IDLEWILD KENNELS
Chinese Crested
Originating in Africa, the most popular of the hairless breeds, the Chinese Crested are still very rare. The Chinese trading ships stopping along Africa's cost picked up these dogs as ratters for their ships. They were renamed " Chinese Crested" and the name stuck. The ancient Aztecs kept them as bed warmers. The stripper Gypsy Rose Lee used to breed Chinese Crested.
These dogs are sweet, lively, playful and cuddly. They are exceptionally loving and like to hug and smile. Affectionate with children, but children should be taught not to be rough with this breed as they do not have the protective hair that other breeds have. They are entertaining companions, intelligent and very alert.
There are two distinct varieties of this unusual dog: one is hairless except for its feet, head and tail, and the other is the Powder Puff. Although considered hairless, there are three differences in the hairless' coat..
1.“True Hairless” Which is less than 25 percent
of body hair.
2. “Moderate Hairless” Which produces unwanted hair on the back of the legs and
down the
the spine.
3. “Hairy Hairless” Which can easily be confused as a puff. Many times there
belly is the
only place without hair. And sometimes the coat is not as thick.
The powder-puff has a coat of long soft hair. Both come in numerous
colors, solids, mixed or spotted. Eyes are dark and ears erect. Each hairless
dog carries a hairless gene and one gene for hair. Two hairless genes are fatal.
Therefore, Powder Puff and Hairless appear in the same litter.
Chinese Crested are very clean with no doggie odor and are not prone to fleas and ticks. Chinese Crested do not pant, they sweat. Powder Puffs need much more grooming. Bathe the hairless frequently and massaging a little oil or cream into the skin keeps it supple. These dogs shed little to no hair and are great for the allergy sufferers.
The Chinese Crested was first exhibited in the West in 1885. The first American breed club was established in 1979. A.K.C recognition was not granted till 1991.
