The Chinese Crested Dog

Said to have been owned by Chinese families during the Han Dynasty, the Chinese Crested Dog is a very distinctive breed of which there are two varieties: hairless and powder-puff. The hairless is warm to the touch and should have no hair at all on its body, just a crest on the head, plume on the lower two-thirds of the tail and 'socks' covering the long feet. The powder-puff has a soft veil of long hair. This is a fastidious breed and neither variety has a doggy odor. There are also two rather distinct types: one racy and fine boned the other heavier in body and bone.

This good tempered breed is active and graceful with a height ranging from 23-30 cm (9—13 in) and weight preferably not exceeding 5.5 kg (12 lb). Moisturizing cream is usually used on the hairless variety to keep the skin supple.