How Much Does a Chinese Crested Cost?

With the athletic agility to jump surprisingly high fences and zero desire to do so, the Chinese Crested is any couch potato’s perfect companion, they will love lying in bed with you for hours as they often have very little desire to run around like other dogs.

These small dogs are not gregarious and don’t take well to strangers, though they form strong bonds and are very social with their owners. Once your Chinese Crested has bonded with you, you best believe, they will be your companion for life.

Contrary to popular belief, these exotic-looking, fine-boned dogs do not actually originate in China. It is believed that the Chinese Crested originated in Africa and has links to the African hairless dog. They were discovered by Chinese sailors traveling to African ports on their routes. The Chinese then bred them to be smaller dogs, thereby producing the Chinese Crested breed.

Chinese Cresteds come in two variations which can all be found within the same litter, the Hairless and the Powderpuff.

As the names imply, the Hairless variety only has hair around the face, ears, tail, and feet whereas the Chinese Crested Powderpuff has a full thick coat. Though the powderpuff is not as commonly found in the litter as the gene is recessive. They are categorized under the Toy Breed group and usually weigh between 5 – 12 pounds and have a lifespan of 13 – 15 years.

Famous Chinese crested dog owners like Gypsy Rose Lee and her sister, actress June Havoc first brought fame to the breed. Chinese Crested puppies have since become quite sought after by pet lovers and cost from around $1000 – $2,200 for the hairless variety.

Powderpuff start at around $1000, though prices can vary widely. Adopting a Chinese Crested dog will cost you around $150 – $600.

Let’s have a look at other costs you can incur if you are looking at owning a Chinese Crested dog.

How Much Does a Chinese Crested Puppy Cost?

Due to the popular demand for a Hairless Chinese Crested puppy, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 up to $2000 from a reputable breeder.

On the other hand, a Powderpuff Chinese Crested puppy, being the less popular breed variant will cost around $400 – $1500.

Factors that could affect the price of Chinese Crested puppies

Coat color and markings.

Coat color trends for dogs in society often change. For any breed, some colors and/ or markings are more popular than others, sometimes only temporarily. When the popularity of a specific coat color grows, these puppies become more expensive due to the increase in demand.

Another contributing factor, for purebred dogs, is that specific colors and color combinations are accepted by kennel clubs. And lastly, puppies with rare colors can also come at a higher price.

Bloodline and breeder’s reputation.

Naturally, if the parents are purebred show dogs from reputable breeders, the price will be substantially higher in comparison to a Chinese Crested puppy without a pure bloodline.

Breeders owning dogs with a pure bloodline also tend to invest more money than others to take care of their dogs and puppies. Some Chinese Crested breeders can also have their breeding dogs and puppies registered with accredited organizations like the American Kennel Club which would also add to their price.

Purebred or mixed.

Mixed breeds are usually sold at a lower price than purebred dogs.

Health screenings and medical expenses.

Some more serious breeders of the Chinese Cresteds will have their breeding dogs and/or puppies evaluated and tested for various medical conditions.

This includes taking their puppies to the vet for an exam, deworming, vaccinations, and microchip implantation before selling them. Though this drives the price higher, it in turn also reduces the risk of purchasing an unhealthy dog.

Training and socialization.

Some breeders will train and socialize their dogs/ puppies before selling them, this will also drive up the initial cost of the dog though, it will save you in the long run as you won’t have to invest in more training and you also have a better chance of getting a well-behaved dog.

Location.

Naturally, local supply will have an impact on a Chinese Crested puppy’s price. For example, small dogs tend to be more popular in cities, as people live in smaller spaces. Some breeds of dogs are more in places that have a colder climate, while others are popular as family dogs that are good with children, etc. When looking for a breed it might be worthwhile looking in other locations however, this can be risky as buying a dog from someone you have never met can be problematic.

Basic supplies costs for Chinese Cresteds

Food and water bowls

The first and most essential dog supplies that you will need are food and water bowls. Some things to keep in mind when buying bowls would be the size and depth of the bowl.

Chinese Crested dogs are small in stature and therefore do not need huge bowls, if you buy huge bowls it would be an unnecessary waste of space, and food and water will go to waste, it is recommended to buy a size-appropriate bowl and rather give your dog fresh food and water regularly. Medium size (around 8 inches) bowls would be ideal.

Avoid buying plastic bowls, some dogs tend to chew them and if a piece of plastic is accidentally ingested, it can cause your dog to develop digestive problems or hormonal imbalances.

Ceramic bowls, though aesthetically pleasing are at times also not the most practical when owning a dog, they are heavy and some break quite easily. Stainless steel bowls however are cost-effective, durable, and easy to clean making them ideal food bowls.

A stainless steel bowl will cost around $12 – $20.

Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes

Collars made from softer materials such as cotton is recommended, especially if you are planning on getting a Hairless Chinese Crested puppy to avoid skin irritation. Adjustable collars are a good option if you are getting a puppy as they can be adjusted as the puppy grows, these should not be fitted tightly but rather with a fingers gap between the collar and the neck of your dog. ID tags will also be required. The cost of a collar with an ID tag is approximately $20

A harness/ body belt is a good idea when taking your dog for a walk, neck collars can be dangerous as you can choke your dog when pulling back on the leash. The price of a harness and leash is around $10 – $30.

Grooming tools

Let’s first consider the Hairless Chinese Cresteds, for obvious reasons these dogs don’t require much grooming and therefore if you choose to do so and want to save money, grooming can be done by the owner. Powderpuffs can also be groomed at home, they will just require more regular grooming in comparison to the hairless. For home grooming, you will need to invest in the following grooming tools:

• A comb: priced around $10
• Shampoo and conditioner: between $16 and $40 depending on the brand
• Detangling solution (for powder puffs): between $5 and $25
• Trimming scissors: sold in a grooming kit for around $25
• Nail trimming scissors: $8 – $15
• Toothbrush and toothpaste: $10
• Totaling around $100

However, if you choose to rather go to a dog groomer it can cost around $30 – $90

Bed and Crate

Unless you are planning on cuddling up to your Chinese Crested all night long, you should invest in a dog bed. Dogs, like humans, can also develop aches and pains in their bodies if they don’t sleep in a comfortable position, therefore you should take into account the material, shape, and size of the bed before purchasing.

Your Chinese Crested bed size should be around 24 – 30 inches in diameter and can cost anywhere between $20 – $100.

A standard crate for your Chinese Crested will be $50 – $100.

Toys

Puppies like children need to be occupied, toys will not only prevent your dog from becoming bored but also stimulate them. Chew toys will help to soothe the pain your puppy may feel when teething and stop your puppy from chewing other household items while trying to find relief.

Other basic toys that you can purchase for your Chinese Crested puppy include squeaky toys, balls, and ropes. This will cost around $40.

Here is a summary of the costs of basic supplies for Chinese crested dogs.

Chinese Crested Training Costs

The Chinese Crested is generally a well-behaved dog and training isn’t usually necessary. However, they can still benefit from some basic obedience training, and socialization as puppies to ensure they don’t feel too uncomfortable when in new situations or coming into contact with new dogs and people.

This kind of training can all be done in a series of group training sessions, and depending on the trainer and the number of people in the class you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 – $110 per session.

Due to their light weight, agility, and love for spending time with their human, the Chinese Crested is the perfect choice for competitive sports training, such as agility courses, flyball, or even therapy dogs.

This type of training may require your dog to have private training sessions with a trainer, these private sessions are more costly and can be anywhere from $100 per session.

If you are not looking for professional dog training consulting a dog training book is always useful, you can even watch some YouTube video’s on how to train your puppy at home. This is an inexpensive way to build a relationship with your dog and family.

Chinese Crested Dog Food Cost

Due to their elegant and petite figures, you would need to implement a strict diet to control your Chinese Crested dog’s weight.

High-quality food is always preferred as you can rest assured your pooch will be getting all the basic daily vitamins and minerals they need. If you are planning to feed your Chinese Crested puppy kibble or canned food here is a basic feeding guideline you can follow:

Young pups between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks will need four meals of puppy food per day

Puppies ages 3 – 6 months should be given three meals per day (24-hour period)

Puppies ages 6 months to 1 year can be given two meals per day.

The amount of food to be fed will vary according to the brand of food you have chosen. You can use the chart given at the back of the food bag as a guide, it will give you an indication of how many grams of food they should be fed according to the dog’s age and weight, the norm for an adult dog is usually around 1 – 1.5 cups per day (this will be separated into the two servings per day) or 1/2 – 3/4 of canned food per day.

Freeze-dried food can also be given to your Chinese Crested in addition to their regular diet. Freeze-dried food is little nuggets that you can soak in water and then add to their food once softened. Around 28 – 30 Nuggets per day (see packet guide for more information).

Chinese Crested dogs also do well on raw food diets and can be fed 2.8 oz – 3.5 oz per day.

Dog food Comparison for Chinese Crested

There are several options when it comes to feeding your Chinese Crested, as mentioned above: kibble, tinned food, a raw diet, or a homemade diet, you just have to decide which option is the best fit for you and your dog.

A raw diet is often one of the most affordable options. It is also known for the health benefits it has such as improved skin and coat condition, healthier bones, increased immunity, and, improved dental health. However raw feeding also has its disadvantages which include putting your dog at risk of salmonella poisoning or being exposed to other bacteria and toxins.

So it would be best to do your research on raw feeding and consult your vet before starting a raw diet for your Chinese Crested dog.

Homemade foods are also an option, and while there are no scientifically proven benefits that this will improve your dog’s health there are other reasons you may want to consider this option: some dogs are picky eaters and this may solve that problem, it helps combat food intolerances or just the pleasure of being able to offer your dog a nice cooked meal, though one does need to make sure that these home-cooked meals don’t contain any sauces or spices that could be harmful and that you are providing your dog with a balanced meal.

