CHINESE CRESTED DOG

FCI N 288 dated 11.05.1998

ORIGIN: China

GENERAL FORM: This is a small, active and graceful dog; moderately light-boned, smooth, hairless body, with hair only on the head, tail, and limbs. Or there are soft veil-like hair.

CHARACTERISTICS: There are two varieties of this breed: the deer type, agile, with light bones, and the stocky type, with a heavier body and bones.

TEMPERAMENT: Cheerful, never angry.

HEAD AND SKULL: The head is elongated with a slightly rounded skull. The cheekbones are even, chiseled, narrow and flat, tapering into the muzzle. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is pronounced, but not too much. The head is even, without excess wrinkles. The skull is rounded and slightly elongated. The distance from the base of the skull to the "stop" is equal to the distance from the "stop" to the tip of the nose. The muzzle is slightly tapered, but never pointed, dry, lips tight and thin. The nose protrudes and tapers in proportion to the muzzle. Any color of the nose is allowed.

The head has a graceful appearance, with a wary expression of the eyes. The cheeks are chiseled, thin and flat, tapering towards the muzzle. Ideally, when the tuft starts from the "stop", it tapers down towards the neck. The crest itself can fall and be of any length; a long and falling tuft is preferable, but a sparse tuft is acceptable.

EYES: So dark that they give the impression of being black; medium size; widely set; whites should not be visible or very little visible.

EARS: Set low: The highest point of the base of the ear is level with the outer corner of the eye. Large and erect, with or without fringe at the edge of the ear, except for powder puffs, in which floppy ears are allowed.

ORAL CAVITY: Jaws strong with a fine, regular scissor bite, with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set squarely on the jaws.

BODY: Medium to long. Flexible. The chest is fairly broad and deep, but neither barrel-shaped nor prominently ribbed. The sternum does not protrude. The chest reaches to the elbows; the abdomen is moderately tucked up. The back is flat, the loins are elastic, the croup is well rounded and muscular.

HIND LIMB: The thighs are rounded and well muscled, the stifle joint is thin, the lower leg is strong and long, smoothly turning into a low hock joint. The angle of articulation of the joints of the hind limb should be such that the back is level. The hind limbs are set wide apart.

TAIL: Set on high, carried raised when moving, or the tip of the tail curved slightly, gently sickle-shaped. Long and tapering, fairly straight, not curled or curled to either side, falling naturally when at rest. The plume (brush on the tail) is long and falling, covering 2/3 of the lower length of the tail. A rare plume is acceptable.

COAT COAT: There should not be large areas covered with hair on the body. The skin is fine-grained, very soft, smooth, warm to the touch. The coat of the Powder Puff consists of an undercoat and a soft, long outer coat. A feature of the breed is the veil-like coat. Colour: Any color or combination of colors.

DIMENSIONS: Ideal Height males 28-33 cm (11-13 inches) at the withers, bitches 23-30 cm (9-12 inches) at the withers. Weight varies considerably, but should not exceed 5.5 kg (12 lbs).

FAULTS: Any deviation from the above conformation should be considered as a fault, the severity of the fault depends on the degree of its severity.

NOTE: Males should have two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

P.S. Definitely, in the given breed standard, in some cases there is not enough detailed description and in some cases there are serious omissions. It is therefore right to dwell on these matters, and since the British Standard is the basis of breed evaluation, it is important that the most accurate and correct picture be presented here.

CHARACTERISTIC The British Standard states that there are two varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs: the deer type. which is agile and light-boned, and the stocky type, which is heavier in mass and bone. The standard does not describe them separately. In fact, dogs are very different in appearance. The "squat" type is more rounded in all parts of the body - eyes, head, bones, chest, and they are shorter-legged. This is of course not a very elegant dog and therefore contrary to the Standard. In fact, in the ring these days it is rare to find dogs of a deer or squat type in their pure form. The dogs shown are a combination of these two types.

TEMPERAMENTKHS according to the standard should not be angry or aggressive. However, they are wary of strangers and rather unsociable, which is common among some hounds. These traits should not be confused with timidity or aggressiveness. The most calm, balanced dog may back away from the judge leaning towards him.

HEADA rare tuft is clearly considered acceptable. Many judges prefer not a well-built dog with a sparse "tuft" but a dog with plenty of hair, even if it does not lack elegance and strong bones. Animals with rare "tufts" usually have softer and smoother skin. They should not be denied preference just because of the tufts.

EYESThe standard does not give guidance on the shape of the eyes. They are usually rounded in the Kobe type and almond shaped in the deer type. The American Standard, which underlies the British Standard, provides for almond-shaped eyes, which are typical of most animals in the breed. The rounded shape of the eyes in the deer type gives the dog a very "atypical" expression.

EARS The standard clearly states that the ears can be droopy on powder puffs (puffs) and indeed, most puffs have drooping ears. It happens that puffs also have ears, but this is very rare. A powder puff with floppy ears will have a bare litter with strong, erect ears, and trimming the edge of the ear will not increase the number of naturally erect ears in the litter.

ORAL CAVITY The main omission is the lack of a description of the differences between the oral cavity of the naked and downy varieties. There is no mention of the shape of the teeth, forward-pointing canine teeth, or missing premolars in the bare. The basic requirement of the standard is that strong jaws with a regular scissor bite can be accepted, but the unique distinction should be accepted and mentioned. Judges often downvote naked dogs because they are not sure how these dogs should look.

According to the standard, the toes should neither turn in nor out, but this requirement is often overlooked in breed evaluation.

FRAME The standard says. that the body should be medium to long, but this does not mean. that dogs should have short limbs. The limbs should be long and slender, providing a well-balanced movement. Neither the short-backed terrier type nor the dachshund type is desirable.

W ADNEAL LIMB The new American Standard has changed the requirement for a wide stance in the hindquarters, according to which the hocks must be well set, which makes the dog better perceived. Unfortunately, both standards do not give adequate attention to the hocks.

PAWS The description of the paw of the Chinese crested is very good, except for the definition when "toes cover the toes". If a rich tuft is preferred, the animal will naturally have more hair on its paws anyway. In a poorly dressed dog, the fur covers only the toes.

MOVEMENTS Long, flowing movements cannot be achieved without proper angulation of the hindquarters and forequarters. Weak, upturned hindquarters do not give much propulsion, and an irregular gait is often associated with a short shoulder blade and steep shoulders. This hinders the achievement of smooth movements.

COAT Due to the variable manifestation of the hairless gene, it is almost impossible to eliminate sparse hair in the crested. Selection can help, but that's a matter for the future. Powder puff coat is a cause for confusion. The standard calls for an undercoat with soft, long, veil-like hair. The length of the coat varies: if the hairless representatives in this line have a long crest, the coat will be long, if they have a sparse crest, the coat will be thinner and shorter. The coat consists of long soft hairs and coarse guard hairs. In a young dog, the outer coat is short and looks like an undercoat, but by 18 months it grows and forms a veil. Extremely hairy nudes are standard acceptable, which also leads to confusion. There is another type of wool that occurs from time to time. It is shorter and quite rare. The ears in this case are smaller than normal and they stand. This type is possibly the result of a mixture of lines of kinship, by way of a reverse evolution of the breed.

AMERICAN STANDARD(new)

In the summer of 1990, all members of the American Club

The Chinese Crested has been proposed a new breed standard.

I GENERAL VIEW.

KHS is a miniature dog with light bones, elegant and graceful. Born in the same litter different types dogs: a hairless variety with hair only on the head, on the tail and limbs and a powder pouf, completely covered with hair. A dog of this breed is playful and funny, a devoted companion.

II. DIMENSIONS, PROPORTION AND TYPE OF CONSTITUTION

SIZE: The ideal size is 11 to 13 inches (28-33cm). Small deviations in one direction or another are allowed.

PROPORTION: Rectangular build - proportional to allow freedom of movement. The distance from the withers to the base of the tail is slightly greater than the height at the withers.

TYPE OF CONSTITUTION: The skeleton is light and graceful, but not so thin as to appear fragile, or, on the contrary, not rough and heavy in structure.

III. HEAD

EXPRESSION: The look is alert and alive.

EYES: Almond shaped, set wide apart. Dark colored dogs should have dark eyes, light colored dogs may have light eyes. The color of the periorbital region corresponds to the color of the dog.

EARS: Undocked - large and erect, set so that the base of the ear is level with the outer corner of the eye.

SCULL: The skull is moderately rounded at the occiput from ear to ear. The distance from the occiput to the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is equal to the distance from the transition to the tip of the nose. When viewed from above and from the side, the head is wedge-shaped.

TRANSITION FROM FOREHEAD TO Muzzle: Small but clear.

MUZZLE: Cheekbones are even and flat.

NOSE: Dark in dark colored dogs; may be lighter in light colored dogs. The pigmentation is complete.

LIPS: Lips are even and tight-fitting to the jaws (dry)

BITE: Scissor or pincer in two varieties. The absence of teeth in a powder pouf should be considered a defect. A dog of the hairless variety should not be penalized for missing teeth in the dentition.

IV. NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY

NECK: The neck is dry and level, slightly arching from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high.

TOPLINE: Straight, slightly sloping towards the croup.

FRAME: The chest reaches to the elbows. The sternum does not protrude. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest decreases to moderately narrow at the sides. The loin is lightened.

TAIL: The tail is thin and, tapering, forms a bend. Fairly long, reaching to the level of the hock. When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried perky and may be carried slightly above the line of the back. At rest, the tail falls down, forming a small sickle-like bend at the end. In the hairless variety, two-thirds of the tip of the tail is covered with long, flowing plume-like hair. The tail of the powder puff is completely covered with wool.

V. FOREQUARTERS

CORNER: The shoulder blade forms an angle of 45 degrees with a horizontal line through the center of the shoulder joint, which ensures good reach.

SHOULDERS: Flat and narrow.

ELBOWS: Attached to the body.

LIMB: Long, slender and straight.

Pasterns: Vertical, thin and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

PAWS: Paws "hare", narrow with elongated fingers. Nails trimmed to moderate length.

VI. BACK OF THE BODY

ANGLE OF ARTICLE: Corner knee joints moderate but pronounced. A perpendicular is formed from the hock joint to the ground (i.e., the vertical position of the limbs). Dewclaws may be removed.

PAWS: Same as for the forelimbs.

VII. COAT

In the hairless variety, the hair is located on some parts of the body: in the head area (called the “tuft”), on the tail (called the “plume”) and on the front limbs - from the toes to the metacarpus and on the hind limbs - from the fingers to the hock (called "socks"). All hair is soft and silky to the touch, flowing to any length. The location of the hair is not as important as the type in general. Areas where there is hair usually fade away gradually. In all areas where hair is absent, the skin is soft and smooth.

"CREST" IN THE HEAD REGION: It starts at the transition from the forehead to the muzzle and narrows caudally between the base of the skull and the dorsal surface of the neck. Hair on the ears and muzzle is allowed in the hairless variety, and may be trimmed for neatness in both forms.

"PLUMAGE" ON THE TAIL: Described in section 4

XBOCT: The woolly form of the powder puff dog has a soft and silky coat that covers the entire surface of its body. Closer examination reveals long, thin guard hairs set over a short, silky undercoat. Her coat is straight, of moderate density and length. An excessively dense, curly or wavy coat should be penalized. Grooming is minimal - the coat of the animal must be clean and tidy.

VIII. COLOR. Any solid color or combination of colors.

IX. MOVEMENTS. Quick, agile and fluid, there should be no stilted or stiff gait. At the trot, the movement is straight.

X. TEMPERAMENT. Mobile and alert.

WOOL SHAPE - POWDER POUF

The standard for the powder puff is identical to the standard for the hairless variety except as follows.

