• Height (at the shoulders): 12 inches (30 cm)
• Weight: about 10 pounds (4.5)
• Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
• AKC Group: Toy Group – AKC recognized in 1991
• Shedding: sheds little to no hair
• Living Conditions: good for apartments; fairly active indoors; okay without a yard

Personality of the Chinese Crested Dog Breed

The Chinese Crested dog is playful, gentle, and devoted. They are always on the lookout for fun and games, and yet are quite satisfied to enjoy quiet time sitting in your lap.

They are devoted to their families and always willing to please their owners. These dogs are friendly towards other dogs and household pets. They are even friendly towards strangers. They will warn you when strangers approach, but because of their friendliness, may not be such effective watchdogs.

They are great with children, but because they are hairless, they can get injured more easily than other breeds. For this reason children should be taught to be gentle with these dogs.

The Chinese Crested dog loves to jump and climb so you may want to keep an eye on them so they do not fall and hurt themselves.

History of the Chinese Crested Dog Breed

The breed is believed to have originated in China, but their exact origin is uncertain. Most of the hairless dog breeds are mutations that come from various parts of the world, particularly Central and South America. However, there seems to be some credible evidence that the Chinese Crested Dog originated in Africa and were then introduced to China.

Researches claim that the dog’s history can be traced back to as far as the 13th Century.

These dogs were introduced to other countries when the Chinese used them on their ships to catch rodents. They were then traded to local merchants in other countries. Over time, the breed was introduced in places like South Africa, Egypt, and Turkey.

The Chinese Crested Dog can be seen in paintings throughout Europe in the 1800s. In the latter part of the 1800s, Ida Garrett, an American woman, began spreading the word about these unusual little dogs. Dog breeders then adopted the breed and continued to pursue the bloodline.

The breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a member of the Toy Group.

The Chinese Crested Dog Breed Care and Grooming

Chinese Crested dogs can get most of their exercise by running around the house. But like all dogs, they would love to take a nice walk and sniff around and explore. However, they do not fare well in very cold weather, so just keep them in mind when you are taking them outside.

They would also enjoy the opportunity to run around and play in a safely enclosed area.

Grooming these dogs is pretty simple. You should regularly trim the head, neck, tail, and feet. Rub moisturizer on their hairless body to promote healthy skin. When taking these dogs outside on sunny days, consider applying sunblock.

These dogs shed little to no hair.

Health Problems of the Chinese Crested Dog Breed

The average life expectancy of the Chinese Crested Dog breed is about ten to twelve years.

Major health concerns for this breed are:

• lens luxation
• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
• glaucoma

Minor health issues include:

• seizures
• deafness
• patellar luxation
• can get sunburned
• prone to tooth loss and decay

These other issues can occur, but are rarely seen:

• Legg-Perthes

Veterinarians recommend having the Chinese Crested Dog breed tested specifically for knee, eye, and hearing problems.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

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