There are two distinct varieties of this unusual dog: one is hairless except for its feet, head and tail, and called, not surprisingly, the Hairless; the other is called the Powder Puff. It has a coat of long soft hair. Both come in numerous colors, solid, mixed or spotted all over. It has a broad skull and a long muzzle. Eyes are dark, and ears are erect.  Strangely the two types often come in the same litter.

The most popular of the hairless breed, the Chinese Crested are still
 very rare. These dogs are sweet, lively, playful and cuddly. They are exceptionally loving and likes to hug and smile. Affectionate with children. Children should be taught not to be rough with this breed as it is friendly, but it does not have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get
 injured easily. They are an entertaining companion. Intelligent and very alert. Puppies should be well-socialized and exposed to loud noises when young to avoid potential timidity. If its owners do not baby them, these dogs can grow up to be a very well-adjusted dog. They have an ability to perform tricks and are generally good with other pets. They are not barkers. Chinese Crested Dogs like to climb and dig holes. They tend to become very attached to their owners and have difficulty adjusting to a new one. Chinese Crested Dogs crave constant companionship.

Exposed skin needs special care to prevent skin problems and irritations.
 The breed should be protected with sunscreen. Many Chinese Crested
are allergic to lanolin and wool. Their teeth should be well cared for to prevent decay. Hairless dogs often lose many teeth as young adults. They should not be given bones to chew as they often have an incomplete set of teeth. The Hairless variety has the ancient forward- pointing canine teeth or "tusks" as they are called, but usually these are the first teeth to go. Powder Puffs (the long-haired variety of the hairless) generally have normal teeth and breeders are hoping to improve the dentition of the hairless variety by interbreeding with Powder Puffs. Each hairless dog carries one gene for hairlines and one gene for hair, as a combination of the two hairless genes is fatal. Therefore, Powder Puffs and Hairless dogs often appear in the same litter. Do not over feed this breed, as it will become obese if given the chance. The hairless dogs do get sunburn and a good sunscreen should be used if the dog is going to be out in the sun. 

Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odor and are not prone to fleas or ticks. Powder Puffs need a lot more grooming. Daily brushing of the Powder Puff's long, fine, double coat is recommended, taking extra care when the dog is shedding. The wooly undercoat becomes matted if neglected. Bathe the Hairless frequently and massage a little oil or cream into the skin to keep it supple. These dogs shed little to no hair and are great for allergy sufferers.

The Chinese Crested originated in Africa where they were called "African Hairless Terriers." The ancient Aztecs kept them as bed warmers, and believe it or not, did eat them. The Chinese trading ships stopped along Africa on their routes, and it was there that they picked up these dogs because they were excellent ratters for aboard their ships. They renamed the dogs "Chinese Crested" and the name stuck. The stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, used to breed Chinese Crested. This unusual breed was first exhibited in the West in 1885, but the first American breed club was not established until 1979. Full AKC recognition was granted in 1991. The similar Mexican Hairless was formerly recognized by the AKC, but is no longer recognized. The Chinese Crested Dog has been gaining popularity as a cheerful companion dog in both the United Stated and England. The breed is a frequent competitor in rare breed dog shows. Four hairless breeds are known in the U.S. today: The Chinese Crested, the Mexican Hairless, the Inca Hairless Dog, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid.

What People Say:

I have not purchased a puppy from Rachel, but I do live next door to her.  I can tell you first hand, on a day to day basis, how she is with her dogs.  The first thing to know about Rachel is that she is definitely an animal lover.  Some years ago, the area was devastated by a hurricane that flooded much of eastern NC.  Thousands of homes, live stock and pets were lost.  Many pets had to be left behind when their owners had to evacuate.  Rachel saw all these abandoned pets.  She took it on yourself to go around and feed these animals.  She even took a couple of horses to her home a tend to until the owners could make other arrangements.  The Chinese Crested pups have plenty of human contact and affection.  Weather permitting; she has them outside daily, in their cute little clothes, for exercise and fresh air.  This is not a "puppy mill."  The pups are in a loving and caring environment.  I can tell you that if you purchase a CC from Rachel, you can rest assured that it has been taken care of and loved.  Donna

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South Carolina Chinese Crested Dog Breeders | South Carolina Chinese Crested Pup Breeders
South Carolina Chinese Hairless Puppy Breeders | South Carolina Hairless Dog Breeders | South Carolina Hairless Puppy Breeders