Chinese Crested Dog: Your Complete Guide
The Chinese crested dog is one of the most unique-looking dog breeds out there. They are hairless, with some fur sticking out of their heads. However, not all Chinese cresteds are like this; while some varieties are hairless, some have full coats. Even more surprisingly, hairless and long-haired Chinese cresteds can be born in the same litter. It is a very common occurrence and even expected.
The Chinese crested’s appearance is the most unique feature of this breed, but there are also other qualities of the breed that are worth noting. In this Dog Academy breed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Chinese crested. We will take a look at the breed’s history, physical characteristics, personality, care needs, health, and more.
Continue reading to the end to learn all about the Chinese crested and determine whether or not this breed is the right dog for you.
Table of Contents
Quick Look at the Chinese Crested Dog
Below is a quick look at the Chinese crested dog. You will find a detailed coverage of each point in the coming parts.
| Weight/Height | 8-12 pounds / 11-13 inches |
| Coat Type | Hairless with some tufts of fur, or a full double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Affectionate, playful, sociable, gentle |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level |  |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 13-18 years |
What Is the History of Chinese Crested Dogs?
Unfortunately, much of the Chinese crested’s early origins are unknown. It is thought that large hairless dogs from Africa first found their way to China through trade thousands of years ago, and, favoring small dogs, the Chinese began selectively breeding these large dogs to reduce them in size.
These later smaller and hairless dogs were utilized for various purposes, but mainly for ratting to keep farms and houses free from vermin. Over time, smaller hairless dogs resembling the Chinese crested, as we know today, were taken back to Africa, and from there, to Europe. By the turn of the 19th century, there was a considerable number of Chinese crested in Europe and North America.
Despite their history dating back thousands of years, it took a while for the Chinese crested to make a name for themselves in the United States. The first breed club for the Chinese crested in North America, the American Chinese Crested Club, was founded in 1979. The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the Chinese crested into its Miscellaneous Class in 1985 and formally recognized the breed in 1991.
What Do Chinese Crested Dogs Look Like?
The Chinese crested comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. In the breed standards for this breed, almost any color or combination of colors is permitted. Black, blue, brown, cream, red, silver, white, and a combination of these colors are perfectly accepted in the breed standards. With this range of coat colors, it is safe to say that you will find a Chinese crested with a color that matches your personal preferences.
It is also worth noting that both the hairless and long-haired varieties share the same color genetics, so any of the colors we’ve mentioned above apply to both varieties.
What Size Is a Chinese Crested Dog?
The Chinese crested is a small dog breed. The height and weight ranges for this breed are pretty much the same regardless of sex, with both males and females standing 11 to 13 inches tall at the withers and weighing between 8 and 12 pounds. Although there are some outliers that can be quite smaller or larger than this range, Chinese cresteds are overall a great choice for those looking for a small dog.
What Is a Chinese Crested Dog’s Coat Type and Length?
The Chinese crested has two varieties in terms of coat: hairless and long-haired; the long-haired varieties are also known as powderpuff. The hairless variety, however, isn’t entirely hairless; they have localized hair growth on parts of the head, legs toward the paws, and tail. The powderpuff varieties, on the other hand, have a medium-length silky double coat that lies flat and airy, similar to the coat of more popular breeds like the teacup Maltese.
What Is a Chinese Crested Dog’s Temperament?
While the appearance of the Chinese crested is what draws many to them, it is the temperament of this breed that makes many want to get one. These dogs have a distinctive, affectionate, people-oriented temperament. They bond strongly with every one of their family members and love physical closeness, whether it is sitting in laps, leaning against you, following you from room to room, or receiving pets.
This affectionate nature, paired with their playful and resilient side, makes them such fun dogs to have. They enjoy games, bursts of zoomies, interactive play, and clownish acts that are always entertaining to watch. Chinese cresteds are also fairly friendly towards strangers and sociable with unfamiliar dogs. As long as others respect their space and act gently, you can count on a Chinese crested to welcome them with a wagging tail.
