Should i get a chinese crested

Considered an ancient breed , the Chinese Crested may trace its origins from African hairless dogs that were brought to China by sailors. They worked as guardians of temples and in kitchens at the palace, particularly during the Han dynasty.

As mainstays on Chinese ships, the breed traveled all around the world, reaching shores as far as South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt. With the Cresteds being traded by sailors in various port cities, local versions of these dogs appeared wherever they visited. European explorers even recorded sightings of Crested-type dogs in Central and South America. By the midth century, the Chinese Crested had reached Europe, appearing in paintings and exhibitions. Chinese Cresteds may have been therapy dogs in ancient China.

Like their African ancestors, hairless Cresteds are known for their ability to emit heat. The Chinese used these dogs as living heating pads and bed-warmers that provided relief and comfort from chronic pain. The best way to make sure you get a healthy hairless or Powderpuff Crested puppy is through a reputable breeder.

Good breeders of Chinese Cresteds do the necessary screenings to rule out potential health problems and will be able to present health certifications. If this price is a little too steep for you, you can consider Chinese Crested rescue groups and shelters:. Called the Crested Beagle, this small hybrid often has the color pattern and round eyes of the Beagle and the laid-back temperament of the Chinese Crested. Crested-Dachshund mixes, named Crestoxies, are brave little dogs that display the willfulness of their Dachshund parents.

As the hybrid of playful breeds, the China Jack needs at least 45 minutes of exercise daily and will have a high prey drive. The Crested Peke is extremely affectionate and will love to stay by your side all day, as both its parent breeds are known for their clingy nature.

Cresteds are loyal companion dogs who are always up for a cuddle. Plus, their low-shedding coat makes them ideal for people who suffer from allergies. However, the Crested can suffer from separation anxiety. Keeping this breed in good health also requires some effort.

Hairless varieties need plenty of skin care, while Puffs have coats that need daily brushing. I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love.

Your email address will not be published. Like most very small dogs, Chinese Cresteds are prone to health problems related to their size. Chinese Cresteds can have breathing difficulties caused by a windpipe that collapses and a number of dental problems are caused by the small size of their mouths. It's essential to have your puppy's eyes examined annually by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist, even if his parents were CERFed.

The breed can also suffer from a condition known as "dry eye," so if you notice his eyes seem irritated, consult your veterinarian. Chinese Cresteds are prone to luxating patellas, where the kneecap slips easily out of place as well as thyroid disease. Also, hip dysplasia is a genetic hip deformity that requires costly surgery to repair and can lead to arthritis later in life.

This condition causes reduced blood supply to the head of the thigh bone, which in turn causes it to shrink.

The first sign of this disease is limping, which usually appears when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old. Treatment is surgical remove of the head of the leg bone, after which the puppy will have a relatively normal life other than an increased likelihood of arthritis. Chinese Cresteds should also be genetically tested for thrombopathia through the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and have von Willebrand's factor antigen testing, which can be done by any veterinarian, to screen for these bleeding disorders that occur in the breed.

The breed in general is prone to allergies that can cause skin itching and secondary infections, but the hairless Crested's skin needs special care to protect him from sunburn and skin cancer. Use a veterinary-approved sunscreen on your dog's skin if he needs to be out in the sun. They also frequently suffer from dry skin, and sometimes from acne, so regular skin care is essential for the hairless variety. Chinese Cresteds come in two varieties, the hairless and the Powderpuff.

The Powderpuff is a relatively low-shedding dog and can sometimes be tolerated by people with mild allergies. He does need frequent brushing to keep his coat from tangling. While it's easy and tempting to spoil and protect a small dog, resist the impulse with your Chinese Crested. Too much indulgence, and he'll become a tyrant; too much guard and his slight tendency toward shyness can blossom into a real problem.

Cresteds tend to like children, but they're far too small for rough-and-tumble play. They are not the best choice for families with toddlers, unless you are prepared to provide plenty of supervision. And sadly, this is among the most difficult of all breeds to successfully housetrain, so consider that carefully when deciding if it is the breed for you.

While not as yappy as some toy dog breeds, the Chinese Crested can still make noise. He needs gentle and consistent training from puppyhood on to prevent bad habits from taking hold. A well-bred, well-socialized Chinese Crested is an intelligent dog with a happy and somewhat clownish nature.

He's not a fan of being left alone, and certainly can't be left in the yard or garage. This is a dog that needs to live indoors as a member of the family.