GENERAL FORM. A slender, light-boned, active, graceful little dog, with soft guard hairs over the entire surface of the body, so it justifies its name powder puff ("puff").

EARS. Large with thin skin. Ears may be erect or hanging due to the amount of hair on them; if they are hanging, then they must be equally omitted. If necessary, to make the ears erect, their edges are cut off.

DISQUALIFICATIONS. Cropped ears.

TEETH. The bite is straight or scissor. The teeth are strong and straight.

FAULTS: crooked teeth.

DISQUALIFICATIONS. Very large overshot or undershot.

WOOL COVER. The undercoat is very short; guard hairs are thin and longer, creating a certain veil-like effect. A very long coat is preferred, but it should never be so long as to impede movement. The hair is soft and silky to the touch, slightly softer in small dogs, coarser in large dogs. The powder pouffe is displayed in its natural state, without parting or bows.

Chinese Crested - active and very cheerful decorative dogs, which are distinguished by a strong attachment to the owner. There are two varieties of the breed "downy" and naked. Depending on the features of the constitution, they are conditionally divided into two types. Deer-type dogs are distinguished by a light and thin skeleton, while stocky or "ponies" are calmer, more self-confident with a heavy skeleton.

The country of origin is China. The Chinese crested dog breed is very ancient, according to some sources, its breeding began in the 200s BC, but despite this, there is no reliable data on the origin.

According to one version, these dogs once lived in the wild and were domesticated by humans, and naked individuals appeared in a hot tropical climate.

There is no evidence that they originated in China. The special similarity of Chinese and hairless Mexican dogs, as well as some research, made it possible to put forward another theory of origin - Mexican, according to which crested dogs first appeared in Mexico as a result of crossing a local hairless xolo with a chihuahua.

Reliable information about the breed appeared only in 1966, when unusual dogs were brought to England from the USA. And it was here, in foggy Albion, that a standard was developed for them, and the country became the main breeding center.

Appearance

The Chinese Crested is a slender, active and elegant dog. Movements are smooth and energetic. The head is wedge-shaped. The eyes are wide apart, almond-shaped. Depending on the color, the eyes and nose can be light or dark. The ears are large, erect and uncropped.

The bite is straight or scissor. In hairless dogs, incomplete teeth are allowed, and in “downy” dogs it is considered a defect. The chest is deep, the stomach is tucked up, the loin is convex. Thin and long tail. The limbs are long, straight, set parallel. Fingers and nails are slightly elongated.

Hairless dogs have islands of hair only on the head, tail, paws and sometimes ears. The coat is flowing, long. Powderpuffs are completely covered with moderate length, not too thick with a good undercoat. Excessively curly and heavy hair is considered a vice. The color range is very wide, from solid, to spotted and marble in any shades and combinations.

Training and exercise

The upbringing of a Chinese Crested puppy begins from the first moment of its appearance in the house. First of all, he is taught obedience and behavior in the society of other animals and people. Also, from an early age, it is worth accustoming a dog to hygiene procedures, and owners of a private house with a garden should take into account that representatives of the breed are very fond of digging and it is better to immediately allocate a special place for the pet. This is not to say that these dogs are distinguished by a special ability for training. As a rule, they are taught only basic commands and some circus tricks.

These animals quickly get used to walking on their hind legs, climbing stairs, overcoming obstacles due to their jumping ability, and easily acquire other skills. In an effort to please the owners, they will try their best to follow all the commands just to please them.

At the same time, it is important to find an individual approach to each dog.

Chinese crested are very frisky and mobile, and in order to get rid of excess energy, they need long active games and daily walks. They do not need other types of physical activity, but if desired, the owners can train the dog agility.

Character

The naked representatives of the Chinese breed were never instilled with a hunting instinct and were not used as guards. Their ancestors in ancient times were honorary participants in religious rites. And in the modern world, the breed was bred as decorative. All this served as the basis for the formation of her character.

Representatives of the Chinese Crested breed have an affectionate playful disposition, they are very devoted to the family and are always friendly, including to strangers. They are very sociable and try to get maximum attention, so they are not suitable for people who are constantly busy at work. Chinese crested are quite temperamental, sociable and friendly. They will not bark in vain. They get along well with other animals, but sometimes they are jealous and nervous if they are given less attention. They are very attached to the family and very hard to endure separation from her or a change of owner.

The owners of these dogs say that their pets love to cuddle and cannot do without communicating with people.

The Chinese crested dog is especially fond of the owner and sometimes singles out one more family member. An incredibly loyal pet yearns greatly for loved ones who have left the house, and can wait a long time for the owners to return or try to look for them. They need constant attention from humans, and animals left alone for a long time fall into a prolonged depression.

This dog requires constant communication, it will benefit from new acquaintances with animals and people, trips to new places. A pet deprived of this will grow up fearful and timid. Bored or angry at the "uninteresting" life, the Chinese Crested may begin to bark or whine loudly, which is usually not characteristic of representatives of this breed.

Excessive chewing of objects is one of the serious problems arising with this breed if the dog is left alone for a long time. Constant attention from the owner and the selection of toys for chewing will help prevent or stop the erasure of the pet's teeth.

The Chinese Crested breed is intended exclusively for keeping in the house. The dog is not adapted for life in the yard. Gets along well with other animals. He loves to play with children of all ages. In cold weather, the dog will have to be in warm clothes and special shoes. IN very coldy and do not go out at all, so they are often taught to go to the tray.

Caring for naked and "downy" Chinese crested is practically the same. Comb Chinese Crested Dogs daily or every other day. They bathe 2-3 times a month, using a special shower gel on bare areas of the body and restoring shampoos for hair, which add volume.

It is important that all cosmetics are hypoallergenic. Their nails grow a little faster than those of other breeds and do not have time to wear out, so they need to be trimmed periodically. These dogs, especially hairless ones, have a very bad teeth that need regular cleaning. "Puffs" practically do not shed on their own, and so that the undercoat does not get lost in tangles, it must be combed out well. After bathing dogs with shampoo, it is recommended to use conditioner. The hair on the muzzle is trimmed.

Hairless dogs sometimes develop acne (black or white) on the skin, due to the fact that dead or defective hair remains in the follicles, which must be removed with tweezers, after which it is necessary to wipe the skin with an antiseptic. So that the skin does not dry out, use a special cream. IN summer months you need sunscreen.

The Chinese Crested Dog, overeating and moving little, can quickly gain weight. Therefore, animals of this breed need to be “spurred on” to move more often, especially since they like to walk and play on the street. It is necessary to ensure that on walks a naked Chinese crested dog does not accidentally damage its unprotected skin.

In extremely cold or hot weather, it is better not to walk such a dog to the toilet outside, so experienced breeders advise teaching animals to use a tray or diapers.

How to groom a Chinese Crested Dog

A well-groomed puff is the pride of the owner. And this is not surprising, because getting the perfect result is not so easy. If you are going to cut the Chinese Crested yourself, you will need the following tools:

• comb with long metal teeth;
• clipper (not human);
• hairdresser's scisors;
• slicker;

Before starting a haircut, comb your pet with a comb. Comb away from the skin and do not skip any section. Make special efforts in problem areas, for example, behind the ears, on the paws. If there are tangles, disassemble them with your hands, and then comb the area with a slicker.

If you don't want to constantly mess with the coat, cut your dog like a puppy. Also, the pet can be completely shaved, turning the animal into a naked crested dog. Naturally, this applies only to those dogs that are not planned to be shown at shows. If you doubt your abilities, visit a specialized salon. But if you want to turn a powder puff into a naked crested dog, use the following recommendations.

First, remove most of the hair from the body of the animal. Leave intact boots, crest and two-thirds of the hair on the tail. How much hair to remove is up to you. You can remove everything or leave a couple of millimeters using a nozzle. Regardless of the type of haircut, your Chinese Crested dog will look beautiful and well-groomed, and further care for it will be much easier.

Diet and health

Representatives of the breed, as a rule, are not too picky about food, they are very fond of vegetables, fruits, but, of course, they are not vegetarians. If the pet has few teeth, it is better to give food ground or cut into small pieces. Particular attention is paid to the balance of the feed and the presence of a sufficient amount of vitamins A, D, E, calcium and phosphorus. Choose the right feeding regimen. You can also give a special food for decorative dogs with supplementary food from natural food. If you prefer to feed your pet with ready-made food, then, of course, in this case it is worth using high-quality holistics or at least super premium food.

In general, the breed is distinguished by endurance and good health, and yet to some diseases note a special predisposition. Very often, Chinese dogs suffer from allergies. Bitches have difficult births. There are joint problems and keratoconjunctivitis. Hairless dogs are prone to acne and sunburn in the summer.

Also, the owner should take into account that the gene responsible for hairlessness is associated with a gene that is responsible for the quality of the teeth, that is, the less wool the dog has, the worse its teeth. In hairless dogs, incomplete dentition or loss of teeth is noted from an early age. Often they suffer from caries and stomatitis. The life expectancy of Chinese crested is up to 12 years.

Allergenicity

Unfortunately, even naked dogs can trigger allergies. Such a reaction can be caused by secretions from the skin glands or particles of animal saliva.

Chinese crested dog puppies - features of choice

Choosing a puppy is a complex and responsible procedure that requires careful preparation:

• leaf through the catalogs;
• visit exhibitions;
• meet breeders.

Well, if among your acquaintances there is an experienced expert. When gathering for a Chinese Crested Dog puppy, take a specialist with you. When choosing a nursery, read reviews about it. Visit the kennel before buying, see in what conditions the dogs are kept.

Decide in advance who you will take a boy or a girl, which subspecies of the breed suits you best: horse, naked or powder puff. If you are not a fan of grooming, then it is better to take a hairless dog. The powder pouf will require some attention to its fur.

It is worth knowing that the skin color of the Chinese Crested Dog can change with age. Black puppies in more adulthood become bluish or bronze. Also, all three varieties of the breed may change the color of the coat. Usually, the final color can be determined by the roots of the hair in a pet that has reached the age of three months.

In general, the Chinese Crested can be called an unpredictable dog. Even an experienced dog breeder will not be able to say with 100% certainty what the final color of the skin, hairline of the animal and its height will be. But, if you get to know the baby's parents, you can at least get a preliminary forecast.

Most representatives of the breed are characterized by an ideal psyche without the slightest hint of aggressive behavior. But to ignore the nature of the puppy is still not worth it. Experienced dog breeders recommend focusing on energetic, sociable puppies who feel confident. If you intend to build a show career for the Chinese Crested, get a bigger pet. The size adds to the dog looseness and self-confidence.

A good puppy is a strong, well-balanced dog with a straight back, expressive angulations of the limbs and a scissor bite. The downy and hairless varieties of Chinese crested ears stand up differently and even at different times. This point is influenced by various factors, such as the size of the ears and the amount of hair on them.

Clothing for Chinese Crested Dog

A hairless dog cannot even be called a short-haired dog, so a pet, like no other, needs comfortable and warm clothes. In winter, it can be a jumpsuit on a synthetic winterizer. During the summer heat, you can buy a T-shirt as clothing for a Chinese crested dog that protects your pet's skin from exposure to sunlight and insect bites. Although the range of clothes for dogs is quite large, so you are unlikely to limit yourself to buying two things. And among other things, in specialized ateliers, clothes for dogs can be sewn to order:

• jumpsuit for all seasons;
• raincoat for cloudy days;
• pajamas for cold nights.

In general, there is a choice. Only when buying clothes for a Chinese Crested Dog, do not think only about the external gloss. First of all, the animal should be comfortable.

