Chinese Crested Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The Chinese Crested is an ultra-affectionate, sensitive companion dog best known for its hairless variety, though it also comes in a fully coated ‘Powderpuff’ form. In my practice, I find they are intensely devoted lapdogs that thrive on human contact, making them ideal for attentive owners who can accommodate their unique skin and dental care needs.
Quick Facts
- origin countryChina / Africa
- breed groupToy Group (AKC)
- sizeSmall
- weight range8 to 12 pounds (3.6 to 5.4 kg)
- height range11 to 13 inches (28 to 33 cm)
- lifespan13 to 18 years
- coat typeHairless (smooth skin with hair on head, tail, and feet) or Powderpuff (soft, double coat)
- common colorsBlack, blue, chocolate, apricot, cream, and spotted white
- other namesCrested
- recognized byAKC, UKC, KC (UK), FCI
Caring for a Chinese Crested
Living with a Chinese Crested is a deeply interactive experience; they are true velcro dogs that will follow you room to room. In my years treating this breed, I’ve observed that their physical comfort dictates their daily routine, requiring sweaters in the winter and sunscreen in the summer. They do not tolerate being left alone for long periods and will vocalize or display separation anxiety if neglected. Owners must commit to a daily routine of skin hydration or coat brushing depending on the variety.
Is a Chinese Crested a good family pet?
Yes, they can be excellent family pets, but they are highly sensitive and physically delicate. I always caution families with toddlers, as rough play can easily injure these fragile dogs, but they thrive with older, respectful children.
Do Chinese Cresteds shed a lot?
The hairless variety sheds virtually not at all, though they still lose tiny dander particles. The Powderpuff variety has a very low-shedding double coat, but it requires daily brushing to prevent severe matting.
Is a Chinese Crested good for first-time owners?
They are wonderfully loving, but their extensive skin care requirements (for the hairless) and high separation anxiety risks make them slightly challenging for absolute beginners. I advise first-time owners to prepare thoroughly for their grooming and emotional needs.
Temperament & Personality
The Chinese Crested possesses a delightfully quirky, intensely loving personality that borders on feline grace. They are highly attuned to their owner’s emotions and will readily scale the back of a sofa or climb into a lap to offer comfort. While incredibly affectionate with their inner circle, they can be naturally suspicious or aloof with strangers if not thoroughly socialized. In practice, I often see them described as ‘living hot water bottles’ because of the warm, radiating skin of the hairless variety.
Is a Chinese Crested good with other pets?
They generally get along splendidly with other dogs and cats, especially when raised together. Because they have a low prey drive, they rarely pose a threat to smaller household pets, though I still recommend supervised introductions.
How much attention does a Chinese Crested need?
They require an immense amount of emotional engagement and do not do well in households where owners are gone for 8-10 hours a day. I frequently treat Cresteds for stress-induced behaviors like psychogenic licking when they feel neglected.
Training & Behavior
Chinese Cresteds are highly intelligent and eager to please, but their sensitive nature means they shut down completely under harsh correction. I always tell owners that positive reinforcement—using high-value treats and enthusiastic praise—is the only way to train this breed. They have a surprising athletic ability and can excel in dog sports like agility if kept motivated. Be prepared for housebreaking to take longer than average, as small toy breeds require highly consistent scheduling.
Training Tips
- Use ultra-gentle, positive reinforcement methods
- Begin socialization in the first 16 weeks of life
- Keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes) and fun
- Crate train early to prevent separation anxiety
- Establish a strict, frequent housebreaking schedule
Fun Activities
- Agility courses scaled for toy breeds
- Trick training (sit, roll over, wave)
- Enclosed lure coursing
- Scent work and hide-and-seek games
- Interactive puzzle toys
Is a Chinese Crested easy to train?
They are highly intelligent and learn commands quickly, but they can be stubborn and easily frustrated. If you use positive, rewards-based training, they will surprise you with how quickly they pick up tricks.
