Chinese crested is commonly thought of as being a hairless dog, but the breed comes in two different versions, one of which is completely clad in a silky, soft coat. The Chinese crested originally emerged from Africa, where the dog was known as an African hairless terrier. The little dogs were taken aboard Chinese sailing vessels that stopped in Africa along their trade routes to control vermin on the ships. The crew renamed the dog, and it thus became known as the Chinese crested. Some of the dogs were sold to merchants along the trade routes, which led to the breed’s disbursement through South America and Central America during the 1800s. It was not until nearly a century later when, in 1991, the American Kennel Club recognized the Chinese crested as a member of the toy group.
The Chinese Crested is a toy dog breed that comes in a hairless or powderpuff variety. It has light bones and is graceful and elegant. The hairless variety has long soft hair around its head, tail and feet. The powderpuff variety has a soft, long, dense coat all over. The hairless variety needs minimal brushing, but needs its skin taken care of regularly. This variety is prone to sunburns and blackheads. The powderpuff variety requires regular brushing and professional grooming to take care of its coat. The toy Chinese crested stands 11 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 10 to 13 pounds. The fine-boned frame give the Chinese crested a look of elegance and a gait that is as graceful as it is agile. Hairless and powder puff versions arise within the same litter. The hairless Chinese crested has silky wisps of hair on the lower legs and tail in addition to the hair that sprouts from the top of the head and flows over the back of the neck. The remainder of the body is naked, and the exposed skin is soft and smooth. The powder puff Chinese crested has a short and dense undercoat that is covered by a topcoat of long, silky hair. Chinese crested dogs can exhibit any color. Their ears are pointed and stand erect, and their tails are long, slender and slightly curved.
Personality
These are cuddly, cute, friendly dogs who love to give kisses. They need moderate exercise, which can be met by indoor playing. They hate the cold, so they need to be dressed appropriately in the winter. It loves its family and is a good companion for children as long as they don’t play rough. It’s timid towards strangers and other dogs. The Chinese crested has a calm, sensitive and loving disposition. This dog is happy to seek warmth in the comfort of a family member’s lap. The Chinese crested gets along well with other household pets and with children, but it is not an ideal playmate for very young children because the dog’s delicate size places it at risk for accidental injury during rough play. Chinese crested dogs are playful. They do well in apartment situations, and daily indoor play and exercise is all that they need in the way of exercise. Chinese crested dog are agile, and they enjoy agility coursing and other dog sports. Be aware that this breed is challenging when it comes to housebreaking.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Southern |
| Function: | Hunting |
| Origin: | Africa |
| Preferred Climate: | Warm |
| Group: | Toy |
| Life Span: | 10-14 Years |
| Nicknames: | African hairless terrier, Chinese Fighting Dog, Hairless, Powderpuff |
| Hypoallergenic: | Yes |
Chinese Crested Build Information
The Chinese Crested is a toy dog breed that comes in a hairless or powderpuff variety. It has light bones and is graceful and elegant. The hairless variety has long soft hair around its head, tail and feet. The powderpuff variety has a soft, long, dense coat all over. The hairless variety needs minimal brushing, but needs its skin taken care of regularly. This variety is prone to sunburns and blackheads. The powderpuff variety requires regular brushing and professional grooming to take care of its coat. The toy Chinese crested stands 11 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 10 to 13 pounds. The fine-boned frame give the Chinese crested a look of elegance and a gait that is as graceful as it is agile. Hairless and powder puff versions arise within the same litter. The hairless Chinese crested has silky wisps of hair on the lower legs and tail in addition to the hair that sprouts from the top of the head and flows over the back of the neck. The remainder of the body is naked, and the exposed skin is soft and smooth. The powder puff Chinese crested has a short and dense undercoat that is covered by a topcoat of long, silky hair. Chinese crested dogs can exhibit any color. Their ears are pointed and stand erect, and their tails are long, slender and slightly curved.
| Size: | Toy |
| Length (Male): | 8-12 in. |
| Length (Female): | 8-10 in. |
| Weight: | < 14 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 1 – 3 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
These are cuddly, cute, friendly dogs who love to give kisses. They need moderate exercise, which can be met by indoor playing. They hate the cold, so they need to be dressed appropriately in the winter. It loves its family and is a good companion for children as long as they don’t play rough. It’s timid towards strangers and other dogs. The Chinese crested has a calm, sensitive and loving disposition. This dog is happy to seek warmth in the comfort of a family member’s lap. The Chinese crested gets along well with other household pets and with children, but it is not an ideal playmate for very young children because the dog’s delicate size places it at risk for accidental injury during rough play. Chinese crested dogs are playful. They do well in apartment situations, and daily indoor play and exercise is all that they need in the way of exercise. Chinese crested dog are agile, and they enjoy agility coursing and other dog sports. Be aware that this breed is challenging when it comes to housebreaking.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Quiet |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Submissive |
| Energy Level: | Moderately Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | Yes |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderate Friendly |
Appearance
The powder puff Chinese crested should be brushed daily to prevent the silky locks from tangling. The hairless Chinese crested may not require much effort in the way of coat care, but the skin must be kept clean and moisturized to prevent it from drying and to minimize the formation of acne. A pet sunscreen should also be applied to the skin before sun exposure to prevent sunburn. Extra care must be taken to prevent the hairless Chinese crested from catching a chill when the temperature drops, so this is an ideal breed for owners who love to dress their dogs in fashionable sweaters. Like many toy breeds, the tiny mouth of the Chinese crested is especially prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease, so brushing the teeth daily is an essential part of the dog’s grooming routine.
| Colors: | Apricot, Black, Black & Tan, Black & White, Blue, Chocolate, Cream, Parti-color, Red, Red & White, Sable, Silver, White |
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Fine |
Chinese Crested Common Health Conditions
Chinese crested dogs live and average lifespan of 10 to 14 years. Some health issues to be aware of in the Chinese crested include congenital deafness, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes disease and several eye problems, including progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma and lens luxation. The breed is prone to periodontal disease and tooth loss. The hairless Chinese crested is prone to sunburn, skin allergies and blackheads.
Chinese Crested Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Chinese crested originated in Africa. The Chinese crested is referred to as either hairless or powder puff, depending on the absence or presence of a coat. The Chinese crested is a calm and loving family member that is content to take over your lap. The breed is also playful and entertaining. The Chinese crested stands 11 to 13 inches tall and weighs 10 to 13 pounds. The Chinese crested has a moderate energy level. The Chinese crested requires minimal to moderate grooming. The average lifespan for a Chinese crested is 10 to 14 years.
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | No |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | No |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