Features of mating Chinese Crested Dog

We decided to breed Chinese crested - it's good. The first thing you need is to find like-minded people. As a rule, this is a specialized club. The club will tell you about the features of mating with Chinese Crested, help you choose the right pair for your dog.

So, what the future breeder needs to know:

1. If you knit two powder puffs, each puppy in the litter will be wool. There are exceptions, but, as a rule, these are non-viable individuals.
2. If you knit a powder puff and a nude, variations are possible in the litter. For example, out of four puppies, two will be powder puffs, one will be naked and one will be a pony. Other options are also possible.
3. If you knit a pony and a naked one, then you can also expect to get a wide variety of options. For example, two ponies, one naked and one powder puff. Here, much depends on who the ancestors of the Chinese crested were.
4. If you knit two naked dogs, then most likely there will be only naked dogs in the litter. It is worth knowing that experienced dog breeders do not recommend such mating, as puppies can be born with pathologies.

Photos

Pictures of Chinese Crested Dog:

Story

It is impossible to determine exactly when and how the Chinese crested dog appeared - its ancient history is so intertwined with ancient legends and legends. It is quite possible that the breed did not originate in China at all, but originated from hairless dogs of Mexico, Africa, Turkey or India and was brought from there.

Such crested dogs were sacred animals of the North American Toltec tribe. As a result of archaeological excavations in the Yucatan Peninsula, some of the first evidence of the existence of hairless dogs was found. Probably, these were the progenitors of modern naked crested, in the litters of which there are also individuals covered with wool - Chinese crested downy or powder puffs.

This breed was brought to Europe by merchants only in the 15th century.

Creamy Chinese Crested Puff (pictured - Abigayle Cross De Britz, breeder Natalya Kiseleva, Moscow).

Appearance

The Chinese Crested Downy is a small graceful dog of a slightly stretched format, 23 - 35 cm high. Unlike the naked Chinese, the entire body of the Powderpuff is covered with long flowing hair.

The colors are so varied that they range from blue to dark red, including spotted in various shades. The most common colors are white, cream, pale gold and black and white.

The hair should be soft, without signs of curliness. The coat of a tufted puff is not prone to seasonal molting, except for the period of change from puppy down to adult coat.

In the photo - white female Laima Nubiru Zend (Nizhny Novgorod, breeder - Elena Nikiforova).

The puff head is slightly rounded, elongated, with a dry muzzle, tapering towards the nose, but not pointed. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is poorly marked and divides the head in half when viewed from above. It is also the point from which the crest begins. Wool is cut in the shape of an inverted V.

The nose is well developed and can be of any color. The eyes are so dark that they look black, the whites are almost invisible. The outline can be black or brown. The low-set ears are often fringed. They can be upright, but more often hang. Both options are standard. Incomplete teeth for puffs are considered a vice.

The movements of a properly built dog are smooth and confident.

The Chinese Crested Down has an elegance and lightness that makes it look like a miniature Afghan Hound.

There are two types of breed that differ in physique - light deer and medium, the so-called type of horse, which is characterized by a denser skeleton.

Care and grooming

Pledge of neat appearance long airy wool puff - conscientious care for her. Particularly painstaking work requires the maintenance of exhibition Chinese downy.

To take care of the appearance of your pet, you will need the following tools:

Among the cosmetic care products, there must certainly be a special shampoo for this type of wool, conditioner, a moisturizing spray to protect the hair during blow-drying, styling products and increase the volume of wool.

In addition to exhibition grooming, there is daily care for the powder puff. It provides for bathing once every two weeks, cutting hair between the pads of the paws and anus, and regular trimming of the muzzle.

The powder puff is not subject to seasonal molting, so special attention should be paid to daily combing, which will gradually rid it of dead hairs.

A pet that does not attend exhibitions can be cut short, thus avoiding the hassle of caring for long hair.

An excellent video in which a neglected Chinese Crested in the hands of a good groomer is transformed into a neat baby:

In the course of work, she talks in detail about the nuances of the haircut.

Character features

According to the reviews of the owners, Chinese crested ones are distinguished by a friendly and sociable disposition, sometimes even too sociable: they are ready to follow the owner with their tail all day, which not everyone will like. Left alone, they can express fear of loneliness with howls and whines, or play pranks out of boredom.

To prevent such behavior, the main thing is that from puppyhood it is necessary to teach the dog that its opinion is important ... but only after the wishes of the rest of the family members, including the smallest children, are taken into account.

But at the same time, the owners note that their dogs have the most tender and loving heart - so unmistakably they guess the bad mood of a person and come to console him. Probably, thanks to this feature, crested pets are credited with the supernatural gift of healing - after all, as you know, most diseases have psychological roots.

Due to their quick wit, powder puffs are easy to train. They easily comprehend not only the intricacies of good behavior in everyday life, but can also surprise others with entertaining tricks learned in passing while playing with the owner.

Despite the good nature, these pets treat strangers with distrust.

Education and training

The small size allows you to teach your pet to walk on a tray or a diaper, but you should not abuse it. Firstly, not every dog, even the smallest one, easily gets used to the litter box, and it can end up with daily wiping puddles all over the house. Secondly, dogs of this breed are energetic by nature, and they need active games on fresh air, especially since their magnificent outfit allows for long walks even in cold weather.

Puffs are extremely easy to lift and easy to train, so it is not uncommon for them to participate in agility and dog frisbee competitions. Obedience courses, such as OKD or "Dog in the City", are also within the reach of these smart little ones.

Chinese crested down in the family

Mobile and playful, not prone to aggression, powder puffs become excellent companions for families with children and for those who lead an active lifestyle. They easily endure transport trips, love travel and outdoor recreation, prefer a noisy company to loneliness.

Such a pet is perfect for keeping in a small apartment, but in country house will also feel good.

Friendly and non-confrontational, he will not cause trouble to a family where there are other pets.

Diseases of the breed

Hereditary diseases of the Chinese crested down can be divided into several categories depending on which organ or organ system they affect:

• eye diseases - keratoconjunctivitis, progressive retinal atrophy, primary dislocation of the lens and hereditary cataract;
• kidney disease - hyperuricosuria and, as a result, urolithiasis;
• disorders affecting nervous system- degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy;
• disorders of the musculoskeletal system - dysplasia hip joints, Perthes' disease, luxation of the patella
• all kinds of defects in the mouth: incomplete teeth, loss of teeth, stones, caries. (Read more about dental care.)

In addition to the above hereditary diseases, powder puffs, due to their extraordinary mobility and jumping ability, often get injured. Accidents are especially common among puppies who are not yet able to assess the height and correctly calculate the trajectory of the jump. The task of the owner is to prevent, if possible, the baby from jumping off the bed or chair on its own. Slippery floors also carry a certain danger, so it is advisable to cover them with a carpet.

This material is taken from a brochure."Naked Dogs" (E. Kharitonova), published based on the book BRANDS JONES "CHINESE CRESTED DOG"

(Moscow, "Aquarium", 2000)

in order to popularize the breed and does not pursue a commercial goal;

enjoy fellowship with this unusual representative of God's creation!

Introduction

Since the Chinese Crested Dog was reintroduced to the UK in 1965, interest in the breed has grown significantly. Careful breeding and increasing knowledge of hairless genetics has brought a marked improvement in the quality and strength of these highly intelligent, charming little dogs. A small group of breeders decided to engage in long-term programs to improve and preserve this ancient breed.

Fortunately, the Chinese Crested is not a profitable breed, and those who try to use it solely for the purpose of making money soon find that it does not generate income. This is a breed for those who want to be invited to the show ring and breed a unique group of animals kept in kennels. On the other hand, if you just need a pet, you will be rewarded with the affection and devotion of a wonderful and unusual dog. The Chinese Crested is an ideal companion and an excellent watchdog. Alone, these dogs are not prone to varnish *, but if there are several of them, they can howl at times.

This book was written solely under the impression of communication with the Chinese Crested. She deserves to be remembered. There are many excellent specialized books on dog breeding and training, and I do not attempt to cover these areas in as much depth. The chapters written are for both beginners and experienced dog owners who have discovered this charming breed.

Chapter first

Origin

The origin of hairless dog breeds is shrouded in myths and legends. Numerous hairless breeds are believed to have originated in Africa, hence the genus name Canis Africanus. They have survived many centuries and are found in many subtropical regions around the world. They lived in Mexico, China, Turkey, Peru, Ethiopia, Paraguay, Argentina, the Caribbean and the Philippines.

Archaeological finds have shown that small, hairless dogs have lived in Mexico for thousands of years. Skeletons and clay figurines of hairless dogs were found during the excavations of the burial places of ancient cities. During the Toltec period (900-1200 AD) they were treated with special reverence. They were considered one of the ten symbols of goodness belonging to the Kingdom of the god Quetsacoatl, the most kind. A naked dog personified love. The ancient Toltecs considered this dog's love for its owner to be the most perfect manifestation of selfless love. When the owner died, his dog was buried with him. According to legend, the spirit of the dog followed its owner, and when the owner had to stand trial and account for all his good and evil deeds, the dog would testify in his favor. The dog was the only property that could be taken to another world. Later, the Aztecs defeated the Toltecs, and the spiritual image of the dog was destroyed. Animals were eaten as sacred food at festivities. Hairless dogs were also believed to have medicinal qualities, relieving asthma and other pain and suffering. They were also used as a body warmer. No one knows when the first hairless dogs arrived in China.

African hairless dogs: Ting of Helowan and Minnie of Minchach. Thomas Fall."

They were undoubtedly bred during the Han Dynasty, and in the 16th century, Chinese merchants brought them to other countries.

Chinese Cresteds are often confused with Mexican Hairless and vice versa. In fact, there are quite a few hairless dog breeds, which include the large Xoloitzcuintle, the Inca dog, the Abyssinian Desert Dog, the Turkish Greyhound, the African Elephant Dog, and the Indian Rampur Hound. The Book of Dogs, dated to the early 1900s, also mentions hairless dogs found in Central and South America, Western India, China, the Philippines, and parts of Africa. There is another evidence of the existence of a hairless breed in the 15th century - in the drawing "Christ crucified on the cross" by the artist Gerard David, a small hairless dog with an excellent crest, socks and a plume on the tail is clearly visible.

Information about the exact origin of the Mexican Hairless and Large Xoloitzcuintle, as well as the Chinese Crested, has been lost for centuries. They are said to have accompanied the Indians on their migration from Asia to Alaska via the Bering Strait. They are mentioned in all pre-Columbian stories, engravings and legends.

A small statue of a woman hugging a Xoloitzcuintle has been discovered by archaeologists and is believed to be around 3,400 years old.

Photograph of a Chinese Crested, dated 1935

Many ceramic hairless dogs have been found in Colombian territory in Western Mexico, which is many hundreds of miles away from Aztec territory. This is evidence that hairless dogs were widespread. Traveler Francisco Hernandez, who lived in Mexico in 1500, was the first to describe the dogs of this country. He described the Mexican naked as rather large animals, about 90 cm long, with a bluish-grayish skin color and no hair. At night, the dogs were wrapped in clothes to protect them from the cold. If all of these historical descriptions are correct, then the Mexican Hairless is one of the oldest, unaltered breeds in America.

