Skull: mesocephalic. Seen from above, the skull is broad and the head tapers toward the nose. The superciliary arches are moderately developed. The occipital crest is hardly marked.
Stop: slightly marked (approximately 140 degrees).
Nose: good pigmentation, the colour of the nose must be in harmony with the different colours of the skin; in the different shades in the hairless variety and with the colour of the hair in the coated variety.
Muzzle: seen in profile, the nasal bridge is straight.
Lips: they must be as tight as possible and close to the gums.
Cheeks: Developed without exaggeration.
Eyes: alert and intelligent expression. The eyes must be of average dimensions, slightly almond shaped, neither deep-set nor prominent, normally and regularly placed. i.e. neither too close together or too wide apart. The colour can vary from black, going through all shades of brown up to yellow, in harmony with the skin colour in the naked variety and with the coat in the variety with hair. In any case, both eyes must be of the same colour. The colour of the eyelids may go from black to pink in subjects with a light coloured face. The light pink colours are admitted but not sought after.
The ears must be pricked when the dog is attentive, whereas at rest, they are laid towards the back. The ears are of medium length; broad at the base, tapering progressively towards their tip, ending almost pointed. The ear set starts on the upper part of the skull to end laterally and obliquely. In the erect position, the axes of the ears form a variable angle from 50 degrees to near 90 degrees.
Jaws/teeth: the incisors should fit in scissor bite. In the hairless variety the absence of one or more teeth is accepted. In the coated variety the dentition must be complete with teeth normally developed and in a normal position. The jaw is not strongly developed.
Neck: the upper line is curved (convex). The length is approximately the same length as the head. The shape is near to a truncated cone shape, supple, with good musculature. The skin on the neck is fine, smooth and elastic. Really close to the subcutaneous tissues. No dewlap. Body: muscular. Topline: level, although certain subjects show dorsal-lumbar convexity which disappears at croup level. Chest: seen from the front, the chest must have a good amplitude, but without excess; come down almost to the elbow. Back: topline straight, with well-developed back muscles often forming all along the back a muscular bi-convexity which extends to the lumbar region. Loin: strong and well muscled. Its length reaches approximately 1/5 of the height at the withers. Croup: the superior profile is slightly convex, slanting approximately 40 degrees to the horizontal. Solid and well-muscled giving a good push. Chest: seen from the front, the chest must have good amplitude, but without excess; reaching almost to the elbow. The ribs must be slightly sprung, never flat. The chest, measured behind the elbows, must exceed the height at the withers with approximately 18 percent. Underline and belly: the lower profile presents an elegant and well-marked line which goes from the lower part of the chest and rises along the belly which must be well tucked up, but without excess.
Forequarters: well united with the body. Seen from the front, they are perfectly vertical and the elbows are not turned out. The angle at the shoulders joint varies from between 100 degrees and 120 degrees. Seen in profile, the angle formed by the pastern and the vertical will form 15 degrees to 20 degrees. Hindquarters: the muscles are rounded and elastic. The curve of the buttocks is well marked. The coxal-femoral (hips/thigh) angle varies between 120 degrees and 130 degrees. and the femoral-tibial (stifle) angle must be of 140 degrees. Seen from behind, the hindquarters must be vertical. Dewclaws must be removed. Forefeet: are semi-long and look like hare-feet. The pads are strong and heat-resistant. The inter-digital membranes are well developed. The black dogs have preferably black nails and the lighter coloured dogs light nails. Hind feet: same as forefeet.
The tail is set on low. Of good thickness at its root, it tapers towards its tip. When excited, the dog can carry the tail raised in a round curve above the backline, but never as curved as being rolled up. At rest, it hangs with a slight upward hook at the tip. Sometimes carried tucked in towards the abdomen. In length it almost reaches the hock. The tail must not be docked.
Hairless variety: without hair, only very few hairs on the head and at the extremities of the legs and the tail are admitted, and sometimes sparse hair on the back. These hairs can be any colour or combination of colours. Coated variety: smooth, short and tight coat. The hair can be any colour or combination of colours. The skin must be smooth and elastic all over the body, but can form a few rounded almost concentric lines on the head and round the eyes and the cheeks in the hairless variety. It has been verified that the internal and external temperature of the hairless dogs is exactly the same as other breeds (coated or not). The absence of hair leads to an immediate and direct emanation of heat, different from the coated subjects, where the heat filters through the coat by natural ventilation. The colour of the skin in the hairless variety can vary from black, slate black, elephant black, bluish black, the whole scale of greys (diluted black), all nuances of genetic blue, dark brown going to light blond. All colours can be either uniform or show pinkish or white patches on all parts of the body. White or pink spots must not cover more than 1/3 of the body. Solid colours are preferred.
Due to the angulations defined at the description of the limbs, some of these dogs move with shorter steps but faster and at the same time quite soft and flexible. The limbs, seen from front or behind must move in a single line (i.e. single tracking).
Height:
Small: 25-40 cm.
Medium: 40-50 cm.
Large: 50-65 cm.
Weight:
Small: 4-8 kg.
Medium: 8-12 kg.
Large: 12-25 kg.
