HISTORY of the CHINESE CRESTED
 - An Ancient Breed -

General -- Legendary Past -- Modern History

Hairless dogs have existed for thousands of years. Historic records support there may have been as many as five separate original gene pools in Mexico and South America. Descriptions of hairless dogs from the 1500's indicate that the gene pools have been mixed by all countries that had them.

Periods of documentation:

• Tiwanaku period ( 400 BC -1200 AD )

• Anean Confederation ( 1200 - 1470 )

• Inkario period ( 1470-1532AD )

Anean period: Inside this period is the presence of the hairless dog or "Khala" an Indian dialect meaning without vestment (hair) and the coated variety. The coated variety of ancient hairless breeds were bred for their coat and used for weaving. Full Article - Maggie Weeks

Legendary Past

Besides the Chinese Crested dog, there are at least 26 hairless breeds in the world. Some of the names given to the Chinese Crested have been the Chinese Hairless, Chinese Ship Dog, and Chinese Royal Hairless. In Egypt this dog is called Giza Hairless; in South Africa, South African Hairless and in Turkey, Turkish Hairless.

Most likely the name was derived from the seafarers who sailed the high seas with the breed on board as rat catchers, and popularized them by trading with local merchants at port cities.

Most likely, the Chinese Crested originated from the Mexican Hairless gene pool by the selective breeding of the dogs with the pila genes that had the desired long crest.

After the Spanish Conquest, the reverence for the hairless dogs in Mexico and South America disappeared, and the dogs were forgotten until they once again reappeared in Europe in the 1800s.

Modern History

In Great Britain, the first Chinese Crested dog was registered in 1881. Eventually on January 1, 1995 the United Kennel Club recognized the breed. In the US, the American Kennel Club had the Chinese Crested in the Miscellaneous Class for a short stay when one was exhibited in 1885 at Westminster. It was 1880, when a writer from New York became involved called Ida Garrett. In 1920 she met another Crested lover named Debra Woods, together for nearly 40 years the two women promoted the Chinese Crested breed in the United States.

Woods kept detailed records of all her dogs beginning from the 1930s, her kennel name was Crest-Haven. It was her records that in 1950 became the studbook for the American Hairless Dog Club. The club started in March 1959 with only two members and in four years they registered 160 Chinese Cresteds and 200 Mexican Hairless.

Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous stripper, was one of the first serious Chinese Crested breeders. She was introduced to the breed when her sister rescued one from a Connecticut animal shelter and gave the dog to Gypsy to include in her act. The publicity the act created brought the Crested to the publics attention. Her kennel name was Lee.

In October 1978 the American Chinese Crested Club was formed, in 1986 the American Kennel Club placed the breed once again in the Miscellaneous Class, and in 1991 the American Chinese Crested Club was officially invited to join the AKC. Today nearly all Chinese Crested bloodlines in the world can trace their lineage back to either Debra (Crest-Haven) or Gypsy (Lee) lines.

Since their acceptance, the Crested has been competing in Obedience and Agility Trials and Conformation competitions. They have become outstanding therapy dogs and some have even achieved stardom by appearing in popular films and TV shows.

Each year this breed gains a wider following. Providing great companionship for adults and children. However, this breed is NOT for everyone as a poor understanding of its temperament and needs is often why Chinese Cresteds will end up in a rescue organization. These are intelligent and yet stubborn little pets who require 24/7 attention from their owners.

This breed deals with isolation extremely poorly!!