The Tibetan Terrier originated in Tibet and were bred to herd animals as well as guard the home or territory from unwanted visitors. These dogs are thought to be a lucky breed because they were originally bred by monks! Today they are used primarily for companion purposes.

The Tibetan Terrier is a breed that needs a full time owner, meaning they should not be left alone throughout the day by themselves. They need affection and love from their masters and will become depressed without it. This breed is responsive, friendly and intelligent which is why they have developed such an adoring fan club of breed fanciers.

These dogs have a rather messy appearance but this is the desired look for their standards! Their coat is long and shaggy with the fur on their face cascading over the medium length muzzle to look like a long beard. The Tibetan Terrier has a medium sized compact body, floppy ears and a long tail with feathering long fur falling from it. Their legs are straight and toned giving them their speed and agility when herding!

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 14-17 inches high
Females: 14-17 inches high

Weight

Males: 18-30 lbs
Females: 18-30 lbs

Color(s)

The Tibetan Terrier comes in any colour except liver or chocolate. A mixture of either solid, solid with patches or markings, tri-coloured or even parti coloured is acceptable within the standards as long as the colours are correct.

Coat

The Tibetan Terrier has a thick double layered coat that protects them from the extreme elements. The outer coat is a bit more dense and coarse to the touch, while the under coat is plushy and smooth. This breed should have a tossed look to their fur which will be straight or slightly wavy.

Life Expectancy

About 12-20 years.

Personality

The Tibetan Terrier is a sensitive, responsive breed that is a great family pet. They adore their masters and get along with children as well as other dogs. This breed is polite and friendly but will be aloof with people they’ve never met. It will just take a few meetings for them to warm up and become their affectionate selves!

This breed is kind and patient with an easy going attitude and are great for people that enjoy a more laid back lifestyle. They need a moderate amount of exercise which should include off-leash running, but are not a breed to constantly crave physical exercise like a Border Collie or Greyhound.

Care

This breed will need a large amount of grooming to upkeep their coat because it is long and thick. They will need to be brushed at least 3 times per week and bathes should be given once per month. The Tibetan Terrier is prone to a few eye ailments such as luxating lens, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts. Sensitivity to fleas, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella’s may also be genetically inherited diseases of this breed.

Training

The Tibetan Terrier will need gentle training and a patient owner as they can be quite stubborn. Repetition and consistency are the keys but the training sessions should be short and fun so they are more motivated to learn. If the lessons are enjoyable, the dog will be excited to learn and will pick up the commands at a much quicker rate!

Activity

The Tibetan Terrier will need at least an hour of exercise per day and this should include trips to an off-leash dog park so they can run around, or be taken for regular walks. This breed is fairly energetic and will do best with a backyard to run around in. The Tibetan Terrier will do well in an apartment as long as they get their regular exercise!

The Tibetan Spaniel originated in Tibet and was bred purely for companionship to people. They are thought to be a mixture of the Japanese chin, Pug and Pekingese which gives them their pushed in face, coiled tail and compact body.

This breed is a loyal, outgoing and devoted dog that needs a large amount of attention from their owners. They are responsive, clever and will be a bit harder to train as they can be stubborn, so will need an owner who is patient and consistent. The Tibetan Spaniel will make great family pets because they interact very well with children and will get along well with other dogs and family pets.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a short, fine boned little dog that is delicate and dainty. They have a pushed in face with a very short muzzle, giving them a high resemblance to the Pekingese. Their legs are short yet toned and they have a coiled tail that touches their lower back. These dogs have medium sized floppy ears and small rounded paws that are stuffed with fur!

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10 inches high
Females: 10 inches high

Weight

Males: 9-15 lbs
Females: 9-15 lbs

Color(s)

The Tibetan Spaniel will be a variety of colours and markings such as red, black & tan, fawn, black, light blonde, and white. Most commonly seen is the red or light blonde but all are accepted in the show ring.

Coat

This breed has a fine, silky coat that is soft to the touch. It hangs loosely off the dog and should not be curly or wavy. They will need weekly brushing to remove the dead coat but this will be a very minimal amount to be done.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Tibetan Spaniel is an excellent companion breed and will be very defensive of their territory and owners. They will be more weary around people they’ve never met but will warm up after a few meetings. These dogs are notoriously good with children as they are light hearted and love to play. The Tibetan Spaniel, despite their size will make a great watchdog because they have a loud, shrill bark that will be sure to alert the household!

