Chinese Crested Dog
Temperament:
The Chinese Crested Dog seems like a fragile creature, but is surprisingly adaptable and robust. It takes a lot of getting used to on the outside, but impresses with a loving nature, good manners and is an exceptionally good family dog. Since he is easy to train, he is also suitable as a dog for beginners of dog keeping. He does not need much space, but enough exercise, care and family connection.
Characteristics
There are two varieties of the Chinese crested dog. The one variant (Powder Puff) has undercoat and thin, long top coat, which acts like a veil. The second variant (Hairless) is the better known, in which the dog is naked - except for hairy paws, tail tip and head.
In breeding, the body proportion "Deer-type" has prevailed, the dog is delicately built, small and slender. However, there is also the "Cobby type", which is rather stocky and strongly built.
The skin of the dogs is soft and warm, but the body temperature is not higher than in other breeds. Also, during breeding care is taken that the skin is rather dark to protect from the sun. The pigmentation still increases in summer and decreases towards winter. The coat is mostly white to light gray.
The Chinese crested dog has large, prominent ears, which are covered with fringes of hair. The eyes are dark and stand far apart. The Nose is quite long and pointed. The long, slender neck merges into a relatively long back. The Chest is deep and rather wide.
The breed often has problems with missing teeth, because the gene of hair is linked to that of teeth. Likewise, there are often problems with the eyes, glaucoma may occur due to lens dislocation.
Because of the hairlessness, the dog is often considered well suited for allergy sufferers, However, this suitability has not yet been proven. In any case, they do not shed, because the little fur they do not lose. In addition, they are practically odorless.
The dogs reach an average age of 10 to 12 years with good husbandry, nutrition and care. The average weight is about 5 kilograms.
The nature of the dog is gentle, smart and playful. If he is allowed to let off steam and play on a regular basis, he also adapts to small living spaces and is very calm at home. He is intelligent and accepts rules well, this makes him easy to educate. He does not tend to dominance, is not resentful and very trusting. The breed reacts to people very sensitively and affectionately.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Chinese crested dog does not have any special dietary requirements, so it can be fed with high quality dry or wet food be fed. Fresh feeding is also an option.
However, it should be noted that the breed, compared to dogs of the same size, requires more food. Due to the lack of fur, the body must produce more heat, which increases the basal metabolic rate. The supplied energy of the feed is burned much faster than in breeds with sufficient fur.
High quality feed should be have little to no grain, no sugar and as high a meat content as possible. If the dog is prone to allergies, the skin may become dry and flaky or develop a rash. Then grain-free food with a single, exotic protein source should be chosen (for example, horse or ostrich).
Health & Care
Due to the lack of fur as protection, the dogs are very vulnerable to all weather conditions. They must be protected against too much wetness and cold, in the cold season with appropriate dog clothing. When it rains, they should not be outside for too long to avoid catching a cold.
Just as with humans, dogs must be treated in the summer with Sunscreen creamed be, especially specimens with light skin and little pigmentation. Also, the dog needs the all year regularly care for the skin through a skin cream. Since this is also licked off, it should be free of chemical or incompatible ingredients.
Also the few hairs need to be brushed and regularly trimmed, so that they do not obstruct the dog. Especially the hair on the head and ears should be trimmed so that they do not obstruct the dog's vision. However, this little coat care is easy to do yourself and does not require a groomer.
After walks the dog must be thoroughly checked for minor injuries, which he easily contracts due to the lack of fur protection. These should directly disinfected and supplied to avoid infections. After the claws were cut, the resulting cut edges should be filed off, so that the dog does not hurt himself scratching.
Suitable accessories
Since the Chinese Crested Dog gets cold quickly, he should have plenty of opportunities to warm up. He needs Dog blankets and a soft padded cup. Very suitable for this breed is also a Pet cave, which is a source of heat protected all around. If it is particularly cold, the dog also likes to take a Hot water bottle in a soft cloth cover.
For walks the Chinese crested dog needs in any case appropriate clothing. For wet and cool weather a Rain cover, which covers as much as possible of the bare surfaces. In winter a Dog coat necessary, which is warmly lined and also covers the entire torso. In summer, a light Dog shirt help to increase the protection from the sun. The delicate dog should not be protected by a collar, but by a chest harness be secured, otherwise there is a risk of choking him and damaging the trachea.
For skin care the dog needs a pure natural skin cream, which should consist of food-grade ingredients. It should be absorbed quickly, otherwise the dog will leave grease stains. For the care of the few hairs is enough ironingrste. In addition, a claw scissors, a Dog toothbrush and -toothpaste necessary.
For the playful Chinese crested dog is toy absolutely necessary, depending on the preferences of the dog, the choice is wide.
Origin & History
How and where exactly the Chinese Crested Dog comes from or descends, is not clear. The breed has been found for centuries in China, as well as in South Asia, Europe and Africa.
What is certain in any case is that he is closely related to the Mexican and Peruvian naked dog. The breed was already known in the 12th century BC and in China, as one of its presumed countries of origin, it was probably bred in the Han Dynasty as early as 206 BC.
At that time it was still called Watchdog and as hunting dog used. With seafarers he reached other continents and became more and more popular as a domestic dog.
In the USA, it was a sought-after show dog until the 1920s, and in 1987 the Chinese Crested Dog was recognized as a dog breed by the FCI.
