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Dogs 101 — CHINESE CRESTED DOG — Top Dog Facts About the CHINESE CRESTED DOG
The Chinese Crested Dog is a breed of hairless toy dogs known for their elegance and grace. The exact origins of the breed are difficult to trace as similar hairless breeds have been known to arise by mutation in different parts of the world. There are some that point to the breed’s shared genetic history with hairless varieties from Central America, while others point to its possible origins in Africa. What is known is that the breed gets its name because of its popularity with Chinese sailors, who bred these dogs selectively to a small size and used them as ratters on ships. These dogs were even being used as curios for trading as early as 13th century. But it was only in the 1800s that the breed began being depicted in art and architecture in Europe. In the late 1800s, and then again in the mid-1900s, the breed found committed proponents in the US, including the famous burlesque dancer, Gypsy Rose Lee, which helped it gain admirers and become a dog show regular.
Time for some Ruff Trivia:
— The Chinese Crested Dog has more elongated toes than other dogs. If the feet of other dogs are said to be ‘cat-like’, what animal are the Crested’s feet compared to?
o A: Fox
o B: Hare
o C: Mouse
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.
The average height of the adult Chinese Crested is between 11 to 13 inches, and weight between 5 and 12 pounds. It is a fine-boned animal that comes in two varieties – Hairless and Powderpuff – both born in the same litter. The former has hair only on the head, tail and feet, while the latter is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat of moderate length. The coat color comes in a wide range, including white, cream, slate, chocolate and black. The skin, when hairless, is smooth and soft, and can be in a variety of colors, ranging from pale flesh to black. The head is wedge-shaped, with an alert expression, almond-shaped eyes set wide apart, and uncropped, large and erect ears.
Grooming:The Chinese Crested has very little to no shedding, but requires daily brushing to prevent matting. A bath once a fortnight is also advised. The muzzle is usually shaved once every two weeks for most dogs of the breed. The skin of the Chinese Crested is similar to that of a human, and requires care using moisturizers and sunblock. These dogs have more elongated toes than most other breeds, requiring care to not trim their nails too short, causing pain or bleeding. Brushing of teeth and cleaning of ears have to be regular too.
Temperament:The Chinese Crested is a playful, loving and sensitive dog that enjoys being around its family. It gets along very well with all humans, including new persons. Though good with kids, being a slender dog, its presence around very active kids should be monitored. It is also friendly with other dogs and pets, though its ratter heritage might kick in when around your pet hamster.
Training:Because of its craving to be around humans and desire to please its master, the Chinese Crested is a relatively easy breed to train for obedience and agility. It is not a particularly active breed, making it excellent for city living, but it still has the stamina to join its family on moderately strenuous walks or hikes.
Health:Belying its slender appearance, the Chinese Crested is a very healthy breed, with life expectancy of 13 to 15 years, and sometimes even more. There are no major health concerns, though the hairless variety is susceptible to blackheads, sunburn, wool allergy, cold, and tooth loss. Patellar luxation and some eye-related problems are seen occasionally.
The Chinese Crested Dog is said to combine a playful pixie, a tender lap dog and a sensitive family member in its small body. Perfect for single owners or families, whether living in the suburbs or in the city, it also doesn’t demand a lot of care and grooming.
Find out if the Chinese Crested Dogwould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.
Music by Kevin McLeod — Royalty Free
