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    HomeNewsJul 22, Chinese Crested Dog Breed Information and Pictures

    Jul 22, Chinese Crested Dog Breed Information and Pictures

    By Janice Jones   |Last Updated 07-22-2021

    Some people not familiar with the Chinese Crested call it ugly and can hardly stand to look at this hairless breed. 

    Those that know and love it have an entirely different opinion. They describe the breed as expressive, happy, energetic and very attached to their caregiver. 

    Some even go so far as to
    call them a “velcro” dog because they like to physically attach themselves to
    their person and will hug with their paws.   

    The Chinese Crested DogHairless Crested

    The Breed Traits At a Glance

    *Grooming:  Grooming requirements will vary depending on whether you have a Powderpuff or Hairless.  

    Explanations for At a Glance Ratings 

    • Playfulness:  Most=5   Less=1
    • Affection:  Most=5   Least=1
    • Friendliness Towards Strangers:  Most=5  Least=1
    • Good with Children:  Good=5   Not Good=1
    • Good with Other Dogs:   Good=5   Not Good=1
    • Good for First Time Owners:  Good=5  Not Good=1
    • Amount of Exercise Required:  Much=5  Minimal=1
    • Ease of Training:   Easy=5   Difficult=1
    • Watch Dog Ability:   Excellent=5   Poor=1
    • Grooming Needs:   Extensive=5  Minimal=1
    • Shedding:   Heavy Shedding=5   Minimal Shedding=1
    • Cold Tolerance:   Cold Well Tolerated=5    Poorly Tolerated=1
    • Heat Tolerance:   Heat Well Tolerated=5   Poorly Tolerated=1
    A Chinese Crested is standing on a stump in the middle of winter.The Chinese Crested Hairless Dogs will need a warm coat in the wintertime because they don’t tolerate the cold. A lightweight T-shirt will protect them from the sun’s hot rays in the summer.

    These dogs might be athletic and very agile, but when it
    comes right down to it, this breed is fiercely loyal, bond easily to their
    owners and will spend the entire day in bed with you if you are sick.

    They
    enjoy getting outdoors for daily exercise, but they are not a high energy
    breed. They are very social, but not your outgoing gregarious type and once
    they decide to own you, you’ll have a shadow by your side wherever you go. 

    There are two varieties found in this breed: the Hairless,
    with silky hair on the head (the crest), tail (plume), and feet (socks); and
    the genetically recessive Powderpuff, who has a full coat.

    Both variants can be
    found in a single litter. They are slender and elegant, but beauty seems to be
    in the eyes of the beholder. 

    They tend
    to win lots of “ugly dog contests.” Beyond their looks, they make very stable
    companions and keep their owners laughing and entertained,   

    Quick Facts

    A Chinese Crested Puppy is snuggled in some blankets.Chinese Crested Puppy

    Other Names Used:  Chinese
    Hairless, Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog and the Chinese Royal
    Hairless.

    Affiliation: UKC: Companion; AKC, ANKC, CKC, KC, NZKC Toy, FCI

    Height:  Ideally 11 to
    13 inches.

    Weight :  Up to 12
    pounds

    Coat Type:  Two Types:
    Hairless and Powderpuff which has a thick double coat

    Colors:  Apricot,
    Black, Blue, Chocolate, Cream, Palomino, Slate, White, Pink, Red, Sable, Silver
    and combinations

    Country of Origin: China

    Activity Level: Moderate

    Life Expectancy: 13-18 years

    Litter Size:  2-6 puppies

    Good with Children: 
    Yes as long as the children are taught how to handle these little dogs

    Good with other pets: 
    Yes

    History

    Eight Week Old Chinese Crested PuppiesEight Week Old Chinese Crested Puppies

    Their name suggests that they originated in China, but it is
    more likely that they came from Africa or Mexico.

    As with other ancient breeds,
    there is little in the way of written records, so historians can only
    speculate. 

    Some have theorized that the
    Chinese Crested is the result of the cross breeding of the Mexican Hairless and
    the Chihuahua which means they would have originated in Mexico. 

    Others have speculated that the Chinese
    Crested had evolved from African Hairless Dogs which were reduced in size by
    the Chinese. 

    Little is known of their ancient history, but it has been
    suggested that they accompanied Chinese sailors in 1530 and used to hunt vermin
    during the times of the plague. 

    The
    sailors would also trade them at different ports. The Chinese looked at these
    dogs as having magical healing powers, but they also had a more mundane
    purpose:  A Living Heating Pad. They
    began to appear in European paintings by the 19th century. 

    Originally these dogs were called the Chinese
    Hairless, Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog and the Chinese Royal
    Hairless.

    It’s unclear when the breed arrived in North America, but
    the first breed club was founded in 1974 in the United States.

    It was
    recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1985 as part of its Miscellaneous
    class, and was accepted for full registration in 1991. Thus, this ancient breed
    is relatively new to America.

    Personality/Temperament

    Chinese Crested (Powderpuff)

    Alert, happy and highly intelligent, the Crested adores his owners. They love to kiss and snuggle and make excellent lap dogs. 

    They are considered to be friendly, but can be wary of strangers.  But to their favorite person, they will devote their entire existence.   

    They need frequent socialization and training because they are naturally suspicious of strangers, even to the point of biting them.   

    Expect kisses and lots of snuggle time in your lap from this happy, loving little guy once he comes to accept you as his pack.  The breed has been labeled “needy” due to his high social drive to bond to his people and his distrust of strangers, but each Crested is different and shows a range of personality traits.

