| Other names the Chinese Crested is known as are: | | | | He is easily trained and should do well in obedience |
| - Chinese Edible Dog | | | | work. |
| - Chinese Ship Dog | | | | Appearance |
| - Chinese Hairless | | | | The Chinese Crested is fine-boned and graceful. He |
| - Chinese Royal Hairless | | | | stands about 11 to 13 inches tall and weighs 5 to 12 |
| - Pyramid or Giza Hairless | | | | pounds. He is athletic-looking and well muscled. The |
| - South African Hairless | | | | legs of a Chinese Crested are straight and strong. |
| - Turkish Hairless | | | | The Chinese Crested has a copious shock of silky |
| The "crest" in its name refers to a copious shock of | | | | hair that graces his head. Hair is absent over much of |
| silky hair that graces the dog's head. | | | | the remainder of its body except for tufts of hair on |
| The Chinese Crested is found everywhere, but has | | | | the tail and feet. |
| never reached great popularity. It has often been | | | | The Powderpuff has a flowing double coat of silky |
| exhibited in circuses and carnivals as a "freak." | | | | hair that covers its entire body. It is seen in any coat |
| However, this little dog has many assets that go | | | | color or combination of colors. |
| unrecognized. | | | | Exercise Requirements |
| There are two types of the Chinese Crested: | | | | As with most toy breeds the Chinese Crested needs |
| - Hairless | | | | a minimal amount of exercise which can be obtained |
| - With a full coat, which is called the Powderpuff | | | | in your backyard. |
| The Powderpuff is just about identical to the hairless | | | | Grooming |
| except for the coat. The two are interbred and | | | | The Chinese Crested needs to be kept clean with |
| shown together. If you breed a hairless to a hairless | | | | frequent baths using a good shampoo followed by a |
| or a Powderpuff to a hairless you can end up with | | | | moisturizer like baby oil or baby lotion. This routine is |
| either type or both types of puppies. Breeding a | | | | especially true for the hairless type. |
| Powderpuff to a Powderpuff will always produce the | | | | The Powderpuff requires regular brushing and |
| Powderpuff type puppies. | | | | combing. The teeth need cleaning regularly. |
| Some authors claim the origin of the Chinese Crested | | | | You will need a good-quality bristle brush and a |
| is Africa. Others find its origin in Mexico or any of | | | | safety razor (to shave the face) for the Hairless |
| several other warm countries. The Chinese Crested is | | | | variety. For the Powderpuff coat you will need a |
| known to have been carried by trading ships from | | | | good-quality bristle brush, a wide-toothed comb and |
| and to many different ports where it was bought | | | | clippers. |
| and sold. Therefore, its origin is shrouded by sea | | | | The skin of the Hairless type responds well to |
| tales. | | | | frequent oiling by massaging baby oil or Nivea face |
| The date of origin of the Chinese Crested is | | | | cream into the hairless parts. This helps to keep the |
| considered to be during the thirteenth century. | | | | skin on the Chinese Crested Hairless type smooth |
| Oriental countries concentrated on breeding | | | | and nicely moisturized. |
| miniaturized dogs, so the Chinese Crested ancestors | | | | The Powderpuff puppy requires frequent brushing |
| probably include some of these small, hairless | | | | with a bristle or pin brush particularly when the puppy |
| mutations. | | | | coat changes to the adult coat, at which time daily |
| The Chinese Crested originally enjoyed a pampered | | | | grooming may be needed. The coat of a Powderpuff |
| life with few duties except those associated with | | | | Chinese Crested should be brushed in layers with the |
| being a good companion. Very early in the | | | | lie of the coat. |
| development of the Chinese Crested breed it was | | | | After bathing, grooming and blow-drying, the face |
| probably used as a ratter on trading ships and was | | | | should be shaved using clippers (10 mm blade). Take |
| even sometimes eaten by human residents of these | | | | a line from the outer corner of the eye to the ear |
| trading ships (how horribly awful to think of eating | | | | and in a gentle curve from the ear down to the |
| such a beautiful creature). | | | | "Adam's apple." This cut is similar to the face of a |
| Personality | | | | Poodle. In the U.S. the Powderpuff face is not |
| The Chinese Crested is said to be "a nimble and | | | | shaved. Finish off the entire body with a |
| cunning playmate." He is a vigilant and sensitive house | | | | wide-toothed comb if desired. The comb will find any |
| dog. The Chinese Crested is a loving and obedient | | | | remaining tangles in the coat. Of note in the Chinese |
| pet. He socializes well with other pets and is only a | | | | Crested is that the dog's nails should be moderately |
| little cautious of strangers. The Chinese Crested is | | | | long. |
| lively and active, but is rarely seen in agility contests. | | | | |