the shoulder to the ground. Bitches may be slightly longer that Dogs. The Chinese Imperial Dog should be penalized in direct proportion to the deviation thereof.

When viewed from the front the chest is broad, the legs straight, with elbows close to the body and feet pointed straight to the front. The rib cage should be well rounded with or without a slight tuck up behind the ribs. Over all, there should be sturdy bones and well-developed muscle and this dog is neither coarse nor delicate. The Chinese Imperial Dog is an efficient mover with good drive in the rear and reach in the front.

HEAD

The head of the Chinese Imperial Dog is the most distinctive part of the dog. It is large and round with the eyes set wide apart with a high forehead. It is carried high, well above the shoulders. Hair between the eyes or the top of the head should be either trimmed or pulled back and secured with an unassuming attachment of a simple elastic band, barrette or small bow. If the hair on the head is trimmed, small bows may be used on the ears.

EXPRESSION - Warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly, and trusting. An overall well-balanced and pleasant expression supersedes the importance of individual parts

                      Fault - Narrow Head

EYES - Large and round placed well apart, neither deep set nor protruding. It is preferred that no eye white be showing when the dog is looking straight ahead. A small amount of eye white is acceptable, only when adding to expression.

                      Fault - Small eyes

                      Lack of roundness

                      Close set eyes

                      Walleyed or cross eyed

EARS - Dropped ears, well coated, slightly below the top of the skull above eye level. Size is appropriate to the over all size and head size. The hair on the ears should have natural ear fringes with no evidence of trimming.

SKULL - Domed

MUZZLE - Wide and short, set no lower than the bottom eye rim and set at a 90-degree angle to the forehead. There is a definite stop. Straight and level from the stop to the tip of the nose. The length should be no more than 2/3 inch but may be slightly more on a large dog and should be less on very small dogs. The muzzle front should be flat with no protruding lower lip or chin.

                Fault - Lack of definite stop

                      Receding Chin

                      Long Muzzle - A curved or down sloping muzzle

BITE - Undershot. The jaw is broad and wide. Straight teeth are preferred but slightly misaligned or missing tooth is acceptable.

                Fault - Overshot bite

                      Teeth showing when the mouth is closed

                      Tongue which constantly protrudes from the mouth

NOSE - Appropriate size for the face with nares opening adequate for the size of the dog. Hair on the top of the nose should be trimmed close to the skin.

PIGMENTATION - The nose, lips, eye rims and pads of feet are black on all colors except lighter pigmented dog such as; cinnamon, chocolate and platinum. Permanent or temporary color changes and cosmetic enhancements are not allowed.

                     Fault - Pink spots and or lack of pigment on nose, eye rims and lips.

NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY

NECK -  Long, graceful and sturdy, in proportion to the overall size of the dog.

BODY - Short-coupled and sturdy with or without a slight tuck up. The topline is level and straight. Bitches may be slightly longer than dogs.

CHEST - Broad and deep with a good spring of rib and depth of ribcage should extend to or just below the elbow.

CROUP - Flat

TAIL - Set high and carried over the back in a "teapot handle curve". It is well coated with a flowing plume with no evidence of trimming.