Chinese Crested

Feed your Chinese Crested a high-quality dog food matched to its age, ideally one formulated for small or toy breeds. A well-balanced diet of this kind covers the nutrients it needs, so skip supplements unless your vet recommends them.

Most adult Cresteds do well on two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Puppies need more frequent meals to support growth, usually three or four small feedings daily. How much to feed depends on age, weight, activity level, and the food itself; package guidelines give a starting point, but ask your vet for a plan tailored to your dog.

Some Cresteds gain weight, so watch calorie intake and body condition and reduce portions if needed. Treats help with training but add up fast in a dog this small, so give them in moderation. Offer table scraps sparingly if at all, and avoid cooked bones and high-fat foods.

You might expect a hairless Crested to need almost no grooming, but the opposite is true. Because the skin is exposed, the hairless variety is prone to irritation, allergies, and sunburn. Protect it with dog-safe sunscreen or clothing when it is in the sun, moisturize regularly to prevent dryness, and offer a warm sweater even on mild days.

The powderpuff needs frequent brushing. Its coat works in reverse of most breeds, with an undercoat shorter than the topcoat, which makes brushing easier but lets the coat mat quickly. Brush at least a few times a week to prevent painful matting, and schedule trims with a groomer when the hair grows long.

Keep the ears clean and the canals free of debris, and call your vet if you notice redness or odor. Watch the eyes for redness, cloudiness, or discharge, and stay current on yearly wellness exams. The breed can develop tear staining, so wipe the face with a dog-safe wipe or damp washcloth to keep it clean.

Because Cresteds spend much of their lives indoors, their toenails grow long. Check them weekly and trim when they start getting long. Regular grooming also keeps shedding low; the hairless variety sheds very little and carries no doggy odor.

Short daily walks and play in the backyard usually meet the Chinese Crested's exercise needs, and they are often content playing indoors or lounging on the couch. Outdoor activity is good for the breed, though the hairless variety's exposed skin needs sunscreen or protective clothing first; if you use sunscreen, watch the ingredients and your dog for any reaction.

These little dogs enjoy a challenge and can be competitive in canine sports. Cresteds do well in agility, flyball, and obedience, all of which give them physical and mental work.

The breed has cat-like quirks, perching on the back of couches much as cats do. They aim to please and crave attention, and can get needy without enough of it, so plan on plenty of together time across a long life of 13 to 18 years.

The intelligent, people-oriented Chinese Crested can compete in agility, flyball, obedience, and lure coursing. Many also make good therapy dogs.

The Chinese Crested's nature is sensitive, so train with gentle patience and positive reinforcement. Harsh words and negative handling can damage the relationship to the point that it loses interest in learning from you. Use treats as a steady motivator, but keep an eye on the count, since the calories add up fast in a dog this small.

The breed club describes Cresteds as happy, alert, and friendly toward everyone, even people they have just met. The cheerful Crested fits well with most families, including those with kids and other pets, though you should supervise interactions with children because these dogs are small and fine-boned and can be hurt by accident during play.

Like all puppies, Cresteds need early, consistent socialization with new animals, people, and settings. The breed club recommends enrolling your puppy in a structured beginner training program. Early socialization reduces timid or aggressive behavior so your dog grows more comfortable around strangers and other animals.