Chinese Crested Dog History

The origins of the Chinese Crested Dog up to today are still shrouded in the swirly mists of doubt but many dog authorities are of the opinion that the dog originated in Africa before being transported to China. The foundation for this belief is that the Chinese Crested Dog breed bears a strong resemblance to the hairless dogs of Africa save for the fact that it is smaller in size.

It is believed that those Chinese sailors took specimens of the Chinise Crested dog on their ships for use as flea-less vermin exterminators that also proved to be a valuable tradable commodity with merchants they interacted with at the various ports that they pulled into all across the world. Tracing as far back as the 1500s are pictures depicting the Chinese Crested Dog intertwined in everyday Chinese life, but it is believed that this dog breed dates back to the 1200s. European documentation on record of this dog only dates back to the 1700s where the Chinese Crested Dog was accurately portrayed in Robert Plot’s “Natural History of Staffordshire” that was published in 1686.

Over the course of history the Chinese Crested Dog breed has been known by one of the following names:

•    Treasure House Guardian
•    Chinese Sailor Dog
•    Fever Dog
•    Chinese Edible Dog
•    Hairless
•    Powderpuff

Due to the fact that the body skin of the Chinese Crested Dog is hot to the touch, around the late 19th century and as recent as the early 20th century, a myth widely and briefly circulated that arthritis could be cured by utilizing the dog’s body as a heat pad. In fact in 1928 for a brief moment in its history the Chinese Crested Dog breed acquired the name Fever Dog.

Article on chinese crested dog written by Kayye Nynne