Dog Breeds: Chinese Crested
A delightful little toy dog that is highly alert and intelligent, the Chinese Crested is best known as a hairless dog. However, there is another variant, known as the Powderpuff, that has a medium length coat.
Contrary to the name, the breed did not originate in China, but in Africa, where they were called African hairless terriers. Chinese traders bartered for the little dogs and took them aboard their ships where they excelled as rat catchers. In this way the dogs were imported to the Orient where they became popular companion dogs.
These active and affectionate little dogs are perfectly suited to the role of companion. They are however, not always a good choice for young children as they will not tolerate rough treatment. They are also quite frail and may be hurt by a child who does not understand how to handle the dog.
Socialization is extremely important with a Chinese Crested. For starters they tend to be quite shy dogs, and may be either timid or snappy and aggressive if not socialized properly. They are usually tolerant of dogs and non-canine pets that they've been raised with, but will need to be socialized with other animals.
Training a Chinese Crested is easy if you go about it in the right way. They are intelligent dogs who learn quickly, but are also sensitive to harsh treatment and voice tone. Use positive methods and you'll win through, try to coerce a Crested and you will get nowhere.
The Chinese Crested is unfortunately prone to all manner of health problems. Skin problems and allergies are common in the hairless kind, and these dogs will also need to be protected in hot and cold weather. Both variants are particularly susceptible to eye and dental problems and many other diseases such as, Addison's Disease, Cherry Eye, Epilepsy, Dry Eyes, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Patellar Luxation.
Grooming a Chinese Crested, whether Hairless or Powderpuff, is quite a challenge. In the Hairless variety, the priority is skin care, while in the Powderpuff the fine coat needs daily brushing to keep it looking its best. The nails also require regular trimming and you’ll need to take special care to avoid the quick, which runs deep into the nail in this breed.
These little guys are the perfect pet for an apartment dweller. However, they will need regular exercise. A daily walk is a must while indoor and outdoor games are both appreciated. Just remember to protect your dog's sensitive skin when outdoors. Perhaps surprisingly, given their frail build, Cresteds are very good at canine sports, and are often star performers at agility.
Picking a name for your Chinese Crested can be a challenge. The best advice is to visit some of the many dog names, sites online. My recommendation is puppy-names-hq.com, which has a huge database, including thousands of cute dog names.
