Comments on the Chinese Crested breed standard with illustrations

History of the origin of the breed

China is considered the country of origin. The Chinese Crested dog breed is a very ancient dog; according to some sources, its breeding began in the 200s BC, but despite this there is no reliable data on its origin.

According to one version, these dogs once lived in the wild and were domesticated by humans, and naked individuals appeared in a hot tropical climate.

There is no evidence that they were bred in China. The particular similarity between the Chinese and hairless Mexican dogs, as well as some research, allowed us to put forward another theory of origin - the Mexican one, according to which crested dogs first appeared in Mexico as a result of crossing the local hairless Xolo with a Chihuahua.

Reliable information about the breed appeared only in 1966, when unusual dogs were brought to England from the USA. And it was here, in Foggy Albion, that a standard was developed for them, and the country became the main breeding center.

Appearance

The Chinese Crested is a slender, active and elegant dog. Movements are smooth and energetic. The head is wedge-shaped. The eyes are widely spaced, almond-shaped. Depending on the color, the eyes and nose can be light or dark. The ears are large, erect and undocked.

The bite is straight or scissor. In hairless dogs, missing teeth are allowed, but in “downy” dogs it is considered a defect. The chest is deep, the stomach is tucked, the lower back is convex. Thin and long tail. Limbs are long, straight, set parallel. Fingers and nails are slightly elongated.

Hairless dogs have islands of fur only on the head, tail, paws and sometimes ears. The coat is flowing and long. “Puffs” are completely covered with hair of moderate length, not too thick with a good undercoat. Excessively curly and heavy hair is considered a defect. The range of colors is very wide, from solid to spotted and marbled in any shades and combinations.

Price

According to statistics, in a good nursery the price for it is from 25,000 to 47,000 rubles. Private breeders offer a puppy a little cheaper, for 10-15 thousand rubles. For exhibition copies the price is significantly higher. It ranges from 55 to 100 thousand rubles. Such dogs can be bred and taken to exhibitions. It is recommended to choose a dog depending on the purpose of the animal. If the owner just wants a friend or a dog for children, then you can buy a cheaper representative of the breed. For exhibitions, you will have to spend money on a purebred puppy.

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Training and physical activity

Raising a Chinese Crested puppy begins from the first moment it appears in the house. First of all, he is taught obedience and behavior in the company of other animals and people. Also, from an early age it is worth accustoming the dog to hygiene procedures, and owners of a private house with a garden should take into account that representatives of the breed love to dig and it is better to immediately allocate a special place for the pet. It cannot be said that these dogs have a special ability to train. As a rule, they are taught only basic commands and some circus tricks.

These animals quickly get used to walking on their hind legs, climbing stairs, overcoming obstacles thanks to their jumping ability, and easily acquiring other skills. In an effort to please their owners, they will try their best to follow all commands just to please them.

At the same time, it is important to find an individual approach to each dog.

Chinese Cresteds are very playful and active, and to get rid of excess energy, they need long active games and daily walks. They do not need other types of physical activity, but if desired, owners can train the dog in agility.

Character

The naked representatives of the Chinese breed were never instilled with the hunting instinct and were not used as guards. Their ancestors in ancient times were honorary participants in religious ceremonies. And in the modern world, the breed was bred as a decorative one. All this served as the basis for the formation of her character.

Representatives of the Chinese Crested breed have an affectionate, playful disposition, they are very devoted to their family and are always friendly, including towards strangers. They are very sociable and try to get maximum attention, so they are not suitable for people who are constantly busy at work. Chinese Cresteds are quite temperamental, sociable and friendly. They won't bark in vain. They get along well with other animals, but sometimes they are jealous and nervous if less attention is paid to them. They become very attached to their family and have a very hard time dealing with separation from them or a change of owner.

The owners of these dogs say that their pets love to hug and cannot do without communicating with people.

The Chinese Crested Dog is especially affectionate towards its owner and sometimes singles out another family member. An incredibly loyal pet greatly misses loved ones who have left home, and can wait a long time for the owners to return or try to look for them. They need constant attention from humans, and animals left alone for a long time fall into prolonged depression.

This dog requires constant communication; it will benefit from new acquaintances with animals and people, and trips to new places. A pet deprived of this will grow up fearful and timid. A Chinese Crested that is bored or angry at its “uninteresting” life may begin to bark or whine loudly, which is usually not typical for representatives of this breed.

Excessive chewing of objects is one of the serious problems that occurs with this breed if the dog is left alone for long periods of time. Constant attention to it from the owner and selection of toys for chewing will help prevent or stop the wear of your pet’s teeth.

