Chinese Crested.

Chinese Crested. Chinese Crested, either of two varieties of a breed of toy dog. The hairless Chinese crested has hair only on its head, face, tail, and feet; the powderpuff Chinese crested is covered completely with fur. Although hairless dogs have been known for centuries in Asia, Africa, and South America, the origin of this breed is unclear. The Chinese crested was pictured in European art in the mid-19th century, and appeared in American dog shows in the 1890s. The Chinese crested has a small, fine-boned body. It stands only 28 to 33 cm (about 11 to 13 in) high, and weighs about 2 to 5.5 kg (about 4 to 12 lb). It has a graceful, rectangular-shaped body, with sloping shoulders and a straight back. The neck is lean and slightly arched, and the wedge-shaped head has a long muzzle that narrows to a point. The bases of the large, erect ears are level with the outside corners of the wide-set, almond-shaped eyes. Some hairless Chinese crested are born missing teeth. A slender tail tapers to a curve, and is held slightly forward above the back when the dog is alert. The Chinese crested can be any color or combination of colors. The hairless variety has soft, smooth skin. The silky hair that grows on the head, feet, and tail is called, respectively, the crest, socks, and plume. The powderpuff variety has a dense coat of straight, medium-length hair. This dog moves with a lively but smooth walk that reflects its happy disposition. It is a quiet animal that can be reserved and proud, yet playful. Size and manners make it a good house pet, and it treats children gently. The hairless variety may make a good companion for people with allergies, but its skin must be cleansed and lubricated regularly, and the dog must be protected from extreme heat and cold. Unlike other dogs, which pant when overheated, the Chinese crested sweats to release heat. The Chinese crested received full acceptance from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1991. The national breed club is the American Chinese Crested Club. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.