As small and petite as it is, the Chinese Crested Dog is a pedigree dog of robust nature. The naked or thinly haired dog is particularly popular with dog lovers who have little space and yet do not want to miss the company of an affectionate furry nose. With its uncomplicated, people-oriented nature, the exotic small dog takes hearts by storm. However, many details must be taken into account so that the animal feels comfortable.

ProfileChinese Crested Dog

Breed history of the Chinese Crested Dog

Although it has its nationality in its name, the origin of the crested dog has not been clarified beyond doubt. However, there is evidence that the systematic breeding of the small animals took place in China as early as the 12th century BC, at that time as hunting and guard dogs. On board ships, the Chinese Crested Dogs reached all continents and were en vogue at dog shows in the USA at the beginning of the last century, for example. The recognition of the breed by the International Dog Breeding Federation FCI, on the other hand, did not take place until the 1980s.

The character of the Chinese Crested Dog

Chinese Crested Dogs are lovable four-legged friends with a gentle nature. But they can also have a mischievous streak: clever and playful, they act as little entertainers towards their familiar humans. The furry nose is neither prone to dominance nor does it have airs and graces. According to the breed standard, a Chinese Crested Dog should expressly have a cheerful nature without malicious tendencies. The dog knows its territory and its responsibility as the guardian of its pack exactly and reliably reports strangers without tending to yelp.

Education and keeping of the Chinese Crested Dog

There is room for a Chinese crested dog in the smallest hut. Due to its handy format, the Mini is suitable for keeping in an apartment. Nevertheless, exercise must not be neglected. Occupy yourself with the dog and treat it to extensive play sessions and walks. Many of the nimble small dogs also like dog sports such as agility. Since the Chinese Crested Dog is equipped with equal parts intelligence and will to please (the urge to please), education and training are usually uncomplicated.

It is obvious that the Chinese Crested Dog reacts sensitively to the weather, tends to sunburn in summer and there is an increased risk of catching a cold in the winter months. Protect the four-legged friend with a dog coat. As a place to sleep, many Chinese Crested Dogs appreciate pet caves in which they can snuggle up. When it comes to nutrition, it is important to take into account that the dog needs a little more energy intake compared to similarly sized conspecifics.

Caring for the Chinese Crested Dog

The care of the Chinese crested dog is more complex than that of short-haired dogs. The skin must be regularly supplied with a suitable care cream and the hair – especially on the head – brushed and trimmed to a length that does not obstruct the dog’s view. The skin should always be carefully examined for scratches and disinfected immediately.

Special features of the Chinese Crested Dog

Chinese crested dogs, especially the hairless variants, often have problems with their teeth. This is because the genes that are decisive for hair and teeth are coupled. Problems with weather, sunburn, skin diseases and allergies can also occur. Another predisposition is lens displacement of the eye with the resulting cataracts. Responsible breeders strive to avoid health risks, for example by testing breeding animals for predispositions to hereditary diseases. Therefore, buy your Chinese Crested Dog exclusively from a reputable breeder. The Association for the German Canine Society (VDH) has address lists available for your information.

Important note on the breeding form

The “Torture Breeding Report”, prepared in 1999 on behalf of the Federal Government and with the participation of the German Animal Welfare Association, recommends a breeding ban for hairless, extremely short-headed breeding forms (so-called brachycephalic breeds) and others in which extremes in the physique (very long back, severely bent legs, spinal changes, excessive fur growth, etc.) make a healthy life impossible. The hairlessness of the Chinese Crested Dog is caused by a defect gene that can also cause other defects such as extensive edentulism.

As a responsible pet owner, who of course attaches great importance to a healthy, unimpaired life for his four-legged friend, these tips should definitely be taken into account when deciding on a suitable breed, as well as the question of excellent character traits.

You should also check out these small dog breeds:

• Bolonka Zwetna: Charming sunshine with a lot of power.
• Bichon Frisé: Lovable fuzzy from the Canary Islands
• Chihuahua: Small dog with a big ego.
• Bolognese: From the lapdog of the nobility to the cheerful family companion.
• Japan Chin: Adorable companion dog in handbag format.
• Lion: Mini lion with heart and charm.
• Pekingese: Charming companion dog with an idiosyncratic character.
• Pomsky: The lovable miniature husky from America.
• Shih Tzu: The fuzzy temple dog from the “roof of the world”.
• Miniature Poodle: Shrewd clown with many talents.