It is already expected for the Chinese Crested price to be expensive due to its rarity. But aside from the purchasing cost, there are also other expenses that you would need to consider before buying this breed.
The good thing is that this guide exists to help you identify the average cost of a Chinese Crested puppy as well as their essential maintenance requirements! Keep on reading if you want to learn more!
The Average Cost of a Chinese Crested Puppy
Reputable breeders sell standard Chinese Crested puppies at around $1,200 to $2,200, while top-quality pups can go as high as $4,000. Take note that there’s also a variation in price depending on whether the Chinese Crested breed is hairless or powderpuff.
Hairless Chinese Cresteds are usually more expensive because they are rarer and in high demand. Meanwhile, powderpuffs that sport double soft and silky coats are cheaper and easier to find.
Fun fact, many believed that Chinese Crested originated in China. But experts say that they’re from Africa. They were only called Chinese Crested because they were used to clear rats on Chinese Ships.
Generally, Chinese Cresteds are among other breeds with costly prices because of their rarity. More so if they are from breeders who feed them top-quality dog food and socialize them for better temperament.
If you don’t want to spend a large sum on buying a Chinese Crested puppy from reputable or first-time breeders, adoption is always a great alternative.
You can get an adult dog for only a few hundred dollars from a rescue group or an animal shelter.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Chinese Crested Puppy
A lot of factors affect the price of the Chinese Crested breed, so expect that some are more pricey than usual, while others are quite cheaper.
These factors involve expenses for disease testing, vaccines, breeder’s reputation, and kennel club registration.
For a more detailed discussion about factors affecting the cost of a Chinese Crested puppy, please refer to this list:
- Coat Type: Two distinct breeds can be born within the same Chinese Crested litter — hairless (on the head, tail, and bottom of the feet) and powderpuff (full silky coat). However, hairless breeds tend to be more expensive since they are rare and considered more valuable than powderpuff breeds.
- Disease Testing: Health tests can be pretty expensive. If your breeder tested your Chinese Crested puppy or its parents, this would likely raise the price of your dog. The pups are usually checked for common canine diseases like hip dysplasia, seizures, glaucoma, lens luxation, patellar luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy. They also test them for dental conditions prone to small dogs like them.
- Genetic Testing: Another factor why Chinese Cresteds are expensive is the genetic testing they undergo. This is done to determine if they carry genes that make them allergy-prone or susceptible to secondary infections.
- Vaccines: More often than not, breeders provide vaccines to their dogs before putting them up for sale or adoption. Hence, if your breeder gave your Chinese Crested their first round of vaccines, this will also increase their price.
- Breeder’s Reputation: Building a good name and reputation can be challenging, especially for dog breeders. It takes years of practice and constant learning about dog breeding. Thus, expect a Chinese Crested puppy from professional breeders with years of experience will cost more.
- Kennel Club Registration: The Chinese Crested price will be higher if they’re registered under an accredited kennel organization like the American Kennel Club. However, if the parents are the only ones registered or the puppy has no certification, the Chinese Crested price will be reduced significantly.
Take note that this list is not at all complete. The puppy price can also vary depending on the dog’s age, gender, breeder’s location, and a lot more.
It’s helpful if you know all these things, so you are aware of where your money goes.
To help you decide whether the Chinese Crested breed suits your lifestyle, you can watch this video:
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Chinese Crested From a Rescue?
Adopting a Chinese Crested puppy from rescue groups or animal shelters is possible with a $150 to $600 adoption fee. This is cheaper than buying from reputable breeders and is also way nobler.
The adoption fee varies depending on the procedures and rehabilitation the rescue groups or animal shelters have provided for their dogs before the adoption.
These include neutering or spaying, vaccinations, tests, and registration in kennel clubs.
Take note that there’s a high chance that you’ll be given an adult dog when adopting.
Since you’re getting them from rescue groups or animal shelters, you may also not be given any information regarding their past due to confidentiality issues.
However, this does not mean that the love and affection that the dog will be giving you is any less than any younger dogs their age. You’ll still have beautiful memories and adventures with your adult Chinese Crested dog.
READ NEXT: 13 Ways to Find Free Puppies in Your Area for Adoption (2023)
Initial Cost of Chinese Crested Ownership
Getting a Chinese Crested puppy is only the beginning of the pet expenses you should anticipate. Remember that you will also need to spend on their food, grooming tools, vet fees, and more, especially if they are your first puppy.
The list below is all the initial items you’ll need to raise a Chinese Crested dog:
- Food and Treats: You don’t need to spend a lot on the food for a Chinese Crested puppy since they don’t eat a lot. However, you need to be mindful of the quality of the food and treats you give them. High-quality dog food and treats will cost you around $50 to $80.
- Food and Water Bowls: In buying food and water bowls for your Chinese Crested puppy, keep in mind that they should be light, solid, and easy to clean. It is recommended to purchase stainless steel bowls with non-slip rubber on their base. A pair of these will cost you around $10 to $25.
- Bed: You need to invest in a comfortable bed for the Chinese Crested because they tend to sleep for about 12 hours daily. A sturdy bed for a smaller dog is usually priced at around $30 to $150.
