Chinese Crested
中國冠毛犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned, elegant toy dog that comes in two varieties born in the same litter: the Hairless, with soft smooth skin and tufts of hair on head, feet and tail, and the fully coated Powderpuff. Once carried on Chinese trading ships as a rat-catcher, it is now an alert, lively, ultra-affectionate companion — playful, entertaining, catlike in its love of high perches, and totally in tune with its family. Its exercise needs are met by short daily walks and play, it can suit an apartment, and it must be trained with gentle patience because harsh words can damage the relationship. Hairless dogs sunburn easily and can get acne, so skin care and protection from sun and cold are part of ownership.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 28–33cm |
| Weight | 3.6–5.5kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–18years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 9 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Hairless |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 20–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is reported in the breed. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip condition of small breeds) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog shows hind-leg lameness.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma or lens luxation is reported in the breed; screening tests exist. Ask your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Skin and allergy problems
Because the Hairless variety's skin is exposed, the AKC says it is prone to skin irritation, allergies and sunburn — young puppies never exposed to the sun burn very quickly — and to blackheads and acne; the parent club advises shade, protective clothing or sunscreen, a weekly bath, clean bedding and not squeezing spots, and says severe breakouts or bad sunburn should be seen by a vet. Ask your vet about skin care suited to your dog's skin type.
Behaviour
Ultra-affectionate — and easily hurt by harsh words
The AKC says the Crested loves to spend time with its owner, which makes it a great candidate for agility, flyball, obedience, lure coursing and therapy work, but it has a very sensitive nature and must be trained with gentle patience: harsh words and negative actions can damage the relationship to the point that it loses interest in learning from you. The parent club adds that these funny little dogs like to please, will repeat anything that amused you, and enjoy sitting in high places like the back of a sofa.
Small exercise needs, big personality
The CKC calls the breed a loving, playful, entertaining companion — gay, alert and lively — whose exercise needs are easily met with a daily walk and some playtime. The AKC agrees that short daily walks and back-garden play usually suffice, with sunscreen or protective clothing for outdoor time, and notes these are tough little dogs that can be very competitive in canine sports. The parent club says activity level is medium to high, that they enjoy quiet times with the family and adjust well to apartment living, and that early socialisation is essential.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 30 minutes per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Chinese Crested
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Chinese Crested (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Chinese Crested
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 30 minutes per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Chinese Crested Dog (standard no. 288, group 9)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page calls Cresteds generally healthy with an average life expectancy of 15 years or more and points breeders to the CHIC / OFA testing list; for owners of Hairless dogs it gives practical skin advice — shade, clothing or sunscreen because puppies that have never seen the sun burn very quickly, aloe after-sun lotion for mild sunburn, a weekly bath with a quality shampoo and conditioner, clean clothes and bedding to prevent blackheads and acne, and no squeezing spots — and warns new owners not to tape a puppy's ears upright without proper instruction, since improper taping can cause ear and skin infections.”
— American Chinese Crested Club — Breed Health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Chinese Crested — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Chinese Crested — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Chinese Crested — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Chinese Crested Dog — FCI standard no. 288 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Breed Health — American Chinese Crested Club — American Chinese Crested Club (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.