Chinese Crested Dog

Other names: hairless Chinese crested dog , CCD

The Chinese Crested Dog is an image, indoor breed, whose representatives are divided into two types: hairless individuals with a completely naked body and downy ones, overgrown with long silky hair.

Characteristics of Chinese Crested Dog

Basic moments

• Chinese Cresteds are excellent companions and “stress relievers”, but poor watchdogs.
• All “Chinese” are very sensitive to even a slight decrease in ambient temperature. Accordingly, such animals should live only in an apartment.
• Overly practical breed owners are likely to be disappointed. The soft, light, tangled coat of dogs needs to be given a lot of attention, as well as regularly spent money on the services of a groomer. Hairless individuals in this regard are not more economical and will require the cost of caring cosmetics and wardrobe.
• For those who do not tolerate loneliness and are looking for a groovy pet that does not suffer from mood swings, the KHS is the ideal dog. These babies are friendly, sweet and very dependent on their owner.
• Hairless Chinese Crested Dogs are good with other pets and know 1000 and 1 ways to ingratiate themselves with children. True, leaving naturally fragile dogs in the care of unintelligent kids is still not worth it.
• Representatives of this breed are smart enough, but not devoid of stubbornness, so the training and education of the animal does not always go smoothly and quickly.
• With CCS, you will have to forever forget about such a thing as personal space. To hide from the dog behind a tightly closed door means to seriously offend the pet.
• Chinese Cresteds with long hair all over their bodies are called Powder Puffs. Powder puff in English translation is a puff for applying powder.
• Both completely naked and fluffy puppies can be born in one litter.
• The coat of the CCS does not have a characteristic dog odor and practically does not shed.

The Chinese Crested Dog is a miniature smart dog with a stylish “hairstyle”, the constant companion of Hollywood divas and starlets of the middle of the 20th century. Possessing a lively, non-violent character and pathological attachment to the owner, although the KHS made themselves known only at the beginning of the last century, they managed to masterfully adjust to the realities of their time and gain enviable popularity. From about the 70s, the breed began to smoothly descend from the starry Olympus, thanks to which its representatives began to appear not only at closed bohemian parties, but also in the apartments of ordinary people around the world.

Hairless Chinese Crested Dog Breed History

Direct evidence that the Celestial Empire was the birthplace of the Chinese crested has not yet been found. Yes, Asian nobles have always been greedy for living exotics and traditionally preferred small hairless dogs, but most of these pets were “foreigners” imported from other countries. Speaking specifically about CCS, modern researchers offer three relatively plausible versions of their origin. According to the first of them, miniature “Cuffeds” are direct descendants of an extinct African hairless dog that sailed to China with trade caravans. The second theory is based on the external resemblance of the “Chinese” with the Mexican hairless dog. True, it is not entirely clear in what ways animals from the American continent, unknown at that time, made their way to Asia.

The modern stage of the formation of the breed occurred at the end of the 19th century, when the New York journalist Ida Garrett brought the first “Chinese” to the United States. The woman was so delighted with the decorative “Cuffs” that she devoted 60 years of her life to breeding them. At the beginning of the 20th century, professional breeders also became interested in pets. In particular, the American breeder Deborah Woods started the first Chinese Crested stud book already in the 30s of the last century. In 1959, the first CCS club appeared in the USA, and in 1965, one of Mrs. Woods’ wards went to conquer Foggy Albion. 

British breeders also did not remain indifferent to exotic dogs, as evidenced by the opening of numerous kennels in different parts of England between 1969 and 1975. At the same time, the red tape with the recognition of the breed by cynological associations dragged on for a long time. The first to capitulate in 1981 was the KC (English Kennel Club), and 6 years later the FCI pulled up to him, approving the right of the Chinese Crested for breeding. The AKC (American Kennel Club) held on the longest, proclaiming the “Chinese” as an independent breed only in 1991.

Video: Chinese Crested Dog

Appearance of the Chinese Crested Dog

The Chinese Crested Dog is not the most comfortable breed to keep, but this disadvantage is fully compensated by the non-trivial image of its representatives. According to the standard approved by the FCI, Chinese Cresteds can have a deer or stocky build. Individuals from the first category are distinguished by a lightweight skeleton (backbone) and, accordingly, great grace. Stocky animals are almost twice as heavy as their counterparts (the weight of an adult dog can reach 5 kg) and squat.

Head

Slightly elongated, the skull is moderately rounded, the cheekbones are not prominent. The muzzle is slightly narrowed, the stop is expressed moderately.

Teeth and jaws

The jaws of the Chinese crested are strong, with a regular bite (the lower teeth are completely covered by the upper ones). In hairless individuals, molars often do not erupt, however, such a deviation from the standard is considered quite acceptable, as it is genetically determined.

Nose

Lobe of medium size, the color can be any.