This breed will need a firm hand when training because they can have a “my way or the highway” attitude at times. They are a joy to own and will just need more repetition and consistency during training to allow them to grasp the concepts of obedience or little tricks.

Care

The Tibetan Spaniel will need a minimal amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 1-2 months will be perfect to keep them looking neat and clean. This breed might be prone to breathing difficulties (due to their pushed inwards face) but they are generally a healthy breed not prone to many inherited diseases.

Training

The Tibetan Spaniel is a stubborn little dog that will need an owner who is patient and can be clear with commands. Training lessons that are kept short and are made to be enjoyable will definitely help this breed out and will enable them to understand the commands much quicker. Consistency and repetition are the keys and as long as the owner is firm, they will pick up obedience in no time!

Activity

The Tibetan Spaniel will need about a half an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. A trip to an off-leash dog park or a walk will be perfect for this breed. Time spent running around chasing a ball or playing with other dogs will be much more efficient because these dogs love to run and will burn their energy much quicker doing so. The Tibetan Spaniel will do well in an apartment and won’t need a backyard but access to one would be a bonus.

The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet and was bred to protect the churches or religious community their owners would reside in. They were mostly owned by monks or people of the church, which is what they were taught to guard when their master was not present. Today these dogs are quite common but for thousands of years they were only attainable by religious followers or royalty.

This breed has a long, messy coat that will require regular grooming. Their muzzles are short yet powerful and their body is compact and slightly longer than they are tall. The Lhasa Apso has short, toned legs and a medium length tail that loosely curls over to touch their lower back. These dogs are covered in thick, heavy fur literally from head to toe which is why some owners prefer their dogs to have monthly haircuts!

The Lhasa Apso is an alert, clever little dog that will not only be a great family dog but will also defend their territory at will! Despite their small size these dogs have a deep bark giving the illusion to strangers that have not seen them, that they are much bigger! This breed is loving and affectionate but only so with their masters or the family. The Lhasa Apso will get along with other family pets but there might be friction between them and dogs of the same sex.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10-11 inches high
Females: 9-10 inches high

Weight

Males: 14-18 lbs
Females: 12-14 lbs

Color(s)

The Lhasa Apso will come in a gray, cream, blue, brown, and a white with black markings. Most commonly seen is the cream but all are accepted colours in the show ring.

Coat

This breed has an exceptionally thick double coat with the top layer being long, and dense but smooth to the touch. Their under layer is plushy and soft giving them ample insulation for colder weather. Grooming will need to be done on a regular basis but no extravagant haircuts or excess hair removal is needed.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Lhasa Apso is a breed that will need an owner who is patient and will take charge. They can be a stubborn breed but with the correct master, will make a great pet and fine companion. Although they are known to be independent at times, the Lhasa Apso is not a breed that can be left at home too often because they will become lonely and depressed. This breed is a great pet but should be monitored around younger children because they have a tendency to bite first and ask questions later.

These little dogs are playful and full of energy. They are known to entertain themselves throughout the day but will still need extra outdoor exercise in the evening. Being a great watchdog, the Lhasa Apso is a barky dog that will alert their families of intruders but will also bark when they’re excited or whenever it is they feel necessary!

Care

The Lhasa Apso will need to be brushed 4-5 times per week. They have a long, thick coat that needs regular grooming in order to keep it tangle free. Bathing should be done every 2-3 months and special attention should be brought to their ears and paws as the fur here might become matted or have foreign matter in it. The Lhasa Apso is prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies, problems concerning their eyes and kidney ailments.

Training

This breed will need to have an owner who is firm and can display dominance when necessary. These dogs are known to be quite stubborn and will need a patient, consistent owner to be able to train them so they obey and understand commands. Training sessions should be kept short and be made enjoyable to the dog so that its not considered a chore to practice basic obedience. Repetition and clarity of the commands are the keys to success for this breed!

Activity

The Lhasa Apso will need at least half an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. Trips to an off-leash dog park or a longer walk will be perfect! These little dogs are known to be quite playful during the day so will not need excessive exercise in the evening. The Lhasa Apso will do well in an apartment because they are small and don’t need the extra room of a household to roam around in. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they could have access to an outdoor space at home.

The Chow Chow originated in China and was bred to hunt smaller animals and to guard property. Today these dogs are used primarily for companions but in China are also considered a tasty morsel! These dogs are thought to be the original inspiration for the statues in front of Chinese temples called Fu lions.