Chapter Two

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested has a long history dating back to ancient times, and judging by the fact that all more people happy to have these open, charming and smart little dogs, the future of the breed is now secure. A hairless dog is warm to the touch, its skin is soft and smooth. It has no smell and is very clean. If you need to wash it, it only takes a few minutes. The woolly form of the dog does not have a strong, seasonal molt, except for the period when it replaces the puppy coat. At that time, the dog needs careful daily care. Hutchinson's Encyclopedia of Dogs describes hairless dogs as belonging to the Greyhound group. Everyone who lives with a Chinese Crested will agree that it is extremely similar to the hound in character and exterior, distrustful and aloof in communication with strangers. It is a great pleasure to watch a group of dogs running across the field - because of the developing tufts and plumes, they look like small Arabian horses. They are well adapted to run and chase rabbits and squirrels, so they were used to hunt small game. If one dog howls, others will howl in unison.

In 1969, the Chinese Hairless Dog Club was founded. The first exhibition of the Club took place on September 28, 1974.

This show provided a class for powder puffs, although many breeders disliked them. Attempts have been made to stop their breeding by culling them from all breeding programs. These animals were thought to be a degenerate or even crossbreed, and were given away as pets or, worse, destroyed. The family lost in those years is irreplaceable. Mrs. Iris Phillips campaigned vigorously for the recognition of the Powder Poof as a variety in its own right, and gradually the Powder Poof gained a large following as people became aware of its importance to the breed. At the time, this was an extreme disappointment for the powder puff people. There was no mention of them in the Provisional Standard, although they were fully registered by the Kennel Club. The judge had no choice but to inspect the dogs and then dismiss them from the ring before placing.

Eventually, in July 1981, at a separate general meeting, the members of the Chinese Crested Dog Club decided to recognize the Powder Poof as a separate variety. The meeting, chaired by Wing Commander Ele, was held at the Kennel Club in November of that year and was attended by geneticist Dr. Willis. At that historical moment, the breed was recognized with two separate varieties within it without being split into two separate breeds. It was also determined that both types should be exhibited together.

Unfortunately, there are still two pros and cons to powder puffs, but the breed has now found a balance, and as it gains more recognition, it is able to maintain its dignity in the ring.

In January 1988, the second breed club was approved by the Kennel Club. The Chinese Crested Dog Club in the UK was formed to recognize both varieties and to try to get rid of prejudice against the breed. His motto is simple - "together".

Chapter Three

Hairless Genetics

It is important to have some knowledge of hairless genetics in order to understand Chinese Cresteds. There are many excellent and accessible books on this fascinating subject, but my intention is to introduce the newcomer to this highly specialized field.

There are two varieties among all hairless breeds of dogs: without hair on the body - naked, and completely covered with wool - powder puffs ("puffs"). As has been discovered by previous breeders, despite multiple crossbreeds of naked animals among themselves, powder puffs will still appear. This is because hairlessness in dogs is a dominant trait, not a recessive trait as with most mutations. Because of this genetic makeup, the two species are inseparable. This fact must be recognized. In 1930, Letard investigated the phenomenon of hairlessness, for which we should all be grateful to him. He found that when two hairless dogs are crossed, their homozygous hairless offspring have such excessive deviations (for example, the absence of ear canals or malformations of the oral cavity) that the resulting puppies are not viable and most often die. Each Chinese hairless dog carries a dominant hairless gene (Hr - hair located only in the head, paws and tail) and a normal coat gene (hr). This combination is said to be heterozygous. The trait (Hr) is dominant over the recessive (hr) trait, hence hairlessness is designated as (Hr hr).

The gene that ensures the absence of wool is an incomplete lethal dominant. Therefore, a puppy inheriting a double combination (Hg Hg) will die in the uterus or shortly after birth due to pathologies. This combination is said to be homozygous.

A puppy that inherits a double combination of the hairy gene (hr hr) will be a homozygous powder poof carrying no hairless gene at all. This is not a lethal combination. Therefore, the Chinese Crested can be hairless (Hr hr) or woolly - powder puff (hr hr). A homozygous puppy carrying only the hairless gene (Ng Ng) does not survive.

Both forms carry the coat gene. Therefore, Powder Poof cannot be excluded from breeding. In order to calculate the result of crosses, it is necessary to have data from many litters, and since the number of puppies in a litter can vary from one to eight, many people would have to be involved in this. If you have already collected data for several years, the ratios given will be approximately correct. One factor from each parent is passed on to each pup. Crossing two Chinese Cresteds in the hairless form (Hr hr) x (Hr hr) is expected to result in two hairless and one powder puff, in a ratio of 2:1.

Crossing a hairless variety with a powder puff (Hr hr) x (hr hr) is expected to result in an equal number of hairless and woolly puppies, in a 1:1 ratio.

The result of mating a powder puff to a powder puff (hr hr) x (hr hr) is a powder puff litter.

Note that these puppies will not carry hairless genes at all.

In individual litters, nature does not always match these exact calculations. Sometimes crossing a hairless variety with a hairless or hairless variety with a powder puff results in a completely hairless or woolly litter. The attraction of this breed is that you will always be intrigued and puzzled.

Variety in manifestations

A further difficulty in understanding the breed is the difference in the number of areas of hairlessness that appears in individual dogs. A dominant mutation can provide a significant change in the mutant gene. In the case of the Chinese Crested, this is the difference in the number and distribution of hairless areas, which can vary. Genetically, hairless dogs can have a different number of hairs on the body in the form of a "tuft *," socks "and" plume ". Therefore, the distribution of areas of hairlessness that puppies will inherit is highly unpredictable. The number of hairs in the "tuft", "socks" and "plume" can be from rare to dense. In other animals, hair appears on the body where it should not be, and this becomes a real "headache" for breeders.

This variability is, unfortunately, a feature of the incomplete dominant lethal mutation. The spread of unwanted hairiness can range from a small, moderate amount of hair to large patches of hair. This may be in the form of a comb of hair from the base of the neck to the tail. Hair can grow in the area of ​​​​the limbs above the metacarpal and hock joints or in the thigh area. In the region of the extremities, there can sometimes be so much wool that it takes on the appearance of "knickers". At one extreme there may be a fine covering all over the body; the other is such hairlessness, in which the dog actually has neither a “tuft”, nor “socks”, nor a “plume”. Although these extremes are considered a vice in the show, even after rigorous selection in a breeding program, an extremely woolly, hairless, or completely hairless animal can be unexpectedly born from time to time.

These cases should be considered more as a matter of dominant mutation requiring discussion than as major malformations. The standard allows extreme hairlessness (although it does not prefer it), but not excessive hairiness. Extremely woolly Hairless can almost look like having a small amount of six powder puffs. They even belonged to the semi-woolly, which complicates the situation for a beginner to study the breed.

To check whether such a dog is genetically hairless or a powder poof, just look into its mouth. If the dog is genetically hairless, the fangs will point forward; if it is a powder pouf, it will have a normal arrangement of teeth.

Some people register hairless puppies born from crossing a powder puff with a powder puff, although such a birth is impossible; the most likely is that one of the parents was a very woolly dog, the other a hairless dog. And no matter how many hairs such dogs have, they will still carry a shade of hairlessness. It is sometimes believed that breeding with powder puffs can increase the distribution of unwanted body hairs in the hairless variety. Because powder puffs do not carry the hairless gene, they cannot affect the amount or absence of hair in a hairless dog. Therefore, it is necessary to accept this change as a natural phenomenon; breeders should be more selective and continue breeding. It is obvious that there is still a lot of uncertainty on this issue. Perhaps one day someone will do more research on hairless dogs and unlock all the secrets.

Chapter Four

Position of the teeth

The position of the Chinese Crested's teeth has always been the subject of lively debate, and every excuse has been devised to justify the hairless dog's badly maintained teeth. Questions such as "hairless dogs should be missing teeth", "their oral cavity is prehistoric" and even that "by eighteen months the dog will not have teeth" were discussed. When I first started with the breed, I was advised not to worry about the Crested mouth. However, I had been breeding smooth fox terriers for the previous ten years and was not ready to accept it as it was. Although the hairless dog's tooth placement is different from the normal tooth placement of other dogs, this is not really an excuse for under-grooming. Most breeds need some improvement, be it ear set, coat, limbs, or even conformation. The Chinese Crested is no exception, the mouth can be improved, and has been improved by careful selection.The position of the teeth is influenced by the hairless gene.In his theory of evolution, Charles Darwin argued that in most animals, teeth or horns have something to do with the presence or absence of hair For example, both pigs and elephants have fangs that point forward.

Powder puffs do not carry hairless genes and therefore have normal dentition, like all dogs. They have six incisors in front of the upper and lower jaws. The fangs are strong and slightly curved. The canines are followed by four premolars and two molars, which are located on both the upper and lower jaws. This amounts to forty-two teeth in a tight scissor bite. The hairless dog's tooth arrangement differs from that of the Powder Puff, but unfortunately the new breed standard does not mention this very important phenomenon at all. The teeth of the hairless variety differ in shape from those of the normal bite. Their fangs are conical and directed forward; they look like tusks. This is a feature that applies to both good and bad bite of the bare dog.

The shape of the incisors can vary greatly. Some look like small "pegs" protruding from the gums. Others are almost normal. Sometimes a complete set of narrow "pegs" can look like they were placed quite by accident. The number of teeth may vary. In the worst case, many may be absent, never appearing at all.

Sometimes it happens that milk teeth, which looked promising, are not replaced by permanent ones; and in places where dairy was absent, permanent ones appear! Existing teeth may not hold well in the gums. For example, the incisors can point forward, like tusks. They will undoubtedly fall out at an early age. The hairless variety is missing premolars - one, two, and that's it. Even the “good mouth” of a hairless dog can be without first and second premolars, and this should be considered normal. Canine teeth and missing premolars are not mentioned in the standard, these features of the hairless dog's teeth are recognized as typical.

There are people who insist that dog teeth have not been examined by experts. In my opinion, this is rather ridiculous, since the only way to solve this problem is through careful, selective breeding. This has already been achieved and therefore may be the goal of breeders. If the dog has a normal head shape and a good length of the front of the muzzle, then there is enough room in his mouth for the teeth.

It takes time, patience and effort to get a good result. Features of the position of the teeth were not included in the old provisional standard, nor are they included in the new American standard. The original American standard stated that missing teeth should not be the deciding factor in breed evaluation. In a later edition, this statement was corrected to indicate that improvements are being made. It is believed that sometimes the inclusion of powder puffs in a breeding program will improve the position of the teeth, because their mouth cavity is not affected by the mutation, since they do not carry the gene for hairlessness. But before using a powder puff in a breeding program, if possible, check its hairless siblings. Not all powder puffs are flawless specimens; some of them do not have a regular, scissor bite. Powder puffs should not be thought of as magicians who can cure all imperfections - the rules of all dogs involved in breeding apply here. Pay attention to overbite and underbite, as well as missing teeth.

A dental alignment improvement program can only be considered successfully completed when all incisors are evenly placed on the jaws. One or two premolars may be missing. The fangs will still remain pointed forward, but the quality of the teeth will improve and they will not fall out by eighteen months. It should be noted that, despite all these efforts, good teeth in an animal will not last as long as in representatives of other breeds. By the age of five, they will fall out, but it will still be a huge improvement.

Chapter Five

british breed standard

British Standard Chinese Crested

GENERAL FORM. This is a small, active and graceful dog with a moderately light bone structure, a smooth, hairless body, hair is present only in the head, tail and limbs. Or there are soft veil-like hair.

CHARACTERISTICS. There are two varieties of this breed: the deer type, agile, with light bones, and the stocky type, with a heavier body and bones.

TEMPERAMENT. Cheerful, harmless.

