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Discover everything about Chinese Crested Dog
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Chinese Crested Dog?
At a glance
Chinese Crested Dog overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Chinese Crested Dog is a relatively robust small breed, though attention must be paid to Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Additionally, the breed is more prone to patellar luxation (knee cap issues). Since reliable genetic tests exist for these eye conditions, the risk can fortunately be well managed through careful breeding selection.
Lifespan
13–15 yrs
Height
23–33 cm
Weight
4–5 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,000 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Either hairless with soft hair on the head, tail and paws (Hairless) or with full fur (Powderpuff); no undercoat
- Origin: China
Typical coat colors
- All colors allowed
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Chinese Crested Dog, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Chinese Crested Dog right for you?
The Chinese Crested Dog is a sensitive, extremely people-oriented companion dog—bred as a warming companion that needs the physical closeness of its owner more than anything else. Whether as a hairless 'Hairless' or a fluffy 'Powderpuff', its operating system is pure affection.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a constant companion, because as a breed selected for pure company, it is made to live on your lap or under your blanket
- You enjoy refined, positive training, as this highly sensitive dog would crumble under loud words or harsh pressure
- You live in an apartment and are looking for a roommate who is calm and adaptable indoors, as long as they can be with you
- You are prepared to take its wardrobe in winter and sun protection in summer as seriously as your own skincare
Less ideal if:
- You have to leave it alone regularly for a normal full-time job—isolation is absolute torture for its hardware
- You expect a robust outdoor dog for hours of hiking in pouring rain and cold
- You have a busy household with very small, boisterous children who might overlook its delicate stature and subtle body language
The real vibes check
A Chinese Crested Dog is like a living heat source with a soul—it literally sticks to you and reads your every mood. You aren't getting an independent dog that does its own thing in the hallway; you are getting a tiny, highly sensitive shadow. If you allow this almost limitless physical closeness, you will have the most loyal companion; if constant clinginess makes you feel restricted, it will drive you crazy.
Breed Profile
The Chinese Crested Dog is a fascinating breed of dog that comes from China. He belongs to FCI group 9 (companion and companion dogs). What is particularly striking is that there are two different appearances within this breed: the Hairless, which has hardly any hair, and the Powderpuff, which is covered with a dense, soft fur. The Hairless only has hair on the head, paws and tail, while the rest of the body is naked. The Powderpuff has soft, silky fur all over its body. The Chinese Crested Dog has an elegant appearance with a fine bone structure and a slim, graceful physique. His eyes are almond-shaped and give him an attentive expression.
- Height
- 23 - 30 cm (Female), 28 - 33 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 4 - 5 kg (Female), 4 - 5 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 13 - 15 years
- Character
- Affectionate, Lively, Sensitive
- Coat
- Either hairless with soft hair on the head, tail and paws (Hairless) or with full fur (Powderpuff); no undercoat
- Coat Color
- All colors allowed
- Price
- 1000 - 2500 €
History
The origins of the Chinese Crested Dog are not exactly clear, but it is believed to have descended from hairless dogs that lived in Africa and were brought back by Chinese traders on their travels. These dogs were then crossed with smaller dog breeds to breed the Chinese Crested Dog. It was valued in China as a companion dog because of its small size and lovable nature and was also said to serve as a good luck charm. There are ancient Chinese writings and artwork that hint at the existence of these dogs, but the exact history is difficult to reconstruct. The breed became known in Europe and later in America in the 19th century. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Chinese Crested Dog breed in 1991.
Original Use
Bred as a companion dog, the Chinese Crested Dog is known for its unique appearance with a hairless body and head.
Origin
China
Date
1500
Character & Temperament
The Chinese Crested Dog is an affectionate and loving companion who seeks close contact with his family. He is often referred to as a "cuddly dog" because he loves to cuddle and be close to you. This also makes him a great lap dog. Despite his petite stature, he is a lively dog who loves to play and romp around. Due to its sensitive nature, the Chinese Crested is very sensitive to the mood of its owners and can sometimes be a bit shy. It is important to provide him with a stable environment in which he can feel safe. He is known for forming a close bond with a specific person in the family and can be a bit reserved around strangers at first. This dog learns to stay alone relatively well, but due to his affectionate nature, this should not be excessive. He needs company and closeness to people in order to be happy. If you are looking for a loyal companion who will always be by your side, the Chinese Crested Dog could be a good choice. The Chinese Crested Dog shows no strong hunting or prey drive and is more concerned about staying close to its people. However, his alertness makes him a good watchdog on a small scale, as he is attentive to noises and movements in his environment. It is important to remember that due to his sensitivity and need for companionship, a quiet and loving home is best suited for him.
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
| Watchfulness Greets everyone as a friend — no natural guarding instinct. | Very low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Barely any prey drive — small animals trigger nothing. | Very low |
Fun Fact!
The Chinese Crested Dog is often the star of unusual-looking dog competitions and has won the title of "Ugliest Dog in the World" on several occasions. won "which is of course to be seen with a wink, because many people find them irresistible precisely because of their unique appearance!
What Awaits You
The Chinese Crested is also referred to as a breed with torture breeding characteristics in many countries due to its nudity. This nudity is also accompanied by misaligned teeth.
Housing & Care
The Chinese Crested Dog is definitely suitable as a city dog as it does not require a lot of space and adapts well to life in an apartment. However, he should get enough exercise and mental stimulation. He usually gets along well with children, but it is important to remember that he has a sensitive nature and prefers a quiet environment. He also generally gets along well with cats and other pets as long as they treat each other with respect.
