Chinese Hairless Dogs

Chinese Hairless Dogs AG WORLD Ag World 22-1-21 "People often ask me if I shaved my dog," says Michelle Shannon, Toledo, Wash., who's a breeder of rare Chinese Crested "hairless" dogs. They stand only 11 to 13 in. high and weigh 8 to 12 lbs. It's an ancient breed that dates as far back as the 1500's. The breed's name is attributed to Chinese tea trading sail-ors who, during the 16th century, took the dogs with them on journeys. The dogs were used to catch mice on ships and were often eaten themselves by the crew. The breed began appearing at dog shows in the 1800s but it wasn't until 1979 that the American Chinese Crested Club was founded in the U.S. Although the dogs have no hair on their body, they have a "crest" of hair on top of their heads, "socks" of hair on their feet, and a "plume" of hair on the end of their tails. The hairless skin is smooth to the touch but can be easily sunburned. The dogs often change their color as they grow, often being born light or mottled and turning darker or solid as they mature. "Chinese Crested dogs love people and are very cuddly, much preferring your lap or a couch to the floor. Being highly intelligent and playful, they're fond of children and can play games for hours. They become so de-voted to their owners that they may die of a broken heart when parted, such as by a death in the family," says Shannon. "Chinese Cresteds make excellent house pets and are a great choice for very tidy homemakers, for older people and for people who live in apartments. The hairless variety is a great choice for people with allergies to dogs because they have very little fur to harbor fleas or dandruff." There is a second variety of Chinese Cresteds that is identical to the hairless except that it has a long fluffy coat. Shannon raises both varieties. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rick and Michelle Shannon, Smokey Valley Kennels, 113 Blake Rd., Toledo, Wash. 98591 (ph 360 864-6116).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.