HEAD AND SKULL. The head is elongated, with a slightly rounded skull. The cheekbones are even, chiseled, narrow and flat, tapering into the muzzle. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is pronounced, but not too much. The head is even, without excess wrinkles. The distance from the base of the skull to the transition is equal to the distance from the transition to the tip of the nose. The muzzle is slightly narrowed, but not pointed, dry, without pendulous lips. The nose protrudes and tapers in proportion to the muzzle. Any nose color is acceptable.

The head has a graceful appearance, with a wary expression of the eyes. Lips dry and thin. Ideally, when the tuft, starting from the transition area, tapers down towards the neck. The crest itself can fall and be of any length; a long and flowing tuft is preferred, but a sparse tuft is acceptable.

EYES. So dark that they give the impression of being black; medium size; widely set; whites should not be visible or very little visible.

EARS. Set low: The highest point of the base of the ear is level with the outer corner of the eye. Large and set upright with or without fringe around the edge of the ear, except in powder puffs, where hanging ears are allowed.

ORAL CAVITY. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular scissor bite, with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set squarely on the jaws.

NECK. Dry, without folds in the neck, long and flowing gracefully into strong shoulders. When moving, it is carried high and slightly curved.

FORWARD BODY. The shoulders are even, narrow and fully laid back. The limbs are long and slender, well placed under the body. The elbows are pressed close to the body. The pasterns are thin, strong, almost vertical. The fingers should not be turned either in or out.

BODY. From medium to long. Flexible. The chest is fairly broad and deep, but neither barrel-shaped nor prominently ribbed. The sternum does not protrude. The chest reaches to the elbows; the abdomen is moderately tucked up.

BACK OF THE BODY. The thighs are rounded and well muscled, the loins are elastic, the stifle joint is thin and long, smoothly turning into a low hock joint. The angle of articulation of the joints of the hind limb should be such that the back is level. The hind limbs are set wide apart.

PAWS. Pronounced "hare" feet, narrow and very long, with such a special elongation of small bones between the joints, especially on the front legs, that it gives the impression of an additional joint. The nails are moderately long and can be of any color. "Socks" ideally cover the toes of the paw, but do not rise above the metacarpus. Feet turned neither in nor out.

TAIL. It is carried high, while moving it is kept raised or the end of the tail is slightly, smoothly sickle-shaped. Long and tapering, fairly straight, not curled or curled to either side, falling naturally when at rest. The plume is long and falling, within the lower 2/3 of the tail. A rare plume is acceptable.

MOVEMENTS. Loose, flowing and graceful, with good reach and very energetic.

WOOL COVER. No large patches of hair on any area of ​​the body. The skin is very soft, smooth, warm to the touch. The coat of powder puffs consists of an undercoat with soft long hair; a characteristic feature is the veil-like coat.

DIMENSIONS. The ideal height for males is 28-33 cm at the withers, for females 23-30 cm at the withers. Weight varies considerably, but should not exceed 5 kg.

FAULTS. Any deviation from the above exterior should be considered as faults; the severity of the deficiency depends on the degree of its severity.

NOTE. Males should have two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

I believe that in the above breed standard in some cases there is not a sufficiently detailed description, and in some cases there are serious omissions. Therefore, I would go into more detail on these issues, and since the British Standard underlies the assessment of each breed, it is important that the most accurate and correct picture would be presented here.

Characteristic

According to the definition of the British Breed Standard, there are two types of Chinese Crested: the deer type, which is agile and light-boned, and the stocky type, which is heavier in weight and bone. The standard does not describe them separately. In fact, they are very different in appearance. Many areas of the body, such as the eyes, skull, bones, chest, are "more rounded" in the stocky type and have shorter limbs. It is certainly not a graceful dog and therefore is against the standard. In fact, very few animals of the true deer or stocky type are found in exhibitions today. The type currently exhibited is a combination of both.

Temperament

According to the standard, the Chinese Crested should not. be angry or aggressive. However, it can be wary in the presence of strangers and is quite aloof in behavior, which is a characteristic of some hounds. This should not be confused with timidity or aggressiveness. Most calm and balanced dogs can back away from an examiner leaning towards them, and this feature is not uncommon in toy dogs.

Head and skull

A rare "tuft" is set to acceptable. Many experts prefer not a well-built dog with a sparse tuft, but a dog with plenty of hair, even if it lacks elegance and strong bones. Animals with rare "tufts" usually have softer and smoother skin. They should not be penalized for this feature alone. "

Eyes

The standard does not give any indication as to the shape of the eye. In animals of the stocky type, the eyes tend to be rounded; in the deer type, they are almond-shaped. The American Standard, which underlies the British Standard, provides for almond-shaped eyes, which are typical of most animals in the breed. The rounded shape of the eyes in the deer type gives the dog a very "atypical" expression.

Ears

The standard clearly states that the ears of powder poufs can be droopy, and indeed most powder poufs have drooping ears. Some would like to stipulate in the standards that only erect ears would be recognized in both varieties, but these are rare in Powder Poufs. A powder puff with floppy ears will have a bare litter with strong, erect ears, and trimming the edge of the ear will not increase the number of naturally erect ears in the litter.

Oral cavity

The main omission is the lack of a description of the differences between the oral cavity of the hairless variety and the oral cavity of the powder puff. There is no mention of the shape of the teeth, forward-facing canine teeth, or missing premolars in the hairless variant. The basic requirements of the standard for strong jaws with excellent regular scissor bite can be accepted, but the unique differences should also be accepted and mentioned. Judges often downvote hairless dogs because they are unsure of how the dogs should look.

Skeleton of a Chinese Crested showing balanced head, flat (no wrinkle) throat, erect ears, arched neck, properly abducted shoulder, straight topline, properly dropped hocks, pronounced hare feet

Front of the body

The standard requires a properly abducted shoulder, but there is no mention of the length and angle of articulation of the upper forelimb. In order to achieve the desired length and smooth movement, the upper part of the forelimb must be practically the same length as the shoulder blade, and both must form a 90° angle. According to the standard, the toes should neither turn in nor out, but this requirement is often overlooked in breed evaluation.

Body

The standard calls for a medium or long body, but this does not mean that the dog must have short limbs. The limbs should be long and slender, creating a harmonious movement. Neither the short-backed terrier type nor the dachshund type is desirable.

Back of the body

The requirement for a wide stance of the hindquarters is constantly questioned. The new American Standard has amended the requirement that the hocks should be set wide apart for better acceptance. But most world show winners of finely built Chinese Cresteds do not meet these requirements. Many of them have hind limbs with vertical hocks when standing. Unfortunately, both standards do not pay enough attention to the hocks.

Paws

The description of the paw of the Chinese crested is very good, except for the definition when "toes cover the toes." If a rich tuft is preferred, the animal will naturally have more hair on its paws anyway. In a soft-haired crested dog, the hair covers only the toes.

Movement

Slow, fluid movement cannot be carried out successfully without proper angulation of the fore and hind quarters. A weak, tucked-up hindquarters cannot provide good propulsion, and erratic, stiff movement often occurs due to the short, steep upper limb and sheer shoulder. Smooth movement cannot be carried out without a certain straightening of the limb.

coat

Due to the variable manifestation of the hairless gene, it is almost impossible to eliminate sparse hair in the crested. Selective selection can help, but it's a feature we have to put up with. The coat of the powder puff is a cause for confusion. The standard calls for an undercoat with soft, long, veil-like hair. Only in recent years has the powder pouffe been given due attention, so we are only now seeing the beauty of the coat. The length of the coat will change as follows: if hairless dogs in the pedigree have long tufts, then the coat of woolly ones will be long; if they have rare tufts, then the coat will be thinner and shorter. The coat consists of long, soft hairs and coarser, protective hairs. While the dog is young, this hair is short and resembles an undercoat, but by eighteen months it will become longer and create a so-called veil. Actually this is not a good description and causes a lot of confusion for judges and breeders. In a well-groomed dog, the guard hairs are mixed with the main coat and are only visible when they are darker in color, which, by the way, creates a very attractive appearance for the animal.

Corresponds to the standard and extremely woolly hairless dog. This is a type of coat: sometimes found shorter and rather harsh. The ears are also smaller than usual and set upright. This is probably the result of mixed ancestry, the opposite direction in the development of the breed.

Color

The Chinese Crested has an attractive variety of hues ranging from blue to brownish red (chestnut). The darkest "blue" color can be almost black, fading to lighter shades of steel blue, ivory gray and lilac (pale blue/grey). Brownish-red shades can be rich, brightening to honey. These solid colors often fade in areas of pink, unpigmented skin such as the chest, abdomen, and extremities. This gives a mottled effect known as "patterned" which is very attractive. The colors of the spotted variants can be any of the above honey agarics with a pink background.

Density and saturation of color change seasonally. Chinese Cresteds love to sunbathe, and their skin color reaches rich colors in summer. During the winter, or when the skin is not exposed to sunlight, the pigment fades. It's amazing how quickly the color comes back after the winter.

The coat color of the powder puff is predominantly pale gold, brightening to cream and white. Sometimes there is a black and white color (with white in the chest area, "socks" and at the tip of the tail). Some puppies are born black and white, but it usually turns cream or white at maturity, leaving some of this color on the edges of the ears. The sable effect occurs in the presence of darker growing guard hairs after the full formation of the coat. The overall good appearance of the Chinese Crested is enhanced if the dog has good pigmentation around the nose and around the eyes, although this is not a requirement of the standard.

Dimensions

Height and weight vary considerably. This may be the result of improved rearing, although previously imported animals were a mixture of large and small dogs. Fawn and stocky types of the same height will vary greatly in weight. The stocky type*, 33 cm high, would be within the standard height limits, but this is of course already an overweight animal. An experienced judge will evaluate the dog in general and will penalize if there is any roughness in the structure.

Chapter Six

Chinese Crested in America

Only at the end of the 19th century, Chinese crested cats began to be exhibited at exhibitions. In the literature of that time, there are estimates of both varieties of the breed. The hairless uniform and powder puff were exhibited at one of the earliest dog shows in America, the fourth annual Westminster show. According to an 1885 show catalog, two crested dogs were exhibited in the mixed class at the ninth annual New York Benched Show. Then crested bred and exhibited only a few connoisseurs.

In the summer of 1990, a new breed standard was proposed to all members of the Chinese Crested Club of America. Members of the club had to approve it before the American Kennel Club officially recognizes the breed. As with the previous standard, the new standard provides a much more detailed description of the Chinese Crested than the British version. But, unfortunately, the previous excellent description of the hairless dog mouth is not included. The absence of teeth in the hairless variety is still permitted. It is still required to set the ears vertically in powder poufs, even though this is not done in most cases. Note that a stilted or shackled gait is considered a fault, which is an unfortunate omission from the English Standard. The combination of both standards gives an excellent, complete description of the Chinese Crested.

New American Breed Standard

I. GENERAL VIEW.

This is a miniature dog with light bones, elegant and graceful. Different types of dogs are born in the same litter: a hairless variety with hair only in the head area, on the tail and limbs, and a powder puff, completely covered with hair. A dog of this breed is a devoted companion, playful and funny.

P. DIMENSIONS, PROPORTION AND TYPE OF CONSTITUTION

DIMENSIONS. The ideal size is from 28 to 33 cm. Small deviations in one direction or another are allowed.

PROPORTION. Rectangular physique - proportional, providing freedom of movement. The distance from the withers to the base of the tail is slightly greater than the height at the withers.

TYPE OF CONSTITUTION. The skeleton is light and graceful, but not so thin as to appear fragile, or, on the contrary, not rough and heavy in structure.

III. HEAD

EXPRESSION. The look is alert and alive.

EYES. Almond shaped, set wide apart. Dark colored dogs should have dark eyes, light colored dogs may have light eyes. The color of the periorbital region corresponds to the color of the dog.

