Chinese crested dog: description and subtleties of the content

Chinese Crested Dogs are a typical example of pocket dogs that noble ladies during the Renaissance took with them to high receptions and balls. These dogs are considered one of the most ancient breeds, in addition, they have a unique exterior and are famous for their friendly and kind character. In this material you will get acquainted with the description of this breed, the history of its origin and the intricacies of keeping at home.

Modern breeders and dog handlers are not exactly sure about the homeland of the Chinese crested dogs (or KHS), but absolutely everyone agrees with the opinion that this is one of the most ancient breeds in the world. The most popular official version says that the birthplace of these adorable babies is Africa and some regions of Mexico.

Even today, animals with similar exteriors are still found in regions with subtropical climates. There they acquired their individual names, which differ depending on the area.

Some dog handlers say that the first representatives of this breed appeared 3 thousand years ago, but the first documented data on these dogs date back to the 9th-12th centuries. At that time, these dogs had a high status, their breed belonged to one of the 10 symbols of the Kingdom of the god Quetzacoatl. Individuals of this breed symbolized virtue, love and devotion. Already at that time, people noted the extraordinary loyalty of these animals to their owners, they were considered a living example of disinterestedness and trust.

Especially interesting is the purpose of these dogs at different times and in different nations. So, around the 10th century, these dogs were placed in the bed of sick people. They gave off a tremendous amount of pleasant warmth, which was considered curative among the healers of the time.

These dogs were always kept with them - they were believed to heal toothache, rheumatism, paralysis and some other diseases associated with the skeletal system. Midwives advised noble ladies to take these animals for childbirth - it was believed that they facilitate the baby's exit from the womb, prevent colic formation and soothe the baby.

This breed got its name thanks to the country where the formation of these dogs took place as a full-fledged breed. According to records, these dogs entered the territory of China in the III-II century BC (during the Han dynasty). The Chinese are so fond of these cute miniature dogs that they began to actively spread throughout the state. Even then, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire were engaged in breeding this breed and forming its standard.

As expected, the first owners of these pets were precisely the rich and noble Chinese nobles. It was believed that these dogs brought well-being, prosperity and stability to the home. This situation continued until the 16th century, when these dogs began to be actively exported outside the borders of the state on merchant ships. In the future, this led to the spread of the breed throughout Eurasia.

The great popularity of this breed is proved by the records in the stud books of Spanish, English and French breeders and travelers of the XVI-XIX centuries. Some of them stated that they had already met these animals in North America and Africa in the 17th century.

At the beginning of the XXI century, the situation with the origin of these dogs was clarified thanks to large-scale archaeological excavations. Historical data prove that the homeland of these dogs is the territories of Mexico and Central America, from where these dogs immigrated to other territories in the future. The most important evidence of this theory comes from Mayan pottery fragments found on the island of Yucatan. Primitive images of "naked" dogs were found on ceramic items, and the items themselves were found not far from the burial sites of these animals, as evidenced by the mummified remains.

All signs indicate that these dogs were extremely revered among the ancient tribes. According to ancient manuscripts, they were often buried next to their owners - they were supposed to become the guides of their owners to the afterlife. In the language of the Aztecs, specimens of this breed have a strange and mysterious name - Xoloitzcuitli. From the ancient language it is translated as “the dog of the god Xolotl”.

On the territory of Russia, the first individuals of this breed appeared only at the end of the twentieth century. Popularity came to them almost immediately - rich Russian young ladies were delighted with the extravagant look of these animals.

The Chinese Crested dog is very easy to distinguish from everyone else. No one else has such a soft fur on the paws and eyebrows, as well as a hairless graceful body. According to the ICF standard, this breed is represented by the following characteristics of appearance.