This breed is known for their fluffy coat and blue tongue! They are large and powerful dogs, which will often do the job when acting on guard. Their legs are straight, and their tail is a tight curl that touches their lower back. The Chow Chow has tiny triangular ears that are pricked upward and a short muzzle.

The Chow Chow is a stubborn breed that can be very dominant and defensive of family or their territory. They are independent and enjoy time spent alone but also love the affection they get from their owners. As a family dog, this breed is not the best candidate due to their independent nature, but will get along well with children and other pets if they are raised with them.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 18-22 inches high
Females: 18-22 inches high

Weight

Males: 45-70 lbs

Females: 45-70 lbs

Color(s)

The Chow Chow will come in a variety of colours such as tan, cream, gray, black, red or blue. Most commonly seen is the black but all 6 colours are accepted for showing purposes.

Coat

This breed has extremely thick fur that is straight and puffy. They have a double layered coat that has a rougher outer layer and a soft, plushy under layer. The Chow Chow will be either a rough or smooth haired coat type, but most popular are the rough coated.

Life Expectancy

About 10-15 years.

Personality

The Chow Chow is a breed of dog that is not suggested for just any owner or family. They can be a very dominant breed that needs very firm training and their owners must have experience in raising or training more difficult dog breeds. These dogs will be devoted and affectionate to their master but will show no interest in anybody else. Their loyalty is renowned making them a great dog for the right owner.

Socialization as a puppy will be thoroughly needed to ensure they can be well adjusted and familiar with dogs, people and other pets as adults. These dogs do not usually get along with dogs of the same sex but with extra socialization when they are young, this can be prevented.

Care

This breed will need a moderate amount of grooming maintenance to keep them looking great. Brushing about 3 times per week and bathing every 2-3 months will be perfect for these dogs. The Chow Chow might be prone to a few eye ailments called ectropian and entropian. Hip dysplasia is common and they might be genetically inclined to inherit luxating patella’s. Before buying a puppy, the parent’s medical history should be checked to ensure that the mom and dad are healthy so they are birthing a healthy baby.

Training

The Chow Chow will need very firm training from an owner that has experience. These dogs are dominant and will need their master to be more dominant than themselves so proper obedience training and house rules must be taught to this breed from the start. The Chow Chow is very clever but their stubborn attitude will slow down any process of obedience so patience, consistency and repetition will be very much needed to allow these dogs to grasp the training concept.

Activity

The Chow Chow will need at least a half an hour of exercise per day and a long walk or time spent roaming an off-leash park will do just fine. They are very laid back dogs that don’t require extensive exercise. This breed will do well in an apartment but access to a backyard would be excellent so they can sniff around in an outside environment at home.

The Shar Pei is a powerful dog who comes from the southern provinces of Guangzhou in China.
Well-known as the “Chinese Fighting Dog” he’s name means “sand skin” and he’s coat were developed to aid him in fighting.

The ancestry of the Shar-Pei is uncertain, perhaps related to the smooth-coated Chow Chow and the Tibetan Mastiff.
Kept as a general-purpose farm dog, the Sharpei was also used for hunting, protecting stock, and guarding the household.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

18 – 20 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

35 – 60 lbs.

Color(s)

Coat colors include solid cream, fawn, red and black.

Coat

Known for his deep wrinkles, the Chinese Shar-Pei has an unusual harsh and straight coat.
Two types of coat are found in this breed, the brush-coated variety is harsh and about an inch long.
The horse coat is short, rough and extremely prickly.

Life Expectancy

About 8 to 12 years.

Personality

Confident, playful and active, the Shar-Pei is very loyal and devoted to his master.
He makes an easy-going companion and a wonderful watchdog. Often considered independent and dominant, this breed can at times be aloof and intimidating toward strangers.
He can do well with children and other pets if he is well-socialized as a puppy, however mixing other dogs can sometimes be a problem.

Care

Generally a healthy breed, the Shar-Pei is susceptible to eye irritations, diverse mouths and ear (the ears should be cleaned regularly) problems and some skin disorders.
Very sensitive to heat the Shar-Pei needs shade and water all the time.
The coat of the Chinese Shar-Pei is easy to groom, however it should be brushed regularly with a rubber brush and bathe once a week only during shedding periods.