Ears

Relatively large, placed vertically. An exception to the rule is Chinese crested down type, which may have a hanging ear cloth.

Eyes

CJCs have small, wide-set and very dark eyes.

Neck

Dry, long, with a graceful curve, which is especially noticeable in a moving animal.

Frame

The length of the body in individuals of the deer and stocky types varies greatly. In the first case, the body will be of normal proportions, in the second, it will be elongated in length. The chest of the representatives of the Chinese Crested breed is wide, the ribs are slightly curved, the stomach is tucked up.

limbs

The front legs of hairless Chinese Crested Dogs are straight and thin. The shoulders are narrow and “look” back, and the pasterns are miniature and stand almost vertically. The hindquarters are straight, with muscular thighs and low hocks. The paws of the Chinese crested hare type, that is, narrow and elongated in length. The toes are covered with “boots” made of airy wool.

Tail

Long, straight type, with a spectacular plume of soft wool. When moving, it is kept elevated, at rest it is lowered.

Wool

Ideally, hair in hairless “Cuffed” should be present only on the paws, tail and head, although exceptions to the rule are not uncommon. Powder puffs are completely overgrown with soft veil-like hair, under which a small undercoat is hidden. At the same time, both hairless and downy dogs have a charming “forelock” on their heads.

Color

In world cynology, all types of colors of Chinese crested dogs are declared permitted. The inhabitants of Russian nurseries have only 20 officially recognized colors:

• solid white;
• White black;
• white-blue;
• white chocolate;
• white-bronze;
• white-cream;
• solid black;
• black and white;
• black and tan;
• solid cream;
• creamy white;
• solid chocolate;
• solid bronze;
• bronze with white;
• sable;
• chocolate with white;
• chocolate tan;
• solid blue;
• blue with white;
• tricolor.

Important: naked, downy, in deer or stocky type – all these varieties of Chinese crested are equal in rights, so a dog can be disqualified at an exhibition only for its non-compliance with the breed standard, but not for external features.

Photo of Chinese Crested Dog

Personality of the Chinese Crested Dog

Sociable, friendly, idolizing its own owner – if your CJC does not have at least these three qualities, think about whether this is really a Chinese Crested. The amazing attachment of the breed to humans has given rise to a number of myths about her mental talents. So, for example, many owners of “Chinese” are seriously convinced that their pets have a penchant for telepathy and are able to predict desires.

There are also many stories about the so-called “medicinal” nature of the breed. True, this applies more to the “naked”, whose skin seems hot due to the lack of wool on it. According to the assurances of the owners, naked Chinese crested dogs alleviate pain in case of arthrosis and rheumatism, acting as a living heating pad. It is difficult to judge how true such stories are, but the fact that KHS really know how to create a harmonious, peaceful atmosphere in the house is a proven fact.

One of the main phobias of the Chinese Crested breed is loneliness. An animal left in an empty apartment for a long time literally goes crazy, notifying others of its misfortune with a loud howl. However, in order to bark from the heart, “puffs” and “naked ones” do not always need a reason, so if at some point your pet is carried away by “oratorios”, take care of his upbringing. But do not overdo it: it will still not be possible to turn a crested vocalist into a silent one.

Representatives of this breed are not tied to the sofa and are quite mobile. The back seat of a car, a bicycle basket or a regular leash – choose any way you like and boldly take or take your pet out into the world. In addition, mischievous “tufts” are always happy to play with a ball, squeaker and other dog entertainment. Well, if one of the household members, including children, joins the process, the joy of the “Chinese” will have no limit.

Love for a person in CCS often comes to obsession. Puppies intuitively copy cat behavior: they rub against their legs, try to perch on their knees and play cuddles with their adored owner. Trying to cultivate emotional coldness and sedateness in Chinese crested animals is useless, and for the animal’s psyche it is also obviously harmful. If the prospect of constant close contact with a pet seriously annoys you, you will have to opt for another, less sociable breed.

Education and training

Often at the zooforums one can find complaints about the closeness and poor education of the CCS, although in fact the “Cossacks” are smart, inquisitive and quite trainable creatures. And yet, not a single, even the most intellectually developed dog will train itself, so if you expect an innate sense of tact and behavioral aristocracy from an animal, then it is completely in vain.

The education of a puppy begins from birth or from the first minutes of his appearance in the house. To begin with, accustom the baby to the place and do not let him climb into your bed (yes, yes, KHS are exceptional charms, but they should sleep on their own couch). If the puppy misses his mother and brothers too much, at first they put a heating pad on his mattress, creating the illusion of a warm dog’s belly. And do not forget that the psyche of Chinese crested dogs is very fragile, so squeeze your own emotions into a fist and never yell at a wronged baby.

