Chinese Crested Breed Profile
KC Group Toy
Size Small
Weight Should not exceed 5.4kg
Height Dogs: 28 - 33cm at withers; bitches: 23 - 30cm at withers
Average lifespan 13 years
Good with children? Unknown
Good guard dogs? Would bark
Moulting level Low
Grooming Light
Exercise requirement Little
Jogging partner Short runs
Colours Any colour or combination of colours
Temperament Loving and affectionate
Chinese Crested Breed Profile
The most striking feature of the Chinese Crested is that beyond having hair on his feet, head, and tail, he is hairless, with a warm, smooth, fine-boned, graceful body. It is often said that he moves like a prancing pony, an image enhanced further by his high tail carriage complete with long, flowing plume. There is a fully haired version, called a Powderpuff, who has an undercoat with a soft veil of long hair.
While the hairless version is the best known and the most popular of the Chinese Crested Dogs, the Powderpuff is the original breed with the hairlessness resulting from a spontaneous mutation. Hairlessness is a fatal gene and so breeders are extremely careful to ensure both types are interbred to prevent abnormalities.
Chinese Crested health
The Chinese Crested Dog is generally a healthy breed but the following problems are known:
- Eye problems.
- Epilepsy.
The Chinese Crested is susceptible to eye problems including primary lens luxation (PLL), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
PLL is a genetic disease where the lens of the eye partially or fully dislocates. If it is not treated quickly the build-up of pressure in the eye can lead to blindness.
Dry eye is the poor production of tears, which are essential for maintaining a healthy eye.
PRA is an inherited disease which slowly causes blindness.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder which causes dogs to have unexpected seizures. There is no cure for the condition but it can be managed to reduce the frequency of fits.
There are currently no recommended or compulsory health tests for Kennel Club Assured Breeders. However, DNA tests for PRA and PLL are available. Both diseases are caused by a mutant recessive gene. A Chinese Crested Dog may have one copy of the gene and not be affected. The test will determine whether a dog is affected, a carrier, or clear.
Chinese Crested temperament
- Loving and affectionate.
- Chinese Cresteds are loyal to their families.
- Intelligent and lively.
Chinese Crested lifestyle
- Chinese Crested Dogs are faithful companions and thrive on human company, although they are happy to be left alone for a few hours.
- They get on with other dogs and pets.
- As a toy breed, they do not need a lot of space. They will happily live in a fl at without a garden.
- The Chinese Crested Dog is good with children, although interactions should always be supervised. Being a toy breed, they can be injured easily so play should not be too rough.
- They need around 30 minutes of exercise a day, although they will happily go for much longer.
Chinese Crested trainability
- They are naturally clean and therefore easy to house-train.
- They are intelligent dogs and will pick things up quickly, so are easy to train.
- They enjoy taking part in dog activities and particularly love agility.
Chinese Crested general care
- Both varieties need grooming at least once a week. The powderpuff requires brushing and will take more time to groom than the hairless variety.
- The hairless variety can be more prone to losing teeth, so regular dental care is particularly important.
- Hairless dogs will need sun cream to protect their skin in hot weather.
Pros
- Easy to train.
- Devoted and faithful.
- Adaptable to any living condition.
Cons
- The hairless appearance is not popular with everyone.
Chinese Crested facts
- It is difficult to pinpoint the origins of the breed, but they were said to be owned by families of the Han Dynasty in China.
- They have no doggy odour.
- Cresties make good watch dogs.