Training

The Sharpei is not for everyone and needs an experienced owner who as the ability to establish a leadership over them.
He can be stubborn and bold at times, making him slightly hard to train.

The Chinese Shar-Pei is an intelligent dog that does not always follow commands slavishly, that’s why he need firm, but gentle and highly consistent training.
However, he is very eager to please and has a strong protective instinct making him ideal for a guard or watchdog as well as a companion who is dedicated to is family.

Activity

The Chinese Shar-Pei is suited for both urban and city living, he is fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard if it is sufficiently exercised.
They loves outdoor walks but keep them leashed in public so they do not fight with other dogs.

Tibetan Mastiff dogs belong to an ancient stock, they may have been in existence as early as the stone or bronze age.
Also known as Do-Khyi, the Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the originator of the majority of Molossus and Mastiffs throughout the world.

The breed began to disappear in Tibet during the 19th century, but in the mid 1800’s, a lot of Tibetan Mastiff was imported to England.
The British breeders have perfected and propagated the breed which has virtually died in the Orient, even now they are still rare.

Those that remain in Tibet are difficult to train, savage and unpredictable, but those that were raised in England are much more trainable and attached to their masters.

Breed Group

Working

Size

24 – 28 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

140 – 180 lbs

Color(s)

The Tibetan Mastiff is usually black, brown and bluish gray, also sable, gold, cream, or red with or without tan markings.

Coat

The Tibetan Mastiff is double coated, the undercoat is soft and very thick making him resistant to cold weather, while the outer coat is fairly long and coarse to the touch.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Tibetan Mastiff is a powerful dog very protective and territorial, independent and highly intelligent, he was bred to take initiative.
Mutual respect between him and his master is essential, he require to be treated as companions rather than house pets.

Very loyal to its family he is calm and well-tempered, usually patient and gentle with children he is aloof towards strangers and should be supervised when introduced to other animals.

Care

Usually a healthy breed, he is prone to hip dysplasia, skin, thyroid and ear problems, also an unusual genetic problem called CIDN (Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy).
The Tibetan Mastiff sheds only once per year during spring or summer, daily brushing should be performed during this time, weekly brushing otherwise should be sufficient.
The Tibetan Mastiff is good for allergy sufferers because he has very little dog odor.

Training

The Tibetan Mastiff is not for everyone, this breed does not have a long history of close

relationship with people, so a dominant and respectful handler is a must for this strong willed breed.
However, with the right training, this highly-valued dog can do well in obedience, agility, and as an outstanding guard.

Activity

The Tibetan Mastiff is not suited to live in apartments and he is relatively inactive indoors.
He likes to climb and dig, so he should have at least a large securely fenced yard.
Regular walks in the woods will make him happy, however he’s not a ball player or anything like that.

The Shih Tzu originated in China and is thought to be a mixture of the Pekingese and the Tibetan Lhasa Apso. They were bred to be a companion dog and bring happiness to their owners lives. This breed is also known as the Chinese Lion dog because they loosely resemble a lion. The Shih tzu is historically one of the oldest dog breeds still alive today. These dogs were so beloved by their native country that even during trading, the Chinese did not sell any Shih Tzu.

This breed has a furry face that is similar in appearance to a lion and a pushed inwards nose. They have a small under bite and large bright eyes giving them a very innocent look. Their body is a bit longer than it is high with their legs being short and stubby. The Shih Tzu has a tail that is a tight curl and fur cascading down the coil. This breed has a thick double layered coat that is silky and regal.

The Shih Tzu is a barky dog that likes to hear their own voice! They are an outgoingly friendly breed that loves to be around people and other dogs alike. They have a loving and confident attitude that does not come across as arrogant. This breed gets along with other dogs and smaller family pets very well.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: around 11 inches high

Females: around 11 inches high

Weight

Males: 9-16 lbs

Females: 9-16 lbs

Color(s)

The Shih Tzu can come in any colour but most popular is either cream or white. For show purposes, there should be white on the end of their tail and on their forehead.

