purposes they were used for in the past, today they are wonderful little Terrier-like dogs with big personali- ties. They are highly intelligent and if one puts in a small amount of time to explain what is expected of them, Chi- nese Cresteds can achieve a great deal. Chinese Crested can do many things, but they are especially wonderful as therapy dogs. They are small but not breakable, very cuddly, and do not shed. These attributes enable them to sit on the laps of the elderly and to entertain small children. Being ac- tive and intelligent, the Crested can be taught many tricks and obedience commands. Their size makes them portable. Sister Pauline Quinn, a Do- minican Sister, recognized the Crest- eds love for people and focused their eager attitudes to make them service dogs. Sister Pauline established the first prison program where dogs are trained by the prisoners to help the handicapped. In 1991, she obtained her first powderpuff Crested (Little Joseph v Gingery, aka Joey), andmade him the first Crested to be used in ser- vice work as a hearing dog. Joey paved the way for other Cresteds to help and assist the disabled. Today, Andromeda (seizure dog) and Beamer (hearing dog) are performing services. Fidos for Freedom, a hearing dog organization based out of Maryland, also has used Chinese Cresteds. Quick, fast, alert and smart, they can answer the call of a crying baby orwarn their hearing im- pairedowners of fires or other dangers. Other Chinese Cresteds found their niche in fly ball, tracking, and agility competitions. KayDee, who is owned by Lauralie Mcguire, competes in the
North American Fly Ball Association trials. In March 1998, two-year old Sprite earned her first tracking title, and a year later, earned her tracking dog excellent title with trainerWendy Wallace. Sprite’s full name with titles isGingery’s Phenomenon, CGN,PCD, CD,CDX, CGC, AgN, AgNJ, CDN2, FDN, FDNT, RN, RA, RE, TD,TDX , and with titles bigger than her, she re- ally was a phenomenon. Recently, the sport of agility has taken over the dog world and is a very competitive activity. A Pow- derpuff was competing in agility be- fore it became a full-fledged AKC sport, but when it did, the Cresteds started running and jumping and weaving in and out of poles. There are many MACH Cresteds, but the first one was a Hairless named Ch Luvan Trouble Is My Business CD, owned by Barbara Majka and bred by the late Jean Scott. Obedience competition like the other performance events, requires a special bond between dog and owner. Chinese Crested Powderpuff OTCH Preze- meks Mr. Mojo Risin UDX, aka Jack, was bred by Margaret Supronowicz and owned by Marsha Smith. Jack is the breed’s first and only obedience trial champion. The most interesting and controver- sial activity for Cresteds is weight pull- ing. It is normally a sport that is done by the larger Terriers, such as pit bulls, but it has been embraced by Cresteds as well. In weight pulling, the dog is hooked up to a harness and cart. It cannot be touched, led or fed by their owners but the owners can talk to their dogs. Bottom line, the dogs have
Most of the time, Cresteds are seen in larger numbers in the conforma- tion ring. The Chinese Crested Hall of Fame is a document established to keep detailed records of the Chinese Crested accomplishments within the AKC. Special thanks to Jackie Miller for doing such a great job in preserv- ing this accurate historical document belonging to the ACCC. The Hall of Fame contains a chronological listing of the breed’s best in showwinners, na- tional specialty winners, champions, and breeding awards. It has expanded to include obedience and agility statis- tics as well. Some notable first include: • First champion in AKC: Ch Phaedrian’s Razzmattazz with Spice (Powderpuff) • First Sire of Distinction: Ch Gingery’s Maple Syrup (Powderpuff) • First Dam of Distinction: Sol- Orr’s Ten-a-CWalker (Hairless) • First Best in Show winner (Hairless): Darshire Sun Nee Dal of Luvan • First Best in Show winner (Powderpuff): Ch Gingery’s Maple Syrup • First National Specialty winner AKC: Ch Razzmatazzmanian Stripper • First Westminster Best of Breed winner: Ch Gingery’s Maple Syrup It is clear from the breed’s accomplish- ments in both performance and the breed ring that they are not just the average toy dog. Cresteds serve as ex- cellent companions and love lap living, but ask a Crested to do something, and it will rise to the occasion. Living with them is always an experience since they are comical and cute, playful and mischievous, and very inquisitive. Cresteds enjoy the company of people and should never be shy or nervous. Of course, their size and sometimes fragile appearance can lead to them becoming spoiled house pets. Some actually control their people by ma- nipulation in order to get their own way but if you treat them like the big personality they are, Cresteds will be your best and faithful friend for many, many years.
to want to do it or nothing will happen. The first Crested to win a total dog award with weight pull is Ch Gingery’s Terrapin, owned by Dana Bowers. He pulled over 55 times his body weight and also au- ditioned on “Amer- ica’s Got Talent” as “Toby the Strong.”
photo courtesy of www.swiftbennett.com
T op N otch T oys , F ebruary 2020 • 61
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