Chinese Crested Health Issues
While generally robust with a long lifespan, the Chinese Crested has genetic predispositions to specific eye, joint, and dental issues. In my practice, the hairless variety requires constant monitoring for dental anomalies and dermatological conditions.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
An inherited condition where the fibers holding the eye’s lens disintegrate, causing the lens to fall out of its normal position, which can lead to painful glaucoma and blindness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-prcd)
A genetic, progressive degeneration of the retina that slowly leads to complete blindness, typically starting with night blindness.
Congenital Hypodontia (Missing Teeth)
Almost universal in the hairless variety due to a genetic link between hairlessness and tooth development (ectodermal dysplasia); they often have missing, abnormally shaped, or weak teeth.
Patellar Luxation
A common toy breed issue where the kneecap slips out of its femoral groove, leading to discomfort and eventual arthritis.
Atopic Dermatitis & Acne
The hairless variety has exposed skin that is highly prone to blackheads, clogged pores, sunburn, and allergic skin reactions.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
A degenerative disease of the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) that occurs in toy breeds, leading to necrosis of the bone.
How long do Chinese Cresteds typically live?
With excellent care, a balanced diet, and routine veterinary visits, Chinese Cresteds routinely live to be 13 to 18 years old. Their long lifespan means owners must commit to long-term preventative care, especially dental hygiene.
What to Feed a Chinese Crested
Proper nutrition for a Chinese Crested must account for their high metabolism and, for the hairless variety, the energy they expend simply keeping their bodies warm. Obesity is a major threat to their delicate joints, so caloric intake must be monitored closely.
Best Diet
A high-quality, small-breed specific commercial kibble is ideal. For those with severe dental issues or missing teeth, I frequently recommend transitioning to high-quality wet food, rehydrated freeze-dried diets, or home-cooked diets formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.
How to Feed
Divide their daily caloric intake into two to three small, scheduled meals rather than free-feeding. This prevents hypoglycemia in puppies and maintains consistent blood sugar levels in adults while preventing bloat.
How Much to Feed
Generally, an adult Crested requires between 1/2 to 1 cup of food per day, split into meals, but this varies dramatically based on activity and body condition. Always consult your veterinarian to calculate your specific dog’s daily caloric requirement.
Nutritional Tips
Adding omega-3 fatty acid supplements (like wild-caught fish oil) is highly beneficial for maintaining skin elasticity and barrier function in the hairless variety. Ensure fresh water is always available, as their skin is prone to rapid dehydration.
Chinese Crested Grooming Guide
Grooming requirements for this breed are highly specialized and differ drastically between the hairless and Powderpuff varieties. What I see most often in practice is skin damage from poor grooming or severe matting in the coated variety.
Coat Care
The Powderpuff needs daily brushing with a pin brush and slicker brush to prevent painful matting down to the skin, followed by a bath every 2 to 3 weeks. The hairless variety requires regular bathing with a mild, soap-free veterinary shampoo to prevent blackheads.
Skin Care
Exposed skin needs daily moisturizing with a non-comedogenic lotion (avoid heavy oils) and a broad-spectrum, pet-safe sunscreen before any outdoor exposure. Never use human acne products on their blackheads.
Eye Care
Tear staining can occur; gently wipe the under-eye area daily with a damp cloth or a veterinary-approved tear stain wipe to prevent irritation.
Ear Care
Inspect ears weekly for redness or wax buildup, and gently clean with a vet-approved ear flush, keeping the canal dry to prevent yeast infections.
Nail & Dental Care
Nails must be trimmed bi-weekly; their unique ‘hare foot’ shape means their quicks are longer than other breeds. Dental care is critical: daily brushing with dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste is mandatory to combat rapid plaque buildup.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Extremely affectionate and deeply loyal
- Hypoallergenic and virtually non-shedding (hairless)
- Thrives in small spaces and apartment living
- Incredibly clean with minimal doggy odor
- Highly adaptable to their owner’s activity level
- Long lifespan with proper care
Cons
- High maintenance skin care (hairless) or coat care (Powderpuff)
- Extremely prone to dental disease and missing teeth
- Highly susceptible to cold weather and sunburn
- Prone to severe separation anxiety if left alone
- Fragile bone structure not suited for rough children
Best For
The ideal owner is someone who works from home or is retired, who can dedicate ample time to companionship, and who is prepared to manage meticulous skin care, dental hygiene, and weather protection.
