Chinese Crested

• Bathing: Bathe your dog once a month (unless they happen to take a super dirty spin at the dog park).   
• Brushing: If you have a powderpuff Chinese Crested, brush them once a day to get the tangles out; their muzzle will probably need a trim about twice a month. If you have a hairless pup, you’ll still need to brush the patches of hair they do have every week with a pin brush, followed with a comb.  
• Skin care: If you have a hairless Chinese Crested, they’ll need a good doggy sunscreen to protect their bare skin. Keep them in the shade as much as possible, too. They may also have acne issues, so see a vet if you notice this; they might recommend bathing more often.  
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a professional dental cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Nail care: Chinese Crested dogs need their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces.  

Chinese Crested pups are already elegant and graceful, but they still need training. Start with basic cues like sit, stay, and come.  

Start socializing your pup as soon as possible. If you bring them home as a puppy, that’s great, but if you adopt them when they’re older, do it then. Always use positive reinforcement—praise, dog treats, and favorite toys. 

Potty training might be challenging since Chinese Cresteds are so tiny (with tiny bladders), but positive reinforcement goes a long way, as does a strict schedule of frequent bathroom breaks. Pee-pad training is also a good option for this breed.  

Crate training is smart whether you have a Chinese Crested puppy or adult dog; this can help with issues like potty training or separation anxiety. An ideal Chinese Crested parent is a homebody who can spend a lot of time with their pup—or someone who’s up for bringing their best friend everywhere.   

Doggy daycare or hiring dog walkers are also great options for when you’re gone several hours.   

A Chinese Crested typically does well on high-quality, commercial dog food. The best food for Chinese Cresteds is AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

Your vet can help you decide the appropriate amount to feed your dog and when. You may want to incorporate mental enrichment into your dog’s meal plan, dispensing treats or kibble through food toys or interactive treat balls.  

Because they’re such small dogs, every calorie counts. Remember that treats (even ones given during training) count, and that treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.   

Some hairless Chinese Cresteds are missing teeth (it’s usually normal with this breed), so you should chat with your vet if that’s the case and take their recommendation for a soft food.  

A Chinese Crested may never compete in a marathon (can’t blame them), but they do still like to get in some movement. They’ll enjoy energetic games and brisk walks every day.   

They do well with small breaks throughout the day (about 30 minutes total). This may include walks around the neighborhood once or twice a day, a few low-key fetch sessions, and some scent work in the backyard or at a nearby park.  

As they’re known for their agility, some may also enjoy agility training or games like flyball. They need mental stimulation, too, so leave around some interactive toys for them to explore.  

They’ll also enjoy scent work in the backyard or at a nearby park. 

The Chinese Crested is just happy to be wherever you are. They’ll love a big house as long as they can easily find you. But they also do great in apartments because they don’t need a ton of space, and they don’t need excessive exercise.  

Do make sure they have ample opportunity to explore the outdoors, though. They need to do dog stuff, even if they are pampered little kings and queens.   

They can sometimes get separation anxiety if you’re gone too long and will bark to let everyone know. So be mindful of your absences, and make sure they have doggy daycare or a dog walker if you need to be away.  

These pups’ skin can burn easily in the sun (or get too cold in the winter), so if you live somewhere that experiences all four seasons, make sure they have sunscreen for the hot months and cozy sweaters for the winter months.