THE UNIQUE CHINESE CRESTED

I first fell in love with this exotic little dog in 1975.   As an oil field wife and traveling the world for twenty-five years, I have had the opportunity of observing the many hairless dogs in existence today.   The unique difference with the Chinese Crested and other hairless breeds is that the Crested carries the gene for long hair; all other hairless breeds carry short coat.   There are two varieties of all hairless breeds of dog:   those with hair on their bodies (the coated powder puff), and those without hair.   It is important to have some understanding of the genetics to understand the Chinese Crested.   Hairlessness is the result of an incomplete Dominate mutation, which is lethal when homozygous (carrying only the hairless gene).   Hairlessness in dogs is dominant and not recessive as in most mutations.   The hairless and powder puff varieties are inseparable due to this genetic makeup.

Every hairless Chinese Crested carries the dominant gene for hairlessness, hair on the head, feet, and tail only, and the gene for normal coat, which is heterozygous.   Hr is dominant over the recessive hr.   The gene, which produces hairlessness, is an incomplete dominate lethal.   The unlucky puppy that inherits a double dose of the dominant lethal will die in the uterus or soon after birth, due to abnormalities and will not survive.   The puppy that inherits a double dose of the gene for coat is a homozygous powder puff carrying no hairless gene at all; this is not a lethal combination.   Both varieties carry the gene for coat; this is why the powder puff cannot be bred out. The powder puff was discarded in the past and considered not important in the breeding program.   Sadly, a lot of wonderful foundation stock has been lost.   The coated variety plays a critical role in maintaining health, quality, and substance of the breed.   The Chinese Crested can therefore be a hairless (Hr - hr) or a powder puff (hr - hr).   The homozygous puppy carrying only the hairless gene (Hr - Hr) does not survive.

Another complication to breeders is the variable expressitivity of the dominant mutation, which can show undesirable variation of hairlessness (socks, plume, crest) or hairiness on the bodies of the individual hairless dog.   Hairless dogs can genetically carry varying amounts of hair on their bodies, as well as the socks, crest, and tail plume.   The extent of the hairlessness or hairiness the puppies can inherit is unpredictable; this is unfortunately a characteristic of the incomplete dominant lethal mutation.

The extreme hairy hairless can often be mistaken for a lightly coated powder puff.   To check if the dog is genetically hairless or a powder puff; inspect the dentition.   In the hairless variety the canines are conical and point forward, which is referred to as tusks.   The hairless mouths can also be missing the first and second pre-molars, which can be accepted as being typical of the hairless mouth.   The powder puff will have a normal canine mouth, forty-two teeth in a tight scissor bite.   With careful selective breeding the dentition of the hairless dog is much improved with teeth that are better rooted, although the canines may still be conical and point forward.   Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution stated that in most animals the teeth or horns have some relationship to the growth or absence of hair.   For example, pigs and elephants have forward pointing tusks.

The American Chinese Crested Club was founded in 1979 and worked towards satisfying the A.K.C. requirements for recognition.   In February 1986, the breed became eligible for the miscellaneous class.   The breed gained full American Kennel Club acceptance in 1991.

Recognition must be given to the early stud records that were kept by Mrs. Wood of Crest Haven Kennels.   Her dedication to perpetuating and gaining recognition of this unique little toy dog.   It is most likely every crested in existence today can trace its lineage back to her Crest Haven Kennels.

The Chinese Crested is a devoted, happy, gay little dog; they are totally bonded with their human companions.   They are extremely affectionate with their owners.   As in most toy breeds, they are not overly demonstrative with strangers; they also tend to develop an undying devotion to one person.   They are not overly yappy but do make themselves heard if strangers are in the home.

The crested is an extremely agile little dog and can turn with remarkable speed.   It is most likely in their ancient past, they were used to hunt small game.   If something gets their attention, it is remarkable to hear these little horse-like dogs howl in unison.   This gay, intelligent, loveable, devoted little toy dog is gaining a large following.   They are a delight and joy to have and make wonderful loving canine companions.   This little breed is the breed of my choice.   They are the heartbeat at my feet.   My little companions.

Camino Books (January 22, 2002)