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Chinese Crested

Chinese Crested

A slender, fine-boned toy breed, the Chinese Crested is believed to have descended from African hairless dogs. For centuries, the breed accompanied Chinese sailors on the high seas, and sailors frequently traded puppies with local merchants at port cities around the world. Elegant and graceful, the Chinese Crested is a lively dog that makes a playful, loving companion. The breed comes in two coat varieties — hairless and powderpuff — both which shed little to no hair.

DID YOU KNOW? Chinese Crested dogs have made appearances in several popular films and television shows. They include: “Krull” from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Fluffy,” who was Cruella DeVille's dog in “102 Dalmatians,” and “Halston” from the sitcom “Ugly Betty.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Powder Puff, The Hairless

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming every other day
  • Hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • Great with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Pet Card

  • Living Considerations: Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
  • Size: Toy
  • Height: Males - 27.5 to 33 centimetres at the withers, Females - 22.5 to 30.5 centimetres at the withers
  • Weight: Males - 3 to 5 kilograms, Females - 2 to 5 kilograms
  • Coat: Short or medium
  • Energy: Medium
  • Colour: Any colour or combination of colours
  • Activities: Agility, Conformation, Obedience, Rally Obedience
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Key Facts

Lifespan: 13 – 15 years
Weight:  2.3 – 5.4kg 
Height:  23 – 33cm 
Colours:  Any colour or combination of colours is accepted
Size:  Small
UK Kennel Club Groups: Toy

Ratings

Family-friendly: 4/5
Exercise needs: 2/5
Easy to train: 4/5
Tolerates being alone: 1/5
Likes other pets: 4/5
Energy level: 2/5
Grooming needs: 2/5
Shedding: 2/5

Personality

Described as ‘happy-go-lucky’ and playful, the Chinese Crested thrives on human company, and fulfils the companion dog role excellently – never happier than when on a loved one’s lap.

Bright and intelligent, the Chinese Crested can be trained to a high standard or simply kept entertained and mentally stimulated learning tricks and basic obedience.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: China

The origins of the Chinese Crested dog are unclear, and much debated. It is thought that their ancestors came from Africa, and moved east to Asia, travelling with sailors as useful ships dogs, and eventually spreading to the Americas.

It is quite likely that these unusual and attractive little dogs appealed to wealthy, influential royals and nobility wherever they went, and would have been gifted and traded as many dog breeds have been.

One of the earliest portrayals of the Chinese Crested dog is in Robert Plot’s ‘Natural History of Staffordshire – 1686, with a description and illustration that is almost identical to the modern Chinese Crested.

Did You Know?

  • There are a number of medical myths about the Chinese Crested dog, one is that the touch of its skin would cure a patient of a fever! It was also claimed that arthritis could be cured if you used the dog as a heating pad. Whilst it is known that owning a dog can bring stress levels down and improve the owner’s health, it seems very unlikely these claims can be relied upon! 
  • Chinese Crested dogs helped to prevent the spread of the Black Death as they would catch rats on ships and due to their lack of fur, they were less likely to get fleas, making them less likely to spread the disease.
  • A burlesque dancer called Gypsy Rose Lee helped to popularise the breed as she was an active breeder and advocate for them, many Chinese Crested’s alive today can be traced back to Lee lines.
  • They’re incredibly popular in movies and you can spot them in films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, New York Minute, 102 Dalmatians and Cats and Dogs.
  • Chinese Cresteds have sweat glands and can actually cool down without panting.

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