Chinese Crested(Powder Puff Dog):
A hairless Chinese Crested cannot be fooled for any other breed due to its beautiful, fairytale appearance. He resembles a pony in some ways because to his hairless body and furry feet, head, and tail. The Crested is a vivacious, adorable, and transportable breed that makes a fun and devoted pet for quiet families. There is no better dog breed than the Chinese Crested to accompany a couch potato. They will spend hours in bed without moving a muscle and seem to be able to read your mind.
Despite being purebred, you could still be able to discover these dogs in shelters and rescues. Don’t forget to adopt! If you want to bring a dog home, avoid shopping. Although Chinese Crested are agile enough to leap fairly height fences and participate in agility competitions, they have absolutely little desire to go outside and romp about like other dogs. Although they are not gregarious, they are quite sociable and form bonds with their pack very fast. They don’t readily accept outsiders. You’ll have a tiny stalker on your hands once a Crested falls in love with you since they’ll be completely and utterly loyal.
For a complete list of Chinese Crested characteristics and information in Petlifehealth, see below!
Chinese Crested Breed
The Chinese Crested is a little dog that has an exotic appearance but is not truly Chinese. The genetically recessive Powderpuff has a complete coat, whereas the Hairless has silky hair on his head (the crest), tail (the plume), and feet (the socks). A single litter can contain both varieties.
Whatever the variations, the Crested is a thin, fine-boned dog that is graceful and attractive. He’s gorgeous, but he consistently outperforms his rivals in ugly dog contests. He resembles a standard large dog in a little, occasionally naked-looking frame.
Although the Chinese Crested is frequently portrayed in dog publications as being extremely sociable, this is more often the exception than the case. While he’s been naughty, he’s quite likely to smile at you, that’s not exactly the same thing. He is probably very sensitive, quick to respond, and has a strong social drive, all of which make him needy. Expect yours to snooze with you in bed. He may be fantastic among known people, but unless he has been properly socialized and educated to control this urge, he is prone to bite strangers. Contrary to common belief, the Hairless is not required to utilize sunscreen, moisturizer, or any other skin-care product at any time; frequently, doing so just leads to issues. If nothing is applied to the skin, it has a higher chance of remaining healthy. Crested do require frequent bathing, though, typically once or twice a week.
In reality, many Hairless types have a lot of body hair. Unsurprisingly, most individuals are unprepared for a Hair less’s potential level of hairiness, which can be problematic for those who have allergies. These dogs don’t have hypoallergenic coats; rather, they just shed less than dogs of other breeds. Despite this, they nevertheless shed more than you might expect from a “hairless” dog. Even the Hairless has hair on his head, legs, and tail that can be seen. Some allergic people tolerate the Hairless variant just well, while others cannot.
To maintain good skin, it is necessary to keep this body hair shaven. Allowing it to grow out is sometimes justified as a means to keep the dog warm, but the long coat actually causes skin issues instead of serving this purpose (sweaters are a better option for warmth). The Crested has the same body temperature as all other breeds and does not perspire through his skin. However, some are prone to the canine version of acne.
The Hairless Crested has an astonishingly high tolerance for heat. He has no issues with lying in the hot sun for extended periods of time (like a lounge lizard). He seldom poop and drinks very little water, which is rather alarming for seasoned dog owners who frequently leave water out for their pets.
He, on the other hand, has no tolerance whatsoever for cold. Some people expose their Crested to cold temperatures to “harden” them up like a seedling. This is harsh and ineffective at the same time. This dog will perish far more quickly from cold than from heat.
Be careful while giving this dog any shots, cortisone medications, or topical treatments. Shots for rabies frequently cause responses. Medications, particularly topical flea preventives, can cause dreadful side effects in certain Crested. Avoid using drugs and instead take a cautious approach to your treatment. The safest approach to drug therapy is a conservative one, so avoid using anything that is not absolutely essential. Since they are a last resort for fleas, they often don’t require any flea or tick preventives.
Crested make excellent family dogs since they like spending time with their owners. They get along well with kids, but before taking this little creature into your heart and house, you should think about the kids’ ages and how they interact with dogs. They should never be left alone with youngsters or even by themselves in the yard since they are easily harmed. They will, however, play games, snuggle up on the sofa with you in love, and live an active life with family members of any age who know how to handle canines.
Crested might experience separation anxiety because they are so gregarious and dependent, which can result in barking and destructive behaviors. If left too long on their own, they’ll climb and dig to get out of their cage. They are mostly calm canines when you are there, but they will bark in fear.
