Description: Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog is a unique and exotic breed, distinguished by its striking appearance and affectionate personality. This breed comes in two distinct varieties: the Hairless, with silky hair on the head (crest), tail (plume), and feet (socks); and the Powderpuff, completely covered with a soft, straight coat. Despite their delicate appearance, Chinese Crested Dogs are surprisingly robust and playful. They are known for their loving nature and strong bond with their owners, making them excellent companions. The breed is generally good with children and other pets, and their alertness makes them decent watchdogs. They require minimal exercise and are well-suited for apartment living, thriving best when they are part of the family activities.
Chinese Crested Dog ratings
Properties
The Chinese Crested Dog is a unique and vibrant breed, known for its distinct appearance and friendly personality. Particularly recognizable due to its lack of fur, the breed is often found in two varieties: the Hairless, which features soft, silky hair on its head (crest), tail (plume), and feet (socks); and the Powderpuff, which has a full coat of fine, soft hair. Despite their differences in appearance, both share the same breed standards and are genetically identical, with the hairless gene being a dominant but lethal in homozygosity.
The breed is small in size, typically weighing 5 to 12 pounds and standing around 11 to 13 inches at the shoulder. They have a graceful, fairy-like build which is slender yet muscular, enabling quick and swift movements. The Chinese Crested is a dog that makes a perfect home companion due to its endearing temperament; these dogs are affectionate, lively, and playful, yet they can also be quiet and clowns at times, always ready to entertain their family.
Historically, these dogs were shipboard companions, used as ratters and brought along by Chinese mariners. During their time on ships, they were traded at various ports, which helped spread the breed across various continents. Despite their historical role, today’s Chinese Crested is primarily a companion animal, beloved for its loyalty and the strong bonds it forms with its owner.
As for their care, the Chinese Crested Dog requires relatively low maintenance, but attention should be given to skin care, particularly for the Hairless variety, which can be susceptible to acne, sunburn, and cold weather. Regular bathing, moisturizing, and the use of sunscreen are recommended to keep their skin healthy. The Powderpuff's coat, on the other hand, does require regular grooming, including brushing and occasional trimming to prevent matting.
This breed is generally healthy but like all breeds, they can be subject to certain health conditions. Issues such as dental problems, due to the lack of protective fur around their mouths, and some genetic disorders like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) or Patellar Luxation can be of concern. Prospective owners should ensure they obtain their pets from reputable breeders who provide health clearances for genetic conditions.
In summary, the Chinese Crested makes an excellent pet for families or singles alike, offering companionship, love, and entertainment. Their intelligence and alertness make them reasonably easy to train, although their sensitive nature means that a gentle approach to training works best. These dogs do well in a variety of living situations but they thrive on human interaction and do not enjoy being left alone for long periods.
Appearance
The Chinese Crested Dog is a distinctly unique and eye-catching breed, known for its unusual appearance and charming personality. This breed comes in two varieties: the Hairless and the Powderpuff, both sharing the same breed standards except for the coat.
The Hairless variety, which is more commonly recognized, displays soft, human-like skin and tufts of hair on the head, tail, and paws. The hallmark 'crest' of silky hair that begins at the forehead gracefully flows backward, offering a striking contrast to the mostly hairless body. This variety often has smooth and soft skin that can be any color or combination of colors, and requires sunscreen and moisturizing to maintain its condition.
The Powderpuff variety, on the other hand, features a full coat of fine hair that’s soft and straight, covering the body entirely. This double-coat provides a soft, velvety texture and appears very elegant when properly groomed. Notably, the fur around the ears and eyes remains long and flowing, resembling wisps that enhance their expressive, lively eyes.
Besides their coats, Chinese Crested Dogs are small, weighing anywhere from 5 to 12 pounds, and typically stand about 11 to 13 inches at the shoulder. They have a graceful, fairy-like build which is highlighted by their long, slender limbs and a tail that tapers to a curve.
The breed’s head is wedge-shaped, complemented by large, upright ears which can be either cropped or left natural. Their expressive, almond-shaped eyes contribute to their attentive and curious facial expressions. The overall appearance is one of elegance and delicacy, though they are surprisingly robust and agile.
Chinese Crested Dogs move with a fluid, swift gait, displaying agility that makes them excellent at maneuvers in dog agility sports. Their unique physical attributes coupled with their bright and inquisitive nature make them an interesting and engaging companion, both in appearance and spirit.
History
The Chinese Crested Dog, with its unique appearance and engaging personality, has a history that is as fascinating as the breed itself. Although named the 'Chinese' Crested, the breed likely originated in Africa and was later developed in China, where similar hairless dogs have been documented since as far back as the 13th century.
Historical records and genetic studies suggest that hairless dogs crossed from Africa to China on trading ships. They were largely used by Chinese sailors as ratters on ships, valued for their ability to catch pesky rodents. The Chinese further refined the breed and spread it across other parts of the world during their maritime ventures. The dogs were prized in Chinese ports as exotic trading goods, often exchanged among sailors and local merchants.
By the time of their introduction to European and American breeders in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chinese Crested had evolved into the distinct breed known today. Notably, the breed was popularized in the West by Ida Garrett and Debra Woods, who were fascinated with these dogs in the early 1900s and worked extensively to promote and refine them. During this era, the dog breeding community came to appreciate the breed's unique qualities, including their mostly hairless bodies and tufts of hair on the head, tail, and paws, which are the hallmarks of the breed.
The 20th century saw the breed gaining popularity, leading to its recognition by major kennel clubs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Chinese Crested in 1991. Today, the breed is celebrated in many countries for both its beauty and its character. Known for being affectionate, alert, and lively, the Chinese Crested makes an excellent companion. They participate in various dog sports including agility and obedience, and are also known for their prowess in therapy and service roles, leveraging their gentle and empathetic nature.
The progression of the Chinese Crested Dog from a humble ratter to a beloved companion showcases a unique journey among dog breeds, blending diverse cultural influences with breed-specific traits that continue to charm and engage dog enthusiasts around the world.