A Little Bit of History
The Chinese Crested is believed to have originated from the Mexican Hairless. They
were frequently traded by merchants and sailors, and made their way around the world
through the shipping routes, ending up in the port cities. The Chinese selectively bred
the smaller African Hairless to get a more refined hairless dog. These dogs were seen
by explorers in Central and South America as early as the 1500's. The Chinese sailors
kept these dogs on the ships for rodent control - ideal because they didn't carry fleas
which transmitted disease and plague. (And we wont mention how they were often
called 'Chinese edible dogs' - ewww) The Chinese Crested was first registered with
the American Kennel Club in 1991.
The Chinese Crested is believed to have originated from the Mexican Hairless. They
were frequently traded by merchants and sailors, and made their way around the world
through the shipping routes, ending up in the port cities. The Chinese selectively bred
the smaller African Hairless to get a more refined hairless dog. These dogs were seen
by explorers in Central and South America as early as the 1500's. The Chinese sailors
kept these dogs on the ships for rodent control - ideal because they didn't carry fleas
which transmitted disease and plague. (And we wont mention how they were often
called 'Chinese edible dogs' - ewww) The Chinese Crested was first registered with
the American Kennel Club in 1991.
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Chinese Crested Standard
The Official AKC Standard
General Appearance: 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, Proportion, Substance
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.
Head
Expression - Alert and intense. Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogs
have dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims
match the coloring of the dog. Ears - Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base
of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Skull - The skull is arched gently over
the occiput from ear to ear. Distance from occiput to stop equal to distance from stop to tip
of nose. The head is wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop - Slight but
distinct. Muzzle - Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose - Dark in dark-colored dogs;
may be lighter in lighter-colored dogs. Pigment is solid. Lips - Lips are clean and tight.
Bite - Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted.
The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and
carried high. Topline - Level to slightly sloping croup. Body - Brisket extends to the elbow.
Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a
moderate tuck-up at the flanks. Light in loin. Tail - Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is
long enough to reach the hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be
carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a slight curve upward at
the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is
covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is
completely covered with hair.
Forequarters
Angulation - Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good
reach. Shoulders - clean and narrow. Elbows - Close to body. Legs - long, slender and
straight. Pasterns - upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - hare foot,
narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.
Hindquarters
Angulation: Stifle moderately angulated. From hock joint to ground perpendicular.
Dewclaws may be removed. Feet same as forequarters.
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.
Color: Any color or combination of colors.
Gait: Lively, agile and smooth without being stilted or hackneyed. Comes and goes at a
trot moving in a straight line.
Temperament: Gay and alert.
Approved June 12, 1990
Effective April 1, 1991
The Official AKC Standard
General Appearance: 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, Proportion, Substance
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.
Head
Expression - Alert and intense. Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogs
have dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims
match the coloring of the dog. Ears - Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base
of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Skull - The skull is arched gently over
the occiput from ear to ear. Distance from occiput to stop equal to distance from stop to tip
of nose. The head is wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop - Slight but
distinct. Muzzle - Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose - Dark in dark-colored dogs;
may be lighter in lighter-colored dogs. Pigment is solid. Lips - Lips are clean and tight.
Bite - Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted.
The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and
carried high. Topline - Level to slightly sloping croup. Body - Brisket extends to the elbow.
Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a
moderate tuck-up at the flanks. Light in loin. Tail - Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is
long enough to reach the hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be
carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a slight curve upward at
the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is
covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is
completely covered with hair.
Forequarters
Angulation - Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good
reach. Shoulders - clean and narrow. Elbows - Close to body. Legs - long, slender and
straight. Pasterns - upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - hare foot,
narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.
Hindquarters
Angulation: Stifle moderately angulated. From hock joint to ground perpendicular.
Dewclaws may be removed. Feet same as forequarters.
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.
Color: Any color or combination of colors.
Gait: Lively, agile and smooth without being stilted or hackneyed. Comes and goes at a
trot moving in a straight line.
Temperament: Gay and alert.
Approved June 12, 1990
Effective April 1, 1991
| Bella Biche Chinese Cresteds Bridgette Cole Deerfield, Michigan bridgette@bellabichecresteds.com bidgiitt@aol.com 517-605-6945 |
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Hairless or Powderpuff?
There are 2 varieties of Chinese Crested, the hairless and a coated type known as the
powderpuff. The hairless variety has hair on the crest, tail and feet, and the powderpuff
has a silky double coat. Both types may be present in the same litter. (My thought has
always been that God makes the hairy ones to keep the other ones warm.)
Hot Water Bottle?
The body temperature of the Chinese Crested is 104 degrees. Compared to the
average dogs' temperature of 101 to 102 degrees, it makes them quite warm to the
touch. No wonder they are sometimes known as "walking hot water bottles". It makes
them wonderful to sleep with on a cold winter night.
There are 2 varieties of Chinese Crested, the hairless and a coated type known as the
powderpuff. The hairless variety has hair on the crest, tail and feet, and the powderpuff
has a silky double coat. Both types may be present in the same litter. (My thought has
always been that God makes the hairy ones to keep the other ones warm.)
Hot Water Bottle?
The body temperature of the Chinese Crested is 104 degrees. Compared to the
average dogs' temperature of 101 to 102 degrees, it makes them quite warm to the
touch. No wonder they are sometimes known as "walking hot water bottles". It makes
them wonderful to sleep with on a cold winter night.