- Crate: When your dog feels tired or stressed, they’ll be looking for their own space at your house, and that’s when the crate comes in handy. You can purchase a sturdy crate for $30 to $200.
- Leashes and Collars: For a Chinese Crested, getting a leather collar is suggested because it doesn’t make them uncomfortable. For a leash, you need to find something sturdy that is also easy to remove and put back on. Leashes and collars are usually around $15 to $50.
- Toys: Playing is essential to any dog breed. So, investing in good toys for your Chinese Crested to play with is just as important. A set of squeaky, high-quality chew toys is around $20 to $30.
- Grooming Essentials: If you have a hairless Chinese Crested, they might need extensive grooming because they are allergy-prone. Powderpuffs also need to be groomed often because of their fluffy fur. Good quality grooming tools to facilitate the maintenance of a Chinese Crested range from $30 to $150.
- Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medication: Worms, fleas, and ticks can seriously affect your dog’s life and health. Visit the nearest veterinary clinic for parasite medications like tick treatment and deworming which cost around $50 to $200.
- Initial Vet Visits: Whether you get your Chinese Crested from a reputable breeder or not, you still need to visit your vet after the first month to ensure that your dog is in good health and shape. Initial visits for a Chinese Crested cost $100 to $300.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: Although most breeders provide their dogs with vaccinations, you still need to provide your pup with additional shots. Your vet may even offer optional booster shots for your Chinese Crested as needed. Vaccine shots are usually priced at $75 to $200.
- Neutering or Spaying: If you choose to get a Chinese Crested from a reputable breeder, there is a possibility that it is still not neutered or spayed. This procedure will cost you around $50 to $500, depending on the clinic, your dog’s weight, and gender.
- Dog License: A dog license is required and will serve as identification for your Chinese Crested puppy if it gets lost. This will also prove your ownership of the pup. The price for this ranges between $10 and $20.
- Microchip: A microchip is inserted into your pet’s skin so they can be easily identified if they get lost. This is almost similar to a dog license, except that this is embedded. The cost of microchipping is around $40 to $60.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: There are other things that you need to buy for your dogs like poop and urine cleaners, poop scooper, poop bags (which will come in handy especially when walking them), and other cleaning tools. Together with other dog supplies, these will cost you around $15 to $30.
For easier scanning, below is the checklist of all the initial costs that you may need for your Chinese Crested puppy:
Type of Expense | Cost |
Food and Treats | $50 – $80 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $25 |
Bed | $30 – $150 |
Crate | $30 – $200 |
Leashes and Collars | $15 – $50 |
Toys | $20 – $30 |
Grooming Essentials | $30 – $150 |
Deworming, Flea and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
Dog License | $10 – $20 |
Microchip | $40 – $60 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
Total Initial Cost | $525 – $1,995 |
Based on our list of initial costs, you’ll need around $525 to $1,995 for your Chinese Crested’s initial needs.
If you’re not a first-time dog owner, chances are you already have these things so your expenses will be significantly reduced.
Annual Cost of Owning a Chinese Crested
Aside from your Chinese Crested puppy’s initial expenses, you also need to get your pockets ready for their yearly expenses. Such costs include recurring expenses like food and treats, grooming, and more.
As your dog grows and gets older, you should also be prepared to spend for their medical expenses, ensuring that they’re in tip-top shape.
Below is the complete summary of the annual or yearly expenses of owning a Chinese Crested:
Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
Food and Treats | $240 – $720 |
Toys | $25 – $100 |
Bed and Crate | $60 – $360 |
Leashes and Collars | $20 – $30 |
Grooming Essentials | $100 – $250 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $150 – $250 |
Routine Veterinary Care | $200 – $400 |
Pet Insurance | $500 – $600 |
Vaccinations | $80 – $250 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $30 – $50 |
Yearly Total | $1,405 – $3,010 |
Average Monthly Cost | $117 – $251 |
Aside from the obvious and expected recurring expenses like dog foods and treats, the average cost of taking care of your Chinese Crested is not that much.
When it comes to keeping your dog healthy and free from any diseases, your routine veterinary care will be around $200 to $400 yearly. Meanwhile, the annual pet insurance fee is about $500 to $600 annually.
These amounts may seem much but are actually cheaper than medical emergency fees you will pay when worse comes to worst.
Other Potential Expenses
We’ve already covered the basic needs of Chinese Cresteds. However, you may also want to spend on additional costs that may help extend your dog’s life and strengthen their health.
Here is a list of other potential expenses for a Chinese Crested:
- Training: Putting your dog in puppy classes or getting them trained by a certified trainer is quite essential. This will cost you around $120 to $200 for six to eight weeks of group classes. If you want private and in-home training for your dog, the cost will be around $45 to $120 per hour session.
- Day Care or Pet Walking Services: Walking or tending to your dog 24/7 may not be possible, especially if you’re working. Thankfully, dog daycares and pet walking services can help you at around $15 to $40. Pet walking can even be cheaper if you find a trusted neighbor that can be your dog walker.