Not Recommended For
I do not recommend this breed for households with very young, boisterous children, or for busy professionals who must leave the dog alone for long stretches of the day.
Cost
- purchase price$1,500 to $4,000 from a reputable, health-testing breeder
- monthly cost$100 to $200 (accounting for skin care products, high-quality food, and frequent veterinary dental cleanings)
- initial setupExpect to spend $500 to $1,000 initially on high-quality winter coats, sun protective gear, specialized grooming supplies, and crate training essentials.
Similar Breeds
Xoloitzcuintli
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Chinese Crested FAQs
Why do hairless Chinese Cresteds have bad teeth?
This is due to ectodermal dysplasia, a genetic link where the genes dictating hair development also control tooth enamel and tooth formation. Consequently, almost all hairless Cresteds will have missing, conical, or structurally weak teeth, requiring vigilant dental care.
Do Chinese Cresteds sweat?
Yes, unlike most other dogs who only pant and sweat slightly through their paw pads, the hairless Chinese Crested actually has sweat glands in its skin. This means they can sweat to cool down, but it also means they need regular baths to keep their pores clean.
Do they need to wear clothes?
Absolutely. Without a coat, hairless Cresteds cannot regulate their body temperature in cold climates and are highly susceptible to hypothermia. In my practice, I recommend a collection of sweaters for indoor and outdoor winter wear, and lightweight UV-blocking shirts for summer.
Are Chinese Cresteds completely hypoallergenic?
While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, the hairless Crested is one of the closest options because they do not shed hair and have very low dander levels. However, people with severe saliva or urine allergies may still experience reactions, so exposure testing is recommended.
Why does my Chinese Crested get blackheads?
Just like humans, the hairless variety has exposed hair follicles that easily become clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells. I advise owners to use gentle, non-comedogenic dog shampoos and never squeeze the blackheads, which can lead to painful deep-tissue infections.
Can Chinese Cresteds go out in the sun?
Yes, but only with adequate protection. Their exposed skin will sunburn easily, which not only causes acute pain but also increases their long-term risk of skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma. Always apply a pet-safe, zinc-oxide-free sunscreen before outdoor activities.
What is a Powderpuff Chinese Crested?
The Powderpuff is the coated version of the breed, carrying a recessive gene that gives them a full, soft, double coat. They do not suffer from the dental anomalies or skin issues of the hairless variety, but they require intensive daily brushing to prevent matting.
Do Chinese Cresteds bark a lot?
They are generally moderate barkers, but they are highly alert and will vocalize to warn you of intruders. If they develop separation anxiety, their barking and whining can become continuous, which is why early crate and independence training is vital.
Are they difficult to housebreak?
Yes, they can be notoriously slow to housetrain, a trait common to many toy breeds with small bladders. I recommend a strict routine of taking them outside every 2-3 hours and using positive reinforcement; punish-based training will only make them hide their accidents.
Can they jump high?
Surprisingly, yes. Despite their delicate appearance, they are incredibly agile and have springy back legs that allow them to jump onto high countertops or tables. Owners should secure trash cans and keep counters clear of hazards.
What skin products are safe for a Chinese Crested?
You should only use products formulated specifically for dogs, as human products have a different pH that can disrupt their skin barrier. Look for oatmeal-based, soap-free shampoos and natural moisturizers like pure organic coconut oil or vet-approved lotions.
Are Chinese Cresteds high maintenance?
Yes, they are considered a high-maintenance breed compared to other toy dogs. The combination of mandatory skin care, intensive dental hygiene, weather protection, and their high demand for human companionship requires a highly dedicated owner.
Why does my hairless dog feel so warm?
They do not actually have a higher body temperature than other dogs; their normal temperature is the standard 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. However, because there is no fur acting as an insulating barrier, you are feeling their direct body heat radiating from their skin.
Do they suffer from separation anxiety?
Yes, they are highly prone to separation anxiety due to their intense bonding instincts. I frequently consult with owners on desensitization techniques and recommend leaving them with safe interactive toys to prevent panic behaviors when left alone.