Description
There are two distinct varieties of this unusual dog: one is hairless except for its feet, head and tail, and called, not surprisingly, the Hairless; the other is called the Powder Puff. It has a coat of long soft hair. Both come in numerous colors, either solid, mixed or spotted all over. It has a broad skull and a long muzzle. Eyes are dark, and ears are erect. Strangely the two types often come in the same litter.
Temperament
The most popular of the hairless breed, the Chinese Crested are still very rare. These dogs are sweet, lively, playful and cuddly. They are exceptionally loving and likes to hug and smile. Affectionate with children. Children should be taught not to be rough with this breed as it is friendly, but it does not have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get injured easily. Perfect for apartment living, Cresteds are polite, clean and relatively quiet. Also, they don’t require much in the way of exercise or space. Though not the best watchdogs, they will bark if they sense danger. They also have a distinctive and endearing howl they belt out when they’re playing or having fun. The Chinese Crested is a lovable and entertaining companion. They are an entertaining companion. Intelligent and very alert. Puppies should be well-socialized and exposed to loud noises when young to avoid potential timidity. If its owners do not baby them, these dogs can grow up to be a very well-adjusted dog. They have an ability to perform tricks and are generally good with other pets. They are not barkers. Chinese Crested Dogs like to climb and dig holes. They tend to become very attached to their owners and have difficulty adjusting to a new one. Chinese Crested Dogs crave constant companionship.
Height, Weight
Height: 12 inches (30cm.)
Weight: not over 10 pounds (4.5kg)
Health Problems
Exposed skin needs special care to prevent skin problems and irritations. The breed should be protected with sunscreen. Many Chinese Crested are allergic to lanolin and wool. Their teeth should be well cared for to prevent decay. Hairless dogs often lose many teeth as young adults. They should not be given bones to chew as they often have an incomplete set of teeth. The Hairless variety has the ancient forward- pointing canine teeth or "tusks" as they are called, but usually these are the first teeth to go. Powder Puffs (the long-haired variety of the hairless) generally have normal teeth and breeders are hoping to improve the dentition of the hairless variety by interbreeding with Powder Puffs. Each hairless dog carries one gene for hairless and one gene for hair, as a combination of the two hairless genes is fatal. Therefore, Powder Puff and Hairless dogs often appear in the same litter. Do not overfeed this breed, as it will become obese if given the chance. The hairless dogs do get sunburn and a good sunscreen should be used if the dog is going to be out in the sun.
Living Conditions
Good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They should wear a sweater in cold weather.
Exercise
Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about; these are active little dogs, who need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display a wide array of behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. Don't think that just because he is small he should be confined to a small space.
Life Expectancy
About 10-12 years.
Grooming
Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odor and are not prone to fleas or ticks. Power Puffs need a lot more grooming. Daily brushing of the Powder Puff's long, fine, double coat is recommended, taking extra care when the dog is shedding. The wooly undercoat becomes matted if neglected. Bathe the Hairless frequently and massage a little oil or cream into the skin to keep it supple. These dogs shed little to no hair and are great for allergy sufferers.
Origin
The Chinese Crested originated in Africa where they were called "African Hairless Terriers." The ancient Aztecs kept them as bedwarmers, and believe it or not, did eat them. The Chinese trading ships stopped along Africa on their routes, and it was there that they picked up these dogs because they were excellent ratters for aboard their ships. The Chinese Crested is believed to have evolved from the African Hairless, a small breed prized by sailors and merchants hundreds of years ago. The Chinese bred these dogs to be smaller, and they continued to trade them in Central America, South America and Africa. Whether or not today’s Chinese Crested actually evolved from these dogs is still a matter of debate. Either way, these sprightly little pals have been cherished companions in the United States for more than 100 years They renamed the dogs "Chinese Crested" and the name stuck. The stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, used to breed Chinese Crested. This unusual breed was first exhibited in the West in 1885, but the first American breed club was not established until 1979. Full AKC recognition was granted in 1991. The similar Mexican Hairless was formerly recognized by the AKC, but is no longer recognized. The Chinese Crested Dog has been gaining popularity as a cheerful companion dog in both the United Stated and England. The breed is a frequent competitor in rare breed dog shows. Four hairless breeds are known in the U.S. today: The Chinese Crested, the Mexican Hairless, the Inca Hairless Dog, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid.
Group
Southern, AKC Toy