- Ear Cropping: Chinese Cresteds have naturally erect ears that will develop and grow over the years. For this reason, it is not recommended to crop their ears. But if you don’t have the patience to wait, consult a veterinarian who has vast experience in ear cropping Chinese Cresteds. This procedure should cost around $300 to $800.
- Dewclaw Removal: Dewclaw removal is a surgical procedure done to remove the claw that’s high up on the dog’s front or rear, sort of like a nail trimming. For puppies, dewclaw removals usually cost $25, while for adult dogs, it can get as high as $500.
- Emergency Medical Treatments: It’s crucial to spare around $1,000 to $5,000 for emergency medical treatments or accident-only plans for Chinese Cresteds since they are not immune to certain canine diseases. However, if you’ve managed to get them pet insurance, then you won’t need to think much of this since most medical treatments are already covered.
Remember that the list above is optional, except for emergency medical treatments.
Hence, putting up an emergency fund for your Chinese Crested is duly suggested. To avoid too much financial pressure, you can put this in your monthly budget.
Places to Find Chinese Crested Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Unlike other dogs, Chinese Cresteds are considered unusual, making them hard to find. But there are still a handful of breeders and rescues that offer them in the United States.
Here are some reputable breeders where you can find Chinese Crested puppies for sale:
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace – The Chinese Crested breeders listed on this marketplace are recognized and are well-trusted by the American Kennel Club. The directory also indicates whether a pup came from a champion bloodline and whether they are still puppies or not.
- Dasha Chinese Cresteds – All the way from Cedar Park, Texas, Dasha Chinese Cresteds is dedicated to preserving and breeding Chinese Cresteds in their best health and temperament. Their puppies are complete with current vaccinations and wormings, microchip, AKC registration, blanket with littermates scent, puppy pack, puppy collar, and food starter bag. They are also one of the few breeders in the market that offers a Lifetime Genetic Health Guarantee to their patrons.
- Jewels Chinese Cresteds – Jewels Chinese Cresteds in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, offers top-quality dogs. Their puppies are vaccinated, vet checked, and fecal checked. They also swear that through their breeding practices, a dog develops basic obedience at a young age. Jewels Chinese Cresteds also offers a one-year health guarantee covering any genetic conditions of their dogs.
Avoid buying Chinese Crested puppies from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill because of their terrible reputation for raising their dogs.
Puppy mills usually cram their dogs into dirty cages where they can possibly acquire serious health problems.
For safe online transactions, check out our puppy buying guide. This article provides tips on identifying red flags so you can be more alert about fraud breeders.
Meanwhile, if you wish to adopt a Chinese Crested instead of buying one, here are some of the few rescues that you may want to check out:
- Naked Kisses Dog Rescue – Based in Bradenton, Florida, Naked Kisses Dog Rescue or NaKiD is a non-profit organization with 13 years of rescue and foster experience. Aside from Chinese Cresteds, they also take in other small dogs and homeless pets around Florida.
- Bald is Beautiful Dog Rescue – Bald is Beautiful Dog Rescue has a mission to rescue and place hairless and small dog breeds like the Chinese Crested for adoption. Before placing them in their soon-to-be forever homes, they examine, vaccinate, and spay or neuter their dogs. Other medical treatments are also done if their vets deem it necessary. They are located in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Tender Loving Crested Rescue – Located in Houston, Texas, Tender Loving Crested Rescue aims to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Chinese Cresteds that used to be in less than desirable homes and situations. Their dogs have complete vet exams, heartworm tests, rabies vaccines, and microchips.
Take note that you’ll most likely get an adult Chinese Crested when you choose to adopt from these places. Don’t worry because adopted dogs are every bit as loving and loyal as purchased ones.
To learn more about the adoption process, the preparation for your dog’s arrival, as well as how to introduce your new puppy to its new home, check out our dog adoption guide.
READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Adoption: Process, What to Ask and Tips to Get Approved
Money-Saving Tips for Chinese Crested Owners
Having a Chinese Crested is a financial commitment. Although expenses are already expected in giving them the best quality care they deserve, you can always adjust and cut back on some extended costs. Just be creative in finding other options.
To help you, listed below are some money-saving tips for a Chinese Crested owner like you:
- Look for veterinarians with cheap fees. In choosing a veterinarian, choose someone that can offer you great quality service for a cheaper fee. Before settling for one nearest you, make sure to ask around and visit vet clinics to compare prices.
- Schedule your dog for routine check-ups. Routine check-ups will help immediately diagnose your Chinese Crested for possible health problems, which can then lessen the cost of potential treatments.
- Groom your dog at home. Skip your regular trip to the groomer and learn how to bathe and groom your Chinese Crested at home to save money. There are tons of YouTube tutorials that can help you be an expert in no time.
These are some of the top money-saving tips you can do as a Chinese Crested owner. However, never compromise your dog’s health and welfare to save a few bucks.
Final Thoughts
Chinese Crested puppies are unusual breeds known for their exposed skin. They are alert, lively, and affectionate dogs in tune with their family and good with young children.
If the Chinese Crested price from breeders is too high for you, finding one in your local rescue or shelter is the best option. After all, when you adopt, you’re helping to lessen the plight of rescue dogs in need of loving families.