Which breed of dog is this?
The Chinese Crested Dog is a hairless breed of dog. Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog comes in two varieties, with and without fur, which are born in the same litter: the Powderpuff and the Hairless.
This breed is considered small; 10–13 lb (4.5–5.9 kg). At first look, the Hairless and Powderpuff varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs appear to be two different breeds, but hairlessness is an incomplete dominant trait within a single breed. The Hairless has soft, human-like skin, as well as tufts of fur on its paws ("socks") and tail ("plume") and long, flowing hair on its head ("crest").
Maintenance of the Hairless variety's skin is similar to maintaining human skin. Burning can occur in regions that are subject to strong UV radiation, especially in lighter-skinned dogs. Many owners apply baby sunscreen to their pets before spending time in strong sun.
Although hairless dogs have been found in many places in the world, it is unlikely that the origins of the modern Chinese Crested Dog are in China. The breed was believed by some to have originated in Africa and was called the African Hairless Terrier in several 19th century texts.
The current name of the breed likely comes from their use on Chinese ships as ratters. They are also believed to have been bred as a companion for people living with an intellectual disability and as such can remain healthy with little exercise.