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Chinese Crested Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Chinese Crested so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank79
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Chinese Crested dog profile picture
OriginChina flagChina
Other Names
What other names does the Chinese Crested have?
CrestedPuffChinese Crested
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Overview

QUICK FACTS VIDEO: CHINESE CRESTED DOG BREED

 

 

Photo Gallery of the Chinese Crested Breed

Chinese Crested Size and Weight

Size
Is a Chinese Crested small, medium or large dog?

How big do Chinese Crested get?

What is the average size of a Chinese Crested?

Small
Weight
How much does the Chinese Crested weigh? How much should a Chinese Crested weight? What is the normal weight of a Chinese Crested? How much does a full-grown Chinese Crested weight?
7-9 pounds (3-4 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Chinese Crested?
8 pounds (4 kg)
Height
How tall is the Chinese Crested? Chinese Crested height:
10-13 inches (21-33 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Chinese Crested?
11.5 inches (29 cm)

Chinese Crested Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Chinese Crested puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Chinese Crested in the United States? How much money is a Chinese Crested?

Where to buy a Chinese Crested with a good pedigree?

$800-$1000
If you choose to purchase the Chinese Crested, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Chinese Crested for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Chinese Crested gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Chinese Crested? How many Chinese Crested are there in the world?
Very frequent: The Chinese Crested is quite easy to get. There is a risk of overbreeding, as it is an extremely popular breed.

Inbreeding is common because of its popularity. A new study suggests that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful, buy from a trustworthy place or kennel and seek the help of an experienced person, a professional, to make the right decision.

Chinese Crested Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Chinese Crested? Is the Chinese Crested breed dumb or smart?
Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. Keep in mind that if you want to teach them any tricks, they understand and memorize new commands in 40-80 repetitions. Chinese Crested obey the first command 30% of the time or better. So if you want to have a smart dog, you might have to reconsider your choice with this breed.

The Chinese Crested ranks below average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are Chinese Crested dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Chinese Crested?
Chinese Crested dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly.
Watchdog Ability
Is Chinese Crested good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Chinese Crested dogs are not the best watchdogs. They aren't very territorial and protective about their property, so they probably won't alert you if they sense something different.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Chinese Crested dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Chinese Crested dogs are average defenders. Some dogs are very protective of their territory, while others easily let a stranger to trespass. This breed is not sure to defend its territory in every situation.

Chinese Crested Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Chinese Crested have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
PlayfulHappyAlertAffectionateLivelyTemperedSweet
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Chinese Crested sensitivity:
Sensitive: Chinese Crested dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.

This breed's emotional level reflects their owner's feelings and they don't handle punishments well.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Chinese Crested a good family dog?
Average to High: Chinese Crested dogs are highly affectionate dogs. They like being involved in the family's life. This breed isn't considered an aloof dog.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Crested need? Chinese Crested social needs:
Chinese Crested dogs need a lot of social interaction. They desire to always be with someone or around people. This breed hates being left alone.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Chinese Crested to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Chinese Crested roam?
Chinese Crested dogs are not the biggest explorers. They have low wanderlust potential. Low chance of escaping from home with this breed.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Chinese Crested have high prey drive?
Chinese Crested dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.

Chinese Crested Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
Average: Chinese Cresteds, like any other dog breed, like playing. Sometimes they bark in excitement for playing, but they are not the most playful dog breed.
Barking
Do Chinese Crested dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Crested bark?
Low to Average: The Chinese Crested rarely barks. This breed could be a good choice if you're looking for a quiet breed. They don't bark unless there is a good reason.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Chinese Crested good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Chinese Crested in an apartment?
Very house-friendly dog the Chinese Crested breed. It's good if you have a small garden where he can go out and do his business, but it's not important at all. You can get enough exercise with one or two walks a day, so keeping them indoors shouldn't be a problem.

Chinese Crested Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Average: Chinese Crested dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Chinese Crested be left alone? How long can you leave a Chinese Crested alone?
Chinese Crested dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Chinese Crested Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Chinese Crested has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Chinese Crested? How much bite force does a Chinese Crested have? How strong is a Chinese Crested bite?

Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽

Chinese Crested bite force: Weak. The Chinese Crested bite force is considered weak when compared to other dog breeds. The bite force Chinese Crested measurements usually fall below 200 PSI, making them one of the breeds with the weakest bite force. The bite force of a Chinese Crested may be weak, but it's important to remember that any dog's bite can still be dangerous if not managed properly. Despite the bite force of Chinese Crested being lower, it does not make them any less lovable or enjoyable as pets.

