Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Hairless coat, short.
A Chinese Crested suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 79.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Dandie Dinmont TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Chinese Crested vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier · Chinese Crested vs American Water Spaniel · Chinese Crested vs Cirneco dell'Etna
Frequently asked questions
Are Chinese Cresteds good with kids?
The AKC rates the Chinese Crested 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Chinese Cresteds shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Chinese Cresteds easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Chinese Crested have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Chinese Crested page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.