If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, please install the latest version of Flash. The appearance of hairless dogs in litters is the result of a natural genetic mutation and has occurred many times in many places over the course of thousands of years.

Hairless dogs from China have been traded since at least the 13 th century. Explorers and missionaries often wrote of their presence them in ports around the world.

One of the first modern Chinese Cresteds was named Chinese Emperor. He was exhibited at a dog show in Britain in Even earlier, in the s and s, some hairless dogs from China were kept in English zoos. Cresteds made their way to the United States in the late 19 th century and drew the attention of newspaper reporter Ida Garrett, who would go on to breed, show, and write about them for the next 60 years.

Happy and playful, the Chinese Crested likes to snuggle. He loves being in the spotlight and will always be delighted to have your attention. The hairless variety can be clingy, while the Powderpuff has a more independent nature. Both are affectionate with family members and people they know, smiling and taking any opportunity to make them laugh.

Cresteds are agile and can be good climbers, so make sure your yard isn't easily escaped. Besides playtime in the yard or around the house, a Crested will enjoy a daily walk or personal playtime. He can be good at dog sports such as agility and rally. His alert, but not yappy, nature also makes him an excellent watchdog. This is a sensitive dog who will be aware of your emotions.

Unfortunately, you may be sad because he can be difficult to housetrain. Changes in his routine or upsetting situations can cause him to lapse back into bad habits, so try to keep things steady. Consider training him to use a pee pad or litter box so that he has an acceptable in-home potty option for days when the weather makes the outside unappealing.

However, be aware that giving him indoor options may confuse him. It's always best to get him outdoors, so there's no doubt in his mind where it's appropriate to potty. The Crested loves to eat and is highly motivated for food. For the hairless, especially, extra weight will be noticeable. Monitor how much your Crested eats.

Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines like kennel cough to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines including rabies, distemper and parvovirus have been completed.

In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed. Breeders see the puppies daily and can make uncannily accurate recommendations once they know your lifestyle and personality.

Whatever you want from a Crested, look for one whose parents have nice personalities and who has been well socialized from early puppyhood. All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines. Among the health problems that can affect Cresteds is progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition which can lead to night blindness, and eventually total blindness.

Like most very small dogs, Cresteds are prone to dental disease caused by the small size of their mouths. Congenital deafness may occur in Cresteds, as well as diabetes and hypothyroidism , a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This same advice can be used for children as well. As friendly, playful dogs, they love children of all ages; however, care must be used with toddlers and smaller children, as the Chinese crested's small frame can be easily hurt if play gets too rambunctious.

For the powderpuffs, grooming is straightforward but persistent. Brushing daily is the best way to avoid matting and, for the healthiest possible coat, it's recommended to never brush their hair while dry. A light misting from a water bottle during brushing will help keep their hair tangle-free and easy to maintain.

That aside, a bath every month or so will probably be necessary. For hairless dogs, brushing is obviously a much smaller concern. But, just like we do, they have skin to keep healthy. Their skincare routine will include sunblock, regular moisturizing, and bathing.

Keeping them out of direct sun in the mid-day, having them outside only for short periods at a time. Beck says the lack of fur can make Chinese cresteds susceptible to skin cancer. She also recommends checking regularly for skin lesions and keeping them properly cleaned and moisturized.

Baths will be a regular ritual, as well. Ideally, they will also be treated with an acne cream every couple of months as well, to keep their skin clear. Also, take note that many Chinese cresteds have allergies to lanolin. Care should be taken regarding which creams to use. Once again, regardless of if your Chinese crested is hairless or powderpuff, they have more or less the same health expectations.

Chinese crested are hardy dogs, with lifespans of 13—18 years. The most common health problems as they age will be eye problems such as lens luxation , glaucoma , and PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy , as well as luxating patellas where the kneecap slips out of place , and Legg-Perthes disease. The one area where the powderpuff and hairless diverge is in their mouths.

Chinese crested have what's referred to as a "primitive mouth," meaning all of their teeth are pointy like canines. In the powderpuff dogs, full, healthy dentition is the norm. However, in the hairless dogs , missing teeth, overcrowded teeth, and a high susceptibility to tooth decay are all common problems. In the short term, those issues can each do their part to ensure the Chinese crested doesn't win any beauty pageants; in the long run, removal can be the last resort.

Make sure to brush and properly care for your crested's teeth throughout the dog's life.