Chinese Crested bite wounds might not be as severe, but it is still essential to be cautious and prevent any biting incidents.

They are usually not aggressive and very friendly towards children and other animals. To ensure a well-behaved dog, it's essential to learn how to train a Chinese Crested puppy not to bite from an early age. With proper training and socialization, a Chinese Crested can be a wonderful addition to any family, providing love and companionship for years to come.

Biting Potential
Do Chinese Crested bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Crested? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Chinese Crested? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Chinese Crested has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Chinese Crested do?
Chinese Crested dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Chinese Crested dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Chinese Crested Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Chinese Crested dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
The Chinese Crested is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Chinese Crested breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Chinese Crested breed? Most common health risks of Chinese Crested:
EpilepsyDeafnessGlaucomaLens LuxationLoose Teeth
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Chinese Crested breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Chinese Crested see the vet?
Average
The Chinese Crested should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Chinese Crested dogs live? How old can a Chinese Crested be? What is the age limit of the Chinese Crested? How many years can the oldest Chinese Crested live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Chinese Crested?

How long is the lifespan of a Chinese Crested?

12-14 years
The average lifespan of Chinese Crested: 13 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. However, in general, most dogs prefer average to warm weather conditions, as they typically find hot weather conditions to be uncomfortable and taxing.

Chinese Crested Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Chinese Crested have? What is the activity level of the Chinese Crested?
Chinese Crested dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs. If you live a chilled life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Chinese Crested need? How much exercise do Chinese Crested dogs require per day?

Do Chinese Crested dogs need a lot of exercises?

Chinese Crested dogs exercise need is minimal. If you live a slow life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Chinese Crested breed need?
Chinese Crested dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. They're not the most active dog breed. If you live an active life, this breed can be a bad choice for you.

Chinese Crested Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Chinese Crested need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Chinese Crested breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Chinese Crested? How much food should I feed my Chinese Crested?
1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Chinese Crested risk for obesity:
Low to Average: The Chinese Crested has a low to the average risk for obesity. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Chinese Crested weight regularly.

Chinese Crested Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Chinese Crested have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
SilkyThickDoubleHairless
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Chinese Crested coats?
Black Blue Cream White Chocolate Palomino Apricot Slate
Grooming
How to groom the Chinese Crested and how often? How often should I take my Chinese Crested to the groomer?
Average: The Chinese Crested requires average grooming effort. Cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't essential.

Brushing the dog's coat is useful to reduce shedding. Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections.

Don't skip the seasonal flea treatment too. Dog nail trimming and dog bath can be helpful sometimes.

Check the local pet store for dog grooming supplies and find the best dog shampoo to keep its coat healthy and give your dog a pleasant experience of a dog bath.

If you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of your Chinese Crested, search for a dog groomer or clipping service in your area and book an appointment.

Maybe you're lucky to have a dog boarding service that includes grooming or walk-in dog bath places nearby.

Shedding Level
How much do Chinese Crested dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Crested? Do Chinese Crested dogs shed a lot?
Chinese Crested dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. Chinese Crested dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Chinese Crested need a bath? How often should you give a Chinese Crested a bath? Can I bathe my Chinese Crested every day?
1-2 weeks
Very frequent. This breed has famously high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 1-2 weeks. All dogs have oils on their skin, but some breeds are greasier than others.

For example, oilier breeds may need to be bathed up to once a week. Because many of these breeds are short-haired, a nice brushing won’t do much to redistribute the oils, so while these oils do protect the dog’s skin from overdrying, they can carry a pretty pungent odor.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Chinese Crested breed hypoallergenic?
Yes
Chinese Crested dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction. However there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs in the world, there are a variety of breeds that are considered to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Medium

The Chinese Crested has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Chinese Crested drool?
The Chinese Crested is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. If you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, the Chinese Crested could be a perfect choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool minimum compared to others, just like the Chinese Crested.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Chinese Crested Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Chinese Crested dogs get along with other pets? Are Chinese Crested dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Chinese Crested dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Chinese Crested temperament with other people:
Chinese Crested dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Chinese Crested dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Chinese Crested temperament with children:
Chinese Crested dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Chinese Crested dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Chinese Crested breed live with a cat?
Chinese Crested dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is Chinese Crested good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Chinese Crested dogs get along with other dogs?
Chinese Crested dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Chinese Crested breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Chinese Crested breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Chinese Crested dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Chinese Crested dogs good office canines? Do Chinese Crested dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Chinese Crested is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Chinese Crested dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Crested temperament with senior people? Are Chinese Crested dogs good for elderly owners?
Chinese Cresteds are usually recommended for elderly people.

