a true family dog, the Chinese Crested
is a playful, elegant toy breed that
loves human companionship. one
litter can commonly produce two varieties:
the hairless, which features
soft, silky hair on the head, tail, and
feet, and the Powderpuff, covered in
a soft, straight coat. Because it sheds
little to no hair, the Crested is recommended
for allergy-prone owners.
The breed is thought to have evolved
from African hairless dogs and to
have sailed the high seas aboard
Chinese ships during the plague,
chosen for its hairless status and
ability to hunt vermin. Its status was
elevated by the breed’s appearance
by the mid-19th century in European
art and in American dog shows in
the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, the
breed had acquired a considerable
following in the us. The burlesque
entertainer gypsy rose Lee acquired
a Crested in the 1950s and became an
ardent breeder and enthusiast, helping
to further popularize the breed.
It’s interesting to note that six of the
last ten World’s ugliest dog contest
winners were Chinese Cresteds. With
its champions and detractors, this
breed may truly exemplify the saying
“beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”