Breed of the Week: Chinese Crested
What is that horrendous beast? A gargoyle? An alien?
It can’t be a dog, I’m sure you’re thinking. Or can it?
Surprisingly, this genetically-cursed creature is, in fact, a member of the canine family. A pure breed, if you can believe it. This demonic little guy’s name is Sam. He’s a Chinese Crested Hairless, and, until his death in 2006, he was the undefeated champion of the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition for three years running — no surprise there.
Fortunately, not all Chinese Crested dogs have Sam’s unfortunate appearance — most, in fact, are quite attractive. The breed has two distinct varieties: the Hairless (like Sam — though most are far more attractive than he was), and the Powderpuff, which is covered with hair. In many cases, Hairless is a bit of a misnomer; many dogs within the variety still have small amounts of hair on their heads and at the paws and tail. Some Hairless dogs may actually have a thin layer of hair all over their bodies; the difference is that the Powderpuff variety has a thick double coat, rather than a single coat.
A Chinese Crested Powderpuff. Photo by mary_gaston22.
These dogs are on the small side, weighing in around 12 pounds, but what they lack in size, they make up for in spunk. Once used to catch rats on ships, they’re playful and energetic, though they’re also just as happy to curl up on your lap. Often, the Chinese Crested will be a “one person” dog — incredibly loving and loyal to an individual owner, but not too interested in others.
A Chinese Crested Hairless — see? They can be cute!
Photo by lisaschaos.
The origins of the Chinese Crested are a bit of a mystery. Though their name would have you believe that they come from China, some historians believe that the Hairless variety first appeared in Africa hundreds of years ago. Others believe that the Chinese Crested breed is actually a cross between the Chihuahua and the Mexican Hairless dog. Many who’ve seen the infamous Sam believe that the breed is, in fact, the spawn of Satan or one of his minions, but DNA tests prove otherwise.
Whatever the case may be, the breed first became popular in Europe in the 1800s, and is present in some portraits of the time. A famous American burlesque performer, Gypsy Rose Lee, bred Chinese Crested dogs in her spare time, and helped increase their popularity in the United States. However, the breed was not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1991. Today, the Chinese Crested dog is always prevalent at dog shows, but not quite a household name.
Shiroi, a Powderpuff puppy. Photo by growwel.
The Chinese Crested dog tends to be subject to health problems, such as acne (yes, dogs get it, too!), sunburn (in the Hairless variety — for obvious reasons), and dental problems. If you get a Hairless dog, you should make sure to apply sunscreen to his skin whenever you take him outside, even in winter; his skin is very sensitive to the hot sun.
Today, both varieties of the Chinese Crested are relatively in demand; breeders often charge $1,000 or more for Chinese Crested puppies. However, if you really want a Chinese Crested, there’s no need to empty out your bank account — there are many Chinese Crested dogs in need of homes all over the United States. You can find a list of available dogs and adoption procedures at Crest Care, the Chinese Crested Dog Rescue. You never know — you might even find the next Sam. If you want to, that is.
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