• Frame. The skeleton is lightweight, the body is more elongated than square, but proportional and graceful. The main muscle groups are located on the shoulder blades and hips. The back is straight, the croup is exceptionally round, not particularly steep. The length of the body can vary significantly depending on the type of KHS (eg deer and stocky).The deer type is proportional: it is represented by an equal ratio of the length of the animal to its height, individuals of the stocky type are lower, and their body is slightly elongated. The chest in individuals of this breed is quite wide, the belly is tucked up.
• Head and muzzle. In proportion to the dog's body, not particularly large. The skull is rounded, but due to the long and narrow muzzle it seems elongated. The stop (or the transition from the forehead to the muzzle) is smooth, weakly expressed.
• Jaws and teeth. These dogs are distinguished by strong and powerful jaws, tightly packed and strong teeth. The lower row of teeth is completely overlapped by the upper row. For individuals of the hairless type, the absence of the main row of molars is characteristic (they simply do not erupt). This is a genetic disorder and is not considered a defect.
• Nose... Not particularly large, nostrils well developed. In this case, the color of the nose is not regulated by anything; pigmentation with lighter or darker spots is possible. Most often, it is the dark shade of the nose.
• Ears. Usually covered with a thick layer of long hair (which can grow both on the outside and in the shells themselves). The ears themselves are long, erect type, the tips are most often rounded, but there are also sharp ones. In individuals of the downy type, a drooping type of ears is permissible. The ears are set at a great distance from each other, with the outside facing forward.
• Eyes... Small in size, rounded and moderately convex, set wide apart. The color of the iris is extremely dark, but brown-eyed or blue-eyed individuals are found.
• Neck. Long and rather slender, there is a visible curve that can be clearly seen when the dog moves.
• Limbs... In KHS, the legs are not powerful, thin, straight, the front legs are parallel to each other. The shoulders are narrow, looking back. Unlike other breeds, here the hind legs have no visible knees, there is a slight forward bend, while the hind legs are longer and more massive than the front ones. The hock joint is too low, which prevents the dogs from making long jumps or moving quickly. The paws themselves are not particularly large, oval and extended forward. From metacarpals to paws, the legs of dogs are usually covered with a thick layer of long hair.
• Tail... In relation to the size of the dog itself, it is rather long and is either covered with long hair or with a tassel at the very end. This type of fur growth is called plume by some. In motion, it is raised and slightly bent, in a calm state, it is lowered down.
• Leather. Delicate and rather thin, in hairless specimens it is pinkish, white or gray (the color depends on the color). Skin pigmentation with small but distinct spots of contrasting color is acceptable. Zonal pigmentation of large areas is also possible.
• Wool. The breed belongs to the long-haired species. The standard allows for several variations in coat growth on Chinese Crested dogs. If the individual is "naked", then hair is acceptable on the legs, tail, head and ears. If these are powder puffs (a type of KHS), then here the location of the wool is allowed throughout the body of the animal, with the exception of the chest and muzzle. The standard in terms of the location of the coat is very vague, but the main condition is the presence of a forelock of long and soft hair on the head. From birth, individuals of this breed look like real lambs due to their miniature size and curly cannon on the body.
• Color... Unlike other dog breeds, the Chinese Crested is not limited by the color standard. All common types are allowed, including different types of skin pigmentation in hairless individuals. On the territory of the Russian Federation, 20 types of KHS color are officially recognized. The most popular are solid white, cream, light pink, solid black, white-black, chocolate, bronze, sable, blue, white-blue, tricolor, black and tan.
• Average weight. These dogs are classified as mini breeds.Regardless of the variety of these dogs, they rarely reach a weight of 6 kg. Most often it is 4-5 kg.
• Height. Males are usually slightly taller than females, but the growth of both does not exceed 30 centimeters at the withers.

Outwardly, individuals of the Chinese Crested dog seem pretty, obedient and well-mannered, but when it comes to the characteristics of the character of this breed, everything is not so simple.

These dogs are very curious, a trip to a visit or to the street for them is a real journey into the sea of ​​new smells and sensations. They will not calm down until they have studied the entire territory of the apartment, right down to the farthest corners. That is why these dogs are so difficult to protect from any separate areas in the house. Such adventures often lead to the fact that these dogs are poisoned by spoiled food, detergents or other household items.

Despite the fact that these dogs seem to be very independent, they are very easily offended or upset. These dogs react especially painfully to open aggression and physical punishment. This can lead to the fact that the dog will become afraid of every rustle and any extraneous sound.

For these dogs, there is nothing worse than being alone for a long time. From loneliness, they fade, become lack of initiative and weak, passive, unstable to disease.

The Chinese Crested are stubborn, but not so stubborn that it was difficult to handle them during training. In this regard, they are suitable even for amateurs, because they have a good mind, quickly memorize commands and love to execute them exactly. Often, Chinese Crested dogs are represented at sporting events. With an experienced coach, they are able to carry out even the most difficult commands.

Chinese Cresteds are friendly to other pets. They will not mind playing together, but they always clearly monitor the observance of personal space. In relation to street animals, the Chinese crested do not show a certain aggression - as a rule, they are well aware of the power advantage and dare only to compete with relatives of the same size.

