Page 30 - ShowSight Presents The Chinese Crested
P. 30
A BLAST FROM THE PAST... CHINESE CRESTEDS
In the years before American Kennel Club (AKC) recogni- tion, Chinese Crested fanciers were limited to showing their dogs on the rare breed circuit. The shows of the time were
extremely competitive, with many of the Crested fanciers making treks cross country to compete with their dogs. These early specialties often had over 50 dogs, which was remarkable since there were not many Cresteds in the country. Crested fanciers had to unite to show, as there were few opportunities to compete.
During the time before AKC recogni- tion, the Chinese Cresteds were shown as two varieties with each variety (e.g., the hairless and the powderpuff) being awarded a set of points. In addition, both the hairless and powderpuff were represented in the group. When hair- less dogs were presented in the pre AKC show ring, they were absolutely hairless, with hair on the head, feet and tail only. Exhibitors would not show dogs with less-than-optimal placement of hair as indicated by the standard. The hairless crest stopped “at the stop” and did not grow down the neck of the dog. Addi- tionally, Cresteds that were hairless were shown with the hair on the ears and the face. Rarely, if ever, would a hairless muzzle be trimmed. Similarly, the hair
By Arlene Butterklee
“Kriquet”, Best in Specialty Show, c. 1988.
on the feet was confined to the toes of the dog. It never came up the leg, and was not trimmed.
The skin on the hairless was soft and supple, like that of a baby’s bottom. Any pimples or blackheads were not favored. Early breeders did not accept any body hair on the dogs at all. It was clear that hairless dogs had to be hairless. And when looking at them untrimmed, there was no doubt at all that they were really born hairless.
The powderpuffs are the completely coated counterpart to the hairless vari- ety. They were shown completely natural with hair on the face and ears, as well as all over the body. Powderpuffs were con- sidered a “wash and show” kind of dog. The maintenance was minimal, and the standard reflected the desire to keep them natural. In England, the powder- puffs were a different kind of dog than in the US. They were much larger, had excessive coats, and they were shown
“During the time before AKC recognition, the Chinese Cresteds were shown as two varieties with each variety
(E.G., THE HAIRLESS AND THE POWDERPUFF)
being awarded a set of points.”
