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The Chinese Crested dog is a very unique looking dog. Certainly, its appearance in
public can invite comments, questions and conversations. The Chinese Crested has been described as a prancing pony,
or a fawn, in miniature. Its neck is long, graceful and lean, just like a pony's. Since there is no hair, except
on the feet, top of head, and the tuft at the tail, its skin is soft to the touch. This dog also has a broad, deep chest.
When watching the movement of the Chinese Crested, it is very graceful and elegant.
So, exactly
where did this particular breed come from? The answer to this question is neither easy, nor simple. There is much
debate, speculation, and many, many stories. The Chinese Crested dog has been included in written history as far back
as the 13th century, in China. The existence of documentation probably means that the dog existed for some lengthy period
of time before the written record. There exists a type of hairless dog is many of the ports of call that chinese seamen and
traders visited. This was backed by reports from British, French and Portuguese explorers, who found hairless dogs in
various parts of Africa and Asia during the 1700s and 1800s. It is thought that the dogs were kept on board ship to
control vermin, and/or they were a food source.
Some of the names that have been given to the Chinese Crested are:
Chinese Hairless
Chinese Ship Dog
Chinese Royal Hairless
Pyramid, or Giza Hairless (in Egypt)
South African Hairless (in Southern Africa)
Turkish Hairless (in
Turkey, although slightly larger)
Spanish explorers found a type of hairless dog in Mexico, and
in Central and South America, in the 1500s. This dog became known to them as the Xoloitzcuintli.
Now this is where some controversy exists, did the Chinese get the dog from the Mexico area, or did the Chinese bring the
Chinese Crested with them, and trade with the Indians of Mexico?
The first Chinese Crested dogs
that were brought to Great Britain, were brought there as part of a zoological show. There was no breeding program put
into place to continue the breed there, so the breed disappeared from England for a time. The first Chinese Crested
to be registered in Great Britain was in 1881. The Kennel Club there focused its attention (through the standard) on
two distinct types of Chinese Crested dogs. The "Deer" and the "Cobby". Not until 1984, did the Kennel Club agree
to make provision for the third type, that is found in most litters, that of the fully coated Chinese Crested, the "Powder
Puff".
Now the breed comes to North America. In 1880, a New Yorker, Ida Garrett, became
interested in the breed and was involved in breeding, exhibition and writing about the Chinese Crested for over sixty years.
Mrs. Garrett also shared her enthusiasm for the breed with Debra Woods, whom she met in the 1920s. For nearly forty
years these two women worked together to promote the Chinese Crested dog breed in the U.S.
Debra
Woods started a log book of all of her dogs in the 1930s, and in the 1950s, this log book was extensive enough for her to
start a registration service for Chinese Crested dogs, and the establishment of the American Hairless Dog Club. Mrs.
Woods maintained these books jealously until her death in 1969. After Mrs. Woods' death, the stud books were maintained by
Jo Ann Orlik of New Jersey. In 1979 the American Chinese Crested Club was founded and these books then became their
property.
Another person that was very involved in the promotion of the Chinese Crested worldwide,
was the American singer, dancer and entertainer, Gypsy Rose Lee
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ComancheKennels
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Information on AKC Chinese Crested Puppies Chinese Crested Breed Standard
Toy Group
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
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