Sam the hairless Chinese Crested Dog was a celebrity with his ugliness. Here is a flattering picture of him in all of his glory.
World's Ugliest Dog

However, all Chinese Crested dogs are not that ugly. In fact, the ones with hair are not bad at all.

The Chinese Crested dogs were brought aboard ships from various European sailors to control rodents. If any of them look like Sam, they could have scared them to death just with their looks. Chinese Crested Dogs have been around 700-800 years in China of course.

I have seen Chinese Crested dogs of both kinds. I took a picture of the dogs with the owner. They were friendly and intelligent also. The kind with hair is referred to as a Powderpuff.

They are normally about 10-12 lbs and make a great pet for an apartment. They are excellent with children and most other pets. Most often, their lifespans are up to 12 years. Chinese Crested dogs are easy to teach tricks. Also, they are not barkers. They like human attention, but they show favoritism to one owner in particular.

If you have them outside, they prefer warmer climates. The hairless dogs need sunscreen for protection. They love to climb and are expert diggers.

They are a great pet if you are looking for a dog with minimal care. With no hair, you don't have to worry about grooming. Also, makes them easy to clean and for finding ticks. That means if you have allergies with other cats or dogs, a Chinese Crested may be the answer.

Having a Chinese Crested will get people's attention anytime it is taken somewhere. It seems everyone has an opinion about them. They are just adorable or the ugliest dog that ever lived. It would be a great dog, if you are looking to meet people. The Chinese Crested will catch the attention of many and is a great conversation starter.

Like any small dog, an owner must take care it does not get injured easily. Sitting on the dog by mistake or having a large dog grab it could be fatal because of their fragile physical makeup. They are not a good dog if you are going to leave them alone for long portions of the day. They need human attention constantly and love to be in someone's lap.

Chinese Crested Dog is an exotic for sure. If you are looking for something different, it could be the perfect pet for you. For some, they are the world's ugliest dog, but for you it could be the cuddly lapdog you have been missing.