HISTORY
Although the Chinese Crested breed is both fully coated and hairless it is the hairless dog that we think of when the Chinese Crested is mentioned. History is filled with the mention of the hairless dog which most likely is the Ancestor of the Chinese Crested hairless dog as well as several other hairless breeds we know today.
It is believed that the first hairless dog to arrive in China was during the Han Dynasty about 200 BC to 220 AD . Because the lack of hair meant lack of fleas. The Chinese Merchants used them as ratters on shipping vessels in an effort to control the plague that was carried by fleas. In this way the Chinese Merchants transported the hairless dogs around the globe and traded the offspring for other goods at ports they entered. This is the reason they are refereed to as Chinese Cresteds and does not reflect the fact that China was their origin.
Through archaeological references we find that the hairless dog was a spiritual familiar for the Aztec the Toltec and also the Incas and because their belief was that you became what you ate they often consumed the hairless dog as a ritual of becoming. There are many hairless dogs in Mexico and they are very similar to the Chinese Crested and are called Mexican hairless. There is Archaeological evidence that the hairless dog existed as far back as 2000 BC and that they existed all over the world. The tombs of the Egyptian Pharaohs were also decorated with the images of the hairless dog and because of their magical powers they were mummified to guide the Pharaoh on his journey across the river sticks. It is also believed that they were used as temple dogs to guard the treasures of the Gods.
The first Official AKC record of the Chinese Crested being shown is in the spring of 1885 although many books written as far back as 1700's have been found which include drawings and photos of the hairless dog. In the mid 30's Mrs Debra Woods took an interest in the Crested as a breed and started the first registry. For 40 years she was dedicated to the development of the breed. In the 50's the famous burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee started collecting Crested and her collection included dogs from all over the world. The breed as we now know it in the United States owes much thanks to the efforts of these two ladies.
There are two varieties of this wonderful breed---the hairless (having hair only on the head, tail, and feet) and the powderpuff (having hair all over the body like most dogs); despite the difference in appearance, the same dog is underneath. The Hairless and Powderpuff are born in the same litter, and ARE the same breed. The Chinese Crested is a very healthy and long-lived breed. It is uncommon for Cresteds to live up to 13-15 years. Like many of the Toy breeds the cresteds can have some problems. These included Patellar Luxation, which is common in small breeds, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and Legg Calve Perth's. The hairless gene affects far more than just the "hair", it affects teeth, and nails as well. Hairless Cresteds often have many missing teeth, and have a very abnormal looking mouth with their curved "tusk" canines. Often, you will have retained baby teeth that must be pulled by the veterinarian to ensure a good bite. Missing teeth in the hairless are not considered to be a problem, but a powderpuff should have a normal canine mouth.
A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet, and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining.
What Determines a Hairless Dog:
The hairless quality is due to the presence on a hairless gene... the symptom of that gene is lack of hair on the body of the dog and often lack of some teeth with lower k-9's leaning forward in the mouth. There can be differing degrees of lack of hair on the body. Some hairless dogs have a little hair on the top of the head, the tip of the tail and on the lower leg and foot. Others have hair that has to be groomed to make the hairless appearance. However no hair or some hair the hairless pup is totally hairless at birth and carries the hairless gene as well as the puff gene .. and breed with a hairless or a puff can produce either a hairless or a powderpuff puppy.
What is a Powderpuff:
The powderpuff.. is the variety of Chinese crested that is fully coated. They are born in the same litter as the hairless Chinese Crested. The powderpuff is completely covered with a heavy coat that can be several inches long as an adult. It usually requires brushing about once a week to maintain a fresh groomed look. The powderpuff does not carry the hairless gene and can produce only powderpuffs unless breed to a hairless.
Size Ideally 10 to 13 inches. However, dogs that are slightly larger or smaller may be given full consideration. Proportion rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Substance Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or alternatively, not a robust, heavy structure.
