Chinese Crested

Personality

Chinese Cresteds are people dogs through and through. They attach strongly to their families, follow you from room to room and thrive on lap time and attention. The AKC standard calls the breed gay and alert, and owners tend to describe a playful, comical dog that loves to be the center of attention.

They are sensitive, too. VCA notes that Cresteds respond strongly to their surroundings, which can affect their confidence, and that dogs left alone often can develop separation-related behaviors. Harsh words or rough handling can dent a Crested's trust quickly, while gentle, consistent guidance builds a bold, affectionate pet.

Cresteds are small and delicate, so supervise play with young children and big dogs. Early socialization helps them stay confident with new people and other dogs. Barking is moderate, and some individuals sound off at noises or visitors. Energy is moderate as well: a Crested enjoys a play session and then happily curls up with its person.

History

Where the Chinese Crested came from is something of a mystery, and accounts differ. The AKC describes a long-held view that hairless dogs from Africa were taken to China, bred down in size and carried on trading ships as rat catchers, which earned them the name Chinese Ship Dog. Other writers doubt a Chinese origin, because the breed shares its hairless mutation with the Xoloitzcuintli, the Mexican hairless dog. Spanish explorers reported hairless dogs in Mexico and parts of Central and South America as early as the 1500s, and later European explorers found them in Africa and Asia.

The breed's hallmark is its hairless gene, which is incompletely dominant. A dog with one copy is a Hairless, while an embryo that inherits two copies never develops into a puppy. Hairless and coated Powderpuff puppies can be born in the same litter.

The American Chinese Crested Club was formed in the late 1970s, the FCI recognized the breed in 1987, and the AKC followed in 1991. Today Cresteds are companions first, although some compete in obedience and other dog sports.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Chinese Crested is a toy dog that the AKC standard describes as fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The standard puts the ideal height at 11 to 13 in (28 to 33 cm), and VCA lists weights of 8 to 12 lb (3.6 to 5.4 kg). The standard itself does not set a weight.

There are two varieties, and both can appear in one litter. The Hairless has hair only on the head (the crest), the tail (the plume) and the feet (the socks). The skin elsewhere is soft and smooth, and some hairless dogs, sometimes called hairy hairless, carry more coat than others. The Powderpuff is completely covered by a soft, silky double coat.

The standard allows any color or combination of colors, and the skin of a Hairless can show spots and patches of pigment. Whichever variety you choose, the silhouette is the same: light, slender and lively. A Crested is a small dog with a big personality and a very distinctive look, so expect questions on every walk.

Training

Cresteds are intelligent and often do well in obedience and trick training, but they are sensitive, so the method matters. Use gentle, consistent, reward-based training with small treats and plenty of praise. Raised voices and corrections can make a Crested shut down.

Start socialization early and keep it positive. Introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, surfaces and weather, since a dog that is sensitive to its surroundings needs wide exposure while young. Short sessions of a few minutes, several times a day, work better than long drills.

House training takes a regular schedule: go out after meals and naps, and reward success. Many small dogs dislike cold or wet ground, so a covered potty spot or a coat in winter can help. Our crate training guide covers routines that work for small dogs, too.

Prepare your dog for being alone in small steps to head off separation problems. Handle the feet, ears and mouth early, so that grooming and vet visits stay calm.

Exercise

Chinese Cresteds have moderate energy and modest exercise needs. VCA recommends short walks and playtime each day. Most are happy with a couple of brisk walks, a game of chase or fetch in a safe space and some indoor play. A few minutes of trick training adds mental exercise. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs explains how to adjust activity for size and age.

Protect the skin when you go outside. VCA advises sun protection for hairless dogs and care in extreme cold. Choose shade, keep outings short in strong sun and ask your vet about a dog-safe sun protection plan. In cold weather, a hairless dog loses warmth quickly, so use a coat or sweater and cut walks short.

Cresteds are small and can be hurt by rough play or falls from furniture, so supervise games with big dogs and young children. Use a harness rather than a collar if your dog pulls, and keep your Crested on a leash or in a fenced area, since small dogs are easily lost or injured.

Grooming

Grooming depends on the variety, and neither is truly low-maintenance. A Hairless needs skin care: VCA recommends bathing and moisturizing about once a week plus sun protection. Bare skin is more prone to irritation and environmental damage, so ask your vet about products that suit your dog. The tufts of hair on the head, tail and feet need regular combing.

