HomeBreeds › Chinese Crested

Toy · Toy (8-12 lbs) · 13-18 years

Chinese Crested

Affectionate, alert, playful; devoted hairless (or 'powderpuff') lapdog that lives to cuddle.

8–12 lb

At a glance

Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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What this is

What they’re great at

✓ Willing, capable learner
✓ Forgiving of first-timer mistakes
✓ Adapts beautifully to smaller spaces
✓ Low-key housemate - modest exercise genuinely satisfies
Why it matters

Honest challenges

Alone time is genuinely hard
Bred to work or live beside a human all day - solitude was never in the job description.

What helps: ['Train it like a skill: the Alone-Time guide builds tolerance in micro-doses from day one', 'The frozen-KONG-only-when-you-leave ritual turns departures into jackpots', "Cover long days honestly: a midday walker, daycare 2-3x a week, and a camera to know (not guess) how they're doing"]
Vocal by design
Alert heritage - announcing things IS the historic job.

What helps: ['Thank-and-redirect: acknowledge the alert, cue quiet, pay the quiet', 'Manage triggers: window film and white noise beat willpower', 'Exercise first - a tired alarm system fires less. Never bark collars']
What you can do

Exercise & training

Exercise: Low-moderate - 30 min/day
Training profile — Toy / companion type: A real dog in a small package: train it like one. Use a harness, never a collar, to protect the trachea. Watch interactions with large dogs and supervise with small children.
Sports and outlets that suit them: Agility toy division · Trick titles
What you can do

Grooming & coat

Grooming: Hairless: skin care (sunscreen, moisturizer, acne management). Powderpuff: frequent brushing.
Shedding: None (hairless) / light (powderpuff).
Good to know

Health to know about

Dental disease (hairless), skin issues/sunburn, patellar luxation, PRA, primary lens luxation (tested)
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
Why it matters

Emergency red flags

Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
Hypoglycemia (puppies and tiny adults)
Wobbliness, glassy eyes, weakness, trembling, seizures, limpness - often after missed meals or hard play
Rub Karo syrup or honey on the gums immediately, keep warm, and go to the vet even after apparent recovery
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Good to know

The numbers

Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.

GroupToy
SizeToy (8-12 lbs)
Lifespan13-18 years
Healthy adult weight8–12 lb
Original purposeShipboard ratting and companionship.
Monthly care$50-$100
Typical puppy price$1,200-$2,500

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