They thrive in homes of all shapes and sizes, even flats. A lovely family dog that is energetic, kind, and adorable is the Chinese Crested. He is a steady friend who brings love, fun, and amusement into the lives of his owners.
The Chinese Crested is skilled at climbing, leaping, and digging. Avoid the typical error of underestimating their athletic prowess due of their size. They are Houdini Hounds, capable of escaping from almost any confinement. It’s a good idea to have a six-foot fence surrounding the yard because if they grab a hold of a fence, they can climb over it. They can jump or climb without any fear, and they can jump four feet from a standing position.
Once they are outside, they are swift and, how should we put this, reluctant to be captured. They have more tenacity than you have. Many Chinese Crested are dominating the conformation, obedience, and agility arenas thanks to their exceptional athleticism.
Chinese Crested History
Chinese Crested dogs are not actually Chinese. They originated from African or Mexican (no one is sure which) hairless canines that the Chinese bred smaller.
The Crested is thought to have hunted vermin during and in between periods of plague while travelling with Chinese sailors on the high seas as early as 1530. (today they can still be found in port cities worldwide). Crested started to appear in various European paintings and prints around the middle of the 19th century.
The Crested has also gone by the titles Chinese Hairless, Chinese Edible Dog, Chinese Ship Dog, and Chinese Royal Hairless in the past. The dog was produced by the Chinese for use on their ships, where it excelled at ratting, and sailors sold them at various ports. As early as the 1700s, when European tourists visited Chinese seaports and boarded Chinese commerce vessels, records of a hairless dog that nearly resembled the Chinese Crested may be found.
Chinese Crested were reportedly utilized as live heating pads and believed to have miraculous healing abilities. They were preserved both by seafarers and by Chinese emperors.
Although the exact date of the breed’s arrival in North America is unknown, the first breed club was established here in 1974. The breed has become rare in China.
Chinese Crested Size
The Chinese Crested is a small, graceful, and attractive dog.
These dogs are excellent companions since they are happy and vigilant. They weigh between two and five kilos and stand between 9 and 13 inches tall at the shoulder.
The hairless variety, which has hair just on its head, tail, and paws, and the powder puff variety, which is entirely covered in hair, can both be born in the same litter. Dogs with two copies of the hairless gene do not survive the embryonic stage; the lack of hair is caused by a single dominant gene. For the breed to persist, it is necessary to have both kinds. The head (known as a crest), the tail (known as a plume), and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints all have hair on the hairless version (called socks). All of the hair has a delicate, silky feel that flows to any length. The general type of hair is more significant than its placement. Hair-covered areas often taper off somewhat.
The skin is smooth and silky wherever there are no hairs on the body. The stop (forehead in humans) marks the beginning of the head crest, which tapers off between the base of the skull and the back of the neck. The hairless may have hair on their face and ears, which may be clipped for neatness in both forms. Similar to the majority of hairless breeds, hairless people frequently have crooked or missing teeth.
The double soft and silky layer entirely envelops the powder puff type. On closer inspection, the short, silky undercoat is covered with long, thin guard hairs. The coat is straight with a medium length and density. Any shade or mixture of hues is permissible. Little grooming is done.
Chinese Crested Personality
The Chinese Crested loves and appreciates his people, and he is alert and cheerful. This joyful, loving little gentleman will give you lots of kisses and lap time. Recognize that he doesn’t readily accept strangers, but that once he falls in love with you, you become his universe.
He is incredibly clever and makes a great friend. Be warned, though, that because they don’t fit the usual dog personality profile, many dog trainers unfairly give them poor intellect ratings. For insensitive trainers, the Crested is not a breed to choose.
The Chinese Crested is prone to becoming obstinate. He has a strong relationship with his immediate pack and is quite gregarious. Since most Crested are inherently wary of strangers, it is more common for them to be aloof than welcoming. Because of his great social drive and tendency to be reactive, he might come off as needy. He gets along great with friends, but if not socialized and trained to control the urge, he could bite strangers.
He will warn Bark to defend his house (not that the burglar is going to be terrified). Although he isn’t extremely yappy, he is adamant about performing his guard role and will. Other people like singing or howling.
Chinese Crested Temperament
Your Chinese Crested is the same on the inside no matter how much hair they have. Chinese Crested dogs make wonderful lapdogs since they require less exercise than many breeds of dogs their size, which makes them great companions for elders and those who live in flats. They get along well with other dogs and cats, so a multi-pet home would help lessen those impacts. However, because they are sociable, social dogs, leaving them alone for an extended period of time might cause some separation anxiety stress behaviors.
