The Chinese Crested Dog

BY: NEALIE SANCHEZ

Editor-In-Chief

The basics

You reach down to pet your sweet pupper, but your palm isn't full of fur. Until you reach around and scratch the little bit of scruff around the ears! This is a Chinese crested Dog, a spotted pink-and-black skinned dog that has some lengthy patches of fur around its ears, on top of its head, around its paws and down its tail. While considered hairless by the general public, the breed does, in fact, come in a coated variety.

Some may remember this dog from the early 2000s film Cats andDogs, but there is much more to know about this pooch! The hypoallergenic breed is characterized by the American Kennel Club as "fine-boned, elegant and graceful."

Despite the breed's seemingly apt name, it is unconfirmed where the breed hales from because of the lack of historical evidence according to Gea Ledra. While the puppers' origins are considered untraceable, the breed is considered ancient.

According to Gea Ledra, a Chinese Crested Dog is featured in a painting from the United Kingdom dating as far back as 1881, however, they didn't gain popularity until burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee started promoting them. The breed would go on to be recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1991.

The American Kennel Club acknowledges three other hairless dog breeds: The American Hairless Terrier, the Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Xoloitzcuintli. Each of these breeds also comes in a coated variety!

Care

The Chinese Crested Dog's skin is susceptible to acne, dryness and sunburn. For periods of time in the sun it is recommended that dog owners cover their pup in protective clothing. Acne should be treated by veterinarian-approved methods and skin should be kept moisturized by veterinarian-approved methods to avoid dryness.

The Chinese Crested Dog.

Tommy Gildseth, WikiMedia Commons

Twitter: @NealieSanchez