EARS. Undocked - large and erect, set so that the base of the ear is level with the outer corner of the eye.

SCULL. The skull is moderately rounded at the occiput from ear to ear. The distance from the occiput to the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is equal to the distance from the transition to the tip of the nose. When viewed from above and from the side, the head is wedge-shaped.

TRANSITION FROM FOREHEAD TO Muzzle. Small but clear.

MUZZLE. Cheekbones are even and flat.

NOSE. Dark in dark colored dogs; may be lighter in light colored dogs. The pigmentation is complete.

LIPS. Lips even and tightly fitting jaws (dry).

BITE Scissor or pincer in two varieties. The absence of teeth in a powder pouf should be considered a defect. A dog of the hairless variety should not be penalized for missing teeth.

IV. NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY

NECK. The neck is dry and level, slightly arching from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high.

TOPLINE. Straight, slightly sloping towards the croup.

FRAME. The chest reaches to the elbows. The sternum does not protrude. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest decreases to moderately narrow at the sides. The loin is lightened.

TAIL. The tail is thin and, tapering, forms a bend. Fairly long, reaching to the level of the hock. When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried perky and may be carried slightly above the line of the back. At rest, the tail falls down, forming a small sickle-like bend at the end. In the hairless variety, two-thirds of the tip of the tail is covered with long, flowing hair resembling a plume. The tail of the powder puff is completely covered with hair.

V. FOREQUARTERS

CORNER. The shoulder blade forms a 45° angle with a horizontal line passing through the center of the shoulder joint, which ensures good reach.

SHOULDERS. Flat and narrow.

ELBOWS. Attached to the body.

LIMB. Long, slender and straight.

PASTE. Vertical, thin and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

PAWS. Paws "hare", narrow with elongated fingers. Nails trimmed to moderate length.

VI. BACK OF THE BODY

ANGLE OF ARTICLE. The angle of the knee joints is moderately pronounced. A perpendicular is formed from the hock joint to the ground (i.e., the vertical position of the limbs). Dewclaws may be removed.

PAWS. Same as for the forelimbs.

VII. COAT

In the hairless variety, the hair is located on some parts of the body: in the head area (called the "tuft"), on the tail (called the "plume") and on the limbs: the front ones - from the toes to the metacarpus and on the hind legs - from the fingers to the hock ( called "socks"). All wool is soft and silky to the touch, falling to any length. The location of the coat is not as important as the type in general. Areas where there is hair usually fade away gradually. In all areas where it is absent, the skin is soft and smooth.

"Crest" IN THE AREA OF THE HEAD. It starts at the transition from the forehead to the muzzle and narrows caudally between the base of the skull and the dorsal surface of the neck. Hair on the ears and muzzle is allowed in the hairless variety, and may be trimmed for neatness in both forms.

"PLUMAGE" ON THE TAIL. Described in section IV. TAIL.

The woolly form of the powder puff dog has a soft and silky coat that covers the entire surface of the body. Closer examination reveals long, thin guard hairs set over a short, silky undercoat. Her coat is straight, of moderate density and length. An excessively dense, curly or wavy coat should be penalized. Grooming is minimal - the coat of the animal must be clean and tidy.

VIII. COLOR

Any solid color or combination of colors.

IX. MOVEMENTS

Quick, agile and fluid, there should be no stilted or stiff gait. At the trot, the movement is straight.

X. TEMPERAMENT

Mobile and alert.

The new American Breed Standard is a good basis for breed evaluation. However, there are several areas that the new standard does not cover in sufficient detail and it is therefore important to return to the original standard.

Chapter Seven

Breeding

You should always seriously think before you start getting offspring. Anyone who decides to breed Chinese Cresteds should recognize both varieties. Trying to breed only one form of dog will certainly be detrimental to the breed. Own dog breeding is a delightful hobby that takes up both your time and money - and time you will especially have to sacrifice. Breeders are the custodians of their chosen breed for several years. Their duty is to pass on to future generations an improved breed, but not changed. The goal is not to pander to the whims and tastes of the exhibition judges.

The first and most important step is to get as good a bitch as you can afford. Then you have to be patient, there is no perfect specimen in the breed, but its faults should be neither too severe nor too numerous. Breeding is, in general, the process of creating healthy puppies that meet the standard, and the quality of the breed should improve from generation to generation. If you make a mistake when purchasing your first dog, have the courage to start again, for the sake of the breed.

When it comes time to select a stud dog, always use a sire who excels the bitch in what she loses. For example, if she is too large, do not pick up a small dog. Find a good dog of the ideal size. Don't forget the importance of temperament - it should be at the top of your list of benefits. It would be nice to consult with the people who bred your bitch; they know her pedigree and they probably have a suitable male. The ideal way to improve a lineage is to stay within an already proven bloodline. Remember that a pedigree is just a piece of paper with nicknames. It only becomes valuable when it is used as a basis for discovering the faults and advantages of the dogs in that particular line. It takes time and patience, but you will be rewarded. If you decide to do non-

related breeding (outbreeding), you should study this more carefully. Try to see the maximum number of different puppies from the selected male and females mated to him. Do not use the first dog that captures your imagination or lives near your home.

I am a strong supporter of line breeding and thorough inbreeding (breeding) of dogs with a good pedigree. If you use good dogs, then you will succeed. If, through a carefully planned breeding program, you produce a group of healthy animals of the correct type, it will give you great pleasure. Random crossbreeding of dogs rarely produces good results. You should also have a realistic idea of ​​the time it will take to achieve these goals. A high-class stud dog cannot do a miracle and correct all the shortcomings of your bitch in the first litter. And if you've done your research wrong, it might even amplify some of its vices.

Now for the choice that causes so much controversy in this unique breed. Do you cross a hairless dog to a hairless bitch, a hairy dog ​​to a hairless bitch, a hairless dog to a hairless bitch, or a hairy dog ​​to a hairy bitch? Some breeders will only cross a hairless male to a hairless female as they are totally against the use of powder puffs. This is their choice. Others prefer to use powder puffs from time to time, which is what we resort to. There are those who use a bitch or a powder puff dog for every mating. Careful and judicious use of the powder puff will reduce the number of homozygous hairless who are destined to die.

Obviously, crossing a Powder Poof with a Powder Poof will result in a planned litter of all Powder Poofs, which would be considered a supposedly separate breed. However, the Powder Poof is not a separate breed and the question arises as to whether it is moral to try to breed only Powder Poofs. After a long campaign to recognize the benefits of the Powder Pouf for the breed, the dangers of its exploitation cannot be ruled out. Powder Puffs are extremely attractive little dogs and could easily be bred as a popular breed for the market, as other breeds have been. This has already happened to a certain extent. Crossings of two hairless animals and a hairless animal with a powder puff keep the ratio of hairless to powder puff within 2:1 and 1:1, respectively. Increasing cross-breeding of powder puffs with each other can cause dangerous instability in a breed that is small compared to other breeds.

The Powder Poof has survived despite being abandoned in the past because normal crosses always produce Powder Poofs. The hairless form of dogs could be in danger if the crossbreeding of powder puffs with each other got out of hand. It is to be hoped that this will not happen, but this issue needs to be discussed and breeders should be aware of the danger.

If you have chosen a stud dog that you would like to use, then agree in advance with the owner. There is nothing more annoying than a call from the owner of a bitch ready to mate without any warning. Equally important is a short written contract with a copy signed by you and the cattery owner. The question may arise whether your bitch should receive a free mating if she does not produce puppies after the first mating. You are actually paying for mating, not for guaranteeing puppies, although most breeders offer re-mating in this situation. In some cases, mating is paid for by the puppy. The contract should stipulate what gender the puppy will be taken by the owner of the male and what variety - hairless or powder puff. This may be seen as red tape, but in many cases good relationships have been broken as a result of a simple misunderstanding.

The frequency of estrus in different animals varies considerably. Some bitches come into heat every six months, others may be once every nine months. Hairless bitches often develop spots on the limbs and back, which occurs approximately three weeks before estrus. This serves as a warning. If you are planning on having offspring, you need to know exactly when the bitch goes into heat. If you are using a stud dog from your kennel, contact the owner to notify him of your possible visit. Maybe the owner of the kennel likes it when the bitch is brought in earlier so as not to miss the most suitable day for mating. In general, the twelfth to fourteenth days are ideal for mating. There are always exceptions. Some bitches are ready on the sixth day, others only on the twentieth. The perfect mating day will be the day when the bitch stops showing color, which is usually accompanied by flirting even with her girlfriends. Make sure your bitch is away from all other males during this time - one of our bitches has always started flirting with a Japanese Akita!

Chinese Cresteds have very few problems during mating. A wooly bitch with a thick coat may need trimming around the tail. Dogs after several "misses" will soon understand what is required of them - the main thing is patience and affection. Our stud dogs tend to immediately take over the dominant situation. As soon as mating has taken place and the couple is in the “castle”, most males turn on their own in such a way that they find themselves with the bitch facing each other with their tails. At this time, you should take a more comfortable position to keep them close, preventing the dogs from moving in different directions. The "Castle" can last as long as forty minutes or as little as five. When you are sure mating is complete, wipe the dog with a sponge soaked in a mild liquid antiseptic and, if possible, place the bitch in a carrier to rest. I tend to repeat - to be sure - mating in twenty-four hours, but this is not necessary. If you are using a stud male from your kennel, the owner will need to sign the club form confirming the mating date and kennel registration number.

Chapter Eight

Weaning and weaning

After successful mating, the bitch should be fed a normal diet for at least four to five weeks. There is no need to change or increase her diet or change her daily routine at all. If you allow her to gain extra weight, this will lead to problems during pregnancy. The ideal is to gradually increase the bitch's diet after the gestation period has reached approximately five weeks. By this time, her "waist" will be less noticeable and some roundness will be visible behind the ribs. At about seven weeks, you will be able to feel the puppies moving and pushing in the womb. The mammary glands in the bitch will enlarge, and in the hairless variety, a well-marked "milk line" and veins supplying this area can be found along the sides.

At this stage, the rations should be divided into two or possibly three doses, depending on the gestational age. Vitamin and mineral supplements should also be given following the manufacturer's instructions. This will prevent the development of eclampsia and help the development of bones and teeth in puppies. It is essential that the dog gets enough good nutrition.

If you are planning to have puppies in the house, you should prepare a room where the dog will not be disturbed by unnecessary "well-wishers". In fact, the Chinese Crested is not suitable as a kennel dog; communication with a person is very important to her, and she cannot stand the cold. A bitch that is in the last stages of pregnancy should not be left with other dogs. All accidents happen when the animals are playing, but she is most likely to be intolerant of them. On average, pregnancy in all breeds lasts 63 days. Chinese Cresteds tend to mate sooner rather than later. They can mate at any time from the 58th day, so you should prepare for this in advance. The bitch must get used to the birthing box, which she may not like at first. She may have many different attempts to set up a birthing site, such as in her favorite chair or even in your bed. Before she starts whelping, make sure you have the following items to help.

Clean towels.

Antiseptic solution to wash your hands.

Warmer.

Convenient box for newly born puppies.

A pair of sterile scissors with rounded ends, in case you need to cut the umbilical cord.

A cut thread to tie the umbilical cord.

Kitchen towels to grab the puppy and help him be born. Puppies can be very slippery.

Box of tissues.

