General: Chinese Crested are a breed recognized by the AKC and have their standard (the ideal way a perfect Chinese Crested, if one existed, would look) set by the breed's parent club. Chinese Crested come in two varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff. Hairless Chinese Cresteds have sparse or no body hair, with more hair on their feet, tail, and the crest (top of the head going down the neck). Within the hairless variety there are those called True Hairless, which have very little body hair and usually less thick furnishings (feet/tail/crest). There are also Hairy Hairless which usually have more body hair and thicker furnishings. The Chinese Cresteds you see in show with the long flowing hair are very often Hairy Hairless and they require shaving to remove the sparse body hair which is not desirable in the show ring. These dogs grow hair as fast as a man, and what is shaved smooth at 6 a.m. will have stubble you can feel by evening!!!
Personality: Chinese Cresteds are lovable little dogs that are generally very submissive and clownish. Many Cresteds lack self-confidence and need to be well-socialized to many opportunities and events from a young age to ensure a dog that is comfortable in a multitude of situations.
Health: The Chinese Crested has certain health problems more prevalent in the breed which include a variety of eye problems and problems with knees (luxating patellas). Chinese Crested should not be bred unless both the Dam and Sire have been Optigen tested, and at least one, if not both is clear. In addition, Chinese Crested should be CERF'd annually (opthalmic exam) to detect eye disease.
Genetics: The powderpuff gene is recessive, and hairlessness is dominant. A hairless dog carries one powderpuff gene and one hairless gene. A powderpuff carries two powderpuff genes. |