Coat

The Shih Tzu has a thick double layered coat that provides warmth in colder temperatures. Their undercoat is thick and lustrous, while the top coat is smooth and long. This gives the dog a luxuriously thick and silky coat that will almost always guarantee a seat on someone’s lap! The Shih Tzu has a fringe of fur on their tails and surrounding their face giving them the “lion” look. Their coat will need regular maintenance to keep tangle free.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Shih Tzu is a high spirited and outgoing breed making them entertaining to live with. They make fun out of almost anything they do which is key to their contagious happiness. This breed is great with people, dogs, smaller animals, and children. They will make perfect family pets because they are so versatile and can get VIP treatment because they are small and can be brought almost anywhere. These dogs are very intelligent but it will take more effort to train them as they can be a bit stubborn. Housetraining might be more difficult due to their stubborn streak so puppies should be taken out every hour on the hour and slowly up the time distances between bathroom breaks.

Although the Shih Tzu is a small dog, they have the mind set of a big dog! They don’t like to be pushed around and are not shy when it comes to getting what they want whether that be out of people or dogs.

Care

This breed has a long coat which will need regular grooming maintenance to keep it looking great. Some owners like to put hair ties or bows on their head to look like a pony tail. Others prefer to keep the coat short at all times. Either way daily combing will be needed and bathing should be done about once every 2 months. Trips to the groomer to get a trim will be needed about once every 3 months depending on the owners preferences.

Training

This breed will need very consistent training in the most positive manner. Firm methods and repetition will allow this dog to succeed in obedience! The Shih Tzu is known for not being the most compliant breed when it comes to basic obedience so training should start the day the dog is brought home.

Activity

The Shih Tzu will need daily exercise, walks or short trips to the dog park. Like most little dogs, this breed will burn off much of their energy playing throughout the day. The Shih Tzu will do well in an apartment because they don’t take up much space. A backyard would be great just so they have extra room to run around in, but this is not necessary as long as they get their regular exercise.

One of the older breeds, it is believed that this dog originated before 400 BC in China.
It is said that the Pug descended from a shorthaired Pekingese, but some experts think it was the result of crossing a small Bulldog while others believed is a miniature form of the rare French Mastiff called Dogue de Bordeaux.

However, the Pug was popular in China, Japan and in Tibet for almost fifteen hundred years before Dutch traders brought this breed back from Asia in the fifteen hundreds.
Pugs have been bred especially for human companionship and not for physical attributes like many other breeds.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

10 – 14 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

13 – 20 lbs.

Color(s)

The Pugs colors are: apricot-fawn with a black mask and ears, black or silver.

Coat

The Pug has a very fine, sleek and short coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Pug is a happy and extremely playful little imp that gets along well with other dogs and pets, generally thought a good breed for families they behave perfectly with both children and visitors.
The Pug requires plenty of attention and can become jealous at times if their owner ignores them.
The Pug is a loyal, affectionate and loving dog, highly sociable but stubborn and boisterous, he should be socialized at an early age.

Care

Pugs catch colds easily and dislike hot weather, they should be kept indoors at a comfortable temperature.
They are prone to skin allergies, heart diseases, chronic breathing and eyes problems.
Do not over feed a Pug because they tend to quickly become obese.

The smooth, short-haired coat of the Pug does not require much maintenance, Brush and comb with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary.
The Pug is a seasonally heavy shedder for a short A baby Pughaired dog.

Training

This is one of the harder breeds to train, Pugs are not known for high performance in obedience competitions.
In spite of he can be headstrong at times the Pug is intelligent and eager to please, fun and consistent training methods work best with him as he bore quickly with repetitive training practices.

Activity

Pugs are good for apartment life, they are relatively active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
They are strong and enjoy energetic games, a combination of daily walks and free play time like fetching a ball will keep them fit and healthy.
However, they have the tendency to overheat because of their short noses do not cool them off as easily as those of longer-nosed breeds.

The Pekingese originated in China and were bred to be companions as they used to be highly respected in Chinese culture. Bred in Beijing, this little dog was known for its incredible sentimentality to the Chinese. They were thought of as dogs that would rid the world of evil spirits and were considered almighty to the Chinese, so much so that when royalty died, their dogs were killed in a sacrificial ceremony in hopes to protect their master in the next life.

This breed has a pushed in face like that of a pugs, small floppy ears and a body longer than they are tall. Their tail is a loose curl that touches their back and their legs are short but sturdy. The coat is long and thick making the Pekingese resembles a tiny lion, which is prominent in large amounts of Chinese artwork done on these dogs.

This breed is known well for their courage and strong bond with their master. They are stubborn and can be aggressive towards other dogs but have a bold independent attitude that gives them their notoriously popular personality.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 6-9 inches high

Females: 6-9 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 8-10 lbs

Dogs of this breed that weigh less than 6 lbs are called “sleeves” and they are the smallest of the Pekingese.

