Chinese Crested: temperament, size, care and health

About the Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned, graceful toy dog with large upright ears, a long neck and a tail carried in a gentle curve. It comes in two forms that can be born in the same litter. The Hairless has smooth, bare skin on the body, with long silky hair on the head (the crest), the lower legs and feet (the socks) and the tail (the plume). The Powderpuff is covered with a soft veil of long hair over a short undercoat. The skin of the Hairless can be pink, black or spotted.

The breed is kept as a companion, and people choose it for its elegant look, its small size and its devotion to its household.

Temperament and family life

Cresteds are affectionate, playful and quick to bond. They are often called Velcro dogs for the way they stay glued to their owners, and they tend to be at their happiest on a lap or under a blanket. Many are shy or watchful with strangers, and some bark at unusual sounds.

They are better suited to adults and gentle older children than to small ones, since the fine bones are easily hurt. They usually accept other dogs and cats, particularly if raised with them. They do not like being left alone for long and may become anxious if neglected. Some can be sensitive to harsh tones.

Exercise and training

A Chinese Crested has bursts of energy and likes to run, climb and play, so a daily walk and some active time in a secure area are enough. It is an agile dog that can jump onto furniture and scale low fences, so fences should be checked. It enjoys games, tricks and some dog sports.

Training is easiest with food rewards, patience and short lessons. The breed is clever but can be slow to housetrain and may be reluctant to go outside in wet or cold weather, so a routine and a warm coat help. Socialization during puppyhood reduces timidity.

Grooming and shedding

Hairless Cresteds shed almost nothing but need skin care much like a person: regular washing, moisturizing, sunscreen when outdoors in strong light and protection from cold. Blackheads and acne are common, and some dogs react to certain lotions or to wool and lanolin. The crest, socks and plume need gentle brushing.

The Powderpuff sheds lightly but requires frequent brushing, several times a week, to stop its fine hair from matting. Both varieties need nail trimming and regular teeth cleaning, because dental disease is a major issue in the breed.

Health

Cresteds are generally long-lived. The gene responsible for hairlessness is linked to missing or poorly formed teeth in many Hairless dogs, and tooth loss is common. Inherited eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and lens luxation occur, along with patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip. Skin conditions, sunburn and allergies affect the Hairless in particular.

Responsible breeders test eyes and, where tests exist, DNA markers for eye disease, and they examine knees. This is general information about the Chinese Crested, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed's name suggests China, and hairless dogs of this kind were reportedly carried on trading ships and spread widely, which makes the early story hard to trace. The modern breed took shape in the twentieth century, largely in the United States, through the work of a few breeders, who kept both Hairless and Powderpuff dogs in the same lines because the two types are produced together. The Hairless variety is the better known, but the Powderpuff is necessary to the breed's gene pool.

Is the Chinese Crested right for you?

A Crested suits a quiet home with an owner who enjoys close contact, does not mind skin care or grooming and wants a dog that leaves little hair. It copes well with apartment life.

It is a poor match for people who want a rugged outdoor dog, for those who cannot keep a hairless dog warm in winter and shaded in summer, or for homes with very young children. The Xoloitzcuintli and the American Hairless Terrier are larger hairless alternatives, and the Italian Greyhound has a similarly slim build with a short coat.