Chinese Crested

In a world filled with hairless dogs (the Mexican Hairless, the Peruvian Hairless, the African kind) the modern Chinese Crested has trouble tracing our roots directly back to China -- where 1,000-year-old bones that sort of look like ours have been unearthed by archaeologists. But for sure we can go back to the 1920s when Chinese Cresteds were bred either at Deborah Wood's Crest Haven kennel or by the burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee. How's that for a celebrity close encounter? We're available in two varieties, Hairless and the Powderpuff, and as often as not, both kinds arrive in one litter. The American Kennel Club recognized the Chinese Crested in 1991 -- with and without hair.

• Perfect for apartment life -- with appropriate exercise
• Affectionate, devoted family friend
• Agile and active
• Classy canine
• Energizer doggie
• Even-tempered, good-natured

• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Loves kids and vice versa
• Perfect protector
• Playful pal
• Pleased to please
• Socialization and training must start early
• Spirited
• Training must be firm, patient, consistent
• Wary of strangers
• Willing watchdog

We're not as fragile as we appear -- but we're not wind-up toys, either, so please keep the kids from manhandling us. In particular, please watch out for our hairless kin on sunny days. Our skin will take a light tan, but we sure don't need sunburn or skin cancer.

Susceptible to sunburn, blackheads, and skin allergies.