In addition to all these, there’s much more to cover about their personality traits. Here’s everything you need to know about the Chinese crested’s temperament.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Good With Kids?
Chinese cresteds can be good with kids under the condition that the kids in the family are gentle and respectful. Although they enjoy playing with kids and bond strongly with them, they have a sensitive side that can feel stressed when around kids who play roughly or are loud.
Therefore, the main consideration for families with kids should be the sensitive temperament and the fragile build of the Chinese cresteds. If kids act gently and calmly without rough play, all while respecting their space and not bothering them when eating or drinking, then a Chinese crested can be a perfect addition to any family with kids. An adult’s supervision is also essential in ensuring this breed gets along well with kids.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Good With Other Animals?
Unlike many companion dogs, Chinese cresteds enjoy being in multi-dog households. They like having other dogs, especially similarly-sized dogs, and prefer harmony over dominance or competition, though some might get jealous if one dog gets more attention than they do from time to time.
With cats, Chinese cresteds do very well without much or any conflict. However, introductions to cats must be controlled and gradual to prevent unwanted interactions. Chinese cresteds are equally good with small pets like rabbits, rodents, and even birds, thanks to their very low prey drive. All these make the Chinese crested an excellent breed for households with existing pets.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Aggressive?
Chinese cresteds aren’t aggressive at all. They are sociable dogs that enjoy interacting with anyone and everyone around them. These dogs can even make strangers friends instantaneously if they know how to greet them in an environment that they are comfortable in, like home or a park that they are familiar with.
However, this isn’t to say that socialization isn’t important with Chinese cresteds. They also need an adequate amount of socialization, especially when young, to feel confident in their surroundings. Otherwise, they can exhibit aggressive behaviors, particularly things like resource guarding and barking at unfamiliar dogs. Always prioritize socialization and training early to ensure your Chinese crested becomes a well-mannered adult.
Do Chinese Crested Dogs Bark?
Chinese cresteds are average barkers. They aren’t loud or yappy, but they will bark to alert and sometimes communicate. However, whether or not this can be a potential issue depends largely on individual temperament. While some Chinese cresteds bark only in specific situations, others may bark quite often. Fortunately, this can be kept under control with behavior modification and keeping them healthy and happy.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Affectionate?
Saying that Chinese cresteds are affectionate would be an understatement; these dogs are by far one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They bond strongly with their people and other animals in the family with a love that lasts a lifetime for them. It is common for a Chinese crested to follow their owner, demand pets, and jump on your lap.
However, this affectionate nature makes them prone to separation anxiety. It is critical to leave these dogs alone from time to time to help them get accustomed to being alone. You can also take a look at our online dog training course, Minimizing Separation Anxiety, to prevent and address this common behavioral issue seen in Chinese cresteds.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Intelligent?
Chinese cresteds have an average intelligence overall. They aren’t highly intelligent and alert like border collies or poodles, but they aren’t challenging to teach new things and don’t have difficulties understanding what’s happening around them.
This means that most Chinese cresteds don’t require a lot of mental stimulation and are content with routines that get them involved using their minds occasionally. Still, they greatly benefit from taking new routes, solving dog puzzles, playing interactive games, and socializing with friendly dogs.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Energetic?
Although there are some that are surprisingly hyper and active, Chinese cresteds generally fall anywhere between low and medium energy. On average, they should be walked for about half an hour, in addition to some playtime to be healthy. They also enjoy exploring new places, running around with friendly dogs, and indoor games like scent work and hide and seek.
Even though Chinese cresteds aren’t high-energy, exercise is still critical for the well-being of these dogs. An underexercised Chinese crested can develop a wide range of behavioral issues that can impact their health.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Easy to Train?
Chinese cresteds are eager to learn and quite intelligent, so they are overall easy to train. They can learn basic commands and essential skills easily as long as you’re patient and utilize reward-based training methods.
However, it is important to set realistic expectations about training Chinese cresteds. Because they weren’t utilized for a specific purpose, they don’t have a work-oriented nature that enables them to train and execute commands with a big smile on their face. These dogs usually require a reward for them to see the point in doing what they’re told. If there isn’t any, they may be reluctant to execute commands.