Chinese Cresteds favorite high-quality dog food brands are listed below:

Chinese Cresteds Medical Cost

Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies have to undergo a series of vaccinations in their first year to prevent distemper, hepatitis, parvo, etc.

The first one will take place at 6 weeks and is normally done by the breeder. Other vaccinations your Chinese Crested dog will need will be against rabies and deworming, so it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your vet upon getting your puppy.

Most immunizations will cost between $75 – $100. Rabies vaccinations cost roughly $20 and non-core vaccines like leptospirosis cost $30. Non-core vaccines are not always needed for all dogs and are dependent on the area in which you live.

Other medical costs you can incur aside from vaccinations, would be the cost of regular annual check-ups for your Chinese Crested, dogs need check-ups just like humans do. Unless you have plans for breeding with your Chinese Crested, spaying/ neutering is recommended as dogs that have not been spayed/ neutered have a greater chance of developing cancers.

Other medical costs you can incur when owning a Chinese Crested

Emergency Costs 

Pet Insurance

Some new dog owners may question whether it is necessary to get pet insurance. Chinese Cresteds are at risk of developing health issues such as luxating patella and thyroid disease to mention a few. Pet insurance is always a good idea if you are considering owning a pet. As a dog owner, your dog’s life should be your number one priority, and unforeseen medical expenses can cause dog owners stress. The monthly cost for pet insurance is between $30 and $100.

Costs of Raising a Chinese Crested

While food and initial vet visits will be the biggest monthly cost you will incur while owning your Chinese Crested, there are at times some additional things you may have to pay for, for example:

Travel costs

If you are planning to take your Chinese Crested on a trip, you can expect to pay between $125 and $250 for a one-way airplane ticket. This cost excludes a crate, you will need to purchase one that is certified by the airline.

However, if you are not planning on taking your Chinese Crested with you, you can either choose to board your dog or hire a dog sitter. A boarding facility will cost between $30 and $75 per night whereas a dog sitter will charge around $15 to $60 per visit depending on where you live.

Microchipping

Microchipping your dog will cost around $45 this includes GST and covers the supply and implantation of the chip.

Grooming

The Hairless variety does not require as much professional grooming as a Powderpuff Chinese Crested. They will need to be brushed and shampooed more regularly. The cost of taking your dog to the groomer will be between $40 and $100 depending on the package you choose and where you live.

Dog Walking

Though a Chinese Crested is a low-energy dog and they only require minimal exercise, it is still a good idea to keep your pet active for at least 30 min a day as it helps to manage behavioral problems and maintain body weight. You can keep your dog active by taking them for a walk or even simply playing fetch in the back garden. If you are unable to walk your dog regularly you can employ a dog walker, they will take your dog on a 30-45 minute walk and this will cost you around $20 to $50, depending on where you reside.

Sun Protection

Something quite important to consider if you are planning on owning a Chinese Crested dog. Keeping your dog healthy includes looking after its skin! Hairless dogs are at higher risk of getting a sunburn on exposed skin when being outside for long periods and therefore will need protection from the sun. This can be in the form of a sweater or even applying sunscreen to your hairless dog’s exposed skin, keep in mind to use it sparingly rather than lather it on, and then wash it off once they are done outside to avoid acne.

Key Takeaways – What is the Average Cost of a Chinese Crested?

In comparison to other dogs, the cost of owning a Chinese Crested is relatively low. They only eat small amounts of food, don’t require as much professional grooming and the cost of dog supplies is rather low.

Here is a list of the lifetime expenses you can budget for when owning a Chinese Crested.

The initial year’s expenses

Chinese Crested pups can cost as much as $2000 coming from a reputable breeder. Some may be cheaper depending on how pure their bloodline is and the breeders’ reputation, therefore the average cost of a Chinese Crested is around $1300. Vaccinations are essential when getting a puppy as well as items such as toys, bedding, bowls, food, and treats. Other expenses you will also have to factor into the initial year of owning your Chinese Crested are the cost of spaying/ neutering, training, and other medical fees that could be incurred. Therefore you can expect to spend as much as $3800 in the first year.

Monthly expenses

Your general monthly expenses will always include food, and pet insurance, and depending on your lifestyle you may need to add a dog walker to your monthly expenses, additional costs that can pop up every other month will be veterinary costs, grooming costs, and tick and flea treatments. All this considered you can expect to pay between $75 and $500 monthly.

Annual expenses (post-first year)

The initial costs you incur in the first year are without a doubt the most costly, these things will slow down as adult dogs won’t need as many check-ups and vaccinations.

They do however then need medical treatments from time to time such as dental cleaning, and other routine medical procedures/ check-ups.

Costs you can factor in after the first year will be things such as food and treats, grooming, and boarding/ pet-sitting costs. The average life span of a Chinese Crested is around 14 years.

Therefore the overall cost of owning one will be from $12000 and up. These figures are just rough estimates and the true cost will vary depending on where you live, your dog’s general health and lifestyle, and how you parent your dog.