Chinese Crested | Chinese Crested Dog Breed Introduction
Chinese Crested Dog ( nicknamed Crested or Puff) is a small-sized hairless dog breed from China. There are two varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs: the Hairless Variety and the Coated Variety known as Powderpuff. All the Chinese Crested Dogs carry the powderpuff allele even the Hairless variety. Therefore, the hairless Crested Dogs have the ability of producing the Powderpuff puppies even if they are bred with each other.
However, The Chinese Crested Powderpuff can only produce the coated variety since they are not the carriers of the hairless gene. Furthermore, the Hairless Variety has humanlike skin and tufts of hair on the head(crest), tail(plume), and paws(socks). This variety also often lacks a full set of premolar teeth. However, this is not regarded a fault.
Chinese Crested History | Origin
It is believed the Chinese Crested were developed from Hairless Dogs from Africa or Mexico. This breed also shares the same genetic mutation with Xoloitzcuintli from Mexico which leads to the theory that they share the same ancestry. Spanish Explorers found Chinese Crested Dogs in parts of central and South America as well as Mexico in the 16th century. Portuguese, French, and British explorers also found the hairless breeds in various parts of Asia and Africa in the 18th and 19th century.
The Chinese Crested Dogs took root in the USA through the efforts of two women, Debra Woods, a breeder and Ida Garrett, a journalist. Ida promoted the breed through her prolific writing and speaking while Debra started a breeding program for Chinese Crested and conscientiously kept the studbook. In the USA, the breed’s club was formed in 1979. The Chinese Crested Dogs entered the Studbook of the American Kennel Club(AKC) in 1991.
Chinese Crested Lifespan | Chinese Crested Dog Lifespan
The Chinese Crested have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years, although, some may live up to the age of 18 years.
Chinese Crested Grooming | Powder Puff Chinese Crested Grooming
The Powderpuff variety is double coated with a soft and silky coat that is easy to groom but mats easily. Therefore, making daily brushing a necessity to maintain the fluffy coat. Before brushing the coat, spritz it with a detangling spray or a water conditioner solution to prevent hair breakage. Although the hairless variety has no coat on the body, it also needs brushing several times of the week on the crest(head), plume(tail), and socks(paws) to prevent matting.
The Powderpuff will need a bath every 4 to 6 weeks unless they roll in something stinky. Before bathing, ensure the coat is brushed to remove tangles that get messier when wet. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. Thoroughly clean off the grooming products from the coat to prevent skin irritation. The Hairless Chinese Crested need to bath after a week or two using fragrance-free shampoo. A hypoallergenic or oil free moisturizer is applied after a bath to prevent dry skin.
Nail trimming for both varieties is fortnightly using nail clippers or grinders to prevent overgrowth and cracking. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls soaked in an ear cleanser solution to remove dirt or excess wax. Brush the teeth twice a week if not daily to remove tartar buildup using a toothbrush and dog-formulated toothpaste.
Chinese Crested Skin Care | Skin Care Products
The Hairless Chinese Crested have a soft human-like skin that is prone to sunburn, acne, and dryness. They need a bath every 1 to 2 weeks using a fragrance-free canine shampoo to prevent skin problems. After a bath, thoroughly rinse the shampoo from the coat and apply oil-free moisturizing cream to keep the screen from becoming to dry.
Between baths, the cream is also applied every other day. Before spending time outdoors in strong sun, owners should apply baby sunscreen. The Hairless Chinese Crested also need acne lotions specifically designed for the pet’s skin type to maintain a healthy skin.
Chinese Crested Hair Cuts | Chinese Crested Grooming Styles | Chinese Crested Powder Puff Pony Cut
The hair on the face, paws, tail, and ears is trimmed using scissors for a neater appearance in both the Hairless and Powderpuff variety. Other than trimming for neater appearance, grooming is minimal hence this breed requires no hair cuts especially if participating in conformation shows. Furthermore, the snout of a Powderpuff is usually shaved down as a standard cut. However, parents with the Powderpuff variety primarily kept as pets may clip the coat in a pony cut. This is where the hair is left longer on the bottom of the tail, legs, and head.
Chinese Crested Dog Shedding
The Chinese Crested dogs shed very little. Although, the Powderpuff will tend to shed a bit as compared to the hairless variety.
Chinese Crested Powder Puff | Chinese Crested Powder Puff With Hair
The Powderpuff Chinese Crested body is fully-covered with a silky and soft double coat. The coat is straight and has moderate length and density. The undercoat is short and silky while the topcoat has long and thin guard hairs. The Powderpuff puppies may be born by Hairless parents or a Powderpuff bitch and sire. This is because the Powderpuff allele cannot be bred out of the breed since all Crested Chinese Dogs are carriers including the Hairless Variety. Although, the Powderpuff dogs will never produce the Hairless Variety since they do not possess the hairless allele.