The Chinese Crested are not particularly child-friendly. During their games, kids often stick to pets and can injure them. In addition, these dogs see children as potential rivals for the owner's attention. If the pet grows up in a family of already enough adult children (8-10 years old), then no strong problems in their relationship will be noticeable.

A feature of these dogs is that they prefer not to be attached to any particular host.

Before buying a particular dog breed, the breeder must match the pros and cons of this variety. The Chinese Crested dog cannot be called an unambiguously ideal breed, it has its pros and cons.

• This dog breed is surprisingly companionable. For some owners, these dogs are a lively antistress due to their small size, pleasant coat and restless nature.
• Due to the insignificant wool cover (local type), these pets shed little, and their wool has a unique fatty layer, thanks to which neither dirt nor moisture lingers on it for a long time.
• Due to its small size, weak shedding and good-natured nature, this dog breed is ideal for keeping at home. They do not need much space or food, they quickly adapt to the rhythm of their master's life.
• The coat of KHS does not have the characteristic canine odor, unlike many other dog breeds.
• These dogs are considered companions of wealthy ladies and aesthetes, they became one of the first dog breeds to be used as "pocket" dogs. Due to their extravagant appearance and small size, these dogs look great with any bow. In addition, creative hairstyles can be made for these dogs, which will become an adornment and joy of the owner.
• KHS are absolutely not suspicious, it is easy to find an approach to them and to win over them. They are wonderful with strangers - just beckon them or give them sweetness, and now you have already won their trust. This is exactly a plus, since there are no problems at the stage of domestication of already adults.

• Due to their weak bones, fragile constitution and weak limbs, these dogs are not suitable either as watchmen, nor as guards or service dogs.
• Due to the fact that most of the body of these dogs is not covered with even a minimal coat, they are extremely susceptible to drafts, do not tolerate cold and frost. To walk these dogs in late autumn, winter and spring, you will need a blanket or special clothing. Also, do not walk these dogs without clothes in sunny weather - direct sunlight can greatly harm the delicate skin of the animal.
• Do not think that in the absence of shedding all problems of caring for a dog's coat disappear. In order for the coat to look neat and not get dirty quickly, these dogs need to be regularly taken to grooming sessions, as well as independently comb, wash and strengthen their fur with oils and nutrient solutions.
• Despite their seemingly small size, these dogs are unusually stubborn and often like to show their opinion and importance during training and walking. The stubbornness of these dogs can only be fought with patience and regular exercise.
• These dogs have a rather fastidious stomach, and not all varieties of vegetables, feed or meat are suitable for them. Moreover, CCS are often capricious in relation to food and may refuse it if they are not upbringed properly.

The Chinese Crested have quite good health and immunity, which have been forming for more than one hundred years. However, with the spread of the breed beyond the territory of its warm homeland, the life expectancy of these dogs has changed a lot. So, in the northern regions, due to prolonged frosts and cold weather, even in a warm apartment, these individuals live no longer than 10 years.

It should be understood that such a concept as life expectancy is rather vague and depends on a number of factors.

• Conditions of detention, care. This is not a breed of dog that you can just buy and forget about it. The Chinese Crested needs painstaking and regular grooming, as well as safe and comfortable living conditions, in order to feel healthy and cheerful. The main condition here is keeping the pet in constant warmth, without moisture and drafts.
• Feeding. The second most important factor that affects both the pet's health and its behavior and mood. Adequate nutrition provides CCS with the energy it needs for daily adventures, as well as beneficial for muscle development and digestive function.
• Heredity. Some individuals are more or less prone to some kind of disease or ailment. Some of them appear only at a certain age and may not directly affect the life of the pet. However, some serious medical conditions can make your pet age much closer or unhappy.
• Socialization... For a social pet such as the Chinese Crested Dog, establishing friendly relations with the owner is simply a huge role.Only by being confident in his devotion and love, the animal can feel relaxed and happy.

Puppies of this breed are sold in kennels, starting from one and a half months of age, but experienced breeders prefer to book pets in advance and evaluate the current conditions of its keeping and feeding on the spot.

Close attention should be paid to the coat of the animal. Examine the tail, head and ears of the puppies - if the hair is thick there, then it will grow thickly in the future, if the hair is sparse, then it is unlikely to be added in the future. Often you come across naked puppies, which over time become overgrown with a thick layer of wool throughout the body - this is not some kind of physiological defect. Abundant hair coat in hairless dogs usually means firm and thick hair on the head and legs.

