Elegant and bicolored, the Chinese Crested Dog has two varieties: hairless and powder puff. Those without hair only have a crest of silky hair on their heads and patches of hair on their legs and tail. Powder puffs have fur all over their bodies. His hair is known to be soft, long and very shiny.

Although both varieties of Chinese Crested Dog require special care to keep their skin and coat in perfect condition, it is considered one of the perfect dog breeds for beginners. Although do not be fooled, although they have a very good character and coexistence is easy, they also require a lot of time, since they cannot spend many hours alone.

Origin of the Chinese Crested Dog

As with other dog breeds, the history of the Chinese Crested Dog is confusing and poorly understood. The truth is that these dogs existed in the 13th century in China and were traditionally used as ratters on merchant ships. As for the appearance of the hairless variation, it is believed to come from Africa. This belief stems from several 19th century texts that mention the hairless Abyssinian Sand Terrier. However, today, researchers say that the Chinese Crested Dog shares a genetic origin with the Xoloitzcuintle dog, originally from Mexico. Also, Chinese Crested Dogs and Xoloitzcuintli dogs have the same mutations. Be that as it may, Chinese Crested Dogs were unknown outside their country of origin until the 19th century, when they entered Europe.

It was in the late 19th century that Ida Garrett, a breeder of hairless dogs, began promoting the breed in Europe. Today, the Chinese Crested Dog remains less well known than other breeds. However, they are becoming more and more popular.

Physical Appearance of the Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested Dog is a small-medium sized breed of dog. His body is relatively long for his height. They are very flexible. The chest is deep and the underline is moderately retracted to the level of the belly. As for the hair that this dog has, there are two different varieties: hairless and powder puff. The first has a long crest, fur on the legs and on the tip of the tail. While the powder puff has hair all over its body. His hair is fine, silky and long.

The head of the Chinese Crested is wedge-shaped and the roof of the skull is slightly rounded. Their teeth may appear misaligned and may even be missing in the hairless variety. His eyes are medium and dark in color. His ears are erect and low. Drop ears are only possible in the powder puff variation. The Chinese Crested Dog’s tail is long and high. In the powder puff variety the tail is completely covered with hair. In the hairless variety, the tail is feathered, but only on the distal two-thirds. In both types, the tail gradually tapers, being thicker at the base and thinner at the tip.

The hair of the Chinese Powder Puff Crested is double layered and covers the entire body with a distinctive veil-like coat. The hairless variety of dogs only have a crest on the head, hair on the legs and at the end of the tail. The skin is delicately grained and smooth. Any color and color combination is possible with both varieties of this breed. That is why it is not unusual to see a white Chinese crested dog with black spots.

What is the personality of the Chinese Crested Dog?

The Chinese Crested Dog is characterized by being a pleasant, sensitive and very cheerful breed. They are usually very loyal to their owners and remain very attached to them, since they are their family. They usually have a shy and always alert personality.

Well socialized, the Chinese Crested Dog can get along very well with people, other dogs, and other pets. However, by nature they tend to be shy around new people and situations. Therefore, it is very important to socialize the dog from a young age to prevent behavioral problems during adulthood.

Chinese crested dog care

The hair of the powder puff variety should be brushed and combed at least once a day. A natural bristle or metal bristle brush is recommended. It is also important to bathe the powder puff when it is very dirty, using a natural shampoo with a neutral pH.

On the other hand, the little hair that the hairless variety presents only needs brushing two or three times a week. Because their fur is so fine, it usually tangles easily. When this happens, it is advisable to undo the knots with the help of our own fingers, being very careful not to hurt them. Once untangled, we will proceed to comb it with the named brushes. Another point to keep in mind about hairless dogs is that their skin is more exposed to changes in temperature due to their lack of hair. This means that they are more vulnerable to damage from the sun’s rays, cold weather, and other factors. That is why it is essential to bathe it every 15 days with a neutral pH moisturizing shampoo. Once a month, after bathing, it is recommended to exfoliate the skin and apply a moisturizing product, massaging the entire body.

In both varieties of Chinese Crested it is important to take good care of the teeth and wash them frequently. To do this, we must always use products for dogs and never products for humans.

The Chinese Crested breed is an active dog that needs daily exercise. Due to their small size, they can do much of their exercise indoors. However, it is also necessary to take them out for a walk several times a day. Games of tug of war are not advisable because the breed usually has weak teeth.

If you have a hairless Chinese crested dog, it is important that you put sunscreen on it. This is especially important if your skin is white or pink. By doing this we can avoid skin burns. This does not mean that we should prevent the dog from sunbathing, as this is one of the main sources of vitamin D that the animal has. Simply, we must pay special attention to the care of your skin.

If it is cold, putting a coat on them is a good idea so that their skin does not dry out and is protected. Keep in mind that their skin is fragile and can be injured by branches and tough grass, so it is best to avoid places with weeds and tall vegetation.

Chinese Crested Health

The Chinese Crested Dog tends to be healthy and is not as susceptible to hereditary diseases as other dog breeds. However, they have a certain propensity for the following pathologies and conditions:

• Calvé-Perthes-Legg disease.
• Patellar dislocation.
• Early tooth loss.
• Skin lesions.
• Skin burns.

As we mentioned in previous sections, to avoid damaging the skin of the Chinese Crested it will be essential to take precautions. For example, use sunscreen before going outside, moisturize your skin, and use a neutral pH shampoo. It will also be essential to go to the veterinarian periodically so that he can provide the mandatory vaccinations and follow the deworming schedule, in addition to keeping a continuous track of his health. In the event of any anomaly, you should always go to a professional for a review.