Chinese Crested dog

History of the naked Chinese Crested dog breed

Direct evidence that the homeland of the Chinese crested was the Celestial Empire has not yet been found. Yes, Asian nobles have always been greedy for live exotics and traditionally preferred small hairless dogs, but most of these pets were "foreigners" imported from other powers. If we talk specifically about CCS, then modern researchers offer three relatively plausible versions of their origin. According to the first of them, miniature "tufts" are direct descendants of the extinct African naked dog that sailed to China with trade caravans. The second theory is based on the external similarity of the "Chinese" with a Mexican naked dog. However, it is not entirely clear which ways animals from the unknown at that time American continent made their way to Asia. The third possible homeland of Chinese naked crested dogs is called the territories of modern Thailand and Sri Lanka, whose inhabitants have been trading with China since time immemorial and, accordingly, had the opportunity to float their four-legged wards there.

The modern stage of the breed's formation occurred at the end of the XIX century, when New York journalist Ida Garrett brought the first "Chinese" to the USA. The woman was so delighted with the decorative "tufts" that she devoted 60 years of her life to breeding them. At the beginning of the XX century, professional breeders also became interested in pets. In particular, the American breeder Deborah Woods started the first breeding book of Chinese crested already in the 30s of the last century. In 1959, the first KHS amateur club appeared in the USA, and in 1965, one of Mrs. Woods's wards went to conquer the Foggy Albion. British breeders also did not remain indifferent to exotic dogs, as evidenced by the opening of numerous kennels in different parts of England in the period from 1969 to 1975. At the same time, the red tape with the recognition of the breed by cynological associations dragged on for a long time. The KC (English Kennel Club) was the first to capitulate in 1981, and 6 years later the FCI also joined it, which approved the right of Chinese crested to breeding. The AKC (American Kennel Club) held out the longest, proclaiming the "Chinese" as an independent breed only in 1991.

Video: Chinese Crested dog

Appearance of a Chinese crested dog

The Chinese crested dog is not the most convenient breed to keep, but this disadvantage is fully compensated by the non-trivial image of its representatives. According to the standard approved by the FCI, Chinese crested can have a deer or stocky build. Individuals from the first category are distinguished by a lightweight skeleton (backbone) and, accordingly, great grace. Stocky animals are almost twice as heavy as their counterparts (the weight of an adult dog can reach 5 kg) and squatterer.

Head

Slightly elongated, skull moderately rounded, cheekbones non-convex. The muzzle is slightly narrowed, the stop is moderately pronounced.

Teeth and jaws

The jaws of Chinese crested are strong, with a correct bite (the lower teeth are completely blocked by the upper ones). In hairless individuals, molars often do not erupt, but such a deviation from the standard is considered quite acceptable, since it is genetically determined.

Nose

The lobe is of medium size, the color can be any.

Ears

Relatively large, placed vertically. An exception to the rule is the Chinese crested downy type, which may have a hanging ear cloth.

Eyes

KHS has small, wide-set and very dark eyes.

Neck

Dry, long, with an elegant curve, which is especially noticeable in a moving animal.

Housing

The length of the body in individuals of the deer and stocky types varies greatly. In the first case, the trunk will be of normal proportions, in the second - elongated in length. The chest of the representatives of the Chinese crested breed is wide, the ribs are slightly curved, the belly is tightened.

Limbs

The front legs of naked Chinese crested dogs are straight and thin. The shoulders are narrow and "look" back, and the pasterns are miniature and stand almost vertically. The hind limbs are smooth, with muscular thighs and low-hanging hocks. The paws of Chinese crested hares are of the hare type, that is, narrow and elongated in length. The toes of the paws are covered with "boots" made of airy wool.

Tail

Long, straight type, with a spectacular plume of soft wool. When moving, it is kept elevated, lowered at rest.

Wool

Ideally, the hair of naked "crested" should be present only on the paws, tail and head, although exceptions to the rule are not uncommon. Powder puffs are completely overgrown with a soft veil-like hair, under which a small undercoat is hidden. At the same time, a charming "forelock" on the head is available for both naked and downy dogs.

