Chinese Crested

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-12 years
The Chinese Crested has been dubbed an unusual breed, thanks to his awkward, quirky appearance. But these pups are generally healthy, and they can live longer than most other small dog breeds. However, like any breed, these pups have a few minor and serious health conditions that they can develop as they get older.

The Chinese Crested is also prone to deafness due to a genetic disorder that causes loss of hearing in either one or both ears. This is a birth defect, so many pups don’t know the difference. This condition is incurable, and there is no way of knowing if your Chinese Crested is deaf until he gets old enough to be attentive and alert. Most pet owners choose to train their dogs to cope with sign language to make up for their deafness.

Patellar Luxation

This condition occurs when the kneecap dislocates from a groove in the thigh bone. If left untreated, it could cause cartilage deterioration and severe, painful arthritis and nerve damage. Symptoms are subtle, but might include an awkward walk, limp, or obvious dislocation. Surgery is required to correct this problem.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This condition is a birth defect that causes degeneration of the retina, leading to gradual blindness. It is an incurable condition, but your pup can still live a long, healthy life. Most pet owners will begin training their pups with verbal cues to cope with the eventual loss of sight.

Other health conditions that your Chinese Crested may develop include Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, skin allergies, lens luxation, cataracts, and glaucoma. The average, healthy Chinese Crested boasts a long life of 13 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

Chinese Crested Dogs are friendly, loving pups who want to form strong bonds with their family members. These pups are good with children and other dogs, as long as kids and other pets aren’t too rough with him. These pups are sensitive, so be kind and gentle. Never use force or harshness to punish or train your Chinese Crested.

Exercise-wise, the Chinese Crested is usually laid back with low to moderate energy reserves. Two short walks a day are enough to keep your Chinese Crested happy and healthy. But do provide some small toys for him to play with indoors. You can also play a few games with him, such as fetch or hide-and-seek. Your Chinese Crested Dog would love exploring a big backyard too.

During training sessions, your Chinese Crested Dog needs kind, gentle direction and plenty of time to comply with commands. These dogs are smart but hesitant and slightly timid. They respond very well to praise, encouragement, and bite-sized treats. Some of these pups can develop small dog syndrome, so establish a pecking order in the pack to show the Chinese Crested his place in your family.

Grooming

Mostly a hairless purebred, the Chinese Crested Dog boasts lengthy, silky tufts of hair around his face, knees, and elbows. He might also have a few strands on his tail, but his body is smooth, soft, and hair-free. It is important to protect the skin of your pup with vet-approved sunscreens and moisturizers. Keep him in the shade whenever possible. Or, invest in some lightweight doggy clothes for his walks during the summer months. You should also keep his skin well-moisturized with dog lotion in the winter months when his skin is most in danger of becoming chapped.

Often used in shows, the Chinese Crested requires some extra care and maintenance. His ears are prone to infections, so keep his ears cleaned with once-a-week cleanings. Use warm water or vet-approved cleaning solutions, and a cotton ball to clean the outer edges of each ear. Check for signs of infections, such as oozing fluids, crusty rims, inflammation, or odd smells.

Diet

The Chinese Crested Dog is a dainty, delicate pup with a small appetite. Feed him a regular diet of high-quality, nutritious kibble. He should have two meals per day, each around ¼ to ½ cup of good-quality dog food. Each Chinese Crested is different, so check with your vet to make sure you are meeting the nutritional needs of your particular purebred.
 

Find A Chinese Crested Breeder

Chinese Crested Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Chinese Crested

Cost

Chinese Crested pups are rare. It is not often you walk out onto the street and see a fellow pet owner walking their Chinese Crested. However, they do indeed exist. And in abundance in some parts of the world, like China. However, for those living in the States, the average Chinese Crested breeder will charge upwards of $800 to $1,000 for an AKC-certified pup with bloodline documentation and health clearance.

You should also factor in the initial costs of vaccinations, a health check, spay or neuter services, toys, and starter puppy food. Then factor in the long-term costs, such as more toys, wholesome adult kibble, routine vet visits, an emergency medical fund, vaccination updates, and a microchip.

If you would rather skip a breeder, check your local rescue group or animal shelter instead. You might get lucky. In which case, adoption fees for a Chinese Crested could range anywhere from $75 to $500. It depends on the state, county, and shelter regulations, as well as any add-ons that the shelter can perform, such as in-house vaccinations and a spay or neuter.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. Chinese Crested Dogs are a 2 on the integration scale. But this is due to their small, delicate size and dainty, fragile stature. You have to be extra careful when handling or playing with your pup, as the slightest wrong movement could harm him. Be respectful and gentle. And teach others in your household how to do the same. You also have to keep on top of his grooming regimen to avoid skin cancer, sunburns, or chapping.

 

Shih Tzu

Pomeranian

Havanese

Silky Terrier