Chinese Crested
A warm little shadow in a fur stole — the dog that forgot to grow a coat.
Vital stats
| Size | Toy · 23–33 cm |
| Weight | 3.5–5.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–18 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 30–45 min/day |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Coat | Hairless with furnishings, or soft double-coated Powderpuff · all colours |
| Group | Toy · FCI №288 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Carried on ships as ratters and comforters, the Crested settled into one job: being exactly where its person is. Expect a perceptive, slightly clownish companion that reads your mood, climbs to your shoulder like a cat, and wilts if excluded — alert enough to announce visitors, soft enough to need gentle handling and patient house-training.
Habits & quirks
Heat-seeking missile
Laps, duvets, sunny windowsills — a Crested finds the warmest point in any room and claims it.
The shoulder perch
Many drape themselves around your neck like a scarf and consider the matter settled.
Happy feet
Those famous hare feet grip like little hands — Cresteds hold toys, tap for attention and open more than you'd expect.
Wardrobe enthusiast
It genuinely needs jumpers in winter — and most wear them with visible self-regard.
Care
| Skin care | Hairless skin sunburns and dries out — use dog-safe sun cream in summer, moisturiser in winter, and watch for blackheads. |
| Warmth | No coat means no insulation; provide jumpers, blankets and a heated indoor life in cold climates. |
| Grooming | Powderpuffs need brushing several times a week to stop mats; hairless furnishings still need combing. |
| Dental health | The hairless variety often has missing or peg-like teeth — start dental care early and expect vet attention. |
Common questions
Are Chinese Cresteds truly hypoallergenic?
No dog is fully hypoallergenic, but Cresteds shed very little and spread less dander than most breeds. Spend time with one first if allergies are serious.
Do hairless Chinese Cresteds get cold?
Yes — with no coat they lose heat quickly and need jumpers outdoors in cool weather and warm bedding at home. Most tolerate clothing happily.
What is a Powderpuff?
It's the coated variety of the same breed, born in the same litters, with a soft, silky double coat. Same dog underneath — it simply trades skin care for regular brushing.