Chinese Crested

AKC Group: Toy

Club: American Chinese Crested Club, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Marian Blackman
Address: 1102 SW 30th St., Palm City, FL , 34990
Website: www.chinesecrestedclub.info
Email: blamm1746@adelphia.net
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining.

Size:

Size - Ideally 11 to 13 inches. However, dogs that are slightly larger or smaller may be given full consideration. Proportion - rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Substance - Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or alternatively, not a robust, heavy structure.

Coat:

The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head (called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Placement of hair is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper off slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth. Head Crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the base of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair on the ears and face is permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties. Tail Plume is described under Tail. The Powderpuff variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Close examination reveals long thin guard hairs over the short silky undercoat. The coat is straight, of moderate density and length. Excessively heavy, kinky or curly coat is to be penalized. Grooming is minimal-consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.

Temperament:

Gay and alert.

History:

The Chinese Crested is believed to have evolved from the African hairless dogs. These dogs were traded among merchants and sailors thereby making their way to ancient port cities around the world. The Chinese, who seemed to favor dogs of smaller size, selectively bred the African hairless to a smaller size and continued an active trade. Explorers, as early as the 1500s, found these dogs in ports throughout Central and South America as well as African and Asian cities.

Chinese Cresteds joined the breeds depicted in European art and architecture in the 19th century. The breed is also represented in photos of English competitions from the era, but no breeding program was evidenced.

The Crested acquired an active and enthusiastic following in the United States in the early 1900's. Breeders kept an extensive stud book and registry beginning in the 1930's. Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous stage personality, acquired a Crested in the 1950's and became an ardent breeder helping considerably to publicizing the breed. The Chinese Crested was first registered with The American Kennel Club in 1991.

Fun Facts:

• The Chinese Crested is AKC's 132nd breed.
  
  
• The exact origin of the Chinese Crested is unknown, but it believed to have evolved from African hairless dogs which were reduced in size by the Chinese.
  
  
• Earlier names of the Crested include: Chinese Hairless, the Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog, and the Chinese Royal Hairless.
  
  
• The Crested is believed to have accompanied Chinese sailors on the high seas, hunting vermin during and in between times of plague; today the breed can still be found in port cities worldwide.
  
  
• By the mid-19th century, Cresteds began to appear in numerous European paintings and prints.
  
  
• Entries of the Crested breed in American dog shows began in the late 1800's.
  
  
• The Crested come in two varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff (Powderpuff is genetically recessive).