Training and education

Physiologically, representatives of this breed cannot endure for long, so 8-9 month old dogs often relieve their needs at home. To do this, they are accustomed to a tray or diaper. This is an important element of education. First, you need to put the puppy in the tray immediately after sleep and after feeding. As a rule, during this period he relieves himself. If the baby wants to leave the tray, it must be returned. After he has done all his work, he is praised and given a treat.

Immediately after the end of quarantine, the puppy is accustomed to the street. They do this gradually, first taking them to quiet, deserted places. Then the walking radius is increased. They begin to accustom them to the collar during quarantine, so that after it is over, the baby will already get used to it and wear it calmly.

Few other breeds can master as many tricks as the Chinese Crested Dog. Puppies do not always remember them the first time, but with due diligence on the part of the owner, they can be taught to do various manipulations with their front paws. The main thing is to remember to praise and encourage your baby.

Maintenance and care

The Chinese Crested breed is intended exclusively for keeping in the house. The dog is not suitable for living in the yard. Gets along well with other animals. He loves to play with children of any age. When walking your dog in cold weather, you will have to wear warm clothes and special shoes. In severe frosts they do not go outside at all, so they are often taught to go to the litter box.

Caring for hairless and “downy” Chinese crested cats is practically the same. Chinese Crested dogs are brushed daily or every other day. Bath 2-3 times a month, using a special shower gel on bare areas of the body and restorative shampoos for the coat, which add volume.

It is important that all cosmetics are hypoallergenic.

Their claws grow a little faster than those of other breeds and do not have time to wear off, so they need to be trimmed periodically. These dogs, especially hairless ones, have very bad teeth that need regular cleaning. “Powder puffs” practically do not shed on their own, and to prevent the undercoat from becoming tangled, it must be combed out well. After bathing dogs with shampoo, it is recommended to use conditioner. The fur on the face is trimmed.

Hairless dogs sometimes develop acne (black or white) on the skin due to the fact that dead or defective hair remains in the follicles, which must be removed with tweezers, after which the skin must be wiped with an antiseptic. To prevent the skin from drying out, use a special cream. During the summer months, you need sunscreen.

By overeating and not exercising enough, the Chinese Crested Dog can quickly gain excess weight. Therefore, animals of this breed need to be encouraged to move more often, especially since they love to walk and play outside. You need to make sure that during walks the hairless Chinese Crested dog does not accidentally damage its unprotected skin.

In excessively cold or hot weather, it is better not to walk such a dog outside to the toilet, so experienced breeders advise teaching animals to use a litter box or diapers.

Care

Caring for a “hairless” and a downy dog is practically the same. There are some nuances only in bathing and grooming the animal. You should understand only one thing - you need to look after it carefully and constantly, if you are not ready for this, then it is too early for you to get a dog.

Bathing

KHS is not against water procedures. Bathing should be repeated once a week (mandatory for fluffy dogs), or at least once every two weeks. The water should not be too cold or hot, as this may frighten the pet.

For washing, buy “dog” shampoos and conditioners. Be careful not to get the product into your eyes or ears. Don't forget about moisturizing lotions and scrubs, they are necessary for hairless dogs, they are used 1-2 times a month. All care products are selected according to the animal's skin type.

After bathing, wrap your pet in a towel and dry with a hairdryer, do not use too strong a setting so as not to injure the skin. If you notice that the skin is dry, then apply a special moisturizer.

Wool: grooming and cutting

The most common question from those who are just thinking about getting a Chinese Crested is: “Does this dog shed?” We hasten to please everyone - no, these animals do not shed. Of course, caring for a fluffy dog requires more attention to brushing and grooming, but it doesn't take much time and won't tire you out in any way. A hairless dog also needs to be combed and trimmed in areas where there are hairs. This is done with special combs that can be bought at pet stores.

Publication from Cherepovets TTSsferaFashionableTail (@zoosalon.che) April 13, 2021 at 12:42 PDT

To cut and style your pet's hair at home, you will need the following tools:

massage brush (it’s convenient to comb out the hair after bathing);
scissors (you can buy both regular and thinning scissors, both options are suitable for trimming the ends of the paws, head and tail);
hair dryer (will speed up drying and style unruly hair);
clipper (special for dogs);
slicker (helps get rid of dead hair);
comb with a knitting needle (to detect tangles);
straightener (for styling before the exhibition);
a brush with natural bristles (helps to style your hair beautifully).

The last tools on the list are needed exclusively for owners who will take the dog to exhibitions. If the animal does not attend exhibitions, then the best option would be a short haircut, which will save you from constant hassle with long hair.

To ensure that your pet's fur is always perfect, you need to use shampoos and conditioners for dogs, products to protect against the effects of hair dryers and styling products.\

Hygienic grooming of the pet is carried out once every 2-3 weeks, and exhibition grooming depends on the exhibition schedule. Grooming at home is a simple but lengthy procedure that can tire the animal, so start from the head. Cut against the direction of hair growth, from the ears to the outer corner of the eye. Trim your cheeks deeper. Do all this as carefully as possible so as not to damage the animal’s skin.