Chinese Crested Hairless | Hairless Puppies
The Hairless Chinese Crested Dogs have hair on certain parts of the body including the tail known as plume, the head known as crest, and the paws knows as socks. The texture of the hair is soft and silky just like Powderpuff coat. The skin is soft and smooth just like human skin. The Hairless Crested Chinese have a dominant hairless allele and the Powderpuff trait. If the zygotes receive two copies of the hairless allele, they don’t mature into puppies. Instead, they are reabsorbed in the womb.
Chinese Crested Hypoallergenic
The Hairless Chinese Crested Dog is considered a nearly hypoallergenic dog by AKC. This is because they shed very little and produce less dander hence good for people who suffer from mild dog allergies. However, no crossbreed or pure bred is 100% truly hypoallergenic. Therefore, parents should spend lots of time with a Crested dog before adopting to ensure it triggers zero allergies.
Chinese Crested Dog Training
The Chinese Crested are trainable dogs that love to spend time with the owner. They are also sensitive breeds that make great watchdogs. Although, if harsh correction methods are used when training such as yelling, they damage your relationship with the pet to the point that they are no longer interested in training. Use treats, playtime, toys, petting, and verbal praise to encourage positive behaviors. Keep the training sessions interesting, short, and challenging to prevent distraction.
Socialization is key to raising a well-mannered dog that is versatile to new stimuli. To socialize Chinese Crested Dogs, expose them to a wide variety of people, animals, places, surfaces, smell, situations, sight, experiences, and sounds like door bells, whistles, lawn mowers, sirens, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines.
Teach basic commands words from the age of 8 weeks one at a time until the dog is well-versed. Some of the basic command words that Crested Dogs may learn include wait, sit, come, lie down, heel, drop it, etc. Effectively housebreak Chinese Crested Dogs by potty training, creating a feeding schedule, and crate training.
Chinese Crested Temperament | Personality | Personality Traits |Traits
- Alert.
- Friendly.
- Sensitive.
- Gentle.
- Playful.
- Graceful.
- Elegant.
- Loving.
- Lively.
- Intelligent.
- Affectionate.
- Good-mannered.
Chinese Crested Exercise
The Chinese Crested Dogs have moderate energy levels and will be satisfied with play-sessions in the backyard and short-walks with the owner. If exercising outdoors, care must be taken to ensure sunscreen is applied on the Hairless Variety or dress them in protective clothes.
Chinese Crested Barking
The Chinese Crested seldom bark when they are with their owners. However, this is not the case if they are left alone which can lead to destructive behaviors such as scratching of the walls, chewing, and excessive barking due to separation anxiety.
Chinese Crested Dog Height
The Chinese Crested Dogs have a height of 11 to 13 inches ( approx. 28 to 33 cm ).
Chinese Crested Weight | Chinese Crested Dog Weight
The weight of Chinese Crested is 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ).
Chinese Crested Size
The Chinese Crested are small hairless dogs with a weight of 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ) and a height of 11 to 13 inches ( approx. 28 to 33 cm ).
Full Grown Chinese Crested Powder Puff
A Full Grown Crested Powderpuff has a height of 11 to 13 inches ( approx. 28 to 33 cm ) and weighs 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ).
Chinese Crested Eye Problems
The Chinese Crested are prone to eye problems including PRA( progressive retinal atrophy), primary lens luxation, glaucoma, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Chinese Crested Ear Problems
The Chinese Crested have naturally large and erect ears that collect dirt. If irregularly cleaned, excess dirt and wax can cause ear infections. Other causes of ear infections in dogs include moisture accumulation, yeast imbalance, ear mites, injury to the ear canal, and excessive cleaning.
Chinese Crested Health Issues
The Chinese Crested dogs are healthy with a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. However, they suffer from certain health issues including poor dentition, eye problems like PRA, dry eye syndrome, and primary lens luxation, progressive neuronal abiotrophy, luxating patellas, autoimmune diseases, and allergy.
Other dog breeds include:
Chinese Crested Names
A Chinese Crested owner may find a name for the pet before it joins them home or days after the dog settles home to understand its personality traits. Parents may get name inspirations from the Chinese heritage, the coat texture, celebrity Chinese Crested, movies, songs, books, food, and nature, and historical figures.
The name chosen should never embarrass you when uttered out loud in the public places. Chinese Crested and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving a Crested Dog a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. Some of the names that Chinese Crested owners give to their pets include:
- Duke.
- Gizmo.
- Sweetie.
- Lucky.
- Girlie.
- Casey.
- Bella.