A Powderpuff needs daily brushing to prevent tangles, especially behind the ears and under the legs. Both varieties shed little, and the AKC includes the breed among options for allergy sufferers. As always, no dog is completely allergen-free, so spend time with the breed before you commit.

Dental care matters for both varieties, and VCA calls dental problems a defining concern in the breed, especially in hairless dogs. Brush your dog's teeth several times a week and book regular dental checks. Our guide to brushing your dog's teeth shows how. Trim nails regularly and check the ears and eyes weekly.

Feeding

Chinese Cresteds are small, so even a handful of extra treats adds up. Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to the dog's life stage and measure portions with a scale or cup. Many adults do well on two small meals a day, and tiny puppies often need more frequent meals, so ask your vet what is right for yours.

Use our dog food calculator for a starting estimate, then adjust based on how your dog looks and feels. You should be able to feel the ribs under a light covering and see a defined waist. In a Hairless, body condition is easy to see; in a Powderpuff, check by touch.

Because dental problems are a particular concern, ask your vet whether the size and texture of the food, or dental-friendly chews, would help your dog, and check before offering hard chews. Keep treats small and count them in the daily total.

Fresh water should always be available. If your Crested is a picky eater, avoid the temptation to add table scraps, which can unbalance the diet and add calories quickly.

Health

Cresteds are long-lived, with VCA listing 13 to 18 years, but the breed has some specific concerns. Dental problems top the list. VCA calls dental abnormalities a defining concern, especially in the hairless variety, so tooth care and regular checkups matter from puppyhood.

The eyes need watching. Primary lens luxation (PLL), in which the lens of the eye shifts out of position, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are both reported, as is dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). The AKC lists an exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and DNA tests for PLL and PRA (rcd3), along with patella and cardiac exams, as the national club's recommended screening.

Luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of place, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a disorder of the hip joint, are listed for young dogs. Skin disorders appear in adults, and hairless dogs are more prone to irritation and sun damage. Cataracts and degenerative joint disease show up in seniors, and the AKC adds that glaucoma and, occasionally, epilepsy occur in the breed.

See your vet if you notice squinting, cloudy eyes, limping, skipping on a back leg, bad breath or a change in eating. Annual checkups catch many problems early.

Health conditions to know about

• Dental abnormalities and dental disease — VCA calls dental problems a defining concern, especially in hairless dogs; brush often and book regular dental checks.
• Luxating patella — A kneecap that slips out of place; a patella exam is recommended for breeding dogs.
• Primary lens luxation and PRA — Inherited eye diseases; DNA tests and eye exams are recommended for breeding dogs.
• Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) — Reduced tear production that can make eyes sore; see your vet about squinting or discharge.
• Skin disorders and sun damage — Bare skin is prone to irritation and sunburn; hairless dogs need regular skin care and sun protection.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Primary lens luxation (PLL) DNA test
• PRA (rcd3) DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Chinese Crested

A Chinese Crested suits apartments and small homes very well. It is small, moderately active and not a heavy barker, and it asks for little more than company, a couple of short walks and a warm place to curl up. It is not a dog for someone who is away all day, since VCA notes that Cresteds can develop separation-related behaviors if left alone often.

Climate matters more for this breed than for most. Hairless dogs feel the cold, so winter calls for coats, sweaters and a warm bed away from drafts. Sun and heat call for shade, careful timing of outings and sun protection for bare skin. Powderpuffs have a coat, but both varieties are indoor companions.

Cresteds are delicate. Keep stairs and furniture safe with ramps or pet stairs, and supervise play with larger dogs and with young children, who may squeeze or drop a small dog. Many Cresteds love a cozy nest, so provide a soft bed or blanket. Check that your fence has no gaps, since small dogs can slip through.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Chinese Crested puppy prices vary widely, so compare breeders on health testing and care rather than cost. Look for someone who screens breeding dogs and is open about the results. The AKC lists patella and cardiac exams, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and DNA tests for primary lens luxation and PRA (rcd3) as the national breed club's recommended health tests, so ask for those results for both parents, along with details about dental health in the line.

Good breeders raise puppies in the home, let you meet the mother, explain the hairless gene and may have both Hairless and Powderpuff puppies in a litter. Because both varieties can come from the same parents, be flexible if you have a preference. Be wary of sellers who promise rare colors, send puppies off at a very young age, or have no health records.

Rescue is another route. Crested rescues often place adult dogs, and a grown dog's coat type, size and personality are already clear. If you adopt, ask about dental condition, skin care needs and how the dog does when left alone.