Color

In world cynology, all types of colors of Chinese crested dogs are declared permitted. The inhabitants of Russian kennels have only 20 officially recognized colors:

• solid white;
• white-black;
• blue and white;
• white-chocolate;
• white-bronze;
• white and cream;
• solid black;
• black and white;
• black with tan;
• solid cream;
• creamy white;
• solid chocolate;
• solid bronze;
• bronze with white;
• sable;
• chocolate with white;
• chocolate-tan;
• solid blue;
• blue with white;
• tricolor.

Important: naked, downy, in a deer or stocky type – all these varieties of Chinese crested are equalized in rights, so you can disqualify a dog at an exhibition only for its non-compliance with the breed standard, but not for external features.

Photo of a Chinese crested dog

Character of the Chinese crested dog

Sociable, friendly, worshiping her own master – if your KHS does not have at least these three qualities, think about whether it is really a Chinese crested. The breed's amazing attachment to humans has given rise to a number of myths about its mental talents. For example, many owners of "Chinese" seriously believe that their pets have a tendency to telepathy and are able to anticipate desires.

There are also a lot of stories about the so-called "curative" breed. However, this applies more to "naked", whose skin seems hot due to the lack of wool on it. According to the assurances of the owners, naked Chinese crested dogs soften the pain of arthrosis and rheumatism, performing the function of a living warmer. It is difficult to judge how true such stories are, but the fact that the KHS really know how to create a harmonious, peaceful atmosphere in the house is a proven fact.

One of the main phobias of the Chinese Crested breed is loneliness. An animal left in an empty apartment for a long time literally goes crazy, notifying others of its misfortune with a loud howl. However, in order to bark heartily, "puffers" and "nudes" do not always need a reason, so if at some point your pet got carried away with "oratorios", take care of his upbringing. But do not overdo it: it will still not be possible to turn a crested vocalist into a silent one.

Representatives of this breed are not tied to the sofa and are quite mobile. The back seat of a car, a bicycle basket or a regular leash – choose any method you like and feel free to take your pet out or take it out into the light. In addition, mischievous "tufts" are always happy to play with a ball, a squeaker and other dog entertainments. Well, if someone from the household joins the process, including children, there will be no limit to the joy of the "Chinese".

Love for a person in KHS often comes to obsession. Puppies intuitively copy feline behavior: they rub against their legs, try to perch on their knees and play hugs with their beloved owner. Trying to cultivate emotional coldness and sedateness in Chinese crested is useless, and for the psyche of the animal it is also a deliberately harmful occupation. If the prospect of constant close contact with a pet seriously strains you, you will have to opt for another, less sociable breed.

Education and training

Often on zooforums you can find complaints about the narrow–mindedness and poor upbringing of the KHS, although in fact the "crested" are intelligent, inquisitive and quite trainable creatures. And yet no one, even the most intellectually developed dog, will train itself, so if you expect an innate sense of tact and behavioral aristocracy from an animal, then it's completely in vain.

The upbringing of a puppy begins from birth or from the first minutes of its appearance in the house. To begin with, teach the baby to the place and do not let him climb into your bed (yes, KHS are exceptional charmers, but they should sleep on their own couch). If the puppy misses his mother and brothers too much, at first a heating pad is placed on his mattress, creating the illusion of a warm dog's belly. And do not forget that the psyche of Chinese crested dogs is very fragile, so squeeze your own emotions into a fist and never yell at a kid who has made a mistake.

Problems with the toilet, which the owners of the breed often complain about, arise mainly in individuals who have been poorly or too late explained how to use devices for dog needs. In general, Chinese crested are born "diapers" and "hawkers", that is, they can't stand it for a long time and prefer to do their "business" on a newspaper or in a tray than wait for a walk. However, it is quite possible to accustom them to the outdoor toilet, and the methods used are the same as for dogs of other breeds.

Despite the fact that due to their delicate complexion, KHS seem manageable and malleable, it is still necessary to train them. In particular, the command "No!" must be understood and executed by every adult "Chinese", in the same way as approaching the owner at his call. If desired, the Chinese crested can be taught simple circus tricks. It is known that "puffers" and "pebbles" walk well on their hind legs and spin to the music.

Maintenance and care

At home, a pet should feel cozy and protected, so arrange a secluded corner for him. The best option is a small house, although a couch with sides is also suitable. A growing Chinese crested dog should have a sufficient number of toys. Both rubber squeakers from the store and alternative options like corks, tangles and small cardboard boxes will fit here. For trips to the vet or traveling, it is better to buy a carrier bag.