Expression Alert and intense. Eyes Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogs have dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims match the coloring of the dog. Ears Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Skull The skull is arched gently over the occupant from ear to ear. Distance from occupant to stop equal to distance from stop to tip of nose. The head is wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop Slight but distinct. Muzzle Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose Dark in dark-colored dogs; may be lighter in lighter-colored dogs. Pigment is solid. Lips Lips are clean and tight. Bite Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.
Neck Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high. Topline Level to slightly sloping croup. Body Brisket extends to the elbow. Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a moderate tuck-up at the flanks. Light in loin. Tail Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is long enough to reach the hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a slight curve upward at the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is completely covered with hair.
Angulation Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good reach. Shoulders Clean and narrow. Elbows Close to body. Legs Long, slender and straight. Pasterns Upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet Hare foot, narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.
Angulation Stifle moderately angulated. From hock joint to ground perpendicular. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet Same as forequarters.
The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head (called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Placement of hair is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper off slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth. Head Crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the base of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair on the ears and face is permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties. Tail Plume is described under Tail. The Powderpuff variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Close examination reveals long thin guard hairs over the short silky undercoat. The coat is straight, of moderate density and length. Excessively heavy, kinky or curly coat is to be penalized. Grooming is minimal-consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.
Chinese Cresteds may be any color, including some very unusual colors such as lavendar, pink, and blue---colors you didn't even know dogs could come in! Color can change dramatically from when a puppy is born to adulthood. Most "Tri Colored" (Black with tan and white markings) fade to silver with age and hairless change color with the seasons and the amount of sunlight they get....they get darker in the summer (tanned) and fade in winter as the hours of sunlight diminish. Some Hairless Cresteds are "more hairless" than others. Just as humans have different variations in body hair amounts, so do Cresteds. Some Hairless have only a tiny mohawk and hardly any hair on their feet and a wisp of hair for a tail, while others have profuse crest (the hair on the head), plume (the hair on the tail) and socks (the hair on the feet). When not groomed for show, many will evidence some body hair, again with a variance from almost none to quite a lot. When confronted with the question, "Is it really a hairless breed or do you have to shave it?" the answers are "yes" and "yes." Even the MOST hairless of Hairless generally need a little tidying up before going into the show ring, and some with profuse body hair need quite a bit of work. Many people think the Hairless is a maintenance free pet. In reality, the Hairless requires as much care as the Powderpuff; just a different type. Many people shave the faces on both Hairless and Powderpuffs, but you will see Cresteds with unshaved faces,it's a matter of preference. Chinese Cresteds can be the answer for those with allergies or asthma...the hairless especially. Although the puff is concidered by some to be "non-shedding" it requires coat care to be truly non shedding. Hairless Cresteds often have many missing teeth, and have a very abnormal looking mouth with their curved "tusk" canines. Often, you will have retained baby teeth that must be pulled by the veterinarian to ensure a good bite. Missing teeth in the hairless are not considered to be a problem, but a powderpuff should have a normal canine mouth.
Lively, agile and smooth without being stilted or hackneyed. Comes and goes at a trot moving in a straight line.
Both varieties have the same personality---that of a little clown, who loves to entertain. Crested are a very intelligent group and usually forms strong attachments to its humans. The Chinese Crested is a dog with medium activity. Lively, but not hyper, the Chinese Crested can lie down in your lap while you're watching television but will be on his feet to accompany you if you move for any reason. The Chinese Crested is not for those who like for their dog to be independent, Cresteds much prefer to be in the middle of things at all times touching you if at all possible, in your lap preferably. A very athletic dog, it is not unusual to see the Chinese Crested dancing along the top of the sofa, doing flying leaps chasing butterflies, or taking on many other athletic endeavors. The breed loves attention so much that they are extremely tolerant of children and will often even enjoy being dressed up in doll clothes. They are very social with both humans and other pets, and are an ideal addition to a multi-pet household The Chinese Crested is a highly intelligent animal, eager to please, but they do not respond to nor learn from harsh training methods. As a general rule, they will learn better and faster if their training is built around fun things and coupled with lots of praise and treats. When feeling offended, this Breed will pout and sometimes even "snub" their owner. All training should be positive and fun.
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