- Poco.
- Toby.
- Jake.
- Emma.
Crested Chinese Litter Size
After conception, Chinese Crested Dams have a gestation period of 63 days before whelping a litter size of 1 to 4 puppies.
Chinese Crested Types
There are two varieties of Chinese Crested; Hairless Chinese Crested with hair on the crest, socks, and plume and the Powderpuff that has a double coat that covers the entire body.
Chinese Crested Food | Dog Food
The amount of food that Chinese Crested feed on depend on their size, metabolism, activity level, and body build. This breed should feed on food formulated for toy-sized and small-sized dogs appropriate to their age i.e. puppy, adult, and senior. Chinese Crested Dogs thrive on home-made, raw food, and commercial dry or wet food.
Owners should ensure the Crested Dog has access to clean and fresh water at all times. Some may be prone to obesity. Therefore, owners should watch the calorie consumption, treats given to aid in training, and the weight level. Avoid feeding your pet with high fat food and cooked bones. Parents should be well-versed with the human foods that are safe for the dogs.
Chinese Crested Hair
The Chinese Crested may have hair on the entire body( Powderpuff variety), or hair in specific regions i.e. tail, head, and paws( Hairless Variety).
Chinese Crested Colors
There is no standard color for this breed. However, the skin of the hairless Crested comes in variety of colors ranging from pale fresh to black. Some dogs may have a spotted pink skin. The Powderpuff variety may have a solid color or combination of copper, lavender, blue, or mahogany.
Chinese Crested Allergies
The Chinese Crested is prone to allergies such as skin allergy, food allergy, contact allergy, and environmental allergy. Some of the contact allergens that affect Chinese Crested include lawn chemicals, plastics, certain fabrics, grooming products, latex, medication, nylon carpet, and carpet cleaning detergents. The Chinese Crested is also affected by environmental allergens such as ragweed, dust and dust mites, pollen, grass, trees, mites, grass, and house molds.
Chinese Crested Skim Bumps | Skin Allergies
The Chinese Crested is susceptible to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin. Skin allergies manifest as hives, dry flaky skin, redness, itchiness, lesions(a sore, bump, or discolored area), and excessive scratching.
Chinese Crested Skin Issues
The Hairless Chinese Crested variety is predisposed to skin issues such as sunburn, allergies, and skin irritations.
Chinese Crested Food Allergy
The Chinese Crested Dogs are prone to food allergies. A legit food allergy causes an immune response that is normally accompanied with skin issues such as hives, lesions, hot spots, sores, facial swelling, dermatitis, and pruritus to gastrointestinal stress including acute vomiting and/or diarrhea. Most owners have noted that their pets have an allergy to chicken. Therefore, they opt to feed a home-made food or a chicken free diet.
Chinese Crested Ears | Taping Chinese Crested Ears
The Chinese Crested Dogs have naturally large erect ears. However, puppies are born with floppy ears that stand up as the muscles of the ears strengthen. They may need taping to aid in training and strengthening the ears to stand up.
Chinese Crested Teeth
The Hairless Chinese Crested may not have a full set of premolars. Although, this not considered a fault. The Powderpuff Variety have few dental defects and may have a full-set of 42 adult teeth.
Chinese Crested Tail
The Chinese Crested has a long and slender tail that reaches the hock and tapers to a curve.
Chinese Crested Dog Ugly
According to the Time Magazine, Chinese Crested Dogs have been competing at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest. Some of the Chinese Crested Dogs have won the competition at least nine times since 2002.
Chinese Crested Dog Price | Chinese Crested Price
The Price of Chinese Crested Dogs range from $1000 to $2500 depending on the age, pedigree, and the proximity of the breeder.
Are Chinese Crested Hypoallergenic
Yes. The Hairless Chinese Crested is regarded hypoallergenic due to the low shedding coat and the dog also produces less dander. This makes them suitable for people who suffer from mild dog allergies.
Do Chinese Crested Dogs Shed | Do Chinese Crested Shed
Yes. The Chinese Crested Dogs shed at non-to low levels.
How Long Do Chinese Crested Dogs Live
The Chinese Crested Dogs have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years but some may live up to the age of 18 years.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Aggressive
No. The Chinese Crested Dogs are friendly, gentle, good-natured, and sensitive dogs that make great therapy dogs.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Smart
Yes. Chinese Crested Dogs are highly intelligent dogs that love to stay close to their owners making them highly trainable.
Chinese Crested Quick Facts
- There are two varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs; hairless variety and powderpuff variety.
- The early names of the Chinese Crested Dogs include the Chinese Royal Hairless, the Chinese Ship Dog, and Chinese Hairless.
- The Hairless Chinese Crested is prone to dentition problems.