Featured photo courtesy of Carol Clouse
This account originally appeared as a sidebar in the December 1985 edition of the AKC Gazette when the Chinese Crested was about to be accepted (again) into the AKC Miscellaneous Class. It is reprinted here for posterity.
While the factual origin of the hairless dog has not been definitively established, it is believed that the Chinese Crested and other hairless dogs shared a common ancestry. However, the Chinese Crested is an ancient breed, dating as far back as the 1500s. Allegedly, early Chinese explorers and traders took these dogs with them on their ships and they frequently sold or traded dogs with people along the way. As a result, Cresteds have been found in port cities where Chinese ships have visited.
Spanish explorers found Chinese Cresteds in Mexico and other parts of Central and South Africa. British and French explorers also found the breed in various parts of Africa and Asia during the 1800s. By the mid-19th century, pictures of Cresteds began to appear in numerous European paintings and prints.
The more common Chinese Crested is a dog of hairless body with a crest of hair on top of the head and a plumed tail. However, some dogs could have a fluffy hair coat and are known as “Powderpuffs.” The difference in coat is a genetic factor, and any alliance, whether Powderpuff to Powderpuff, Hairless to Hairless, or Hairless to Powderpuff, produced either variety or, more often, both varieties in one litter. But legend has it that the Powderpuff was designed by nature to help keep the newborn hairless
puppies warm.
With the advent of organized dog shows in the 1800s, it was not too long until Cresteds began appearing in competition. Although rather rare, they have been seen at shows in various countries around the world [for a] major part of this century. Today, there are numerous Crested Clubs throughout the world. The breed is recognized by many kennel clubs, and is seen in increasing numbers.
Prior to 1965, the Chinese Crested was eligible for entry in the Miscellaneous Class for many years. There was one such entry at the Ninth Annual New York Bench Show under the auspices of the Westminster Kennel Club, held April 28 through May 1, 1885 at Madison Square Garden. The Chinese Crested was included in the list of breeds eligible for the Miscellaneous Class in 1955 when the list was first published in the Dog Show Rules. In 1965, the list was revised to include only breeds that were registered by a registry organization whose pedigrees AKC accepted. In view of this, and the fact that there was no reliable standard, no national specialty club, and no certainty as to country of origin, the Chinese Crested was dropped from the list.
The American Chinese Crested Club was established in 1967. At the time of the breed’s acceptance into the Miscellaneous Class, the club had registered over 1,500 dogs in 45 states.
The Chinese Crested will be eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class at dog shows, obedience trials, and tracking tests as of February 1, 1986.