Due to this, reinforcing behaviors is critical when training Chinese cresteds, which is something that Dog Academy can help you with. We have a wide range of online dog training courses that cover everything from start to finish. Browse our online courses to find the course your Chinese crested needs to take training steps on your own with our expert help.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Good Watchdogs?
Chinese cresteds aren’t vigilant or alert in terms of observing around to look for something out of the ordinary. They would much rather play with a stranger than question their presence in the first place. Therefore, the Chinese crested is at the bottom of the list when it comes to being a good watchdog. They lack both the temperament and the physical appearance to alert or deter intruders or unfamiliar animals.
Are Chinese Crested Dogs Good Service Dogs?
Due to their small, fragile build and moderate trainability, it is safe to say that the Chinese crested isn’t a preferred breed choice for service dog work. It is too difficult to train these dogs for the multi-step tasks service dogs need to learn and perform in all settings. However, with their extremely loving nature, Chinese cresteds can be exceptional emotional support and therapy animals.
How to Care for a Chinese Crested Dog?
We’ve covered various care needs of the Chinese crested, mainly focusing on socialization, exercise, training, and emotional needs. The same as any other dog breed, they also have some basic care needs that everyone interested in getting a Chinese crested should know. Here’s a quick look at these in terms of grooming, feeding, and health.
Do You Need to Groom a Chinese Crested Dog?
Even though hairless Chinese cresteds have minimal grooming requirements covering basic needs like ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care, among others, the powderpuff varieties require regular brushing and haircuts. If you have a long-haired Chinese crested, be prepared for brushing your dog two to three times a week and taking them to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks.
We highly recommend our General Canine Grooming Course for those who are planning to have a Chinese crested as their first dog. It covers all the aspects of dog grooming, from identifying your dog’s individual needs to brushing their teeth and maintaining their coat.
Do Chinese Crested Dogs Shed?
As hairless dogs, Chinese cresteds are more hypoallergenic than most other dog breeds. The long-haired Chinese cresteds, on the other hand, are also considered hypoallergenic, as their coat sheds minimally. Even if this becomes an issue, regular brushing and bathing can prevent dander produced from their coats triggering allergic reactions.
What Health Problems Do Chinese Crested Dogs Have?
It is safe to say that Chinese cresteds are among the healthiest dog breeds in the world. The health issues seen in this breed are the typical conditions that affect small breeds, such as luxating patella, glaucoma, and skin irritation.
However, Chinese cresteds can inherit a wide range of eye problems, like progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, and primary lens luxation. It is essential for prospective owners of this breed to work with a responsible breeder who screens the health of their breeding stock regularly.
To find Chinese crested puppies from responsible breeders in your area, take a look at our Puppies for Sale page. You can check out Chinese crested puppies listed for sale in all 50 states and find your next dog.
How Long Do Chinese Crested Dogs Live?
As you can expect from their health, the lifespan for Chinese cresteds is one of the highest among all dog breeds at 13 to 18 years, with many exceeding 20 years with excellent health.
What Should a Chinese Crested Dog Eat?
Chinese cresteds need a diet that supports their health, well-being, and lifestyle, like every other dog. Generally, most commercially available dog food formulated for small dog breeds is ideal for Chinese cresteds. However, many owners opt for limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic dog food to prevent food allergies in their Chinese cresteds.
Is a Chinese Crested Dog the Right Dog for Me?
The Chinese crested has a unique appearance, but their affectionate and playful nature is what makes them stand out, not their looks. They are adaptable dogs that can be an ideal fit for a wide range of households, from multi-dog families to those who are looking for a small canine companion as their first pet.
Considering their adaptability, the Chinese crested can be the right dog to have for anyone who’s up for welcoming an affectionate and loving dog into their lives. As long as you’re involved in their lives and can meet their care needs on a daily basis, there’s no reason for a Chinese crested not to be the right dog. It all comes down to your willingness to open your home for a fairly high-maintenance dog that will pay you back with endless companionship.