Chinese Crested Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: Up to 12 pounds
Life Span: 10-14 years
Coloring: Any color – solid or combination
Area of Origin: China or Africa
Similar Breeds: Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless), Inca Hairless Dog and the Peruvian Inca Orchid.

History and Origin:

The Chinese Crested dog is not, as most would assume, from China. The “African Hairless Terriers,” as they were known at the time, were brought to China by sailors. They were not originally brought onboard as pets, rather as a way to control the rodents onboard as they would eat the supplies and carry disease. Once they returned to China, these dogs were then referred to by different names until finally the name Chinese Crested finally stuck.

As these little dogs were very efficient at what they did and survived well on ships, the Chinese then started breeding these dogs and started to trade them. At this point they started to become more popular as pets and even started being noticed by the higher classes.

The breed itself was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1981. Despite being first shown in 1885 at the Westminster Kennel Club, they discontinued this in 1965 due to the unpopularity of the breed and lack of an official National breed club. In 1979 an official American breeders club was developed and in 1991 the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed.

Personality and Temperament:

This dog is very alert, active and playful. While friendly with its family, the Chinese Crested is often wary of strangers making sure to approach them with caution and will often not want to be touched by them. This dog is generally good with other dogs and even cats, and is good with quiet children. Chinese Crested Dogs are quite sensitive dogs and do not like loud noise nor do they accept change well.

While this dog is very energetic, social and affectionate with those in their immediate “pack,” it should be remembered that this little dog was bred to dispatch rodents and was an efficient killer. It is therefore imperative that this dog is very well socialized starting from a young age with children and other animals. This dog cannot be trusted with small animals and caution should be shown when having this dog around children, not because it is a mean breed, but because it is a rather delicate dog and lacks the protective fur most dogs have therefore making it easier for accidents to happen.

The Chinese Crested is also prone to “Small Dog Syndrome,” and as such should be carefully trained to avoid this as once it has become an issue it is difficult to correct.

Exercise & Training:

The Chinese Crested adapts well to small spaces and has no issues with living in an apartment without a garden. Despite being an active and playful dog, these dogs are quiet in the house and do not require a large amount of exercise. Two short walks a day would be more than enough exercise for this dog even though they would happily go for longer walks with their families just to spend more time with them.

Chinese Crested dogs are often thought of as unintelligent and difficult to train. This is not necessarily true. These dogs, as previously mentioned, are quite sensitive. This does not mean that they are not stubborn. On the contrary, these dogs are very stubborn and if they feel the training method being used is not to their liking due to things such as verbal or physical forcefulness, they will refuse to obey and there is very little that will change their mind. Once they have decided their owner has lost their respect, an uphill battle will have been started. If, on the other hand, you are careful and are firm yet gentle, this dog can be taught quickly and effectively and their playful antics are sure to keep you and your family amused for hours of play. They are also adept at learning tricks with the correct motivation and training, yet the basics should be mastered first before moving on.

Chinese Crested dogs are very sensitive to noise as well and should be acclimatized to this as puppies to avoid issues when they are older. Things such as TV, traffic, radios, and other people are all things that may elicit a negative response from the dog should they not be properly exposed to such things when they are young.

As far as Chinese Crested dogs and their susceptibility to “Small Dog Syndrome,” an owner must remember this despite their size. Behavior such as barking, nipping and chewing, while young may be cute, as an adult this can escalate and become quite dangerous. Despite their small size, this behavior should never be allowed. A good rule of thumb is to ask oneself, “Would I allow this in a large dog?” If the answer is no, then it is probably a behavior you will want to work on.

Grooming:

Chinese Crested dogs come in two coat varieties: the hairless and the powder puff. These two coats are so different and yet do require some of the same grooming requirements.

The hairless variety usually has hair covering their lower legs/feet, their tail and their head/neck. The skin that is exposed is very much like ours yet very sensitive and prone to being oily. These dogs should have fairly regular baths using a good quality dog shampoo and conditioner as human shampoos and conditioners are too harsh for a dog and can lead to their skin and hair drying out. Once they have been bathed and dried thoroughly, they should have their ears and teeth checked and cleaned and their nails trimmed. It is generally easier to cut their nails after a bath as the nail is softer and less likely to fray. If they show signs of drying out, moisture can be used sparingly as it can lead to blocked pores and therefore acne and blackheads. As these dogs do not have hair covering their backs like most dogs, if they have lighter skin and they are going to be out in the sun for a long period of time, a good sunscreen may be in order as well.