I have come to the conclusion that an indoor maternity ward is a very good option for Chinese Cresteds. No additional heating is required, since with the door of the house closed, the heat from the body of the bitch will be enough. Empty D.I.Y. the box turned on its side is an excellent birthing box, especially if it is covered in plastic for easy cleaning. A slight modification to its lid, which consists in making a vent hole with a diameter of approximately 5 cm, and a hook at each end that closes on the lid, that's all you need to do. This keeps the puppies warm and humid, and they do great in their "den". Heat lamps dry out puppies and some bitches don't like the heat over their heads. Drafts are always a problem, no matter how hard you try to keep the room warm. Many people like to use electric heating pads that fit under their bedding. I have to admit that I never had the courage to try even one in case something was wrong.

I have found bedding to be the ideal option for whelping and grooming. It is warm, comfortable and easy to wash. If you place it on top of folded newspapers or old sheets, urine and other fluids will pass through. And therefore, there is no need to disturb the bitch in order to change or clean the bedding in between the birth of puppies. It is also strong enough to withstand the force of the bitch dragging or tugging on it with her teeth while preparing her birthing site. Remember to wash the bedding if it is new to remove loose fluff.

It is very important to be with the dog, no matter what time she chooses to give birth to puppies. (Most likely it will be the middle of the night!) This will give her confidence if anything goes wrong. In any case, this moment - the emergence of a new, tiny life - should never be missed.

If your bitch is a powder poof, you should cut her coat below and around the tail. "Crest" and "forelock" should be fixed so that they do not interfere. If you decide not to cut the hair, you should prepare for the extra work: care must be taken to ensure that the puppies do not get tangled in the hair. This also applies to a hairless bitch: a single long hair from the tail will be enough to wrap it like a tourniquet around the limbs of a newborn puppy. Fortunately, this is usually . the only reason to be concerned is because Chinese Cresteds are easy to mate and are very good mothers.

At the beginning of labor, the bitch becomes restless, this is often accompanied by trembling. She may still refuse to enter the birthing box, so you need to keep an eye on her the whole time. In the end, she will agree to take a generic place and begin to arrange it: dig in and pull the litter. As soon as the bitch begins to strain hard, a small, dark amniotic sac will appear. After a few more efforts, the puppy should appear. If nothing happens after an hour of exertion, it is advisable to seek the help of a veterinary surgeon, as any further delay could be disastrous. Always pay attention to the time of each new birth. If your bitch looks calm, it can take up to two hours between puppies to give birth.

Newborn puppies experience a rapid drop in body temperature, so keep the room warm and make sure to dry the puppies thoroughly with a soft, clean towel. Powder poufs should be especially thoroughly wiped down, as they obviously take longer to dry. Once the membrane of the amniotic sac is damaged, use a tissue to gently remove fluid and mucus from the puppy's nose and mouth. If the bitch is in no hurry to gnaw through the bladder shell, do it yourself. A hairless bitch may have difficulty biting the umbilical cord if she has small, widely spaced teeth.or some are missing altogether.

You must be prepared for this task. The umbilical cord can be surprisingly thick and strong. You will need sterile scissors with rounded ends. Cut the umbilical cord closer to the placenta, after squeezing it for a minute with your index and thumb. You can also tie it with thread. Many breeders don't like bitches to eat placentas because it causes diarrhea. We let the bitches eat them if they want to. There is no problem if no additional food is given except liquids for several hours. Make sure the placentas are completely expelled. If there is any doubt about this, call your veterinary surgeon. He will give the bitch an injection to help her expel the delayed placenta.

As new puppies are born, move the first ones to a small box so they don't get wet again. Most bitches won't protest this, but watch out for any signs of unhappiness. At this stage, the health of the bitch should be your main concern. In the box for born puppies, there should be a warm heating pad completely wrapped in a soft, clean towel. Lay the puppies on it and lightly cover them with a small towel. This will keep them safe and warm while the mother attends to the next pups born. If there is time between the birth of puppies, the babies from the box can be brought to the bitch.

It sometimes happens that the puppy has a lethargic and lifeless appearance after it has been released from the amniotic membrane. Don't panic. Empty his nose and mouth of mucus and fluid and then rub vigorously but gently with a towel. Lower the puppy head down and at the same time gently contract and release the chest. Gently opening the mouth can also make it easier for the puppy to inhale and help him start breathing. This should be done within a few minutes. After such a traumatic introduction to life, leave the puppy to rest in a warm box.

One of the many myths surrounding Chinese Cresteds is that Powder Puffs are born to keep their littermates warm. The origin of this story is a mystery, as the coat of a newborn powder puff is no longer than that of any other newborn woolly pup. He himself barely has enough fur to keep himself warm, let alone his hairless siblings. A small litter may not have powder puffs at all.

The next and most important step, once labor is over, is to make sure the puppies are suckling properly and therefore getting enough colostrum. Colostrum is a sticky, highly digestible primary milk. It is rich in protein and fat, and contains important antibodies to keep puppies immune during their first twelve weeks of life. If you take the time to help feed the puppies at this stage, it can prevent you from suffering and trouble later on.

The average weight of newborns is about 150-170 g, and puppies should almost double this in the first week if they develop correctly. Some puppies are born with dewclaws and it is advisable to remove them on the hind legs in the first three days. It is possible to remove dewclaws on the forelimbs during the same period. The only reason I keep the dewclaws on the front legs is because our first Chinese Crested, Cannibuff Christy, used them as a toothpick!

After whelping, the bitch needs special attention. Her tail must be kept clean; it can become very dirty, and subsequently inflamed, if this is not followed. The best treatment is to wash the tail with a mild antiseptic solution. The bitch should be thoroughly fed at least three times a day and provided clean water. But if she doesn't want to drink water, warm, diluted milk may be perfectly acceptable.

Bitches, who are normally intolerant of milk, seem to be able to thrive while nursing their offspring: A bitch's feed intake can nearly triple in the first three weeks if she has many puppies. You should also give her the mineral supplements she received when she was a puppy.

The birthing box should be kept perfectly clean, so the bedding should be changed regularly. Make sure the puppies feed from all teats. If any nipple becomes hard, gently express some milk from it and let the puppy feed thoroughly. This problem usually occurs with small litters. Puppies tend to occupy their favorite spots and not particularly "popular" nipples are neglected. This can cause a bitch a lot of anxiety. The kneading motions of the puppies stimulate the bitch's milk supply, but be sure to trim the claws once a week. The claws grow very quickly and puppies can easily scratch their nipples while feeding.

Weaning puppies from mother

Puppies can start weaning from three weeks, feeding any good food. Recently, several excellent diets have been developed that replace feeding and feeding puppies. As a result, the problem of bowel dysfunction caused by excess meat in the diet is rare. If the bitch has a lot of milk and enjoys the company of her children, there is no need to rush to wean the puppies. Some people worry about puppies being completely weaned by five weeks. Many bitches regurgitate ingested puppy food and should not be frowned upon. This is a completely natural feature.

Rice pudding and baby food are not really the right diet for dogs, even if they like it. It is important to initially feed a benign, properly balanced diet that strengthens teeth and bones. Don't overdo your vitamin and mineral supplements; Too much will do more harm than good. I have found that weaning puppies as naturally as possible will ensure healthy animals with no bowel problems. They become robust animals without being overweight. When the puppies are completely weaned and the mother's milk dries up, don't be tempted to give cow milk. It is poorly digested and often causes diarrhea and blemishes in puppies. Fresh water must always be available.

Chapter Nine

Choosing and caring for a puppy

Some time after birth, you can evaluate a Chinese Crested puppy by paying attention to the exterior. The length of the neck, the setting of the shoulder, the angle of articulation at the knee and hock joints, and the chest can all be determined visually. Developing, the Chinese Crested does not change to the same extent as some other breeds. The Chinese Crested corresponds to the "classical" structure; dogs of other breeds were not used in its breeding. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous, incorrect development is much lower.

The skull of a newborn puppy is almost twice as long as the front of the muzzle, which will lengthen during development. In time you will learn to tell which puppies will develop the delicately balanced and chiselled head that is typical of the best crested head. In practice, proceed from the fact that at an early stage the head should not look rough. The structure of the coat in hairless is easily determined. The crest looks like a small silky "cap", fine hair on the limbs and tail are clearly visible. The thickness of the coat will give you a clear idea of ​​whether the "tuft", "toes" and "plume" will be abundant or sparse in the puppy when he grows up. Any excess hair will be clearly visible. Coat color varies after birth. It can be white or almost black, which will turn white by four months. A powder pouf that is born black may undergo the same color changes, becoming cream or white when it reaches maturity. Sometimes a black “tuft” color is found in Chinese crested, but this phenomenon is quite rare. At this stage, the hairless skin over the entire surface of the body is shiny and very soft.

You most likely won't get the chance to look at a litter at a very early age. The puppies will most likely be 5-8 weeks old when you first see them. At this stage, it is quite easy to notice which puppies are the best. They should all be mobile and curious; and if among them there is a “shameful mimosa” puppy in behavior, most likely, he will remain so. Look for dominant puppies that, when exploring anything out of the ordinary, move proudly, displaying promising show looks. The limbs should be set straight, the paws should not be turned either in or out. There should be no evidence of a cow hock (turning the hocks inwards) or set elbows. The ears of the hairless variety, however, may be either erect or hanging. This is a variable factor, and it may take some time before the ear set is fully formed. The set of the ears, especially during teething, can change in many ways: the ears can rise up and down from day to day. The expression of the puppy's eyes is also important. I like puppies with a cheerful and lively look. Don't hesitate to ask the breeder to inspect the puppies' mouths. Even if the hairless do not have all the teeth, if they should appear, they will have the appearance of protrusions in the gum. Some hairless teeth do not appear for several weeks. However, if you can see both parents, it will be easier for you to imagine what awaits you. The breeder should be ready to advise you, especially if you intend to show the puppy.

Observe the puppy during his natural movements. Faults such as cow hocks, low forequarters, weak fore and hindquarters and topline rarely improve. Any sign of underbite, like overbite, should be viewed with suspicion. Make sure that the male you choose is full-fledged; in this breed it can be detected at a very early age. In my experience, a well-bred, beautiful eight-week-old Chinese Crested puppy that has been properly raised should potentially grow into a good dog. The only thing that is difficult to predict is the final size of the animal. This is a problem for most breeds. The smallest puppy in a litter at birth is not always the smallest when it reaches maturity. The pedigree is the determining factor in the end of a puppy's growth; so check with the breeder. It is a good idea to weigh puppies regularly from birth. Over the years, you will be able to determine which of the puppies will grow too big or too small.

Puppies usually move to another home around 8-9 weeks of age and this can be a big experience for them. In order for them to endure the change of place as calmly as possible, stick to the diets given by the breeder until the puppies have settled in the new home. After that, if you plan to change your diet, do it gradually. If you already have an older dog, he will make a great guardian and allow the newbie to sleep with her. This is a definite advantage: the puppy will stop worrying and save you a few sleepless nights!

Caring for a Little Chinese Crested Puppy

At the age of 3-4 weeks, and then again at 7 weeks, puppies should be dewormed (destruction of pathogens of helminthiasis). The manufacturer's instructions regarding weight and dosage should be followed carefully. Almost all puppies are infected with worms and therefore children should never be allowed to play with small puppies. By cleaning thoroughly, you can keep them safe from infection.

Chinese Crested puppies are extremely agile and able to climb onto their mother's back within a few hours of birth. This agility can be a problem; most young animals can easily cope with a pen of medium height, fenced off with wire mesh. Their limbs are so tenacious that they are able to climb to the very top. For their own safety, they should not be allowed to do this. Even if you close the paddock with a net from above, the puppies will climb on it like trapeze athletes! The solution to this problem is to not make a netted pen at all. An alternative is a corral made of boards covered with plastic, up to 45 cm high. In addition, its advantage is that it is easy to clean.