Color(s)

The Pekingese can come in any colour, but most common come in the red, tan, or black.

Coat

The Pekinese has a long, thick coat that is needed for cold climates. The fur on their tail is silky and cascades into the tight curl that touches their back. This breeds fur is straight and is fringed on the legs, ears, tail and underbelly giving them a rugged “lion” look.

Life Expectancy

About 10-15 years.

Personality

The Pekingese is a stubborn little dog that will only have his way. They have been known to stop eating to prove to their owner who the boss is! Despite this trait they are the most affectionate and loving dogs anyone will meet. They have a rare undying love for their owners that only gets stronger with time. They are a small breed but act as if they weigh 100 lbs rather than 10 lbs. The Pekingese love people once they get to know them. They are reserved around strangers but this is only until they create a bond. This dog will make a great family pet if the children are much older because this breed don’t like to be roughhoused with.

For the most part, the Pekingese will get along ok with other dogs but can become aggressive which is due to their stubbornness as a breed. They will do well with other family pets as long as the owner shows equal attention to everyone.

Care

This breed has a long coat that will need daily brushing and monthly trimming. Bathes should be given every couple of months or when the owner finds this necessary. When brushing this dog, special attention should go to the fur on their hind legs as this can tangle very easily. The Pekingese is prone to breathing problems which is due to their pushed in faces, eye ulcers, dislocated kneecaps, and difficult labor. These dogs are small but they have large heads which can pose as a disadvantage when giving birth.

Training

This breed will need to start training the day they are brought home. Their stubborn attitude will pose as a difficulty to completely obedience train them as they will always have a “my way or the highway” attitude. Firm training with small sessions and constant repetitive commands will keep this dog on track.

Activity

This breed will need a brisk walk once per day. They tire themselves out on a daily basis just playing and exploring their space so not to much exercise will be needed. This dog will do well in an apartment as they don’t take up much space due to their tiny size. A backyard is not needed just as long as their owner can commit to about half an hour per day of walking or time spent in an off-leash park.

Two thousand years ago the Chinese trading ships picked up these dogs from Africa and renamed the dogs “Chinese Crested”. The Crested dogs originated in Africa where they were called “African Hairless Terriers” are today more often found in Central and South America.

The Chinese Crested Dog is the most popular of the hairless breed, the others are the Mexican Hairless, the Inca Hairless Dog, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. Elegant and graceful the Chinese Crested is still very rare.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

9 – 13 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

5 – 12 lbs

Color(s)

The Hairless and Powderpuff varieties come in many colors ranging from a pale pink to black mixed or spotted all over.

Coat

The Chinese Crested is found in two distinct varieties, the Hairless the more popular variety, has long hair only on the head, tail and feet and it has a soft, humanlike skin, the other is called the Powderpuff and has a coat of long soft hair. Cresteds and Powderpuffs often come in the same litter and both are considered good pets for allergy sufferers.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 14 years.

Personality

A friendly family member, the Chinese Crested is sweet, lively, playful and affectionate. With his candid personalities he is not aggressive towards other animals, rather delicate, he does exceptionally well with respectful children, but he can be wary of strangers and do not like to be over handled by them. Both varieties have similar personalities and are exceptionally attached to their owners, they have difficulty adjusting to a new one.

Care

The Chinese Crested Hairless variety exposed skin needs a good sunscreen with suntan lotions if the dog is going to be out in the sun. Also many of them are allergic to lanolin and wool and can get severe acne. Teeth are a problem for the Chinese Crested and should be well cared for to prevent decay, Hairless Cresteds often have an incomplete set of teeth and Toenails are sometimes missing. They love food, so do not overfeed this breed as they tend to become obese easily. The Hairless Chinese Crested is very clean, odorless and is not prone to fleas or ticks. Bathe him frequently and rub a little cream into the skin to keep it smooth and healthy. The Powderpuff needs daily brushing taking extra care when the dog is shedding.

Training

Intelligent and willing to please his owner, the Chinese Crested has an ability to perform tricks and does well in obedience competition. Consistent and gentle training is a must.

Activity

The Chinese Crested is good for apartment life, he is moderately active indoors and will do just fine without a fenced yard. Regular play sessions and small amount of exercise like a daily half hour walk would be sufficient for the China Crested.