| Alternative Name Hairless Powderpuff (A
Hairless Dog or a Powder Puff ! )
Basic Info
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. At first glance,
the Hairless and Powderpuff varieties appear to be two
different breeds. The Hairless is the more popular
variety, prized for its lack of a fur coat. Instead, the
Hairless has soft, humanlike skin, as well as tufts of
fur on its paws ("socks") and tail ("plume") in addition
to long, wavy hair on its head ("crest"). The Hairless
variety can vary in amount of body hair. Fur on the
muzzle, known as a beard, is not uncommon. A true
Hairless often does not have as much furnishings (hair
on the head, tail, and paws); however, many of the dogs
seen in the show ring are actually a "moderate" or
"hairy" hairless that is shaved down. The difference
between a very hairy Hairless and a Powderpuff is that
the Hairless has a single coat, often with hairless
parts on the body, while the Powderpuff has a thick
double coat. The skin of the Hairless comes in a variety
of colors, ranging from a pale flesh to black, and is
often mottled. Hairless Crested often lack a full set of
teeth, and this is often used to verify to some extent
that the dog is a true Hairless and not a shaved
Powderpuff. 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, both Powderpuff and
Hairless are considered good pets for allergy sufferers.
Health
The Hairless variety can be 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. They are prone to having
dental problems, such as missing (from birth), crowding,
and decaying teeth. 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.
Behavior
Chinese Crested Dogs 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.
Origin
China
History
Though possibly associated with China since the 13th
century [footnotes please], some believe the Hairless
mutation originated in Africa, and others believe it may
be a cross of the Chihuahua and Mexican Hairless Dog,
which it resembles. European visitors in the 1700s
remarked on hairless dogs in Chinese port cities, as
well as dog owned by Chinese sailors plying the African
trade route. Apart from the baldness, it is unclear how
closely these dogs resemble the modern Chinese Crested.
The Chinese Crested Dog was officially recognised by the
UK Kennel Club in 1981 and by the American Kennel Club
in 1991.
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