Don't be surprised if hairless puppies are still missing baby teeth at 7 weeks of age. This may help the bitch feed them safely for a longer period. Powder puff puppies are often chased away. Most bitches prefer to litter at night once the puppies are a few weeks old.

There are a huge number of puppy rations available in stores. Whether you choose to feed them fresh, home-cooked, canned, or complete food, the goal remains the same. It is to support the development of healthy and active young animals. Their games often seem rough, but they do no harm. Puppies enjoy an abundance of toys and love to chew on large biscuits. By 6-7 weeks of age, puppies should be fed up to four times a day. Many breeders like to give cereal products along with meat and biscuits. Over the past years, we have found that Chinese Cresteds do much better when not fed separate grains at all. Complete rations for puppies contain sufficient amounts of nutrients.

The first vaccination is usually carried out at 12 weeks of age, when the puppy's natural immunity is weakened. The next vaccination should be done at 14-16 weeks, depending on the recommendation of the veterinarian. Today, vaccines are used against four major diseases: canine distemper, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and parvovirus. Occasionally, a puppy will react to a vaccination and develop some mild diarrhea. Monitor this condition, because if the puppy gets sick, dehydration can occur very quickly.

When the puppy grows up, the number of feedings from 4 times a day should be reduced to 1 time per day. In winter, it is desirable to introduce additional feeding to prevent weight loss. It is recommended to closely monitor the change of milk teeth. Milk teeth, especially canines, often fall out at a time when permanent teeth are already beginning to erupt. This can result in the formation of a double dentition, so the milk teeth must be removed, otherwise the dog's bite will forever be wrong. Contact your veterinarian for help.

Chapter Ten

Caring for an adult dog

A properly balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for a dog to be healthy and in good condition. There is a large range of prepared foods available for dogs. Whether it's fresh, canned or frozen meat, or more convenient complete rations, the food must be of good quality. Every owner has their own particular way of feeding their dogs, and luckily there is a choice.

I have found that the food without corn and the addition of milk powder seems to be more suitable for Chinese Cresteds. Some dogs do not respond well to foods high in preservatives, so you need to watch carefully to see if you are unknowingly putting your dog in danger. I had a case where one of our dogs reacted to a small amount of pre-prepared food with added preservatives and was sick for several days. I had to call the vet. It turned out that cow's milk can increase the appearance of spots on the skin in some crested "teenagers". Ideally, dogs should not be given milk replacer when they become adults, as they are unable to break down lactose (milk sugar) and this can cause diarrhea.

A Chinese Crested in good condition should have a non-protruding chest, a graceful, taut belly, and the pelvic bones should not protrude like an Afghan Hound. But, on the other hand, if the pelvic bones are not visible at all, then this is a sure sign that the dog is overweight. It's amazing how much food a Chinese Crested requires to maintain the correct weight. As with most breeds, some dogs are very greedy and others can be finicky. One of the features of the breed is the love of Chinese Crested for fruits and all kinds of fresh vegetables. Apples and pears are especially favorite fruits, followed by grapes, peaches, bananas, strawberries and even oranges. The dog will delicately eat the core of the apple and leave the seeds in a neat pile.

The Chinese Crested is an easy breed to take care of every day. The breed standard states that nails should be long, but should still be trimmed regularly. The typical elongated toes and "hare" feet of the Chinese Crested means that the nails do not wear off as quickly as those of dogs with round, compact, "cat" feet. The living part inside the claw is long, so the claws are relatively easy to cut to the desired length. Dental care is extremely important. Puppies should be taught to brush their teeth with a baby toothbrush. If your dog has good teeth, it will be a shame to lose them due to lack of proper care.

Dogs of the hairless variety love to sunbathe, and in the summer it is good to apply baby lotion or moisturizer to their skin. This is not a problem in uniformly colored dogs, but dogs with patchy or poorly pigmented skin will need extra care. Pink skin does not have melanin and therefore tans very quickly. Very useful creams against sunburn, they are necessary in places with a hot climate. The bedding should be kept as clean as possible. In summer, a cotton bedding will be preferable as it prevents the hairless skin from becoming too hot and damp and therefore prevents rashes from forming. Hairless reach their final color in the summer, and in winter it disappears. If you have a south-facing conservatory, it's ideal to provide space for the dogs on sunny winter days. Then they won't lose too much color. Occasionally, hairless Chinese Cresteds develop blackheads and/or whiteheads on their skin. Blackheads are not very noticeable in dark colored dogs, but in spotted or brownish red dogs it can be quite unsightly. In general, the elements called blackheads are actually dead, defective hairs of the surface layer of the skin. They can be removed fairly easily with fine tweezers. After that, wipe the skin with a mild antiseptic cream or solution. This will solve the problem, unless the area becomes infected. Some dogs may have allergic reactions to certain things. I have heard that hairless dogs have reacted to fur, although this has not been observed in my own dogs. The best advice I can give is to inquire daily about the health and condition of your dog and act accordingly if necessary.

Many believe that since the Chinese Crested is a hardy breed, it means that the hairless do not need clothes in winter. In fact, they like to play outside for a short time when it's cold. But if you take them for a walk in the winter, they will need clothes. Still, there are not many people who would like to go outside in cold weather without clothes. I have found that a simple, knitted stocking makes it possible to keep dogs clean. and warm without hindering their movement.According to one of the myths surrounding the Chinese Crested, they need a higher body temperature than other dogs in order to compensate for the lack of coat.On average, the temperature in dogs is four degrees higher than in humans , so there may be some confusion. No doubt, hairless dogs are very warm to the touch, but their body temperature is about 38.5 ° C, like all dogs. It is always necessary to know the normal temperature of your animal, as there is usually a slight deviation from the norm in both dogs and humans.Knowing what temperature is normal for your dog will always help you if he gets sick.

Generally speaking, this breed is characterized by health and hardiness, and with the right care, love and attention, you will be rewarded with a special combination of affection and friendship, which is one of the most endearing facets in the character of the Chinese Crested.

caring for an old dog

Barring a tragic accident or illness, you can hope that the Chinese Crested will enjoy its company for many years. Usually they live long enough, and I have known such animals that reached the respectable age of fifteen or even older. An old dog needs just as much care and attention as she needed when she was a puppy, if not more. If she was a show dog and lived in a group, she will be pampered as she gets older. But it is better to take such a dog out of the group, because it will give way to a younger one in the hierarchy. And you will not be sure that there is no intimidation of her by other dogs.

It is clear that an old dog will not move as vigorously as it ran when it was young. Therefore, it will be necessary to control the weight, especially if there are signs of stiffness in the joints and muscles. Reduced exercise will result in the need to trim the nails more regularly, as they will not wear down quickly. Old hairless during walks will be grateful for clothes to keep warm. There may be dental problems. Therefore, all teeth should be examined regularly, as they can cause inflammation of the gums, which is very painful.

The Chinese Crested Puff is a very gentle and graceful dog. She doesn't look as exotic as she does naked, and rather resembles a small Afghan hound. And light, almost weightless wool, gives it a special charm and charm.

Let's start with the fact that Chinese puffs, like naked representatives of the breed, are exclusively pets. And even if you live in a country house, most of the time the dog should be indoors, next to his beloved owner. And do not think that since there is wool, it means that the dog can be on the street as long as he wants. Wool is also different. And in powder puffs, it is more of a decoration for a pet than a full-fledged "fur coat". But the dog should not be locked in the apartment. Active and energetic Chinese women must have the opportunity to run, play with other dogs or the owner.

In addition, the content of the Chinese crested powder pouf ( official name powder puffs, according to the standard) involves the observance of certain rules of hygiene, care for the health of the pet, proper nutrition and, of course, hair care.

To keep your pet healthy

I must say that Chinese dog puffs are quite strong and you most likely will not have any special health problems with your pet. However, improper maintenance of the Chinese Crested and neglect of the elementary rules of care can lead to very disastrous consequences.

The first thing every CCS owner should take care of is preventive vaccinations. Usually the first two of them are done to the puppy under the age of 12 weeks, and after that they are repeated every year. It is equally important to regularly give your dog anthelmintic drugs (once every three months) and treat it for fleas and ticks.

Do not forget to monitor the condition of the eyes and ears of the Chinese. Ears (especially hanging ones) should be cleaned regularly, and the eyes should be wiped with special lotions. And in case of insufficient moistening of the eyeball - use drops - substitutes for tears.

A good multivitamin complex will not be superfluous for CCS. For a puppy - rich in calcium and phosphorus, for an adult dog - preparations that improve the quality of wool with biotin, brewer's yeast, fish oil, seaweed.

Teeth - weakness breeds. Therefore, immediately accustom the puppy (and yourself) to their regular inspection and cleaning. By the way, instead of paste, to prevent the formation of tartar, you can use a piece of tomato. But if you already have stones, you will have to go to the veterinarian, otherwise you risk losing your teeth.

Features of the puff menu

Feeding CCS powder pouf is not much different from the menu of their naked counterparts. Similarly, the basis of the diet will be lean varieties meat or quality dry food. And just like naked Chinese women, puffs do not mind eating vegetables and fruits.

However, if you want your pet's coat to look truly luxurious, then some adjustments to the diet will have to be introduced. A very useful product for puffs will be sea fish (salmon, trout). It is also not superfluous to add a teaspoon of olive or linseed oil to a vegetable salad or stew. And be sure to ensure that the diet of the ward contains foods containing vitamins A and B. It is their lack that becomes a frequent cause of hair loss and its unpresentable appearance.

But fatty meat will not only become an additional burden on the dog's liver and digestive tract, but will not have the best effect on the health of the pet's skin and coat. Like any human food, it is a potential allergen or even poison for dogs, and manifestations of allergies or poisoning primarily affect the condition of the coat.

Proper grooming of puff coats

First, you will need good combs and cosmetics for dogs. And there is no consensus here. Shampoos and balms, in principle, are an individual matter. Their choice depends on the quality of the Chinese wool. So, very soft and “puffy” wool needs to be slightly weighted, and cosmetics enriched with various oils are well suited for this. More rigid - on the contrary, soften and lighten.

As for combs, you definitely cannot do without a brush, but about single-row combs, the opinions of breeders differ. Someone is categorically against them, someone successfully uses them. But no matter what you use, remember that you need to comb the dog carefully, but thoroughly.

Secondly, never comb dry hair at the puff. It is optimal to do this after bathing, on a special moisturizing balm. But if you bathe infrequently, then just moisten it a little before combing it out. And never try to comb the tangles. Just unravel with your hands! As a last resort, carefully cut them with scissors.

You need to wash the dog in warm water with a special shampoo. Then rinse your dog with cool water. This will help close the hair scales after washing. Well, then you can use conditioner or special oil. Both are used to further facilitate combing.

After bathing, wrap your dog in a towel to absorb moisture. For puff wool, it is better if it dries naturally. If you need to dry it with a hair dryer, then use only cool or warm blowing mode.

Dress up or not?

Do I need to wear a down jacket when it's cold and slushy outside? - this question is often asked by the owners of CCS and it is unambiguously difficult to answer it.

On the one hand, puff wool is not Pekingese or Shih Tzu wool. It does not particularly protect the dog from cold and wind. But to freeze like a naked Chinese dog will not. In addition, wearing clothes of any "woolen" breed is fraught with the rapid formation of tangles. Therefore, if you decide to wear a puff, then, firstly, buy clothes only with a silky lining, but after a walk, be sure to comb it.

By the way, it would be better if the puff bed is lined with a smooth and silky fabric. Cotton, and even more so velor or fur, will only contribute to the rapid tangling of wool.