Numerous elements, including training, socialization, and inheritance, have an impact on temperament. Puppies with good temperament are interested and lively, approachable, and want to be cuddled. Select a puppy that is in the midst of the pack rather than one that is bullying its littermates or cowering in a corner.
Always meet at least one parent to make sure they are pleasant and comfortable with you. Usually, the mother is the one who is available. It’s also beneficial to meet the parents’ siblings or other family members to get a sense of what the puppy will be like as an adult.
The Crested needs early socialization, or exposure to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences when they’re young, much like any other breed of dog. In order to guarantee that your Crested puppy develops into a well-rounded dog, socialization is important.
Chinese Crested Health
Although Chinese Crested are mostly healthy, they are susceptible to several health issues like all breeds. Not all Crested’s will contract any or all of these illnesses, but if you’re thinking about getting one, you should be aware of them.
Find a reputable breeder that will provide you with the health clearances for both of your dog’s parents if you are purchasing a puppy. Health certifications attest to a dog’s having undergone testing and been declared free of a certain ailment. For hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand’s disease, you should expect to see health certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) with a fair or better score; for Thrombopathia from Auburn University; and for normal eyesight from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). You can visit the OFA website to validate health approvals (offa.org).
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This group of eye conditions causes the retina’s progressive degeneration. Affected dogs initially develop night blindness; as the illness worsens, they begin to lose their daytime vision. Many afflicted dogs adjust to their diminished or lost vision well, as long as their environment doesn’t change.
- Dental Issues: These frequently occur as a result of the hereditary relationship between missing teeth and dominant hairlessness. The Powderpuff has typical toy breed dentition, but the Hairless Crested has little, peg-like teeth that may slope toward the front of the mouth and pose issues. By the juvenile age of two or three, The Hairless frequently lose several teeth. Some Hairless must consume canned food, while others—like the Powderpuff—can eat kibble without any issues.
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: The condition is referred to as “dry eye,” because it includes both an irritation and dry eye. It happens when the water component of the tear film is deficient. The membranes only contain oil and mucus when the eye becomes dry. Conjunctivitis, which similarly produces a sticky yellow discharge, might be confused for the symptoms. A Schirmer Tear Test is used to make the diagnosis. Eyedrops and ointments are frequently used as treatments.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: The hip joint is affected by this disorder. The blood flow to the head of the femur, which is the huge back leg bone, is reduced in Crested’s with Legg-Perthes, and the part of the femur that attaches to the pelvis starts to deteriorate. Typically, the earliest signs—a limp and muscular atrophy—appear when puppies are four to six months old. Surgery can treat the issue, typically leaving the puppy pain-free.
Chinese Crested Care
Although a Chinese Crested needs little physical activity and is not a suitable running partner, mental stimulation is crucial. He can appreciate several of the toys and puzzles made specifically for dogs that are available on the market.
Although Chinese Crested’s are often simple to train, they can have a tendency to be obstinate, so patience is required. The only option is positive reinforcement, and as the breed might be shy by nature, discipline must be administered delicately.
Finding a facility that provides separate small-dog puppy courses can help your Crested get the essential socialization with other dogs of the same size. He could get hurt if he plays with a bigger puppy. Every dog benefits from crate training, and it’s a considerate method to make sure your Crested doesn’t soil the house or get into inappropriate situations. He can even find refuge in a kennel for a snooze. If your Crested ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized, having received early crate training will make it easier for him to accept confinement.
But never leave your Chinese Crested dog alone in a crate all day. He shouldn’t stay there for more than a few hours at a time, unless he’s sleeping at night, as it’s not a jail. He should not live his entire life confined to a box or kennel because he is a people dog.
As a group, toy breeds can be challenging to housetrain, which can be one of the more challenging aspects of training the Chinese Crested. However, gradually everything will fall into place.
Chinese Crested Exercise
Daily short walks with his owner and playtime in the backyard may normally meet the Chinese Crested’s exercise demands. It is beneficial for the Crested to exercise outside, but caution must be exercised to apply sunscreen or cover him with protective gear. These hardy tiny canines may compete fiercely in canine sports.
Chinese Crested Training
The owner and Chinese Crested enjoy spending time together. He would do well in competitive canine sports like agility, flyball, and obedience, and they also make excellent therapy dogs. Additionally, they excel in lure coursing and like it. They need to be trained gently and patiently because of their extremely sensitive nature. He can lose interest in learning more from you if you use harsh words or take other unfavorable acts in your relationship.
