Chinese Crested – Lovely Couch Potato You Will Adore

A Chinese Crested dog is a sweet, exotic-looking couch potato and excellent family companion that can lie in bed for hours without any desire to go out and walk or exercise a bit. This cutie is not particularly gregarious and hates strangers. However, you can expect it to quickly bond with people it considers a family.

Once you fall in love with this attractive creature, you can choose between two variants. The curiosity is that both the Chinese hairless Crested dog type and coated, genetically recessive Chinese Crested powderpuff dog often appear in the same litter.

History

Chinese Crested history is quite weird, and Chinese Crested origin unclear. Believe it or not, bald Chinese Crested dog actually doesn’t come from China but originated in Africa. So-called African Hairless Terrier evolved from African hairless dogs, and the Chinese only reduced their size and made the new breed we know nowadays.

Most experts believe that sailors brought these doggies’ ancestors to Asia from Africa in the 13th century. There was evidence they were used as valuable ships dogs since the 1530th. Their purpose was to hunt vermin in times of plague. Sailors traded these beloved dogs at ports, so you can still find their offspring at these places in Egypt, Turkey, South Africa, and South America. The hairless dog came to Europe for the first time in the 1700s with travelers visiting Chinese seaports.

You can see these cuties in European paintings and prints from the 17th century. The earliest Chinese Crested dog illustration appeared in 1686, in Robert Plot’s book ‘Natural History of Staffordshire.’ However, it seems that the breed wasn’t recognized under one name for long.

Therefore, you can find terms like:

There was no information when the first Chinese naked dog came to the US, but Ida Garrett popularized several hairless dog types in the late 1800s. Then, Debora Wood founded the Crest Haven Kennel and established the new breed’s standard.

After burlesque dancer and Chinese Crested admirer Gypsy Rose Lee died, her dogs joined the Crest Haven Kennel. Genes of these two lines are a base of all modern Chinese Crested dogs in the US. The first American breed club of this ‘the ugliest dog in the world’ was founded in 1974, and the AKC recognized the new breed in 1991. Paradoxically, this dog breed is quite rare in China nowadays.

Personality

Chinese Crested personality is unique and a specific combination of alert and happiness. This dog adores its family and enjoys kisses, cuddling, and snuggling in your lap. You should be aware that this tiny dog will attach itself to your hip, and you can’t go anywhere without your Velcro dog. Otherwise, it will become unhappy and frustrated.

Each puppy will be cautious and reserved in the beginning, but it will transform into a lovely pet as soon as it loves you. Sweet-tempered Chinese Crested is one of the best therapy dogs that often hug its owner with paws. Unfortunately, a Chinese hairless dog is not highly intelligent and can be stubborn. However, you can be sure that this social creature will bond tightly with your family and become your kids’ best friend.

Temperament

While the Chinese Crested stuffed animal is friendly with its family members, it will probably tend to bite strangers when you fail to socialize it properly. This dog is social and enjoys playing with other family pets. In most cases, Chinese Crested is friendly to kids, but you should avoid this dog if you have a toddler in the house. It will probably be jealous and unwilled to share the attention with your child.

This cutie will bark to protect your home and alert you to possible danger. It can look cute since no one expects that of the dog in such a tiny body. Sometimes, you can expect extreme Chinese Crested to sing and howl uncontrolled.

Size And Look

Chinese Crested size typically varies, depending on its gender and age. In most cases, Chinese Crested weight is 8 to 12 pounds (3.5 – 5.5 kg) with possible slight deviations, while its high is 11 to 13 inches (28 – 33 cm) on average.

As I have already mentioned, you can find two Chinese Crested variations:

At first glance, you can think that Chinese Crested powder puffs and Chinese Crested without hair varieties are entirely different breeds. However, lack of hair is an incompletely dominant trait. Therefore, both types are parts of the same breed. Hairless Chinese Crested dogs have hair on their heads (crest), paws (socks), and tails (plume). Their skin is smooth, soft, and spotted. Chinese Crested standard allows any existing color combination.

Since the Chinese Crested colors range is wide, you can find diverse puppies, but the most common are:

Chinese Crested dogs with hair come entirely covered with fur, and it is pretty common to see both variations in the same litter. A double coat is soft and silky. You will find puppies with straight fur in most cases, but some of them have lovely curly hair.

Grooming

Chinese Crested powderpuff grooming implies weekly brushing, nail trimming, regular dental care, and occasional removing felting between the pads. You can also choose to shave your dog’s face if you prefer that way.

Besides soft hair on its head, feet, and tail, Hairless Chinese Crested is bald, requiring a specific care procedure. Bath it regularly but avoid moisturizers and sunblock to prevent skin problems.

Exercising

Chinese Crested dog is born for indoor living conditions and can entertain itself for several hours, especially if you provide enough dog toys. Your lovely buddy will also enjoy playing outside, but it won’t tolerate harsh weather. It will follow you while walking, but this is not a dog for jogging and exhausting exercise.

Training

Chinese Crested dog breed is typically stubborn but also obedient and eager-to-please. This dog enjoys spending time with its family, so it will give its best to learn anything you ask.

However, you shouldn’t expect a miracle since your buddy will probably be challenging to housetrain. Plus, it will refuse to respond to harsh treatment, so you should always stay patient and start with treats and praises.

Diet And Nutrition

Crested Chinese dog doesn’t require too much food to stay healthy. Most experts recommend 0.25 to 1 cup of quality food for this tiny creature. Avoid giving it the whole amount at once. A better option is to divide food into two equal meals and offer them to your furry friend in the morning and evening.

Possible Health Problems

Chinese Crested health problems are not so common since this breed is pretty healthy, especially if you buy a puppy from a trustworthy and reputable breeder. However, your four-legged friend can face a few health conditions, including:

General Predispositions

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – Chinese Cresteds can suffer from this disorder connected with femoral head degeneration that usually finishes with aseptic necrosis.

Teeth – The curiosity is that Cresteds typically have only a few pointed premolar teeth. You can notice a primitive mouth in a hairless Crested puppy, meaning it is often born without a complete set of premolar teeth. On the other hand, you will rarely see hairy Chinese Crested variety with dental defects.

Eye problems – Dog breed Chinese Crested may suffer from lens luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, cataract, and glaucoma.

In some cases, your buddy may have problems with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), an unpleasant eye inflammation. The best way to diagnose this condition is with a Schirmer tear test.

Chinese Crested skin problems – Acne and sunburns are almost always connected with hairless dog breeds Chinese Crested. It is vital to prevent these conditions with proper care and protection from direct sunlight.

In rare cases, your vet can diagnose a few other health conditions in this dog breed, such as:

Genetic Predispositions

Prenatal lethal effect – The crucial Chinese Crested health issue is a prenatal lethal effect typical for Chinese dogs with no hair. That means zygotes with double hairless genes can’t develop but die and reabsorb in the uterus.

Necessary Tests

The National Breed Club recommends health tests:

Unfortunately, there is still no DNA test for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Lifespan

Chinese Crested life expectancy is impressive 12 to 18 years.

Conclusion

Chinese Crested hypoallergenic dog is a tiny breed suitable for homes with kids and other pets. You can keep it in the house or small apartment, but avoid letting it outside alone. Keep in mind that this breed requires early socialization. Otherwise, you will get stuck with a naughty and stubborn dog.