CHINESE CRESTED (AKC Toy Group) Height: 11 to 13 inches (male); 9 to 12 inches (female). Weight: up to 10 pounds. Size: Small. Availability: Difficult to find. History: Scholarly dog fanciers can't agree on where the Chinese Crested Dog originated. Seafaring traders and explorers reported encountering small hairless dogs as long ago as AD 1000 in China, Africa, Turkey and the New World. Gypsy Rose Lee and her sister June Havoc owned Chinese Cresteds. This unusual breed was first exhibited in the West in 1885 but the first American breed club was not established until 1979. Full AKC recognition was granted in 1991. The similar Mexican Hairless formerly was recognized by the AKC, but is no longer recognized. The Chinese Crested Dog has been gaining popularity as a cheerful companion dog in both the United States and England. The breed is a frequent competitor in Rare Breed dog shows. Description: A small, elegant, graceful dog, almost hairless except for tufts on his tail, lower legs and feet, and the top of his head. The hair is soft and silky. (There is also a long-haired variety called the Powder Puff which needs substantially more grooming.) The head is wedge shaped with a slightly domed skull. The large ears stand at attention and the paws look like rabbits' feet. The toes are so long that the dog can use them to grasp things. Dewclaw removal is optional. The almond-shaped eyes are wide set. The body is rectangular, slightly longer than the height at the withers. The dog is fine-boned, but not excessively fragile. The plumed tail reaches at least to the hock. It is carried gaily when the dog is in motion and hangs down with a slight sickle-shaped curve when the dog is at rest. The Chinese Crested Dog can be any color, and the colors on the coat and skin sometimes change with the seasons. The skin color can be spotted, parti-color or solid. The skin feels warm. Some claim this breed is actually a member of the species Canis africanis rather than the usual Canis familiaris of most other domesticated breeds. Notes: This happy little dog likes to climb. Some like to dig. A healthy and hearty dog. The Chinese Crested is very clean, with no doggy odor and he is not prone to fleas or ticks. The exposed skin needs special care to prevent skin problems and irritations. The breed needs frequent baths and applications of moisturizer to keep the skin in good condition. Light colored dogs sunburn easily and should be protected with a good sunscreen. Many Chinese Cresteds are allergic to lanolin and wool. The teeth should be well-cared for to prevent decay. Hairless dogs often lose many teeth as young adults. Powder Puffs generally have normal teeth and breeders are hoping to improve the dentition of the hairless variety by interbreeding with Powder Puffs. Each hairless dog carries one gene for hairlessness and one gene for hair, as a combination of two hairless genes is fatal. Therefore, powder puff and hairless dogs often appear in the same litter. Personality: Sweet and lively. Playful and cuddly. Exceptionally loving, likes to hug and smile. Affectionate with children. An entertaining companion. Intelligent and very alert. Puppies should be well socialized and exposed to loud noises when young to avoid potential timidity. If owners do not baby them, these dogs can grow up to be very well- adjusted. Behavior: Children: Best with older, considerate children. Friendliness: Loves everyone. Trainability: Slightly difficult to train. Independence: Fairly independent. Dominance: Low. Other Pets: Generally good with other pets. Combativeness: Friendly with other dogs. Noise: Not a barker. Grooming and Physical Needs: Grooming: Very little grooming needed. Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed. Coat: Hairless. Shedding: Very light. Exercise: Very little exercise needed. Jogging: A poor jogging companion. Indoors: Fairly active indoors. Apartments: Good for apartment living. Outdoor Space: Does all right without a yard. Climate: Prefers warm climates. Owner: Good for novice owners. Longevity: Average (10 to 12 years). Talents: agility, and performing tricks. For More Information: Call the AKC Breeder Referral Hotline: 1-900-407-PUPS for the name of a breeder referral representative in your area. Cost is 99 cents per minute. Photo Caption: CHINESE CRESTED Photo copyright: Cook PhoDOGraphy 1995. All rights reserved.