    These dogs don’t have the same tendency to show separation anxiety when being left alone as some small breed dogs do. 

    According to Dr. Wendy Ryan, DVM, from Cloud9ChineseCresteds,

    “they are the least destructive dogs I’ve ever had and tend to be very loving and easy to live with. They are not needy by any measure. They lie all over my home and don’t need to be in my lap. But if I go upstairs, they will all follow, as have ALL of the dogs I’ve ever owned. If not socialized, I have seen some that are fearful and timid, but that is true of most breeds. (unless you speak of Labs and Goldens, who tend to love EVERYBODY.)”

    They are capable of climbing and digging if need be to escape their confinement.  But when you are near, they are fine, relatively quiet and content.  They do bark if they hear something and as such make good watch dogs, just not good guard dogs. 

    These dogs do well in apartments, urban, suburban and rural locales.  They cannot tolerate the cold but do surprisingly well in hot temperatures. 

    Most owners will protect the Crested from the cold with sweaters and coats as needed.  As far as heat is concerned, high temperatures don’t seem to bother them and they seem to love a good sunbath.

    Another surprising fact about these guys is they rarely pant and
    don’t drink water the way you would expect them to on a hot summer day. They do
    well in apartments and any other type of dwelling.

    The Chinese Crested is a
    wonderful family dog who is playful, affectionate, and endearing.

    These dogs should not be left alone in a fenced enclosure
    because they might disappear on you. 

    They are very agile, can scale six foot fences or even dig under them. Once
    they manage to sample the grass on the other side of the fence, they’re
    gone.  They are fast and stubborn making
    it hard to recapture them. 

    Chinese
    Cresteds are popular in conformation, obedience and agility competitions due to
    their athletic nature. 

    Remember that temperament is affected by a number of
    factors, including heredity, early experiences, training, and socialization.
    This is true for all breeds, so the information on this breed found on this pge, can vary from one dog to the next.

    Chinese Cresteds are generally easy to train but they have a
    stubborn streak, which means you need patience. Positive reinforcement is the
    only route, and correction needs to be handled sensitively, because the breed
    can be naturally timid.

    Chinese Crested (Powderpuff)Chinese Crested (Powderpuff)

    Grooming

    Even hairless dogs need groomingGrooming the Chinese Crested Hairless Dog

    Chinese Crested are relatively low shedders but not necessarily hypoallergenic as one might expect. 

    Since there are two versions of this breed, the hairless and the Powderpuff, each requiring different grooming, we will address each separately. 

    The Hairless Chinese Crested is bald except for soft, flowing hair on the head, feet, and tail.

    Hair on the body should be shaved to protect the skin. The Hairless should be bathed frequently with a high-quality shampoo, at least every week or two.  

    Because he
    can be prone to minor skin problems, such as acne, check for any blackheads
    while grooming. There is some debate as to whether this breed needs sunscreen
    or moisturizers on their skin. 

    Some say
    it is necessary to prevent them from getting sunburned and others say it lead
    to skin problems. If you do decide to use sunscreen, purchase the ones specifically designed for dogs.

    Powderpuff coats come in all colors and in combinations of
    mahogany, blue, lavender, or copper.

    They can be solid or spotted. The skin
    tones of the Hairless are pink and black. The Powderpuff requires much more work. 

    They have a silky double coat with an soft
    undercoat that will mat easily if not brushed and combed regularly. 

    The best type of brush to use is a pin or
    bristle brush and the use of a metal comb will help with removing mats.  The hair between the food pads also needs to
    be removed.  Some people will shave the
    face.

    Both varieties will need to have regular dental care, nail
    clips, and ear checks.  Brushing his teeth
    two or three times a week can reduce the number of times he will need
    professional cleaning under anesthesia. 

    His nails should be trimmed once or twice a month if he does not wear
    them down naturally.  His ears should be
    checked for redness and bad odor, which would indicate an infection and usually
    a trip to the vet. 

    You can help prevent
    infections by keeping them clean with a gentle ear cleaner and a cotton ball

    Health Concerns

    Chinese Crested (Hairless)Chinese Crested (Hairless)

    Cresteds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re
    prone to certain health conditions.

    Not all Cresteds will get any or all of
    these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering
    this breed.

    Just in case you have read the descriptions on other small breed
    dogs, you might see a pattern emerging. 
    Most small breed dogs are prone to similar aliments. 

    Keratoconjunctivitis
    Sicca

    Legg-Calve-Perthes
    Disease

    Progressive
    Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

    Dental
    Issues

    Pros of Owning a Chinese Crested

    • Great for apartment dwellers and seniors
    • Fierce loyal and loving
    • Wonderful lap dogs and companions
    • Hairless variety require little grooming
    • Exercise requires are minimal
    • Relatively healthy breed
    • Good with other animals

    Cons of Owning a Chinese Crested

    • Powderpuff variety requires much grooming
    • Have dental problems
    • Can be suspicious of strangers
    • Great athletic ability can have its drawbacks

    Please Pin for Future Reference

    The Chinese Crested Dog Breed Profile

    National Breed
    Clubs

    American Chinese Crested Club

    Need More Information?

    These books can be purchased from your neighborhood bookstore or through Amazon (usually much cheaper).  Do check them out if you are serious about owning a Chinese Crested Dog.

    Related Breeds To Investigate

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