As even the hairless variety of the Chinese Crested usually has hair on their head, ears, tail and feet, these areas should be treated like most long-haired dogs. This hair requires daily brushing to keep it looking smooth and to prevent mats from forming. Most owners choose to shave all of the hair on the dog save for the hair on the head and neck which give the dogs their signature mane, the hair on their feet and the hair on the end of their tails. This trimming requires a very sharp pair of clippers and a very steady hand. As such, it is suggested to find a good groomer who is very familiar with the breed.

The other variety of Chinese Crested is the powder puff. These dogs have a very full double coat which is full of very fine hair that is prone to matting. As such, it is very important to brush this dog daily from one end to the other. Unless the dog is to be used in show, a lot of owners choose to trim their dogs as this makes their upkeep easier because despite the fact their hair will stop growing at a certain length, they have a lot of it and it is a lot of work to keep it looking show-worthy. To keep up with a trim, it is again suggested to find a groomer who is familiar with this breed. Even with a trim, the dog does still require daily brushing although the time required for said brushing is reduced dramatically.

These dogs should be bathed once every 1-2 weeks with a mild dog shampoo and conditioner. As the hair is very soft and fine, the conditioner should always be used to help maintain this texture and prevent limp hair. After their bath they should have their ears and teeth cleaned and their nails trimmed.

Health and Wellness:

Unfortunately, the Chinese Crested’s unique appearance does bring certain health issues into play. Things such as obesity and tooth decay issues are common between both hairless and powder puff varieties but other issues are specific to one or the other. Some of the issues known to this breed are:

Acne (hairless)
- The hairless variety of the Chinese Crested is very prone to skin conditions such as acne and therefore one should be careful to ensure they have regular baths with a good quality shampoo and conditioner and that it is fully removed from the skin once they are done their shower. Things such as sunscreen and moisturizer should be used sparingly and only when necessary to prevent blocked pores. If it does not clear up quickly or blackheads develop, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Allergies
- Allergies to certain things such as wool can be a major issue for both varieties; however, the hairless variety seems more prone to allergies due to the exposed skin.
Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma
- Bright red skin cancers which can appear on any part of a dog’s body, however, are usually seen on the head. They can be from 0.5 to 4 cm in diameter and ulceration is common. These appear quickly and without warning. This usually affects dogs that are over the age of 5 yet can appear at any time.
Canine Multiple System Degeneration (CMSD)
- Another genetic issue which can be avoided with genetic testing, Canine Multiple System Degeneration (CMSD) is where a puppy is born seeming healthy, and then their heads start to wobble starting around 4 months. As they age this worsens to cerebellar ataxia and by their 2^nd birthday, they are usually unable to move. This is yet another reason why genetic testing is very important to stop issues such as these from getting passed down to future generations.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
- Keratoconjuctivitis sicca, aka Dry Eye is a condition in which the dog’s cornea ends up inflamed due to the lack of sufficient tear production. This can happen from either the dog’s tears being of the wrong quality or quantity. This can be hereditary but can also be caused from illness, medication side effects, injuries, tear gland issues, or autoimmune issues to name a few. A veterinarian should be consulted to find the cause of the issue and then to prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- A genetic degenerative hip disease which causes blood flow issues to the hip joint causing the bone to die. This in turn, leads to breakage and other damage which is less likely to heal. These dogs should not be used for breeding and the parents should be DNA tested for this prior to breeding. Generally diagnosed within the first year.
Missing Teeth (hairless)
- Along with the gene that causes the dog to be hairless, seems to come a gene which causes dental issues such as missing teeth or teeth which are in crooked or in the wrong location. This is not a disqualifying feature for the hairless Chinese Crested and crooked and misplaced teeth should be removed by a qualified veterinarian.
- These issues do not seem to be an issue for the powder puff variety.
Primary Lens Luxation
- This is an exceptionally painful genetic disorder which causes the lens to move to the wrong position in the eye and can quickly cause blindness. This can be tested for with DNA testing to see if a dog is a “carrier,” “clear,” or “affected.”
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- A genetic condition which causes the dog to eventually go blind. There is no treatment however there is a simple DNA test which can be taken by the parents prior to breeding to prevent the likelihood of this being passed on to any offspring.

Interesting Facts about the Chinese Crested:

Despite their name, the Chinese Crested dog does not originate in China.
Perfect “smiles” and hairless dogs rarely go hand-in-hand as the gene that causes hairlessness, also causes missing teeth.
Chinese Crested dogs come in the instantly recognizable hairless variety but also in a fully haired “powder puff” form.
Both hairless and powder puff dogs can be born in the same litter.
The Chinese Crested dog may be good for people who have allergies because, despite no dog being 100% hypoallergenic, the Chinese Crested does not cause a reaction in many allergy sufferers.
The Chinese Crested was favored by Gypsy Lee Rose who owned and bred them in the late 1950s and 60s.