chinese cresteds

The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining. Chinese Cresteds are happy and alert. They are loyal and affectionate dogs who make wonderful, playful, and entertaining companions.

It is believed that the Chinese Crested and other hairless dogs share a common ancestry. The Chinese Crested is an ancient breed, dating as far back as the 1500's. Early Chinese explorers and traders may have taken these dogs with them on ships and frequently sold or traded the dogs with people met along the way.

There are two types of Chinese Crested; the Hairless, and a coated-type, called a Powderpuff. They are shown together, are judged by the same standard, noting the different characteristics for the Powderpuff dealing with coat and with dentition.

With the advent of organized dog shows in the 1800's, it was not too long until Cresteds began appearing in competition. On April 1, 1991 the Chinese Crested became eligible for regular classification in the Toy Group offered at all-breed shows.

Breed Standard Here's part of what the AKC says about us:

General Appearance
A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Ideally 11 to 13 inches. . Proportion - rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or alternatively, not a robust, heavy structure.

Head
Expression - Alert and intense. Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogs have dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims match the coloring of the dog. Ears - Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Nose - Dark in dark-colored dogs; may be lighter in lighter-colored dogs. Pigment is solid. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be carried slightly forward over the back. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume.

Coat
The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head (called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth. Hair on the ears and face is permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties. The Powderpuff variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat.

Color
Any color or combination of colors.

miscellaneous thingies

Entries of the breed at American dog shows began in the late 1800's.

The Chinese Crested is AKC's 132nd breed.

American Chinese Crested Club was founded in 1979.

Gypsy Rose Lee acquired a Crested in the early 1950's. She became an ardent breeder.

Became eligible for AKC registration effective February 1, 1991

The Chinese Crested is a breed that generally does well with people with allergies. It is important to use lotion to keep the hairless variety's skin from becoming dry. Suntan lotion should also be used to protect the skin when outdoors.

Courtesy of the American Kennel Club (AKC)

Approved June 12, 1990
Effective April 1, 1991