General Information:

Before considering a Chinese Crested dog as a pet, it is essential for new owners to be aware of the special requirements of this breed. Chinese Crested dogs are not your usual breed. They have a great deal of unusual needs and it can be time consumming as well as expensive to provide them.

Chinese Crested Breed Information:

A Crested will fit in virtually anywhere as long as you have the time to spare to give it the attention it feels is its due. Although it will wait patiently for its owner's return when left alone, it prefers to be with you. Suitable for many situations, Crested owners range from active singles and families to the elderly, and this breed makes its home anywhere from a flat to a farm. A Crested will become part of most lifestyles, accompanying its owner through daily life – always ready to take part in almost any activity or just as ready to curl up on an accommodating lap. Active or not so active, it doesn't seem to matter as long as there is shared love and attention. 

Appearance:The Chinese Crested breed of dog consists of two different varieties; The Chinese Crested Hairless and the Chinese Crested Powderpuff. As its name suggests, the hairless variety has very little to no hair covering their bodies. They do however have hair on their heads, feet and tail. The skin of the hairless is very soft and sensitive and requires a great deal of care. The skin of the Hairless comes in a variety of colours ranging from a pale flesh to black, and is often mottled.

 The Powderpuff has a double coat - a soft undercoat with a long silky outer coat of slightly harder guard hairs.

The Powderpuff has the crest and build of the Hairless. The look of the Powderpuff varies, according to how it is groomed. When its fur is completely grown out onto its face, it strongly resembles a terrier; however, the Powderpuff is usually shaved around the snout as a standard cut. Its hair is very soft, and shedding is minimal. 
Due to their coat type, both the Powderpuff and Hairless are considered good pets for allergy sufferers.


Care/Grooming: The Hairless require a great deal of care, as they don’t have that protective layer of hair that most dogs have. In regard to their skin, they require washing every day with a top quality shampoo and conditioner specially designed for animals. A brilliant brand (that I use with my Cresteds) is EpiSoothe. Ask your vet.

 Some pore cleansers work well in treating the blackheads that are common in this breed. Some blackheads are actually dead hair follicles and the only magic treatment is to gently squeeze them and treat with a top quality moisturiser. When the weather gets too cold for everyday bathing, it can be handy to thoroughly wipe over their skin with baby wipes (the ones for sensitive skin are best). 

 DO NOT USE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN LANOLIN! Cresteds are commonly allergic to products related to sheep (see health). Aloe Vera Gel can be used to treat any small scratches or cuts (that are practically inevitable).

 Also as the Hairless can sun burn (particularly the lighter coloured ones) you need an SPF sun screen – one specially designed for pets is great but be careful not to get ‘zinc’ as this can block their pores and result in more blackheads. If you can’t locate a pet sunscreen, one of the baby varieties that contain NO ALUMINIUM is suitable.

A Powder Puff’s coat requires care and conditioning right from the time the puppy is a few weeks old. At this early age the puppy can be laid on its back and its tummy rubbed with a finger. The coat can then be brushed with a soft bristle brush.

The dog should be washed frequently enough to maintain a long clean coat; even while it is young and the coat is growing. Your dog's coat can pick up burrs and twigs, so it must be regularly checked for these, which is easiest to do while brushing their coat.

The eyes of both varieties should be cleaned regualrly, and the hair kept tied away from the dogs eyes. This can be achieved in the early stages by a single ponytail on the top of the head (I do this with my Cresteds) and as the hair grows longer, divided into two ponytails, or pulled back and held by clips. A small elastic bands may be used to secure the ponytail (I use elastic bands made for orthodontic braces, and they work well). Be careful that the hair is not pulled too tightly. Remove the rubber band daily by cutting it off (here the tissue paper saves cutting any hair), brush through and then secure with a new elastic band. This prevents the hair matting and breaking off.
Also as the ear fringes grow, they will require regular brushing. Also make sure to keep ears clean so that your Crested doesn’t get an ear infection.

 Temperament: Chinese Cresteds are affectionate and playful dogs that make great family pets. They have endearing personalities and are exceptionally loving and like snuggle. They are also gentle and affectionate with children, although children should be taught not to be rough with this breed as it does not have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get injured easily.They are generally happy lap dogs with lively personalities and their claim them to be the most affectionate and friendly of the toy dogs.

 This breed is quite active and graceful, they are incredibly speedy and good fencing and training are mandatory - once in full flight they are very hard to catch.

The breed is very intelligent and alert and can be quite self-possessed. This should be apparent in correct head, neck and tail carriage particularly on the move. Whilst they can be real extroverts in familiar surroundings they can be apprehensive of strangers and rather aloof in manner, and may react to provocation.

They are good for apartment life, as they are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard, however they should wear a sweater in cold weather. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. Don't think that just because he is small he should be confined to a small space.

Health: Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odour and are not prone to fleas or ticks. If there are signs of fleas on your dog, treat with a good quality pet flea treatment such as Revolution. Always read instructions and do the patch tests first.

 The Hairless is extremely susceptible to acne and sunburn. Skin should be treated daily with moisturiser in windy areas and sunburn cream in especially hot climates.  They are generally healthy, long living dogs and often live to 15 + years.

 No dried food is a complete diet for a dog. Cresteds especially may rely on moist food, as often their teeth are not complete. Cresteds require good quality food, as diet plays a very important part in their health. Their teeth should be well cared for to prevent decay. 

 Hairless dogs often lose many teeth as young adults as they often have an incomplete set of teeth. Missing teeth are part of the Hairless gene and present sometimes in the Hairless with missing pre molars evident The Hairless variety has the ancient forward- pointing canine teeth or "tusks" as they are called, but usually these are the first teeth to go. Powder Puffs generally have normal teeth.

They should have a pet oil supplement in their food to aid in supple skin and shiny hair. If you feed raw chicken, the fat content could replace the oil. This is an important aid to prevent scratching so don't neglect this. Raw bones are good treats for Cresteds, under supervision. Raw chicken necks are very popular treats that my Cresteds love! Do not overfeed this breed, as it will become obese if given the chance!

In regard to breeding, Chinese Crested dogs must be interbred because the Hairless is the result of an incomplete dominant mutation which is lethal when homozygous (carrying only the hairless gene). Puppies carrying only the hairless gene can have abnormalities so severe that few are born alive and those that are do not survive.

A very important and common health problem with this breed is an allergy to sheep products. This can include wool carpets, blankets, clothes (yours and theirs), lamb meat and products containing lanolin.

History: The Chinese Crested originated in Africa where they were called "African Hairless Terriers." The ancient Aztecs kept them as bed warmers, and believe it or not, did eat them. The Chinese trading ships stopped along Africa on their routes, and it was there that they picked up these dogs because they were excellent ratters for aboard their ships. They renamed the dogs "Chinese Crested" and the name stuck.

There are hairless dogs in Africa, the Middle East, India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and crested types in Malaysia.