Chinese Crested Dog

By Sophie Kininmonth · 26 Nov 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·7 min read

The Chinese Crested is a toy companion dog best known for its striking hairless variety: fine skin, a plume of hair on the head and tail, and a light, almost delicate way of moving. It is affectionate, people-focused, and happiest orbiting one or two favourite humans through the day. There is also a fully coated version, the Powderpuff, and both can appear in the same litter. This is a small dog with specific needs, mostly around skin, coat and teeth, so the animal rewards owners who enjoy a steady care routine. What follows is an Australia-relevant guide to the breed's varieties, temperament, grooming and health, plus a grounded checklist for choosing a puppy responsibly.^{1, 2, 3}

Chinese Crested at a Glance

Breed group: Toy (companion dog)¹
Varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff, both of which can occur in the same litter⁴
Height (ideal): Dogs 28 to 33 cm; bitches 23 to 30 cm¹
Weight: Varies, but should not be over 5.4 kg in the breed standard¹
Exercise needs: Modest. Daily walks and a bit of play suit most individuals.
Life expectancy: Many live into their teens, though individuals vary⁴

History and Origin

Despite the name, the breed's exact origin is uncertain. Many modern breed histories describe small hairless dogs travelling with traders and sailors, with the type later refined in China. What stays steady across those accounts is the role: a small companion suited to close living, warm laps, and life at human pace.⁵

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Chinese Cresteds are fine-boned, slender little dogs that move lightly and with agility. The head is wedge-shaped with large, erect ears and almond-shaped eyes, which gives them an alert, clean-lined look. The two varieties differ mainly in coat.¹

Hairless

The hairless variety has smooth, fine-grained skin, with hair usually limited to the crest on the head, the plume on the tail, and the socks on the feet and lower legs. Because so much skin is exposed, day-to-day care is less about brushing and more about protecting and maintaining the skin.⁶

Powderpuff

The Powderpuff carries a full coat: a soft undercoat with a longer veil of hair over the top. It is still a small dog, but the grooming load is real, especially if the coat is kept long.⁷

Temperament and Personality

Chinese Cresteds are typically affectionate and people-oriented, often choosing one or two favourite humans and wanting to stay close. They tend to be sensitive to household tone and can become unsettled by harsh handling or chaotic routines, so calm, consistent training usually gets the best results.⁴

They can be alert and vocal, which makes them good "someone is at the door" dogs, but they are not built for roughhousing. In family homes they usually do best with gentle, respectful children and supervised interactions.⁴

Is a Chinese Crested Right for You?

The honest answer depends on how much you enjoy the maintenance side. This is a sensitive toy dog that thrives on gentle company and does not cope well with long stretches alone. The hairless variety needs steady skin care and sun and weather protection, the Powderpuff needs regular coat work, and both need real attention to their teeth. If those routines sound satisfying rather than tedious, the breed can be a wonderful match. If you want a low-input dog you can largely leave to its own devices, look elsewhere.

Training and Exercise

Think of the Chinese Crested as a small athlete with a short fuel tank. They often enjoy brisk walks, short play sessions, learning tricks, and simple agility-style games at home, then they are ready to settle back into the warm part of the couch.

Exercise: Aim for daily movement and sniff time, adjusted to age and fitness.
Training style: Reward-based methods suit the breed's sensitivity and help prevent shut-down behaviour.
Cold and sun: Hairless dogs may need extra protection in extremes, with shade and sun-safe routines in summer and warmth in winter.⁸

Health and Lifespan

Like many toy breeds, Chinese Cresteds can be prone to dental disease and early tooth loss. Hairless dogs in particular may have missing teeth linked to the genes that influence hairlessness. Missing teeth are not penalised in some standards for the hairless variety, but they can still create real management needs such as brushing, vet dental checks, and appropriate chewing options.^{6, 9}

They may also be affected by conditions seen across small breeds, including some orthopaedic and eye problems. The practical approach is simple: choose a breeder who health-tests thoughtfully, can explain results in plain language, and welcomes veterinary follow-up questions rather than brushing them off. Many Chinese Cresteds live well into their teens.^{4, 9}

Quick health questions worth asking

What health screening has been done on the sire and dam, and can I see documentation?
What dental issues have you seen in your lines, and how do you manage them?
Have any close relatives had eye disease, patella (kneecap) issues, or skin problems?
What support do you provide if a puppy develops a hereditary condition?

Grooming and Care

Hairless: skin-first care

Hairless Cresteds are often described as low shedding, but they are not no maintenance. Their skin needs steady, gentle care: regular bathing with suitable products, moisturising as needed, and sensible sun and weather protection. Over-washing, harsh shampoos, or oily products can trigger irritation or blocked pores in some dogs, so it is worth working with your vet if you are troubleshooting a recurring skin pattern.⁹

Powderpuff: coat management

The Powderpuff's coat can mat if neglected, particularly where there is friction, such as behind the ears, under the collar, and at the armpits and groin. Regular brushing and combing is not optional if you want to keep the coat long, and many pet owners choose a practical trim to make life easier.

Dental routine (both varieties)

Dental care is a core part of the breed's routine. Home toothbrushing, early habituation to mouth handling, and timely veterinary dental checks can make a large difference over the dog's life.⁹

Choosing a Puppy in Australia

If you are buying a Chinese Crested puppy in Australia, the safest path is slow and visible: meet the puppy and breeder in person, see the conditions, and ask to meet the mother and ideally see records for both parents. Be cautious of pressure to pay quickly, delivery-only arrangements, and listings that do not allow you to visit.^{2, 3}

Green flags

You can visit where the puppies are raised and see how the dogs live.^{2, 3}
The breeder talks openly about health testing, temperament, and why a Chinese Crested suits (or does not suit) your household.
The puppies look bright and clean, with comfortable movement and calm curiosity.
There is a clear plan for early socialisation and transition support.

Red flags

Being asked to buy sight unseen or pay a large sum before you have met the puppy.^{2, 3}
Puppies advertised as ready to leave too young, or with vague health claims but no paperwork.²
Multiple litters always available, especially with rare colour or novelty marketing.
The seller will not answer questions about parent health, living conditions, or return policies.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

The hairless and Powderpuff varieties can turn up in the same litter, so a hairless parent can produce coated puppies and vice versa.⁴
The Chinese Crested appears often in media and dog shows because the hairless look is so distinctive. It is fun trivia, not a buying reason.
Missing teeth in hairless dogs are tied to the same genes that produce the hairlessness, which is why dental planning matters from the start.⁶

The Bottom Line

A well-bred Chinese Crested is often quietly captivating: light on its feet, attentive, and happiest when it can stay close to its people through the day. The deciding factors are rarely the dramatic ones. They are the small, steady routines of skin care, coat care and dental care, and a household where a sensitive toy dog is not left to cope alone for long stretches. Get those right and this is a rewarding companion.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.