After the head, move on to the neck, it needs to be cut in a V shape. Cut off the body completely, but leave the mane, it needs to be trimmed and beautifully styled. When cutting the fur on the paws, leave the “gaiters”, making sure that they are at the same level.

Eyes and teeth

The eyes of the Chinese breed are prone to souring, so do not forget to wash them; a tea solution is used for this purpose. The procedure is repeated every 7-10 days. For any inflammation of the eyes, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.

Brushing teeth is an important part of caring for your pet. It is better to get used to this procedure from a young age. A toothbrush for children is suitable. Toothpaste for dogs can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. You don’t need to brush your teeth every day, but you will have to do it once every 5-7 days. The procedure does not bring KHS any pleasure, but over time they get used to it.

How to Groom a Chinese Crested Dog

A well-groomed puff is a source of pride for the owner. And this is not surprising, because getting the perfect result is not so easy. If you are going to trim your Chinese Crested yourself, you will need the following tools:

comb with long metal teeth;
hair clipper (not human);
hairdresser's scisors;
slicker;
hairdryer

Before you start grooming, comb your pet with a comb. Comb away from the skin and do not miss any sections. Make special efforts in problem areas, for example, behind the ears, on the paws. If there are tangles, remove them with your hands, and then comb the area with a slicker brush.

If you don't want to constantly fuss with fur, cut your dog's hair like a puppy. You can also completely shave your pet, turning the animal into a hairless crested dog. Naturally, this applies only to those dogs that are not planned to be exhibited at exhibitions. If you doubt your abilities, visit a specialized salon. But if you want to turn your puffball into a hairless crested dog, use the following recommendations.

First, remove most of the fur from the animal's body. Leave the boots, crest and two-thirds of the fur on the tail intact. How much wool to remove is up to you. You can remove everything or leave a couple of millimeters using an attachment. Regardless of the type of haircut, your Chinese Crested dog will look beautiful and well-groomed, and further care for it will be much easier.

Caring for a Chinese Puffy Crested Dog

The Chinese Crested Powder Powder requires careful care. The dog is bathed once a week and its coat is brushed daily.

They wash the dog with special shampoos that add shine and fluffiness to the coat. The dog's fur hardly sheds, but tangles can form on it, which need to be removed in a timely manner.

Claws are trimmed once every seven days, as they grow quickly and do not have time to wear down. During the procedure, hydrogen peroxide and cotton wool should be nearby in case of a cut.

Once a week you need to brush your pet's teeth to prevent the formation of tartar. If such a disease develops, it will be painful for the dog to eat, and its treatment will cost a pretty penny. To brush your teeth you need to get a special toothpaste and brush.

The dog's eyes, nose and ears are examined weekly. They must be clean, without discharge.

Even decorative pets need physical activity. Therefore, you should take your dog for walks in the fresh air every day. Chinese Cresteds do not tolerate cold well. During the winter season, staying outside with your dog should be limited.

If it is not possible to walk your pet, you can teach it to go to the tray.

Diet and health

Representatives of the breed, as a rule, are not too picky about food; they love vegetables and fruits, but, naturally, they are not vegetarians. If your pet has few teeth, it is better to give the food ground or cut into small pieces. Particular attention is paid to the balance of the feed and the presence of a sufficient amount of vitamins A, D, E, calcium and phosphorus. Select the correct feeding regimen. You can also give special food for decorative dogs with supplementary food made from natural food. If you prefer to feed your pet with ready-made food, then, of course, in this case it is worth using high-quality holistic food or at least super premium food.

In general, the breed is distinguished by its endurance and good health, and yet there is a special predisposition to certain diseases. Very often, Chinese dogs suffer from allergies. Bitches have difficult births. There are joint problems and keratoconjunctivitis. Hairless dogs are prone to acne and can get sunburned in the summer.

The owner should also take into account that the gene responsible for hairlessness is associated with the gene that is responsible for the quality of teeth, that is, the less hair a dog has, the worse its teeth. In hairless dogs, incomplete dentition or tooth loss is noted from an early age. They often suffer from caries and stomatitis. The lifespan of Chinese Cresteds is up to 12 years.

What to feed the Chinese Crested Powderpuff?

Crested Powderpuff puppies are fed 5-6 times a day for up to two months. Gradually, by the age of one year, this norm is reduced to twice a day. At four months, milk is excluded from the dog’s diet.

The animal is fed dry food for small breed dogs. It is not necessary to feed Puffy with dry food and you can offer him natural products. She is not at all picky when choosing food and eats almost everything that is given. He loves fruit very much.

