Chinese Crested Dog
Dogs
Chinese Crested Dog
Chinese Crested Dog |
A Chinese Crested Dog with spotted skin
|
Alternative names |
Hairless
Powderpuff |
Country of origin |
China |
Common nicknames |
|
Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 9 Section 4 #288 |
|
AKC: |
Toy |
|
ANKC: |
Group 1 (Toys) |
|
CKC: |
Group 5 (Toys) |
|
KC (UK): |
Toy |
|
NZKC: |
Toy |
|
UKC: |
Companion Breeds |
|
Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
|
The Chinese Crested Dog is a smaller (10-13 lbs)
breed of
dog known for its
unusual appearance. It a member of the
toy dog
group, and is available in two types: The Hairless and the Powderpuff.
Appearance
Powderpuff Chinese Crested
At first glance, the Hairless and Powderpuff varieties of Chinese Crested
Dogs appear to be two different breeds. The Hairless is the more popular
variety, known for its lack of a fur coat. Instead, it has a soft, humanlike
skin that is unusual to the touch, though it has tufts of fur on its paws
("socks") and tail ("plume") and long, wavy hair on its head ("crest"). Fur on
the muzzle, known as a beard, is not uncommon. The hairless variety can vary in
amount of body hair. A true hairless has very little to no body hair. Many of
the dogs seen in the
show ring are actually a "moderate" or "hairy" hairless that is shaved down.
The difference between a vary hairy hairless and a "puff" is that the hairless
has a
single coat, often with hairless parts on the body, while the puff has a
thick
double coat. The skin of the Hairless comes in a variety of colours, ranging
from a pale flesh to black, and is often mottled. Hairless Cresteds often lack a
full set of teeth.
The Powderpuff shares the crest and build of the Hairless, but in addition
has a full coat of long hair. The look of the Powderpuff varies, according to
how it is groomed. When its fur is completely grown out on its face, it strongly
resembles a terrier; however, the Powderpuff is usually shaved around the snout
as a standard cut. Its fur is incredibly soft, and shedding is minimal. Due to
its coat type, the Powderpuff or Hairless are considered good pets for allergy
sufferers.
Temperament
Dark-skinned Chinese Crested
Chinese Cresteds are affectionate, energetic, and playful. They are known to
be great family pets, and have endearing personalities. They are known to be
great with respectful children. Some are known "singers", while others are known
to "smile". They are generally happy lap dogs with candid personalities.
Health
The Hairless is susceptible to
acne and
sunburn.
Maintenance of the skin is similar to maintaining human skin—moisturising cream
can keep the skin from becoming too dry, and in fair-skinned Cresteds, if one
lives in a warm climate where there is a lot of sun (Australia, Spain, and so
on) one should apply
sunscreen
to the dog's skin.
Overall, if one is prepared to give proper maintenance, attention, and care,
a Chinese Crested can, barring accident or illness, live up to fifteen years.
History
Though associated with
China since the
13th century, many believe it was originally brought there from
Africa and
others believe that it might be a cross of the
Chihuahua and
Mexican Hairless Dog, the latter of which it resembles.
The Chinese Crested was officially recognised by the UK
Kennel Club in 1981
and by the
American Kennel Club in
1991.
Famous Chinese Crested dogs
- Peek in the 2001
comedy film
Cats & Dogs
- Sam,
the three-time winner of the Sonoma-Marin Fair's
World's Ugliest Dog Contest in
Petaluma,
California, became a minor Internet celebrity.
- Krull in the
2003 film
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- Renaldo in 2004
film
New York Minute
Miscellaneous
The Hairless
allele is a dominant (and
homozygous
lethal) trait; while the Powderpuff allele (the
wild type)
acts as a simple recessive trait to it. Embryos that receive 2 copies of the
Hairless allele will never develop into puppies. Thus all Chinese crested carry
at least one copy of the Powderpuff allele.
The Powderpuff trait cannot be bred out because it is carried by all Chinese
Cresteds (even the hairless ones). All Hairless Chinese crested have the ability
to produce Powderpuff puppies; even when they are bred to another hairless.
External links
Home | Up | Cairn Terrier | Canaan Dog | Canadian Eskimo Dog | Cane Corso | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Catahoula Leopard Dog | Catalan Sheepdog | Caucasian Ovcharka | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Cesky Terrier | Chart Polski | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Chihuahua | Chinese Crested Dog | Chinook | Chippiparai | Chow Chow | Clumber Spaniel | Cockapoo | Cocker Spaniel | Collie | Cordoba Fighting Dog | Coton de Tulear | Curly Coated Retriever
Dogs, made by MultiMedia | Free content and software
This guide is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
|