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LittlePawz.com
Your Online Guide to Small Dogs
Chinese Crested Hairless
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| CHINESE CRESTED HAIRLESS |
Good Points
- No hairs on the carpet
- Intelligent and devoted
- Good with children
Take Heed
- Apt to be greedy
- Reptillian skin may not be to everyones liking
- Can die of a broken heart if parted from its beloved owner
The Chinese Crested has much to recommend it, as both pet and show dog. It is a handy size, clean and odourless, and does not shed. It is dainty, alert, intelligent, courageous and gentle. It seldom requires veterinary aid and is a free whelper. It adjusts to cold or warm climates as its body temperature is 4º F (2.2º C) higher than that of humans; in fact it has its own central heating system, the body feeling hotter to the touch after the Chinese Crested has eaten. It has the ability to grip with its paws in a charming, almost human fashion.
A strange fact about the breed is that in almost every litter there are one or two haired pups, known as powder puffs. Although these haired puppies have been excluded from selective breeding over a period of years, they are still apparent. Many believe that the powder puffs are nature's way of keeping the hairless pups warm.
Size
Height: Dogs: 11 – 13 inches (28 – 33 cm); Bitches: 9 – 12 inches (23 – 30 cm) at the withers
Weight: varies, but should not exceed 12 lbs. (5.5 kg)
Coat
No large patches of hair anywhere on body. Skin fine grained. Smooth, warm to the touch. In Powder Puffs coat consists of an undercoat with soft veil of long hair, well coated feature.
Colour
Any colour or combination of colours.
Exercise
The Chinese Crested is a lively little dog and enjoys a brisk walk. However, it happily works off a lot of surplus energy running after, and playing with, chews and other toys that it so likes.
Grooming
The Chinese Crested needs frequent bathing, and the skin should be regularly rubbed with baby oil to prevent cracking and to keep it smooth to the touch. Care must be taken to prevent sunburn and to maintain the sking free of blackheads and other blemishes — to which they are prone in adolescence. Facial hair and whiskers are usually removed for showing.
Feeding
Usually a rather greedy dog, this breed should be content with 1/2 – 1/3 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a few biscuits. You may leave the biscuits where your Chinese Crested can help itself but, remove the biscuits if your pet becomes overweight. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Chinese Crested.
Health Care
These small dogs lack premolar teeth, and thus it is inadvisable to give them bones. They are also allergic to wool.
Origin and History
Up until 1966, an elderly lady in the United States owned the only examples of the Chinese Crested in the world. Mrs. Ruth Harris introduced four of these to the United Kingdom. Today the Chinese Crested is thriving, and classes for the breed are being included in an increasing number of dog shows. It is recognized by the British Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club, and the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read more about the Chinese Crested Hairless.
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