Crested Chin

5-10 lbs
9-11"
Unknown
Chinese Crested
Japanese Chin
Japanese Crested, Chinese Chin, Chin Crested

The Crested Chin is a toy breed with a healthy mix of the Japanese Chin and Chinese Crested characteristics. It is known to be a people-oriented companion dog that is affectionate and playful. Crested Chins can live up to 15 years old and grow to be between 5 and 10 pounds and 9 to 11 inches tall. These pups require light exercise and lots of one on one time with their owners. They also have long and silky coats, as well as pleasant expressions that add to their charm and regal appearance. Nonetheless, this hybrid can still vary widely in both appearance and temperament and is not yet a part of the American Kennel Club.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Chinese Crested, Japanese Chin

Crested Chin Health

Average Size
Male Crested Chin size stats
Height: 9-11 inches Weight: 5-10 lbs
Female Crested Chin size stats
Height: 9-11 inches Weight: 5-10 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Eyes
  • Skeletal/Joint Conditions
Minor Concerns
  • Eyes
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Entropion
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
  • Lens Luxation
Occasional Tests
  • Physical Examination
  • Ophthalmic Exam
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Orthopedic Exam

Crested Chin Breed History

The Chinese Crested and Japanese Chin are both ancient dogs that combine to make the rare designer dog, the Crested Chin, that likely originated in the late 20th century or early 21st century. Both parent breeds have long and debated histories. The Chinese Crested is a truly global dog that became widely known in the 16th century when explorers and traders found these small creatures throughout city ports across the globe. This peculiar looking breed is thought to have descended centuries earlier from either from the African hairless dog or a similar looking dog kept by the Aztec community in current day Mexico. The Chinese Crested became particularly popular in China where they earned their their name. Depictions of the Chinese Crested in European art and architecture started to emerge in the 19th century. Not long after, Americans “discovered” the breed and started bringing it to the United States where there was an effort to propagate the Chinese Crested in the 20th century. The breed did become established and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991, but it never took off in popularity as it did in China. The origin of the Crested Chin’s other parent, the Japanese Chin, is somewhat mysterious. Some believe it originated in Korea, others in Japan, and still others in China. Nonetheless, the Japanese Chin is thought to have been around as early as 500 A.D. It is most popular in Japan where it has a long history of being considered a status symbol for elite and royal families. Merchants brought the Japanese Chin to Europe around the 16th century. In fact, an American naval officer who was travelling through England after a trip to Japan presented Queen Victoria with a pair in 1854. The breed eventually migrated to North America and was recognized by the AKC in the late century as the “Japanese Spaniel.”  In 1977, the AKC changed the breed name to the Japanese Chin. Today, the Japanese Chin is still extremely popular in Japan.

Crested Chin Breed Appearance

Crested Chins have the compact torso of a Japanese Chin and the longer, fine-boned legs and feet of a Chinese Crested. This is a toy breed with an average weight of 5 to 10 pounds and height of 9 to 11 inches. The long coat, which is relatively shorter around the torso and on the legs, is straight and soft. It can be multi-color combinations of colors that are common to both parents including black, tan, lemon, chocolate, cream, gold, red, fawn, silver, white, apricot, blue, palomino, and/or slate in a sable pattern and/or with various markings. Crested Chins have a relatively flat forehead, yet a longer and narrower muzzle.  They have medium length tails, dark noses and eyes, as well as small, compact feet.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Crested Chin eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Crested Chin nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Crested Chin coat
Black
cream Crested Chin coat
Cream
red Crested Chin coat
Red
fawn Crested Chin coat
Fawn
silver Crested Chin coat
Silver
white Crested Chin coat
White
blue Crested Chin coat
Blue
sable Crested Chin coat
Sable
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Crested Chin straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Crested Chin Breed Maintenance

Crested Chins are not a completely hypoallergenic breed, but produce less allergens due to the silky hair they inherit from their Chinese Crested parent. They are minimal shedders, but do require their long coats brushed frequently to prevent tangles and matting. Crested Chins generally have some longer sections of their coats, including around the face, ears, and feet. These areas should be clipped to avoid infection or hindrance to the dogs’ mobility. Though it is not common, some Crested Chins have hairless areas if they take after their Chinese Crested parent. In these cases, owners should protect hairless areas with clothing or treatments to avoid skin irritation. In addition to brushing, Crested Chins should be bathed and have their nails clipped on a monthly basis. They should also have their teeth brushed daily.

Brushes for Crested Chin
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Clipper
Clipper
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Crested Chin requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Crested Chin Temperament

Crested Chins are loyal and people-oriented pets. This breed is happy and carries a bouncy and aristocratic air about it. Some would describe Crested Chins as cat-like. Unlike cats, however, these dogs are very concerned with pleasing their owners. In fact, Crested Chins thrive in environments where they have a lot of one on one attention from their family members. Crested Chins are attention seeking animals that love trotting around their home, learning and performing tricks, and demanding cuddle time from family members. They are okay with children and other dogs, but introductions should be made under supervision until an owner understands it’s Crested Chin’s social personality. They do not live up to the toy breed reputation of being “yappy”, but can be considerably mouthy during playtime. Crested Chins do not need a lot of outdoor exposure, and as a result, are very well-adapted to city and apartment living. Overall, this breed is best described as an alert, loving, and – at times – sassy companion.

Crested Chin Activity Requirements

The Crested Chin is an energetic breed, but its small size means it doesn’t requires a lot of daily exercise. Crested Chins will be content with a short daily walk, as well as play sessions with their owners and other dogs. Crested Chins do well in all types of climates; however, owners should ensure that their pet is not exposed to significant amounts of sun or cold if it has hairless areas on its body. The Crested Chins’ easy exercise requirements makes it adaptable to urban and/or apartment living, especially since their favorite pastimes is sitting in their owner’s lap.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
40 minutes
activity minutes

Crested Chin Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Crested Chin Owner Experiences

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