Chinese Crested Information
Meet the Breed: Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested, a gentle-natured, toy breed dog, loves to give and receive affection. This non-shedding dog fits well into the home of allergy sufferers. Chinese Crested A fine-boned, elegant toy dog that craves human companionship, the Crested comes in two varieties. The Hairless has soft, silky hair on its head (crest), tail (plume) and feet (socks). Wherever the body is hairless the skin is soft and smooth. The Powderpuff is entirely covered with a double soft, straight coat. The two types often come from the same litter. Any color or combination of colors is allowed. Chinese crested dogs are virtually odorless and require minimal grooming. The Powderpuff needs regular brushing to prevent the undercoat from matting. Lotion or a light oil massaged into the skin of the hairless will help keep the skin moist and soft.
Chinese Crested History
Chinese Crested dogs originated in Africa. Chinese on trading ships made stops along the African coast and brought the tiny dogs on the ship to hunt rats and mice. The Chinese sailors changed the dog's name from African hairless terrier to Chinese crested. The Chinese crested dog first exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1885. The AKC rescinded the breed's show eligibility in 1965 due to lack of a national club. The breed was again added to the AKC roster in 1991.
Is the Chinese Crested the Right Breed for You?
The Crested is prone to more frequent skin irritations, allergies and sunburn than a coated dog would experience, and its owner should always take precautions to prevent this. The delicate skin on the Hairless Chinese crested dog easily gets sunburned. Care must be taken to keep the dog out of the sun. Use sunscreen when the dog goes outside. The breed also gets cold easily and needs to wear a sweater when outside during winter months. Although no dog is truly ‘hypoallergenic,’ Cresteds shed little to no hair and are on AKC’s list of breeds recommended for those with allergies. They are also alert and playful companions and do well in families with gentle children. They are charming and affectionate. The Chinese Cresteds love to play. This breed usually gets along well with other pets in the household and is not considered an excessive barker