Living With
Regular grooming is necessary to keep the powder puff’s beautiful, flowing coat. The Chinese crested is a bright and friendly dog who makes a great companion. His lack of body hair enhances the amount of heat his body produces, making him the ideal lap heater. Intense sun exposure can cause sunburn on the skin. Additionally, blackheads may form. The powder puff requires frequent grooming to maintain a silky, flowing coat.
The hairless species has to be bathed frequently to keep their skin healthy. To maintain the desired look, you might need to get rid of extra hair. Many crested have surplus body hair, and others have facial hair that grows naturally. He does, however, need to be shielded from temperature extremes, both hot and cold. Even while the kind without hair seems to require less upkeep, this is untrue. Regular grooming is also necessary to maintain the good looks of both kinds, in addition to routine nail trimming.
Chinese Crested Food
Recommended daily diet: 1/4 to 1 cup of premium dry food, spread out over two meals.
Note: The amount of food your adult dog consumes is influenced by his size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. Like people, each dog is unique, thus they don’t all require the same quantity of food. A very active dog will require more than a couch potato dog, which should almost go without saying. The kind of dog food you purchase also matters; the better the food, the more effectively it will nourish your dog and the less you will need to shake into the bowl.
Instead of putting food available all the time, keep your Crested in good form by weighing his food and feeding him twice a day. Give him the hands-on and eye tests if you’re not sure if he’s obese.
Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. After that, lay your hands on his back with your thumbs down his spine and your fingers stretched outward. Without exerting much pressure, you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. He needs less food and more activity if you can’t.
Chinese Crested Grooming And Coat Color
All colors and color combinations—including mahogany, blue, lavender, and copper—are used for powderpuff coatings. They could be speckled or solid. The Hairless have pink and black skin tones. Maybe the fundamental nakedness of the Hairless is what attracted stripper Gypsy Rose Lee to breeding them.
The head, foot, and tail of the hairless Chinese Crested are covered in luxurious, flowing fur. To preserve the skin, body hair should be shaved. Avoid using moisturizers or sunblock; let your skin be its natural state. A good shampoo should be used often when bathing The Hairless. While grooming him, look for any blackheads because he may be prone to little skin issues like acne. Grooming Powderpuff Crested’s requires a lot of effort. They have a silky double coat, and if the dog isn’t frequently maintained, the undercoat, which is thick, can mat. A face-shaving option is available. Except during the time when the puppy hair is transitioning into adult hair, when brushing is best done daily, the Powderpuff requires weekly brushing. Best is a pin or bristle brush. Work out all mats and take away any “felting” that may have developed between the foot pads.
Powder puffs need to use a high-quality shampoo to prevent robbing their hair and skin of essential oils. They should bathe frequently, albeit not as frequently as the Hairless. To avoid the dog becoming overdried or becoming too cold, it should be toweled off and blow dry (at a very low temperature).
Start early with your Crested’s grooming. By grooming your dog, you get the chance to develop a relationship with your new puppy and look for any symptoms of disease. When the dog reaches adulthood, you’ll discover that veterinarian visits and grooming sessions will be simple and fun duties if you make them a good experience.
The majority of grooming procedures are offered at your neighborhood pet salon, but if you’re hesitant or uneasy about performing any of them yourself, especially shaving, you should get expert assistance.
Dental problems can affect any kind, although the Hairless is more likely to experience them. To get rid of tartar accumulation and the germs that live inside it, he brushes his teeth at least twice or three times every week. Even better than twice-daily brushing is prevention of foul breath and gum disease.
If your dog doesn’t wear his nails down naturally, trim them once or twice a month to avoid unpleasant rips and other issues. They are too lengthy if you can hear them clicking on the floor. Because dog toenails include blood veins, cutting them too short might result in bleeding, which may make your dog uncooperative the next time the nail clippers are pulled out. Therefore, get advice from a veterinarian or groomer if you are unfamiliar with clipping dog nails.
Every week, you should examine his ears for redness or an unpleasant smell that might be an infection. To help avoid infections, clean your dog’s ears when you examine them using a cotton ball soaked with a mild, pH-balanced ear cleanser. Simply wipe the outer ear; avoid inserting anything into the ear canal.
When your Crested is a puppy, start preparing him for being groomed and examined. Dogs are sensitive when it comes to their feet, so handle his paws regularly and examine his lips. Lay the framework for simple veterinarian checks and other handling when he’s an adult by making grooming a rewarding experience full with praise and incentives.
Check your pet’s feet, nose, mouth, eyes, and skin for sores, rashes, or infection-related symptoms including redness, soreness, or inflammation when you groom them. Clear eyes without any redness or discharge are ideal. You may identify any health issues early on thanks to your thorough weekly exam.