Chinese Crested

History

Despite the name, the Chinese Crested likely did not originate in China. The most accepted theory traces the breed's ancestry to African hairless dogs that were brought aboard Chinese trading ships as early as the 13th century, where they served as ratters in the cargo holds. Chinese merchants then traded these dogs at port cities across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, which explains why hairless dogs with similar characteristics appear in disparate cultures — the Mexican Xoloitzcuintli and Peruvian Inca Orchid are likely distant relatives sharing common hairless gene mutations. The breed was refined in China over centuries, where hairless dogs were prized for their perceived medicinal warmth — they were used as living hot water bottles for people with arthritis and chronic pain. In the Western world, the breed's modern development is largely credited to two women: Ida Garrett, who promoted the breed in the United States from the 1880s onward, and Debora Wood, who established the Crest Haven kennel and maintained a breeding program and registry starting in the 1950s. The American Chinese Crested Club was founded in 1979, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1991.

Characteristics

Compatibility

Care Guide

Chinese Crested care differs dramatically between the two varieties. Hairless dogs require a full skincare routine: apply pet-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+) before any sun exposure, as their exposed skin burns easily and is susceptible to sun-induced skin cancer; moisturize 2–3 times weekly with a fragrance-free lotion to prevent dryness and cracking; and treat acne-like breakouts (common in adolescent dogs) with benzoyl peroxide wipes or veterinary-prescribed topical treatments. Bathing every 1–2 weeks with a gentle, exfoliating shampoo helps prevent blackheads and ingrown hairs on the body. Powderpuff Chinese Cresteds have a soft, silky double coat that mats easily and requires brushing every other day with a pin brush and wide-toothed comb — pay special attention to behind the ears and in the armpit areas where mats form first. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks keeps the coat manageable. Both varieties need dental care beyond what most breeds require — Hairless Cresteds in particular have a genetic link between the hairless gene and missing or malformed teeth, and those teeth that are present are often fragile. Daily tooth brushing and annual professional cleanings are non-negotiable. Exercise needs are modest: 20–30 minutes of walking and play daily, always with weather-appropriate protection — a coat in temperatures below 15°C for Hairless dogs, and sunscreen in summer. Cold tolerance is virtually nonexistent in Hairless dogs; they need sweaters indoors in winter if the house is kept below 20°C.

Common Health Issues

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  Inherited degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells progresses from night blindness — noticeable when the dog hesitates in dim rooms or bumps into objects at dusk — to complete vision loss over several months to years. The prcd and rcd3 forms have been identified in Chinese Cresteds through DNA testing, which enables breeders to identify carriers before producing affected offspring. No treatment exists, but affected dogs adapt well to blindness in stable home environments with consistent furniture placement.
• Glaucoma
  Increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve and retina, causing pain (squinting, tearing, rubbing the eye) and progressive vision loss that can advance to irreversible blindness within 24–48 hours in acute cases. Primary hereditary glaucoma in Chinese Cresteds typically affects one eye initially, with the second eye developing the condition within 1–2 years. Regular tonometry screening enables early detection; treatment includes daily pressure-lowering eye drops and potentially surgical options like laser cyclophotocoagulation.
• Primary Lens Luxation
  Degeneration of the zonular fibers that hold the lens in position allows the lens to dislocate — anterior luxation (forward into the eye chamber) is an emergency causing acute glaucoma and requiring surgical removal within hours to preserve vision. Posterior luxation (backward) is less immediately dangerous but requires monitoring. A DNA test for the ADAMTS17 mutation identifies at-risk dogs; regular slit-lamp examinations detect early zonular fiber weakening before complete luxation occurs.
• Dental issues
  The gene responsible for hairlessness (FOXI3) is directly linked to dental abnormalities — Hairless Chinese Cresteds commonly have missing premolars, peg-shaped or tusk-like canines, and fragile enamel that erodes prematurely, leading to early tooth loss and difficulty eating hard food. Powderpuffs generally have normal dentition. Daily brushing, dental-specific diets, and annual professional cleanings slow deterioration; many Hairless dogs eventually require a soft food diet as tooth loss progresses with age.
• Skin sensitivity
  Hairless Chinese Cresteds lack the protective fur barrier that shields most breeds from environmental irritants, making them susceptible to sunburn, contact allergies, acne-like follicular eruptions, and dry skin that cracks and bleeds in low-humidity conditions. Allergens, rough fabrics, and chemical cleaning products that a coated dog would never notice can cause rashes and welts on exposed skin. Management requires sun avoidance during peak UV hours, pet-safe SPF 30+ sunscreen for outdoor time, regular moisturizing, and hypoallergenic bedding and clothing materials.