What Is a Powder Puff Dog?

The Chinese crested dog breed consists of two varieties: the powderpuff, or powder puff, and the hairless. The hairless has fur covering only its tail, feet and head, while the powderpuff has hair covering its entire body. In 1991, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Chinese crested as a breed and allowed dog owners to register both hairless and powderpuffs for AKC events. Powderpuffs have specific genetic, physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish them as Chinese crested dogs.

  1. Powderpuff and Hairless Varieties

    • Powderpuff litters consist of two to four puppies that can include both hairless and powderpuff varieties. Breeding two hairless or a powderpuff and a hairless can also produce all powderpuffs or all hairless dogs. Whereas powderpuffs retain the original genes of their ancestors, the hairless are a result of a genetic mutation. Since powderpuffs do not carry the hairless gene, two powderpuffs will produce only powderpuff offspring. The powderpuff and the hairless are structurally similar. One difference, however, is that the hairless may have missing or crooked teeth, while the powderpuff has a normal canine mouth with all of its teeth.

    Appearance

    • Chinese crested dogs are small, slender and fine boned. The ideal size of a Chinese crested is between 11 and 13 inches when measured from the shoulder blade to the ground. Powderpuffs have a soft, double coat of silky, long, straight fur covering their entire bodies. The coat can appear in different colors, but it is predominantly white, cream or pale gold. Their long tails are covered in fur and curved upward, and their ears are erect.

    Trainability and Temperament

    • The powderpuff is relatively easy to housebreak and train. Powderpuff puppies can be stubborn and will need to learn obedience and social skills early in life. Females should be spayed by 9 months old and males should be neutered by 7 months old. Powderpuffs are active dogs and need a lot of attention. They do well in families that are not absent from home for long periods of time. They are intelligent, alert and playful dogs that thrive on love and companionship. The dogs are known for forming close bonds with certain family members.

    Health

    • The average lifespan of the powderpuff is 10 to 12 years. They can suffer from certain medical conditions, such as allergic reactions to wool or other garments and teeth problems that include tartar buildup and tooth loss. They also may have Legg-Calve-Perths Disease (LCPD), which refers to the degeneration of the femur bone. LCPD causes joint and mobility pain. Patella luxation, or the dislocation of kneecaps, also occurs in powderpuffs. Powderpuffs may suffer from diseases such as ringworm or mange, a skin disease that causes inflammation and hair loss.