Chinese Crested Breed information & Pictures

Chinese Crested Breed Description

Life Expectancy
10-14 years

Learning Rate
High

Litter Size
2 to 4

Size
Small

Weight
Dogs: 8-12 pounds
Bitches: 5-10 pounds

Height
Dogs: 11-13 inches
Bitches: 9-12 inches

Country of Origin
China

Groups
AKC Toy Dogs
FCI Group IX.: Companion and Toy Dogs
TKC Toy

Other Names
Hairless, Powder Puff

The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned, elegant and graceful dog who makes a loving companion, playful and entertaining. They adore food and will leap about in anticipation of a tiny bite.

There are two distinct varieties of this unusual dog: one is hairless except for its feet, head and tail, and called, not surprisingly, the Hairless; the other is called the Powder Puff. It has a coat of long soft hair. Both come in numerous colors, either solid, mixed or spotted all over.

Strangely the two types often come in the same litter. It is a friendly family breed, not aggressive towards children or other animals. They do not make good kennel dogs, since they love the companionship of a home. The Chinese Crested does best as a one dog family and sometimes do not like to be over handled by strangers. Odorless and hairless they are a very low maintenance breed.

Temperament

The most popular of the hairless breed, the Chinese Crested dogs are still very rare. They are sweet, lively, playful and cuddly. This breed is exceptionally loving and likes to hug and smile. Affectionate with children.

Children should be taught not to be rough with this breed as it is friendly, but it does not have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get injured easily.

They are an entertaining companion, intelligent and very alert. They should be well-socialized and exposed to loud noises when young to avoid potential timidity.

The Chinese Crested have an ability to perform tricks and are generally good with other pets. They are not barkers. These dogs tend to become very attached to their owners and have difficulty adjusting to a new one. Chinese Crested Dogs crave constant companionship.

Colors

Any color combinations.

Coat

Hairless – tufts of long, soft hair only on head, feet and tail. Powderpuff – double, lone straight outer coat, soft, silky undercoat. Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odor and are not prone to fleas or ticks. Power Puffs need a lot more grooming.

Daily brushing of the Powder Puff’s long, fine, double coat is recommended, taking extra care when the dog is shedding. The wooly undercoat becomes matted if neglected. Bathe the Hairless frequently and massage a little oil or cream into the skin to keep it supple. These dogs shed little to no hair and are great for allergy sufferers.

Health Issues

The breed should be protected with sunscreen, exposed skin needs special care to prevent skin problems and irritations. Many Chinese Crested dogs are allergic to lanolin and wool. Their teeth should be well cared for to prevent decay. Hairless dogs often lose many teeth as young adults. They should not be given bones to chew as they often have an incomplete set of teeth. To minimize the risk of your Chinese Crested developing any hereditary health issues, you should buy a Chinese Crested puppy from a reputable breeder.

Living Environment

Good for apartment or home life, this is not an outdoor or kennel breed. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They should wear a sweater in cold weather.

Chinese Crested Puppies for Sale

Articles

Dog facts

The Naked Truth About Hairless Dog Breeds!

March 12, 2022 by Sandor Fagyal

We have probably all seen the interesting dog breeds that are labeled as the hairless breeds. Some would call them disgusting; some would call them strange, but more often than not the reactions are due to a lack of knowledge....

African Hairless , Chinese Crested , Hairless Dogs 8 Comments