Collection: Personalised Powderpuff Chinese Crested Gifts

Their name is a bit of a misnomer as this breed doesn’t actually originate from China. The likelihood is that they are descendants of the African or Mexican Hairless dogs adopted by China who then bred smaller versions. Imbued with mythical powers (according to the Chinese), they were revered by Chinese Emperors but are now rare even in China.

An exotic looking, graceful and elegant dog, the Chinese Crested has two distinct breed types, the Hairless (which does, in fact, have some hair) and the Powderpuff which has a full coat. One litter can contain both variants. The famous entertainer, Gypsy Rose Lee, kept a Chinese Crested and this gave the breed some unexpected publicity and kudos.

The Powderpuff Chinese Crested had many uses in China from vermin control to accompanying Chinese sailors on board ship during the 1500s. In the era of the bubonic plague, the dogs travelled as far afield as Europe and were popular there by the 19th century, crossing the Atlantic to America in the early 20th century.

If you like a lazy laidback lifestyle then the Powderpuff Chinese Crested is the dog for you – this breed is the original couch potato. A sensitive breed, the Chinese Crested is sociable but only with those he knows well and is generally wary of strangers so describing them as friendly is a bit of a stretch – once they have bonded, they just don’t like anyone else crashing their party.

Most people aren’t prepared for just how hairy the ‘hairless’ variety can be so don’t assume you can manage your allergy with this breed; they are just low shedders, not ‘no’ shedders.