Chinese Crested
Hairless and fully coated puppies come out of the same litter and both are the same breed. The hairless one needs sun cream and a jumper.
Photo by Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Chinese Crested comes in two varieties from the same litters: the hairless, with hair only on the head, feet and tail, and the coated powderpuff. The hairless gene is dominant and, in its two copy form, lethal in the embryo, which is why every hairless Crested carries one copy and produces powderpuffs.
Despite the name the breed most likely originated in Africa or Mexico and reached China through trade, where it was kept on ships as a ratter.
Temperament
Affectionate, playful and deeply attached. Cresteds are people dogs that want physical contact and warmth, and they do not do well left alone.
They are gentle and generally good with children, and they can be timid with strangers without early socialisation. They are clever, they climb, and they are more agile than they look. Separation anxiety is common in the breed.
Care and grooming
The hairless variety needs skin care rather than coat care: regular bathing, moisturising, sun protection because they burn, and a coat in cold weather. Acne and blackheads are common.
The powderpuff needs brushing several times a week to prevent matting. Both varieties have poor dentition, and the hairless especially often has missing or malformed teeth, which is linked to the same gene. Patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy occur.
Living and exercise
Thirty minutes a day plus play. They suit flats and warm households.
They are one of the longer lived breeds at thirteen to eighteen years. The hairless variety is genuinely an indoor dog: sun, cold and rough surfaces all reach the skin directly.
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