In the period from 1 to 3 months, the exterior of the Chinese Crested dog can change dramatically. Most often this concerns precisely changes in color or proportions of the head. So, individuals with a darker or chocolate coat can eventually acquire an almost snow-white coat. At about 3 months, the shape of the most important external element of this dog, the tuft, is fully formed. The length of the head and muzzle in infancy should not be measured, it will probably change more than once.

As already said, There is a possibility that a number of molars in newborn Chinese Crested puppies will not be fully formed. By assessing the condition of your puppy's teeth, you can choose a harder or softer food for him.

Boys of this breed become literally uncontrollable during females' estrus, it is difficult to control them and it is difficult to concentrate on training and even feeding. Often, such experiences are brought to shoots right during a walk. Girls have only two problems:

• estrus, during which the bitch behaves extremely agitated and aggressive, and can also leave traces of blood throughout the house along with secretions;
• pregnancy, during which these dogs are very weak, susceptible to many diseases and mentally unstable.

The only way to cope with this problem is by neutering dogs (it is believed that it even prolongs the life of dogs), but who wants to deprive themselves of the happiness of caring for small puppies of this breed? Chinese Crested puppies are not that expensive when sold by hand, but purebreds from nurseries are highly prized among breeders.

Be sure to check availability all necessary documents. The standard package consists of a metric, pedigree and veterinary passport. Nurseries, for example, can familiarize you with the documents of the pet's parents - so you can learn about hereditary diseases and the predispositions of your future pet.

Assess the conditions of keeping the puppy - private sellers often forget about basic safety rules, which leads to banal flea colonies in the fur of babies. Pay special attention to the pet's diet - it is very important to understand whether he received all the vitamins after birth. In addition, you will have an idea of ​​the products that should be fed to him at first, so as not to cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

At about the age of 2-3 months, the exterior of these animals is fully formed.

pay attention to puppy behavior. Among several individuals, you should always choose the most active, restless and inquisitive. This behavior speaks of good health and a cheerful disposition.Note, however, that excessive passivity, as well as anxiety (not to be confused with activity), often indicate a serious illness of the puppy or fleas.

Ask how many puppies there were in the female's litter. If from 3 to 5, then these puppies should be healthy and strong. If more than 8, then this may indicate inadequate feeding of the pet in the first days after birth (lack of milk and maternal care).

Every dog ​​needs grooming, as well as decent rules of keeping, but this is especially true for gentle Chinese Crested dogs.

For inexperienced breeders, the process of caring for these dogs may seem too tedious - it's all about the problem skin of these dogs, which needs the same painstaking care as its fluffy coat. On the skin of these dogs, blackheads, "mildews", comedones and blackheads are regularly formed, which can only be removed by steaming the skin.

In addition, sparse long hairs often appear on the skin of the Chinese Crested, which greatly spoil the appearance of the dog. They can be removed with wax, razor, or regular depilatory cream (a gentler method). After such procedures, the skin should be treated with an antiseptic or lubricated with an after-shave balm.

In addition to skin problems, a significant part of the attention should be paid to the fur of the animal. The fact is that even the “naked” types of CHS have tufts of hair on the chest, head, ears and limbs. Without regular brushing, adjusting, washing and oiling, this coat completely loses its appearance, forming one continuous dirty mat.

Do not forget about regular hygiene procedures: cleaning your ears, trimming your nails (if necessary), brushing your teeth, rinsing your eyes with cotton pads. All these procedures should be carried out at least 1 time per week. These dogs often have real thickets of long hair in their ears, which can interfere with brushing - they can be plucked or clipped, but be careful not to harm the pet. To wash your eyes, you should use filtered or boiled water or a special veterinary lotion.

Grooming is one of the main points of caring for the show specimens of these dogs. The success of the dog in competitions depends on the correct and beautiful haircut. There are different options for grooming these dogs, but the best way to trim your dog is to follow these guidelines:

• the entire body of the dog is shaved or shortly groomed;
• limbs (up to the beginning of the pasterns) and the muzzle are also shaved (up to the feet and eyebrows);
• the length of the hair on the crown, eyebrows, tail and legs is preserved and adjusted to the same length;
• the hair on the crown and eyebrows is combed and styled so as not to interfere with the dog's vision;
• the hairstyle is adjusted to the required shape and fixed with wax, oil or hairpins.