Chinese Crested As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Chinese Crested is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Chinese Crested be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Chinese Crested is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Chinese Crested is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Chinese Crested is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a boat dog?

Not really

Chinese Crested breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Chinese Crested be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Chinese Crested is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Chinese Crested dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Chinese Crested Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Chinese Crested pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Chinese Crested breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Chinese Crested: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Chinese Crested have in a litter? How many puppies can the Chinese Crested breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Chinese Crested have? How many puppies can a Chinese Crested give birth to?
2-5 puppies

Chinese Crested Recognition

AKC Group
Is Chinese Crested recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Toy breed.
FCI Group
Is Chinese Crested recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Chinese Crested breed?
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Australian National Kennel CouncilContinental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel Club

Chinese Crested Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Trainability: Chinese Crested dogs are easy to train.
  • Hypoallergenic: Chinese Crested dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction.
  • Apartment Friendly: Very house-friendly dog the Chinese Crested breed.
  • Shedding Level: Chinese Crested dogs shed none to minimal.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Chinese Crested is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
  • Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: Low to Average: The Chinese Crested has a low to the average risk for obesity.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: Chinese Crested dogs are not the biggest explorers.
  • Child Friendly: Chinese Crested dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
  • Cat Friendly: Chinese Crested dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Chinese Cresteds are usually recommended for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Chinese Crested dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Cons
  • Intelligent Rank: Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.
  • Watchdog Ability: Chinese Crested dogs are not the best watchdogs.
  • Mouthiness: Chinese Crested dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
  • Tolerates Being Left Alone: Chinese Crested dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
  • Office Friendly: Chinese Crested is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Chinese Crested History

The exact origin of this exotic-looking small dog is not proven, but the breed is certainly not from China. In fact, unlike what the name would indicate, the Chinese Crested Dog is believed to have evolved from the African or Mexican hairless dog breed, their size was reduced by the Chinese. The Chinese Crested was discovered by Chinese sailors and merchants when they were traveling to African ports. In the 16th century, they were accompanied by these dogs. The sailors saw the advantages of a small hairless dog that is largely unaffected by fleas. These dogs were able to manage the vermin population, which was a non-negligible factor because of the diseases caused by parasites. The Chinese grew to prize this small breed and brought them back to China where they continued to be bred for their excellent ratting abilities though with a greater emphasis on temperament and size. Chinese believed that these dogs had magical healing powers, they gave their body’s heat directly. Their outflowing strong energy affected the patients comfortingly in case of their rheumatic and psychologically unstable disorders.

In the second half of the 18th century the original breed, the skinless one, practically disappeared in China. The next chapter of the history of the breed took place on other continents, in Great Britain and America. The popularity of these dogs grew and grew gradually. The Chinese Crested began to appear in paintings and texts. The works of celebrated animal painter Jacques Laurent showcased some of the best Chinese crested dogs in his paintings. Even though there were dog shows before this period, rarely a crested dog took part in them. However, both types of the Chinese Crested (Powderpuff and Hairless) were exhibited in 1885 at the Westminster Kennel Club Show in New York. Ms. Ida Garrett, a well-known journalist of that time, saw a picture of both the Powderpuff and Hairless which appeared in Harpers Weekly, and she became interested in the Chinese Crested at first sight. Over the decades Ida prompted the dogs in the USA through her writings and speeches. From 1920, another young woman, Ms. Debra Woods also started to deal with the breed seriously, she started the Crest Haven kennel. In 1979 American Chinese Crested Club was founded, which has two thousand members today.

Rate The Chinese Crested Breed

Chinese Crested Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • Luka videos

    Mar 8, 2023, 8:00:19 AM:

    Don’t judge the book by its cover

  • Sopurm Elite

    Feb 17, 2022, 2:59:21 PM:

    He is a pretty good dog if you want a child friendly dog, if you annoy him he can get pretty mad.