With his unconventional look, the Chinese Crested turns heads and hearts. Here are some interesting facts you may not have known about this unique breed:
Chinese Cresteds Likely Evolved From African Dogs
Experts think the Chinese Crested is essentially a smaller version of the African hairless dog. Chinese merchants acquired African hairless dogs on their trips to the continent. The Chinese then bred these dogs to be smaller, thereby producing the Chinese Crested breed.
They Used to Hunt Rats on Ships
The Chinese Crested used to serve as a ratting dog on Chinese ships. This was a particularly useful skill in the time of the plague, since rats carried the disease.
A Burlesque Performer Brought Fame to the Breed
Gypsy Rose Lee was an American burlesque performer who served as the inspiration for the Broadway musical “Gypsy.” In addition to being a captivating and controversial performer during the Great Depression, Lee was also a Chinese Crested breeder. Her breeding program was hugely influential. Today, Chinese Crested breeders all around the world can trace their dogs back to Mama Rose’s dogs.
Chinese Cresteds Love High Places
Chinese Cresteds are often described as “cat-like;” they enjoy sitting in high places, like on the arm of a chair or on the back of a couch.
They’re Great at Agility
The Chinese Crested does not need a lot of exercise and given his small size, you wouldn’t expect him to be an agility champion. But these dogs actually excel at agility competitions. Their bodies are well-suited for running and jumping, they are intelligent, and they are eager to please their trainers.
They’ve Been in Movies
The Crested’s small size makes it a great dog to carry around. In “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,” Kate Hudson carries a Chinese Crested in her bag. The Olsen twins also had a Crested co-star in “New York Minute.”
The Breed Used to Have Different Names
The Chinese Crested wasn’t always called the Chinese Crested. Earlier names of the breed include Chinese Hairless, the Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog, and the Chinese Royal Hairless.
Chinese Cresteds Come in Two Types
There are actually two varieties of Chinese Cresteds—hairless and powderpuff. The hairless version, with hair only on the head and legs, is the most common. The powderpuff version has a long, silky coat that covers his entire body. Powderpuffs are not as common, because the gene for the coat is recessive. The powderpuff has such a different look that it might be mistaken for a different breed.
Chinese Cresteds Come in 11 Standard Colors
Along with hairless and powederpuff Chinese Cresteds, this breed comes in a whopping 11 standard colors. This breed can come in Apricot, Black, Black White & Tan, Blue, Chocolate, Cream, Palomino, Pink & Chocolate, Pink & Slate, Slate, and White.
Chinese Cresteds
Chinese Cresteds came to the U.S. through journalist Ida Garrett and breeder Debra Woods. Beginning in the 1880s, Garrett and Woods promoted the breed in America, and kept studbooks. The American Chinese Crested Club was formed in 1979, and the breed entered the AKC Stud Book in 1991.
