The Chinese Crested: The Bald and the Beautiful


The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned and elegant little toy dog that comes in two varieties – the Hairless, and the Powderpuff. Often these two types are born in the same litter.
Hairless Crested have hair only on the head, tail, and paws, and are entirely hairless over the rest of the body. The Powderpuff is covered with a double soft, straight coat.
It is believed that the Chinese Crested evolved from the African hairless dog, although how they came to China is unknown. Chinese mariners sailed with Cresteds aboard their ships, where the dogs proved to be effective vermin hunters.
By the mid-nineteenth century, the breed had reached Europe and by the late 1800s was featuring in American dog shows.
Cresteds are friendly little dogs who crave human company. They are also alert and playful companions and do well as family pets. However, they are fragile dogs and can be hurt by rough play, so children should be taught to handle them with care.
If you are thinking of getting a Chinese Crested you should also be aware that they suffer from frequent skin irritations, allergies and sunburn. You should should always take precautions to prevent this.
On the flip side of the coin, Cresteds shed little to no hair and are therefore perfect dogs for allergy sufferers.
CHINESE CRESTED FACT FILE |
| Group: Toy Country of origin: China Date of origin: 1200′s Originally bred for: Rodent control / Companion Current function: Companion Size: Small Coat length: Short Shedding: Yes Grooming requirements: Once a week Town or Country: Either Ideal home: Apartment / Small or large house Minimum garden size: None Exercise requirements: At least 30 minutes per day Lifespan: Over 12 years |
If you enjoyed this page on the Chinese Crested, check out some of the other dog breed links below.