Hygiene

Paradoxically, there is no less fuss with the skin of "pebbles" than with the wool of powder puffs. They wash hairless cats once or even twice a week using a soft, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. If there were no special hygiene products at hand, you can limit yourself to baby or tar soap. Blow-drying is also a mandatory event.

From the skin of naked Chinese crested, it is necessary to regularly remove acne and comedones – black sebaceous plugs that clog pores. In particular, "millet" (white balls) are pierced with a medical needle, their contents are squeezed out and the puncture site is treated with chlorhexidine. Before you start removing blackheads, the dog's skin is steamed (a terry towel soaked in heated water and wrapped around the animal's body will do). You can remove comedones with your hands, but in this case your fingers should be wrapped in a sterile bandage soaked with antiseptic. Pimples, which may be the result of food allergies, can be combated by means of ointments such as "Bepanten" and tea tree oil.

It is worth considering that even naked Chinese crested dogs have a certain amount of wool on the body and belly. Usually these are rare hairs that spoil the glamorous appearance of the animal, but in some individuals there is also a thicker growth. In order to improve the appearance of the body hair, the "pebbles" are removed with a disposable shaving machine, having previously lubricated the dog's skin with shaving foam. Another affordable and painless option is depilating creams from a regular supermarket. The epilator and wax strips give a longer result, but not all CCS are able to endure such an "execution". However, some breeders manage to teach their pets to endure discomfort during such procedures. The main thing then is not to forget to treat the pet's skin with antiseptic lotion and lubricate it with aftershave cream.

By the way, about creams. They must be in the "cosmetic bag" of a naked Chinese crested dog, since the skin of such animals is prone to dryness and is very sensitive to environmental influences. Buy a couple of nourishing and moisturizing products for your pet, and stock up on a cream with a high SPF level for the summer period.

Owners of downy Chinese "tufts" will not have to relax either. Powder puffs are washed, of course, less often than "pebbles" (2-3 times a month), but they are combed daily. The wool of the "puffers" is very soft, which means that no matter how carefully you take care of your pet, the tangles are provided. The only question is how dense they will be. If the animal is combed regularly, it is easier to put the tangled fur in order. The owners of neglected dogs have only one way out – cutting the fallen areas. It's great if the owner has the time and free funds to bring the pet to the groomer. If the care is carried out at home, follow a few rules.

• Never comb the dry wool of "down jackets". Be sure to moisten it with a special lotion.
• Fasten the dog's crest with a rubber band – so the hair will be less confused.
• Choose a smooth fabric like satin for the pet's bed. This will to some extent reduce the likelihood of knocking wool into tangles while the animal is sleeping.

Caring for the ears and eyes of Chinese crested dogs is not the most difficult. A couple of times a week, the ear funnels of pets should be cleaned with cotton swabs and treated with veterinary lotion with the mucous membrane of the eye (folk remedies are contraindicated). You can additionally pluck the hairs in the inner part of the animal's ear, this will improve the air circulation in it. In addition, too much wool prevents the removal of sulfur deposits from the auricle.

Cutting the claws of a Chinese crested dog will require maximum concentration. The blood vessels in the claws of the "Chinese" pass deep enough, and there is a risk of hitting them with scissors. This is exactly the case when it is better to undercut than to grab the excess.

Walking

Walking representatives of the Chinese Crested breed should be daily. In the fresh air, energetic and inquisitive "crested" fall into a kind of frenzy, so they take them out on a roulette leash. And these kids love to play archaeologists and dig in flower beds, so it will be difficult to stop a dog without a leash.

Walks are usually preceded by preparation. For example, in the spring and summer, the body of naked dogs is smeared with sunscreen to prevent burns. In autumn and winter, animals are taken outside dressed (relevant for "naked"), and in frosty weather, it is better to minimize the number of walks.

Walking with a Chinese crested is not possible everywhere. In particular, it is not recommended to take hairless pets to the forest or go on a picnic with them to reservoirs. The dog's body, which is not protected by wool, is an excellent target for mosquitoes and other blood–sucking insects, so after such a sortie, the KHS will have to be treated for bites and possible allergies. Leaving a four-legged friend to sunbathe in the sun is also undesirable. In "pebbles", this can provoke overheating, burn, and pigmentation of the skin, and in "fuzzies", the hair dries and coarsens under the action of ultraviolet light.

