Dog's Name & Age
Powder-Puff, 2 years old. Born 23/8/2008 in Queensland, Australia
In a Word, My Chinese Crested Is…
An entertainer, a comedian, a scruffy tomboy, athletic, prancing princess.
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Intelligent, fun loving, playful, affectionate, curious, real show off.
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
Willful and stubborn, can be timid, wary of unknown people and other dogs.
When, Where and How I Got My Chinese Crested
Husband bought her as a puppy for me when I was sick two years ago. My two boys named her Powder-Puff after the cartoon animation series PowderPuff Girls. The boys gave her the nickname Pouf-Pouf, husband calls her Poufie. She was the smallest of the litter but had the biggest personality of all. Amongst a gathering of people she came up to me and chose me, even when we returned a second and third time. She wanted me. How could I refuse such determination, loyalty, and love.
I'd Describe My Dog As…
Full of love and affection. Her desire to please you is paramount. She loves to play with you and entertain you. With my older son she likes to play rough and tumble type of games. But with my younger son she is gentle, careful, and plays quietly to suit his personality. She seems to know each of our character types and adapts to all five of us when she is with any one of us. Loves cuddle time, adores games and fun. Wants to be with us all the time. Often races out to jump in the car with us as she loves car rides. Hates being groomed, haircuts and brushing. Being a very fluffy powderpuff this is a must. However she does not mind her baths. Her fur does shed and we find it everywhere. She tries to use her front paws the way we use our hands and we all fall about laughing as she struggles to imitate us.
She went to obedience school and was very quick to learn. At home we had many accidents in the first week. Since then she has only had an occassional accident when she gets over excited. She is a very excitable dog. When she was very willful and stubborn we had to put her in time out by herself, she did not like this and would cry like a baby (she cries whenever she wants her own way), we let her out when she stopped, and ignored her if she was naughty. Knows that her mum is the boss, cowers when I raise my voice and tell the boys off. She is very good at catching mice and birds to my shock/horror. She can jump and climb several feet. Also loves to dig, including my pot plants! Recently I found her curled up like a cat in the dirt of an empty pot plant. She was trying to keep warm. Her other annoying habit is she likes to chew her bed, the window sill, the garden furniture, and my car interior. Lots of toys to entertain her are a must as are bones for her to chew on.
The vet has given her a clean bill of health. We are very fussy with her food and only give her the very best. Good quality vet endorsed dry food and premium cooked fresh meat with fresh vegetables. We want her to have a long healthy and happy life. We hope she will not have medical problems but like humans we believe with advancing age it is inevitable she too may have health issues. Dog health insurance is a good idea for later in life when things usually crop up.
Advice
- Go out and get yourself a Chinese Crested! If you are not sure, spend some time with them and get to know them for yourself.
- We have three children, and our dog loves each of them according to who they are, and adapts herself to each of them.
- She came to us as a puppy and integrated very well into our family. However, I do not know how an older, traumatized dog would fare within a family.
- Our dog changed our family for the better and we can not imagine life without her.
