Chinese Crested characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | Very Low | 7% of breeds |
| Barking | High | 17% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Medium | 38% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Chinese Crested right for you?
The Chinese Crested is a small but sturdy breed that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. In terms of temperament, it gets on with children when raised around them and will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian. Day to day, the Chinese Crested wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Chinese Crested wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. With medium energy and medium athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Chinese Crested to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Chinese Crested needs plenty of coat work, including trips to a groomer and barely sheds, keeping your home and clothes clean. It is considered hypoallergenic, which — combined with its low shedding — makes it one of the easier breeds to live with for allergy sufferers.
Temperament and training
The Chinese Crested trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions and is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you. It copes with a standard working day alone once it has been eased into it, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Chinese Crested
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Chinese Crested genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Shedding: Very low — the Chinese Crested sheds far less than most breeds. Only 7% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Barking: High — the Chinese Crested is more vocal than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: High — the Chinese Crested needs more grooming than most breeds. Only 20% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Chinese Crested actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Manages a normal working day if it is properly exercised and left something to do. |
| Noise | More vocal than most; worth factoring into flat living. |
Where the Chinese Crested fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Depends | Workable on space, but the barking needs managing where walls are shared. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Low prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Depends | Medium independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | Recorded as a low-allergen coat. No dog is truly hypoallergenic — meet the individual dog before deciding. |
Perfect for
- Warm climate living
- Apartment dwellers
- Allergy sufferers
- Dedicated groomers
Things to consider
- Skin care needed
- Cold sensitive
- Can be yappy
- Fragile build
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Chinese Crested good with children?
- The Chinese Crested can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Chinese Crested shed a lot?
- The Chinese Crested has very low shedding and is considered hypoallergenic.
- How much exercise does the Chinese Crested need?
- With medium energy, the Chinese Crested needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Chinese Crested live?
- The Chinese Crested typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Chinese Crested live in an apartment?
- The Chinese Crested can live in an apartment provided it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Is the Chinese Crested easy to train?
- The Chinese Crested trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Chinese Crested be left alone during the day?
- The Chinese Crested copes with a standard working day alone once it has been eased into it. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.