The Chinese crested dog
one of the oldest breeds
WHERE does the Chinese crested dog come from? It is one of the oldest breeds in the world. It is believed they originated with other hairless breeds in South America and were gradually spread around the world by travellers and traders.
The breed does not come from China. It is thought that this name arose because they were taken to China by Chinese sailors or because they were seen with Chinese workers in the 1800s in America and because they were unusual the assumption was that they must belong to the Chinese!
Another folk tale has been that this breed has a higher temperature than other dogs. In truth, Chinese cresteds have the same body temperature as any other dog (100.5degF - 101.5degF) but because they have no fur they feel warmer to the touch.
The Chinese crested comes in two varieties - the hairless and the powder puff. The powder puff variation has a long coat. The Chinese crested is quite a sturdy little breed and it is a common myth that a powder puff must be born into each litter to keep the hairless ones warm. In fact, the hairless will not feel the cold any more than most breeds.
It is possible to have litters with no powder puffs, all powder puffs or a mixture of both. This will occur if both the parents are hairless or one is powder puff. If both parents are powder puffs then only powder puffs will be born.
A Chinese crested called Chinese Emperor was exhibited at Crystal Palace in 1896 by Mr W. K. Taunton (a collector of rare breeds of dogs). However, they were not properly introduced to the UK until 1965 when Mrs Ruth Harris imported a dog from Mrs Deborah Wood of the Crest Haven Kennels in Florida. The early imports failed to produce puppies that survived and it was when Mrs Harris imported some dogs from the famous Gypsy Rose Lee (who accompanied her dogs to England) and bred them to her Crest Haven dogs that the breed started to establish itself here. The breed started off on the Kennel Club Import Register and by 1982 was granted CC status. This meant that Chinese cresteds could become champions. However, the powder puffs were not allowed to he shown until 1986.
The Chinese crested is a small (13 inches at the withers), lively, happy toy dog. They are a very affectionate breed and you may find your Chinese crested following you around demanding to be stroked and loved. They are very intelligent and know how to get their own way. Although they are a small breed they are in no way fragile. Indeed if you have ever watched a litter of puppies and adults playing together you could be forgiven for thinking they were a much larger dog the way they charge about the place!
The Crested can be wary when they first meet strangers but this is not to be confused with nervousness. Unlike some other breeds they prefer you to ignore them to start off and then they will be all over you like a rash, demanding stroking and plenty of affection!
If a Chinese crested is raised around children who treat it in a gentle way and are taught responsible dog ownership they will adore children. However, if children are allowed to grab at them, hit them or treat them roughly in any way the Chinese crested will run from a child. Older cresteds that have not been raised near children may be wary of them because children can be noisy and fast, but introduced properly with time the dog will come to accept the child. It must be stressed that small children and babies should NEVER be left alone with any dog.