The diet of such a dog should include lean raw meat and boiled offal. The pet should be given boiled fish, vegetables, and herbs. The weekly menu should include a boiled egg, cereals and vegetable oil. Among dairy products, preference should be given to kefir and cottage cheese.

Everything harmful, namely salty, fatty, fried, smoked, sweet, must be excluded from the diet. The ban applies to sausages, sausages, lard and flour products.

Chinese Crested Dog puppies – features of choice

Choosing a puppy is a complex and responsible procedure that requires careful preparation:

leaf through catalogs;
attend exhibitions;
meet the breeders.

It’s good if there is an experienced expert among your friends. When going for a Chinese Crested dog puppy, take a specialist with you. When choosing a nursery, read reviews about it. Visit the kennel before purchasing and see the conditions in which the dogs are kept.

Decide in advance whether you will take a boy or a girl, which subspecies of the breed suits you best: Konik, Nabby or Powderpuff. If you are not a fan of grooming, then it is better to take a hairless dog. The powder puff will require some attention to its fur.

It is worth knowing that the skin color of a Chinese Crested Dog can change with age. Dark-skinned puppies become bluish or bronze as they mature. Also, all three varieties of the breed may experience coat color changes. Usually, the final color can be determined by the hair roots of a pet that has reached three months of age.

Overall, the Chinese Crested is an unpredictable dog. Even an experienced dog breeder will not be able to say with 100% certainty what the final color of the animal’s skin, hair, and height will be. But, if you get to know the baby’s parents, you can at least get a preliminary forecast.

Most representatives of the breed have an ideal psyche without the slightest hint of aggressive behavior. But you shouldn’t ignore the puppy’s character. Experienced dog breeders recommend choosing energetic, sociable puppies that feel confident. If you intend to build a show career for your Chinese Crested, purchase a larger pet. Size adds to the dog's relaxedness and self-confidence.

A good puppy is a strong, well-behaved dog with a straight back, expressive angulations of the limbs and a scissor bite. The downy and hairless varieties of the Chinese Crested have ears that stand up differently and even at different times. This point is influenced by various factors, such as the size of the ears and the amount of fur on them.

Clothes for Chinese Crested Dog

A hairless dog cannot even be called short-haired, so a pet, like no other, needs comfortable and warm clothes. In winter, this can be a jumpsuit with padding polyester. During the summer heat, as clothing for a Chinese Crested dog, you can buy a T-shirt that protects your pet’s skin from exposure to sunlight and insect bites. Although the range of clothing for dogs is quite large, so you are unlikely to limit yourself to buying two things. And among other things, in specialized ateliers you can sew clothes for dogs to order:

jumpsuit for all seasons;
raincoat for cloudy days;
pajamas for cold nights.

In general, there is a choice. Just when buying clothes for your Chinese Crested dog, don't think only about the external gloss. First of all, the animal should be comfortable.

History of origin

They say this breed is endowed with mystical powers. According to legend, she accompanied God Buddha on his travels. When there were no threats to the Buddha’s life, she followed him. But if danger appeared, she tore off her fur, leaving it only on her head, turning into a formidable lion. So she saved the life of Buddha more than once.

Today, Chinese crested cats live in China in temples, where they perform the work of rat catchers and guard the territory. Previously, only wealthy residents could acquire such a friend. However, even in our time its owner is considered wealthy.

Although it is called the Chinese Crested, in reality, the ancestors of the breed are the British. By 1966 it had almost disappeared; why this happened is not known.

There were less than ten worldwide. The Chinese were not concerned with preserving the species. At this time, the British began breeding the breed. All remaining animals were taken to England, where they began to be bred. Very soon the population recovered.

Until recently, almost no one in our country knew about the Chinese crested dog, Powderpuff. It became popular at the beginning of the 21st century, when it became fashionable to go to parties and other events with “sofa” or pillow dogs.

Features of mating of the Chinese Crested Dog

We decided to breed a Chinese Crested - this is good. The first thing you need is to find like-minded people. As a rule, this is a specialized club. The club will tell you about the features of Chinese Crested mating and help you choose the right pair for your dog.

So, what does a future breeder need to know:

If you breed two Powder Puffs, every puppy in the litter will have a coat. There are exceptions, but, as a rule, these are non-viable individuals.
If you breed a Powder Puff and a Pebble, there may be variations in the litter. For example, out of four puppies, two will be powder puffs, one will be hairless and one will be a pony. Other options are also possible.
If you breed a pony and a pebble, you can also expect to get a wide variety of options. For example, two ponies, one hairless and one powder puff. Here a lot depends on who the ancestors of the Chinese Cresteds were.
If you breed two naked dogs, then most likely there will be only naked dogs in the litter. It is worth knowing that experienced dog breeders do not recommend such mating, as puppies may be born with pathologies.