

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.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Chinese Crested Dog fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
13–15 yrs
Shoulder height
23–33 cm
Weight
4–5 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
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 →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Chinese Crested Dog — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
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.
The Chinese Crested Dog is a fascinating breed of dog that comes from China. He belongs to FCI group 9 (companion and toy 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.
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.
| 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 – which is of course to be seen with a wink, because many people find them irresistible precisely because of their unique appearance!
The Chinese Crested is also referred to as a breed with extreme breeding characteristics in many countries due to its nudity. This nudity is also accompanied by misaligned teeth.
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.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all.
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.
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.
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.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
The Chinese Crested Dog receives a grade of C because, despite its manageable size, it carries a serious package of hereditary diseases. In particular, the painful Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and the fatal Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) strictly require genetic testing of the parent animals. In addition, polygenically inherited patellar luxation remains a constant risk for the joints that cannot simply be ruled out via a DNA test.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
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.
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.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Chinese Crested Dog costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €330, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,740 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (14 years) it comes to about ~€32,790.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,740
Across the dog's life
~€32,790
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,000 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe 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.
Bred as a companion dog, the Chinese Crested Dog is known for its unique appearance with a hairless body and hair on its head.
China
1500
Owners consistently describe the Chinese Crested Dog as a very clingy "Velcro dog" that seeks close body contact and wants to be part of everything. Many stress its cheerful, almost clownish manner with its family. Indoors it's usually calm and cuddly, but outdoors it's surprisingly lively, loves to move and has impressive stamina on walks.
At the same time, owner accounts point out that being left alone is a real challenge for many dogs of this breed. Because they're so focused on their people, some tend toward separation stress or persistent whining and barking if they're left on their own too long. Experienced owners therefore strongly recommend getting the dog used to short separations early and in small steps.
Another topic that comes up especially often is how the dog strikes other people: owners of hairless Cresteds regularly report being stared at on walks or approached about its unusual looks. Anyone who chooses this breed often needs a thick skin in daily life when faced with curious, or at times thoughtless, comments from passersby.
Sources:zoomalia.desiliena.dehaustier-news.demit-tier.depurina.de
On training, owners keep highlighting how sensitive the Chinese Crested Dog is. Thanks to their "will to please" and their intelligence, these dogs learn very quickly, but they're highly sensitive to pressure, harshness or a raised voice and will then withdraw fearfully. With positive reinforcement, calm and treats, on the other hand, basic obedience and plenty of tricks come together quickly.
A recurring training challenge is the breed's watchfulness and wariness of strangers. Many owners say their Cresteds bark right away at unfamiliar sounds at home or at people approaching. Without consistent, calm guidance, this can turn into a real barking habit.
Owners also report that the breed needs very thorough, careful socialization to the world around it. Without positive early experiences with all kinds of sights and sounds, other dogs or unfamiliar people, Chinese Cresteds can quickly become skittish or reserved, so building security and trust needs attention from the start.
Sources:zoomalia.desiliena.depurina.de
Grooming and health take up the most room in owner forums, and the care needs of the two varieties differ a lot. With the hairless variety, owners describe skin that needs regular attention: depending on the individual dog, it can be prone to blackheads or dry patches, so some owners care for the skin with mild products or oils. Then there's protection from the weather. In summer, lighter-skinned dogs risk sunburn, so sunscreen or shade is needed, while in winter warm coats are a must because they get cold quickly.
Owners of the coated variety (the "Powderpuff") warn against underestimating the work its full coat takes. The fine, silky hair mats very quickly, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and wherever a harness rubs. Combing several times a week and regular baths are a fixed routine, which is why many families with no show ambitions have the coat trimmed to an easy-care length.
On health, owners often point to the typical dental issues of the hairless variety. For genetic reasons, many hairless dogs are missing teeth or have incomplete dentition, which calls for regular dental care. Apart from their sensitivity to weather and their teeth, though, most owners describe their Cresteds as surprisingly hardy, tough and long-lived companions.
Sources:zoomalia.desiliena.deforum.hundund.desaraasar-jaadoo.deaniforte.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Chinese Crested Dog is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Chinese Crested Dog is 13-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Chinese Crested Dog grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Chinese Crested Dog can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Chinese Crested Dog comes in these colors: Black, White, Cream, Red, Chocolate, Blue, Sable, Brindle, Black and white, Red and white, Bicolor, Tricolor.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Chinese Crested Dog.