Walking in the fresh air for these dogs is a kind of outlet, where they throw out all the energy accumulated during the day. These dogs should be walked at least once a day. Do not think that a dog of this size will not be able to harm anyone, and therefore supposedly it is not necessary to walk it on a leash. In the course of their research, these dogs may lag behind you or collide with a stronger street animal. In sunny weather, do not walk these dogs without sunscreen on their skin.

Little Tricks in Caring for Chinese Crested Dogs.

• No matter how you comb the hair of such a pet, it will still get tangled. However, their density depends on the regularity of combing - the less dense the mats, the easier it will be to comb them next time.If the mats are solid and cannot be combed or simply interfere with the pet, they should be carefully trimmed without damaging the entire hairstyle.
• All procedures with a comb should be performed only on wool moistened with lotion. Dry hair is electrified when combing and sticks out in all directions. In addition, the chance of damaging the structure of the wetted wool is not so great.
• You will often encounter a situation where the hair on the withers or eyebrows interferes with the view of the animal. This wool can be secured with elastic bands and hairpins.
• It is not worth taking "naked" for barbecues or just in the forest. There are usually many insects in nature, from which these dogs have no protection.

The main condition for feeding the Chinese crested dog is the complete exclusion from the diet of all types of human food: salty, spicy, smoked, pickled foods. All of this food will be bad for your pet and will most likely lead to indigestion.

Unfortunately, Chinese Crested do not have a strong intestine, which is able to digest absolutely all types of food. This is especially true for feeding with natural products, where even the smallest change in diet has a detrimental effect on the processes in the digestive system.

Digestive tract problems are not the only scourge of the Chinese Crested. They are very often susceptible to allergies to cereals and vegetables. - the basic elements in the diet of any pet. All this is expressed in an absolutely impartial form: redness of the eyelids, swelling of the glands, swelling of the cheeks, wen, sneezing with a runny nose, itching on the skin, vomiting and diarrhea. To understand what foods your dog is not allergic to, take him to a dog allergist or veterinarian.

The following foods are prohibited in the diet of the Chinese Crested: raw meat and fish, dairy products, pork and chicken (huge fat content / powerful allergen for crested meat), sausages and smoked meats, sugar-containing foods (sweets, chocolate, cakes), bones (both tubular and regular - they form constipation, get stuck in the throat), some cereals (semolina, oatmeal and pearl barley).

The most beneficial for individuals of this breed will be sour milk products with a low fat content (cottage cheese, cheese, kefir), some cereals on the water (corn, rice, millet), lean meat (veal, lamb, hare), an apple, a pear. Occasionally, new foods may be added to the diet. Boiled boneless sea fish can be used to replace meat. Of vegetables, it is better to limit yourself to carrots, beets and cabbage.

It is worth feeding your pet after a walk. Exercise and short jogging will tire your pet and awaken its appetite. DFor morning food, it is better to choose plant foods - they are lighter, better digested even during periods of activity.

As the dog grows up, its requirements for food supply also change - in older individuals, the intestines weaken, teeth crumble, and the gums become inflamed from the slightest solid food. Problems with teeth are often observed in the “naked” type of CCS; in old age, they do not have any teeth at all. For a gentle attitude to the oral cavity, it is enough to grind food before serving it to the pet, especially meat.

The Chinese Crested is exactly the breed of dog whose body will perceive ready-made food as a more complete and healthy diet. This is especially true for pregnant female CCS - high-quality dry food contains all the necessary vitamins and elements for the development of fetuses. When choosing such food, it is better to stop at hypoallergenic food such as super premium or holistic.

The owners of the Chinese Crested prefer to give their pets cute and extraordinary names, which at the same time emphasize the exclusivity of the individual, its small size, tenderness and playful character.

Most often, the following nicknames KHS are found:

• for boy: Archie, Nemo, Yasha, Cupid, Isik, Joyce, Dan, Ryu, Jiro, Hiro, Hayako, Shino, Jeri, Shelton, Sweet;
• for girl: Hoshi, Daphne, Miya, Aiko, Oji, Ran, Notty, Taya, Alice, Grace.

Some breeders prefer to choose exactly oriental names for such pets. So they want to emphasize the pet's belonging to the Chinese culture. Each such nickname denotes a specific action or object.

For the characteristics of the breed, see below.