Toilet problems, which breed owners often complain about, occur mainly in individuals who have been poorly or too late explained how to use dog equipment. In general, Chinese Cresteds are born “diapers” and “hawkers”, that is, they cannot endure for a long time and prefer to do their “deeds” on a newspaper or in a tray than to wait for a walk. However, it is quite possible to accustom them to an outdoor toilet, and the methods used are the same as for dogs of other breeds.

Despite the fact that, due to their slender complexion, CJs seem manageable and pliable, they still need to be trained. In particular, the command “No!” every adult “Chinese” is obliged to understand and perform, just like approaching the owner at his call. If desired, the Chinese Crested can be taught simple circus tricks. It is known that “puffs” and “pebbles” walk well on their hind legs and spin to the music.

Maintenance and care

At home, the pet should feel comfortable and protected, so arrange a secluded corner for him. The best option is a small house, although a couch with sides is also suitable. A growing Chinese crested dog should have a sufficient number of toys. Both rubber tweeters from the store and alternative options like corks, balls and small cardboard boxes will fit here. For trips to the veterinarian or travel, it is better to purchase a carrying bag.

Hygiene

Paradoxical as it may seem, but with the skin of “naked” no less fuss than with the wool of powder puffs. Wash hairless CCS once or twice a week using a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. If there were no special hygiene products at hand, you can limit yourself to baby or tar soap. Blow drying is also a must.

From the skin of naked Chinese crested, it is necessary to regularly remove blackheads and comedones – black sebaceous plugs that clog pores. In particular, “milk” (white balls) are pierced with a medical needle, their contents are squeezed out and the puncture site is treated with chlorhexidine. Before you start removing blackheads, the dog’s skin is steamed out (a terry towel soaked in heated water and wrapped around the body of the animal will do). You can remove comedones with your hands, but in this case, your fingers should be wrapped in a sterile bandage soaked in an antiseptic. With pimples, which may be the result of food allergies, you can fight with ointments such as Bepanthen and tea tree oil.

It is worth considering that even hairless Chinese Crested Dogs have some hair on their bodies and belly. Usually these are sparse hairs that spoil the glamorous appearance of the animal, but in some individuals there is also a denser growth. In order to improve the appearance of hair on the body, “pebbles” are removed with a disposable razor, after lubricating the dog’s skin with shaving foam. Another affordable and painless option is depilatory creams from a regular supermarket. An epilator and wax strips give a longer result, but not all CCS are able to endure such an “execution”. However, individual breeders manage to teach their pets to endure discomfort even during such procedures. The main thing then is not to forget to treat the pet’s skin with an antiseptic lotion and lubricate it with aftershave cream.

By the way, about creams. In the “beautician” of a naked Chinese crested dog, they must be indispensable, since the skin of such animals is prone to dryness and is very sensitive to environmental influences. Buy your pet a couple of nourishing and moisturizing products, and stock up on a cream with a high SPF level for the summer.

Owners of downy Chinese “crested” will not have to relax either. Of course, powder puffs are washed less often than “naked ones” (2-3 times a month), but they are combed daily. The wool of “puffs” is very soft, which means that no matter how carefully you take care of your pet, tangles are provided. The only question is how dense they will be. If the animal is combed regularly, tangled fur is easier to put in order. The owners of neglected dogs have only one way out – cutting out matted areas. It’s great if the owner has the time and spare money to take the pet to the groomer. If care is carried out at home, follow a few rules.

• Never comb the dry hair of the puffs. Be sure to moisturize it with a special lotion.
• Secure the dog’s tuft with an elastic band – so the hair will be less tangled.
• Choose a smooth fabric like satin for your pet bed. This to some extent will reduce the likelihood of knocking wool into tangles while the animal is sleeping.

Caring for the ears and eyes of Chinese Crested Dogs is not the most difficult. A couple of times a week, the ear funnels of pets must be cleaned with cotton swabs and the mucous membrane of the eye should be treated with a veterinary lotion (folk remedies are contraindicated). You can additionally pluck the hairs in the inner part of the animal’s ear, this will improve air circulation in it. In addition, too much hair interferes with the removal of sulfur deposits from the auricle.

Trimming the nails of a Chinese Crested Dog will require maximum concentration. The blood vessels in the claws of the “Chinese” go deep enough, and there is a risk of touching them with scissors. This is exactly the case when it is better to undercut than to cut off the excess.

walks

Representatives of the Chinese Crested breed should be walked daily. In the fresh air, energetic and inquisitive “Cuffeds” fall into a kind of frenzy, so they are taken out on a leash-roulette. And these kids love to play archaeologists and excavate in the flower beds, so it will be difficult to stop a dog that has become carried away without a leash.

Walking is usually preceded by preparation. For example, in the spring and summer, the body of naked dogs is smeared with sunscreen to prevent burns. In autumn and winter, animals are taken outside dressed (relevant for “naked”), and in frosty weather, it is better to minimize the number of walking.

