Origin story
Cynologists do not have a single version of the origin of the animal. Scientists believe that the breed originated from Mexican hairless dogs, which are about four thousand years old. In some historical works dating back to the 16th century, there are fragmentary references to crested dogs.
The animals were often taken on voyages by Chinese traders. The dogs hunted rats and other small rodents that could spoil the goods. Sailors from Africa, India, Turkey and Malaysia also had four-legged travelers.
The popularity of the breed grew especially strongly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The crested dog was depicted in paintings by famous masters: Jacques-Laurent Agas and Adrian van Utrecht. Dogs often became the heroes of articles and books.
In the mid-20th century, the breed received official recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). In Russia, crested downy dogs are very popular among breeders. Breeding animals from the Russian Federation constantly become winners of international exhibitions.
History of the breed
There is no consensus as to where Chinese Crested dogs first appeared. For a long time it was believed that they came from Africa, from where they were taken by Chinese sailors.
Currently, researchers are increasingly inclined to the hypothesis that their homeland is Central America. At excavations in Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula, the remains of a dog were discovered that date back more than 3,500 years. Anatomically, the found skeleton is very similar in structure to the skeleton of modern Chinese crested dogs.
There is a third version that this dog breed originated in China.
But there is no doubt about one thing - although merchants and sailors contributed to the spread of dogs of this breed throughout the world, Chinese crested dogs acquired the greatest love among the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom. True, only wealthy people could afford to have a pet like the Pekingese.
Historically, by the 60s of the last century, the breed was on the verge of extinction. But thanks to the work of dog handlers from the UK and the USA, the number of Chinese crested dogs has been restored. In 1966, the official breed standard was published. And in 1987, the breed was recognized by the International Canine Association.
Personality of the Chinese Crested Dog
The Crested Dog is a cheerful and friendly pet that constantly follows its owner. If the animal is left alone for a long time, it will begin to yearn and howl protractedly. When one of the family members is sick, the dog goes to him and tries to “cure him.” It is this behavior that has given the dog a reputation as a “healer” who can “read the thoughts” of a person.
The animal is wary of strangers, but does not show obvious aggression. The dog loves affection and constantly demands attention. Pets try to please their owner in everything and are easy to train. They are quite curious and constantly show interest in what people are doing.
Breed Features
The animals are small in size: they grow up to 30 centimeters and weigh about 5 kg . According to statistics, dogs live up to 10-12 years .
Puppies have a long, thin body with a wide chest, their paws are characteristically elongated, their tail is elongated and small in size. The puppies have an elongated muzzle with erect or hanging triangular ears.
Based on their appearance, they are classified into 2 types: hairless and fluffy. The presence of hair in hairless dogs is noted on the crest, tail and lower part of the legs. Fluffy pets have long, luxurious hair. Their fur is soft.
Pets require special care and attention from their owners. Hairless puppies are sensitive to temperature conditions. The fur of downy pets requires demanding attention. In any case, it is necessary to care for the puppies. In addition, pets truly become attached to the owner. They are easy to train and try to prove their love for their owner in this way.
Nutrition
The majority of an adult dog's diet should consist of meat, fish, boiled yolks and various fermented milk products. The animal also requires grains, vegetables, vegetable and animal fats. Boiled yolks should be cooked no more than once a week. For breakfast, you can give your dog porridge (rice, buckwheat or oatmeal) with vegetables and low-fat cottage cheese.
The second meal can be supplemented with boiled meat (chicken, turkey, beef) or fish. Seafood must be cleaned of bones, otherwise it can damage the animal’s digestive system. Crested dog puppies need to be fed several times a day. An individual nutrition schedule is drawn up based on the age and health status of the animal. The dog must have constant access to clean water.
There are a number of foods that should not be given to your crested pet. These include:
- Onion.
- Potato.
- Confectionery.
- Chocolate.
- Alcohol.
- Smoked meats.
- Pickled and salted vegetables, as well as mushrooms.
You can use hypoallergenic dry food to feed your crested dog. There is no need to skimp on dog food. Poor quality feed can cause severe allergic reactions, skin rashes and increased tearing.
Choosing a puppy
Before buying a small pet, you should visit exhibitions, look at breeders’ websites, and choose a nursery with a good reputation. You can also ask an expert to participate in the transaction.
When choosing a corydalis, you need to know that its color may change as it grows. “Dark-skinned” puppies acquire a bluish tint. The exact color will be clear only by three months. By this age, the roots of the hairs will acquire an “adult” color.
Maintenance and care
The long coat of the Crested Powder Dog requires constant grooming. Hair should be combed daily with a special comb. Once every two weeks the dog needs to be bathed in warm water. You should also regularly trim the hair on the face and between the paw pads.
The tangles are removed using scissors. The ears are cleaned with cosmetics and a soft cloth. A dog's claws grow quite quickly. They must be trimmed regularly with a special nail clipper.
Your dog's teeth need regular cleaning. To do this, you should use a small brush and paste. Failure to comply with hygiene procedures can lead to caries and tooth loss.
The dog should have a soft bed with sides. The animal loves to relax in comfortable conditions.
The dog needs regular walks in the fresh air. Stock up on toys and let your pet have plenty of fun. After visiting forested areas, the dog should be carefully examined for ticks and other insects. They can hide in thick fur and harm your pet's health. With proper care and maintenance, a dog can live up to 15 years.
What is grooming for a Chinese Crested Powderpuff?
The “hairless” variety of the breed has a crest on the head that goes down the neck. There is no hair on the dog's body, with the exception of the paws and tail. Grooming in our salon includes:
- washing using high-quality detergents;
- drying;
- hair trimming;
- nail care;
- ear cleaning.