- Family Friendly
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Family-oriented - Child Friendly
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
With supervision - Dog Friendly
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Dog-friendly - City Friendly
Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all.
Ideal city dog
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
The Chinese Crested Dog is intelligent and capable of learning, which makes training easier. However, they are also sensitive and do not respond well to harsh parenting methods. Positive reinforcement and gentle guidance are key here. It is important to teach them to stay alone early on as they tend to be very affectionate. Because of their agility and maneuverability, they can enjoy dog sports such as agility or obedience. It is important to keep your Chinese Crested Dog mentally occupied, but at the same time be careful not to overwhelm him, as this can lead to stress and anxiety. Ball games should be used with caution as this breed can tend to become ball-obsessed. Developing frustration tolerance and impulse control is also an important aspect of parenting.
Nutrition & Care
When feeding the Chinese Crested Dog, care should be taken to provide a balanced, high-quality diet that contains all the necessary nutrients. Skin and fur particularly benefit from a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. For the hairless variant, it is also advisable to add skin health supplements to the diet. When it comes to care, the Chinese Crested Dog has specific needs. The Hairless requires regular skin care to prevent dry skin and irritation, while the Powderpuff requires regular brushing to prevent tangles. The Chinese Crested Dog has no undercoat and needs protection from the cold through appropriate clothing in winter. In summer, the Hairless must be protected from sunburn.
| Care Level Needs regular professional grooming — time-consuming and costly. | High-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Enjoys daily movement but isn't a sports dog. | Moderate |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
C
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
The Chinese Crested Dog is a relatively robust small breed, though attention must be paid to Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Additionally, the breed is more prone to patellar luxation (knee cap issues). Since reliable genetic tests exist for these eye conditions, the risk can fortunately be well managed through careful breeding selection.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should protect its sensitive skin from the sun and cold, ensure gentle exercise for its knees, and have its teeth and eyes checked regularly.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' knees and eyes examined, document their dental status, and pair the coated and hairless varieties strategically to reduce genetic risks.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
What owners say about the Chinese Crested Dog
Agnes M., Halterin aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2021)
Ich habe einen Chinese Crested (die behaarte Variante, einen Powder Puff) und er ist ein absoluter Wirbelwind, aber gleichzeitig eine riesige Kuschelmaus. Er liebt es über alles, ganz eng Kontakt zu liegen und stundenlang zu schmusen. Auf der anderen Seite hat er aber auch richtig Pfeffer im Hintern! Er ist extrem aktiv, gibt gerne mal den kleinen Poser und liebt es, draußen herumzutollen.
Was man aber nicht unterschätzen darf, ist die Fellpflege beim Powder Puff. Das lange, seidige Fell neigt extrem schnell zum Filzen – besonders an den Stellen, wo das Geschirr sitzt. Wenn man das Fell wachsen lassen möchte, ist tägliches, gründliches Bürsten absolute Pflicht, sonst hat man ganz schnell dicke Knoten, die man kaum noch schmerzfrei herausbekommt.
Martina S., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2022)
Mein kleiner Chinese ist ein unglaublich sozialer und intelligenter Hund. Er versteht extrem schnell, was man von ihm möchte, und nimmt sich sofort zurück, wenn ich ihm eine klare Ansage mache. Wenn wir abends auf dem Sofa liegen, ist er der sanfteste Seelenschmeichler überhaupt.
Die größte Herausforderung bei ihm ist allerdings seine extreme Ängstlichkeit und Sensibilität. Als er jünger war, ist er bei Hundebegegnungen oft völlig hysterisch schreiend weggelaufen, selbst wenn der andere Hund nur schnuppern wollte. Wir mussten sehr viel mit Social Walks trainieren, um ihm diese Unsicherheit zu nehmen. Wer sich einen Chinese Crested anschafft, sollte sich auf diese feinfühlige, manchmal fast schon ängstliche Art einstellen und geduldig mit ihm arbeiten.
Anna K., Halterin aus Nordrhein-Westfalen (3 Hunde, seit 2018)
Ich halte mittlerweile drei Schopfhunde und kann sagen: Sie sind extrem anpassungsfähig und wunderbare Begleiter, aber definitiv keine trägen Schosshunde! Meine drei haben ordentlich Hummeln im Hintern und sind mit unseren täglichen, ausgiebigen Freilauf-Runden von ein bis zwei Stunden voll im Element. Sie lieben es auch total, Tricks zu lernen oder Agility zu machen.
Zuhause fordern sie ihr Recht auf Kontaktliegen vehement ein. Man muss allerdings ehrlich sagen, dass sie einen sehr weichen Kern haben und man bei der Erziehung viel Fingerspitzengefühl braucht. Eine rassetypische Baustelle, die man im Forum auch immer wieder liest und die ich bestätigen kann: Sie brauchen oft ein ganzes Stück länger als andere Rassen, um wirklich zuverlässig stubenrein zu werden. Da darf man nicht den Atem verlieren.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
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Frequently asked questions about the Chinese Crested Dog
Is a Chinese Crested the right dog for me?
The Chinese Crested is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Chinese Crested live?
The average life expectancy of a Chinese Crested is 13-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Chinese Crested need?
Chinese Crested grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Chinese Crested good for families with children?
The Chinese Crested can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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