Crested Tzu

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
China <> Tibet -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Crested Tzu

The Crested Tzu is a deliberate hybrid known as a designer dog, in this case a cross between the Chinese Crested Dog, a small dog that was originally used to keep ships free of vermin as early as the 1500s, and the Shih Tzu, a dog that kept Chinese royalty company over a thousand years ago. These little dogs are generally affectionate, well-behaved little animals that tend to be less yappy than other dogs of their size and require only a moderate amount of exercise, often quite happy with just 40 to 60 minutes a day. These characteristics make them ideally suited to apartment living. Although they get on very well with well-behaved older children, very small or boisterous children can be too much for them to handle.

History of the Crested Tzu

The Crested Tzu is a specific cross between a Chinese Crested Dog, an often hairless dog that helped keep sailing ships safe from vermin, and a Shih Tzu, a popular companion of ancient Chinese royalty.
        

A little of the Chinese Crested Dog

        
The Chinese Crested Dog is a very old breed, and despite its name, its original development did not take place in China. In the 1500s, Chinese traders obtained these little dogs from a distant port and began bartering with them, exchanging them with sailors to hunt vermin on ships. It wasn't long before their worldwide distribution obscured which port they came from, although many experts believe they came from Mexican or African ports. They were popularized in the USA in the 1900s and were first allowed to compete with the American Kennel Club in 1955, in the miscellaneous category, but were withdrawn from eligibility ten years later. It took twenty years for the Chinese Crested Dog breed to regain this status and another six to be further recognized as a breed in the toy group. Although they have yet to win Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show held annually in New York, Chinese Crested Dogs, purebred and mixed, have taken first place in ten of the world's ugliest dog competitions since its debut in 2000.
Standard of the Chinese Crested Dog

A little of the Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is also a very old breed, and like the Chinese Crested Dog, we can't be absolutely sure of the Shih Tzu's exact ancestry, although most experts think it's a cross between the Lhasa Apso breed from Tibet and a small Chinese dog, such as a Pekingese. They were favored by Chinese royalty for many centuries, and kept at court as early as the Tang dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907. During the Ming dynasty, these friendly little dogs also became popular among commoners. During the Chinese Revolution, the Shih Tzu breed was almost wiped out, and only seven males and seven females were saved. It is from these fourteen dogs that all of today's modern Shih Tzus are descended. In the early 1900s, Shih Tzus began to spread to other countries, such as Norway, England and North America, and are now the 20th most popular breed according to the American Kennel Club.
Standard of the Shih Tzu

Appearance of the Crested Tzu

The Crested Tzu is a very small dog, generally measuring less than 30.5 centimeters in height and longer than tall, although length can vary a little from dog to dog. They have a slightly arched or domed head with a muzzle that can go anywhere from the tapered, tapering muzzle of the Chinese Crested Dog to the shorter, broader muzzle of the Shih Tzu, and brown eyes that can be round or almond-shaped. Thick-furred ears sit high on the sides of the head, and can either fold over or stand upright. The hairlessness of the Chinese Crested Dog is a dominant trait, and every Chinese Crested Dog carries both the dominant hairless gene and the recessive gene that produces the Powderpuff variety, which is entirely covered with a thick, silky double coat. Litters carrying two copies of the dominant gene are reabsorbed before they even have a chance to develop. This means that the coat coverage of this dog can range from full coverage to just the crest of the head, the plume of the tail and the socks of the hairless Chinese Crested Dog. Almost any coat color and many types of markings are possible with this crossbreed.

Temperament of the Crested Tzu

These small dogs tend to be extremely people-oriented and affectionate, preferring to be as close as possible to the human or humans of their choice. This hybrid can develop separation anxiety somewhat more often than many other types of dog, especially if left alone for too long. They are generally gentle by nature and not as yappy as most other toy breeds, although they may inherit a stubborn or wilful sequence from both parent breeds, which sometimes makes them a little more difficult to train as well as potty train. This hybrid will generally be very tolerant of other pets in the home, and will generally get along very peacefully. Although they are quite fond of well-behaved older children, the Crested Tzu may not be a suitable companion for very small or boisterous children, as there is a risk of jealous behavior from Crested Chinese Dog genetics, and rough or clumsy handling by the child can result in injury to the dog.

Needs and activities of the Crested Tzu

The Crested Tzu's exercise requirements are relatively undemanding, and are generally satisfied with forty to sixty minutes of brisk activity a day. Dividing these sessions into smaller chunks of time tends to be much more effective for these dogs. These small dogs are well suited to living in smaller spaces with several short walks or energetic indoor play sessions a day. In addition to indoor retrieving games, these small dogs are often well suited to other indoor activities such as hide-and-seek and puzzle toys, which serve to exercise both the dog's body and mind. Crested Tzu dogs are generally calm and make pleasant, polite housemates, making them an appropriate choice for apartment living.

Maintenance of the Crested Tzu

Grooming requirements for this breed can vary considerably depending on the type and amount of fur inherited by the dog in question. Crested Tzu dogs that are mostly hairless generally require frequent bathing, but brushing or combing after bathing usually takes only a few minutes, while the full-coated variety generally requires fewer baths, but the daily brushing routine will take a little longer. The skin of the Chinese Crested Dog is prone to irritation, especially in the hairless variety, and the Crested Tzu can also inherit this trait. It's essential to use a good, non-irritating dog shampoo when washing your dog, and to look for any problems such as rashes, acne or swollen skin every time you bathe him. These dogs can also be predisposed to dental infections and injuries due to the shape and size of their mouths, so it's of the utmost importance to get them used to dental examinations and ensure that their mouths are as clean and healthy as possible.

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