Our specialists will select a suitable look for your pet and, at the owner’s request, will perform hair removal. At the end of the procedure, the little client will be washed, after which the skin will be lubricated with a special cream. You will also be offered original models for walking and a stylish accessory from the salon boutique.
Diseases
Some crested dogs develop allergies to fur. In addition, representatives of the breed may suffer from various musculoskeletal disorders.
These include hip dysplasia, luxating patella and Perthes disease (destruction of the head of the femur).
Powder Crested puppies often suffer various injuries. They cannot correctly calculate the trajectory of the jump and can break their paws. The owner should spend some time helping his pet jump off a chair or bed. Slippery floors can also pose some danger to your puppy. It is better to cover parquet or linoleum with carpets.
Breed restoration
The surviving representatives of the breed were taken to England. After a short time, the breed was restored. The history of the appearance of these animals has been little studied. There is a version that they came to China from Mexico, although it is difficult to understand how they did this.
Just recently, the Chinese Crested Powdered breed was unknown in our country. They became popular only at the beginning of the 21st century, when glamorous parties came into fashion in Russia, at which a small dog in their arms was a mandatory attribute of long-legged blondes. These animals are now quite widespread and make wonderful companions. Quite recently, a club of lovers and connoisseurs of this ancient breed was opened, and since the beginning of 2015, more than six hundred puppies have been registered in it.
Training
At the first stage of the educational process, the puppy needs to be accustomed to the litter box and the rules of behavior in the apartment. When the dog reaches the age of 5 months, more serious training can begin. Crested dogs are distinguished by their natural intelligence and intelligence, so training the animal will not be tiresome for the owner.
The animal reacts very sensitively to the emotional coloring of speech. The dog is happy when a person praises it and begins to try even harder. At first, the desired behavior should be reinforced with treats. Over time, the amount of food needs to be reduced.
In rare cases, a dog may become stubborn and disobedient. In such a situation, you need to change your tone of voice to a more stern one and demonstrate some coldness towards the animal. The dog will quickly react to changes in the owner’s mood and begin to adjust its actions. During the training process, shouting and rough physical force should not be used. Incorrect training methods will deprive the animal of motivation to learn.
The dog can be taught various tricks and simple acrobatic acts. To begin with, it is worth observing how the dog behaves during the game. The Chinese Crested Powderpuff loves to jump, run and walk on its hind legs. The desired “circus acts” need to be gradually reinforced with the help of positive reinforcement.
Hairstyles
There are just some hairstyles that owners don’t come up with for their pets. And in the form of a lion, modern and much more. But most are inclined to believe that just a regular haircut is enough to make a dog happy, for example:
- Classic with a skirt and bow - the emphasis is on length and elegance. After all, the fur along the length of the body has a longer appearance, and the legs are classically edged, the skirt and tail are on the head. This haircut option is more preferable for girls.
- Classic without a skirt, the head is short - here the body is cut short, and the head is shaped like a circle, without bows. This haircut method is more preferable for boys.
The Chinese Crested Dog is mostly hairless. Despite this, grooming this breed is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. However, this is a necessary stage of caring for your pet. After it, it will be more neat and beautiful.
Price of puppies
The price of a puppy depends on its pedigree, color and other characteristics. In Moscow, a crested dog puppy can be bought for 12–15 thousand rubles. If you plan to carry out breeding work, then for a dog with a good pedigree you will have to pay about 40 thousand rubles. In the regions, puppies are sold at prices ranging from 7 to 10 thousand rubles (2019).
Prices
The cost of a Chinese Crested Powder Dog puppy depends on the following factors:
- pedigree;
- his parents' titles;
- gender (price for boys is lower);
- color;
- presence of shortcomings.
You can buy a puppy for 1,000 rubles. Buying from a nursery will cost more - a pet will cost about 15,000 rubles, a show dog will cost between 30,000 and 40,000 thousand rubles. But, in any case, Puffs are cheaper than their bald counterparts.
Domestic breeders usually offer 4-6 month old puppies. Older dogs, aged 6–12 months, are sold abroad.
Interesting Facts
- In China, the crested dog was considered a sacred animal.
- There is a legend that animals accompanied Buddha when he was in the form of a dog. In moments of danger, the dogs shed their fur and turned into large lions.
- The ancient Indians believed that crested dogs had medicinal properties. The animal was placed on the sore spot and waited until the disease passed.
- The fluffy Chinese crested dogs have starred in the films Hotel for Dogs, New York Minute, In Good Hands, and Election Day.
- American photographer Christopher Ameriuso, who lives in Los Angeles, got himself several tattoos of a crested dog. The drawings are dedicated to a pet named Stella.
Training and education
It all starts with the social adaptation of the Chinese Crested baby. The dog must know its owner, all members of his family, recognize neighbors, postmen, and veterinary clinic doctors. The puppy should not be frightened, alarmed, or thrown into panic by standard life situations, noises, or smells of a big city. In parallel with socialization, the pet is raised. The dog must clearly know the norms and rules of living in a “human pack” and be aware of the scope and boundaries of what is permitted. Experienced owners joke: socialization takes a couple of months at most, but education takes the rest of their lives.
You cannot blame the breed for its absurd character and complete uncontrollability. The Chinese Crested dog breed is a smart, trainable, obedient creature. They simply have an abyss of innate sense of tact and behavioral aristocracy. Smart dogs grasp everything on the fly: explain clearly, show the dog what is required of him, he will remember what is necessary forever. Having spent time and effort, showing perseverance and strength of character, even a novice owner can take a service dog breeding course with a pet, adapted for decorative breeds. Prohibiting commands with calling signals are skills even for decorative exotics.