Walking with Chinese crested is not possible everywhere. In particular, it is not recommended to take hairless pets into the forest or go on a picnic with them to water bodies. A dog’s unfurred body is an excellent target for mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects, so after such an outing, CCS will have to be treated for bites and possible allergies. Leaving a four-legged friend to sunbathe in the sun is also undesirable. In “naked” this can provoke overheating, burns, and pigmentation of the skin, and in “fluffies” under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the hair dries up and coarsens.

Feeding

The first and only rule: no unauthorized sweets and delicacies from your own table. Hairless Chinese Crested Dogs have very sensitive digestion and allergies to a whole bunch of foods, so any attempt to modify a pet’s menu invariably ends up going to the vet. To understand that you blundered and fed your pet with the wrong thing, you can by the condition of his skin and coat. Acne, wen, smudges under the eyes are not the most terrible symptoms. It is much worse if, after your treat, a Chinese crested dog vomits.

Strict no:

• raw meat and fish;
• milk
• pork
• chicken (the strongest allergen);
• any sausage products;
• sweets;
• grapes;
• bones;
• semolina, oatmeal, barley.

Individuals who eat “natural food” are well suited for low-fat sour milk, cereals on the water (corn, rice, millet), grated apple. The “Chinese” should have dinner with lean meat, which can be replaced with boiled sea fish once a week. Raw carrots and cabbage seasoned with vegetable oil are also acceptable on the Chinese crested menu. If an elderly CCS lives in your apartment, then the food for it must be carefully chopped or brought to a state of minced meat. This is especially true for “pebbles”, which from birth have an incomplete set of teeth, and by old age they completely turn into toothless ones. Crested “old men”, who previously sat on industrial feeds, are usually transferred to their wet varieties (pates, meat in jelly).

Young and healthy dogs can be fed “drying”, but of high quality. Economy class food is not available here. Yes, and from super-premium varieties, it is better to choose hypoallergenic varieties. For pregnant women, dry croquettes are an ideal option, since they contain vitamins and microelements necessary for the developing fetus. It is more difficult for pregnant “girls” who are treated with “natural” in this regard, therefore, if you are in favor of natural nutrition with both hands and are not ready to radically change the diet of the expectant mother, buy her a vitamin complex. And don’t panic if your Chinese Crested refuses to eat or vomits during the first weeks of pregnancy. This is the most common toxicosis that most bitches go through.

Health and Diseases of Chinese Crested Dogs

Chinese crested dogs are relatively strong dogs, but they also have their own list of genetic ailments. Most often, representatives of this breed can be found:

• primary dislocation of the eye lens;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• cataract;
• dry keratoconjunctivitis;
• hyperuricosuria;
• degenerative myelopathy;
• epilepsy;
• Perthes disease;
• dislocation of the kneecap;
• hyperplasia of the joints (hip).

Of the ailments that are not caused by heredity, one can note a food allergy that provokes rashes on the skin of naked “Chinese”.

How to choose a puppy

They start selling Chinese Crested puppies at the age of one and a half months, but nothing prevents you from visiting the kennel earlier to book a baby, and at the same time assess the conditions in which he lives. Getting to know the parents of the future pet, or at least one of them, is a must. In the end, no one canceled hereditary diseases.

As for the exterior, it is unstable in Chinese Crested puppies. Animals with black and chocolate hair brighten as they grow older, in many babies the proportions of the head change (the muzzle lengthens), and the tuft in most young individuals is not too pronounced yet and looks more like a cap.

If your choice is a hairless Chinese Crested, pay maximum attention to the hair on the head and tail of the baby. For example, if the “forelock” and the plume are thick, as they grow older, this feature will manifest itself brighter. Rare hair, alas, will not become more abundant. Sometimes hairless CCS puppies can grow all over the body. This is not a defect. On the contrary, such individuals always have more spectacular crest and tail. The only thing is that such a dog will have to shave and epilate more often. Do not be shy to look into the “naked” mouth to make sure that all his teeth have erupted, or at least most of them.

When choosing between a male or a female, keep in mind that even the most intelligent Chinese “boys” mark their territory. In addition, having smelled the estrus crested “lady”, they become uncontrollable and prone to escape. Unsterilized “girls” have a problem only in estrus, which happens to them twice a year and lasts for 3 weeks. At the same time, throughout the entire mating season, the baby can leave bloody traces of discharge in the apartment, which not every owner will like.

Photo of Chinese Crested Dog Puppies

How much does a hairless chinese crested dog cost

It is almost impossible to buy a purebred Chinese Crested puppy for less than 350 – 500$. In general, even during the “sales” arranged by the nursery, the cost of a thoroughbred baby should not fall below 250$. If less is asked for the animal, most likely it has a serious external defect. An important point: naked Chinese crested puppies are valued more than down babies, and the price tag on them is always higher.