Chinese Crested

They shed little and many allergy sufferers tolerate them better than coated breeds, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and 'low-maintenance' is the bigger myth. The Hairless trades brushing for dermatology: sunscreen before sun exposure, gentle baths every 1-2 weeks, moisturizing, acne and blackhead management, and a coat in cold weather. You are not skipping grooming, you are swapping it for skin care that, done wrong, causes problems.

They are two coat types of the same breed and appear in the same litters with identical temperament. The Hairless has bare skin with hair only on the head, tail, and feet and needs an active skin-care routine. The Powderpuff has a full soft double coat and instead needs brushing 2-3 times a week to prevent matting. Choose based on which maintenance you will realistically do — skin care versus coat care — because both require ongoing effort.

Yes, predictably so in the Hairless variety. The same gene that produces hairlessness is linked to missing, malformed, and crowded teeth, so periodontal disease and early tooth loss are near-certain without intervention. Brush the dog's teeth several times a week from puppyhood and budget for regular professional cleanings under anesthesia. Treat dentistry as a planned recurring cost in this breed, not an occasional surprise — it is the most reliable health expense you will have.

Typically 13 to 18 years, a long lifespan even for a toy breed. Over that long life the costs that recur are dental care (effectively guaranteed), skin maintenance in the Hairless, and watching for the inherited eye diseases primary lens luxation and PRA. Buying from a breeder who DNA-tests parents for PLL and PRA and keeping up rigorous dental and skin routines is what turns that long lifespan into a comfortable one rather than an expensive one.

Better with calm, older, dog-savvy children than with toddlers. They are affectionate and playful but small, fragile, and sensitive to rough handling; a drop or a squeeze can cause real injury, and they may snap defensively if mishandled. In a household with very young children, supervise every interaction, teach children to sit with the dog rather than carry it, and give the dog an escape space. They are not a robust 'kid's dog.'

Not comfortably. They are intensely people-bonded lap dogs and are prone to separation anxiety, often manifesting as vocalizing, destructiveness, or house-soiling when left alone for long stretches. If everyone in the household is out all day, plan for a dog walker, daycare, or a companion, and build independence gradually from puppyhood. Owners who are home often or work from home are the best fit; routinely leaving this breed alone all day is setting it up to struggle.