Feeding

The first and only rule: no unauthorized sweets and delicacies from your own table. Naked Chinese crested dogs have very sensitive digestion and are allergic to a whole bunch of products, so any attempt to modify the pet's menu invariably ends with a trip to the vet. It is possible to understand that you have screwed up and fed your pet with the wrong thing, based on the condition of its skin and coat. Pimples, fatty spots, smudges under the eyes are not the most terrible symptoms. It is much worse if a Chinese crested dog vomits after your treat.

Strict no:

• raw meat and fish;
• milk;
• pork;
• chicken (the strongest allergen);
• any sausage products;
• sweets;
• grapes;
• bones;
• semolina, oatmeal, pearl barley.

Low-fat sour milk, porridge on water (corn, rice, millet), grated apple are well suited for individuals who eat "straight". The "Chinese" should have dinner with lean meat, which can be replaced once a week with boiled sea fish. Raw carrots and cabbage, seasoned with vegetable oil, are also acceptable in the menu of the Chinese crested. If an elderly KHS lives in your apartment, then the food for her must be thoroughly crushed or brought to the state of minced meat. This is especially true of "pebbles", who from birth have an incomplete set of teeth, and by old age they turn into toothless at all. Crested "oldies" who previously sat on industrial feeds are usually transferred to their wet varieties (pates, meat in jelly).

Young and healthy dogs can be fed with "drying", but of high quality. Economy-class food will not be rolled here. And of the super-premium varieties, it is better to choose hypoallergenic varieties. For pregnant women, dry croquettes are an ideal option at all, since they contain vitamins and trace elements necessary for the developing fetus. Pregnant "girls" who are treated to a "straight woman" are more difficult in this regard, so if you are both hands for a natural diet and are not ready to radically change the diet of the expectant mother, buy her a vitamin complex. And do not panic if in the first weeks of pregnancy the Chinese crested refuses to eat or vomits. This is the most common toxicosis that most bitches go through.

Health and diseases of Chinese crested dogs

Chinese crested dogs are relatively strong dogs, but they also have their own list of genetic ailments. Most often, representatives of this breed can be found:

• primary dislocation of the eye lens;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• cataract;
• dry keratoconjunctivitis;
• hyperuricosuria;
• degenerative myelopathy;
• epilepsy;
• Perthes disease;
• dislocation of the kneecap;
• hyperplasia of the joints (hip).

Of the ailments not caused by heredity, food allergies can be noted, provoking rashes on the skin of naked "Chinese".

How to choose a puppy

They start selling Chinese crested puppies at the age of one and a half months, but nothing prevents you from visiting the nursery earlier to book the baby, and at the same time assess the conditions in which he lives. It is necessary to get acquainted with the parents of the future pet or at least one of them. In the end, no one has canceled hereditary diseases.

As for the exterior, it is unstable in Chinese crested puppies. Animals with black and chocolate fur lighten as they grow up, many babies change the proportions of the head (the muzzle lengthens), and the crest of most young individuals is not too pronounced yet and more resembles a cap.

If your choice is a naked Chinese crested, pay maximum attention to the hair on the baby's head and tail. For example, if the "forelock" and plume are thick, this feature will appear brighter as you get older. Rare hair, alas, will not become more abundant. Sometimes puppies of the hairless KHS can overgrow all over the body. This is not a defect. On the contrary, such individuals always have a more spectacular crest and tail. The only thing is that you will have to shave and epilate such a dog more often. Do not hesitate to look into the "naked" mouth to make sure that all his teeth have erupted, or at least most of them.

Choosing between a male or a bitch, keep in mind that even the most intelligent Chinese "boys" mark the territory. In addition, having felt the smell of a crested "young lady" in heat, they become uncontrollable and prone to escapes. The problem with unsterilized "girls" is only in heat, which they have twice a year and lasts for 3 weeks. At the same time, throughout the mating period, the baby can leave bloody traces of secretions in the apartment, which not every owner will like.

Photos of Chinese crested dog puppies

How much does a naked Chinese crested dog cost

Buy a purebred Chinese crested puppy for less than $200 - $300 is almost impossible. In general, even during the "sales" arranged by the nursery, the cost of a thoroughbred baby should not fall below $150. If they ask less for an animal, most likely, it has a serious external defect. An important point: the puppies of the naked Chinese crested are valued more than the puffer babies, and the price tag for them is always higher.