Chinese Crestese
Hybrid Breed Description
The Chinese Crestese is a cross between the Chinese Crested and the Maltese. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Chinese Crestese. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a petite toy breed standing between eleven and thirteen inches tall at the shoulder, with adults typically weighing between five and twelve pounds. These fine-boned dogs possess an elegant and graceful appearance despite their diminutive stature, with a body length that slightly exceeds their height, creating a balanced rectangular profile. The breed comes in two distinct varieties that can appear in the same litter: the Hairless variety features smooth, soft skin over most of the body with tufts of silky hair adorning the head (called a crest), tail (called a plume), and feet (called socks), while the Powderpuff variety boasts a full double coat of long, soft, silky hair that flows gracefully when left untrimmed. Both varieties feature a slightly rounded skull with a distinctive wedge-shaped head, carved cheeks, and large, round, expressive dark eyes that convey alertness and curiosity. The ears are large and set wide apart on the head, standing erect when the dog is alert but may flare to the sides when relaxed. The muzzle is relatively short and tapered, ending in a small black nose, and the lips are tight and black. The breed displays a wide array of color combinations, including apricot, black, chocolate, white, silver, pink, red, and various combinations with white or palomino markings. The Chinese Crested carries a long, elegant neck that promotes high head carriage, contributing to their proud and refined bearing. Their legs are slender but well-boned, ending in unique hare-like feet that are long, narrow, and close-toed. The tail is long and carried in a graceful curve over the back, heavily plumed in both varieties. Their delicate bone structure and fluid, almost floating movement patterns distinguish them as a breed developed purely for companionship rather than work, with every physical feature designed to maximize their appeal as lap dogs and devoted companions.
Key Characteristics
The Chinese Crested is renowned for its intensely social and affectionate temperament, forming exceptionally strong bonds with their immediate family members and often becoming what enthusiasts call a "Velcro dog" that follows their favorite person everywhere. These dogs are sweet, devoted, and loving companions who crave attention and physical contact, often using their paws to hug their owners around the neck and seeking out laps to warm. Despite their gentle and sensitive nature, Chinese Cresteds possess a lively, playful spirit and can be surprisingly athletic, excelling in agility, flyball, and obedience competitions despite appearing delicate. They are highly intelligent dogs that respond well to training when approached with gentle handling, positive reinforcement, and patience, though they can exhibit stubborn tendencies and are notoriously difficult to housetrain. While generally friendly toward children and other household pets when properly socialized, Chinese Cresteds are naturally reserved or suspicious around strangers and will alert bark to protect their home, making them decent watchdogs despite their small size. However, early socialization and training are essential to prevent timid or aggressive behavior, as poorly socialized dogs may snap or bite when feeling threatened. These dogs require considerable human companionship and should not be left alone for extended periods, as they are prone to separation anxiety and can become destructive when lonely or bored. Chinese Cresteds are feisty yet attentive breeds with warm, engaging personalities that bring joy and entertainment to their families. They possess moderate energy levels well-suited to apartment living, requiring only short daily walks and indoor playtime to meet their exercise needs, though they appreciate mental challenges and puzzle toys to keep their active minds stimulated. Their playful, animated nature combined with their deep loyalty and desire to please makes them charming companions for various household types, from singles to families with older children, though their sensitivity to harsh treatment and fragile build make them less suitable for homes with very young children or rough play.
Chinese Cresteds typically enjoy a relatively long lifespan of thirteen to eighteen years, though they are predisposed to several breed-specific health conditions that prospective owners should understand. Dental problems are exceptionally common in this breed, particularly in the Hairless variety where the gene responsible for hairlessness is linked to poor dentition. These dogs often have fewer teeth than other breeds, with short-rooted teeth that are prone to early loss, misalignment, and severe periodontal disease. The hairless gene can result in incomplete dentition with some dogs never developing full adult teeth, while others may experience premature tooth loss even with diligent care. Daily tooth brushing and regular professional dental cleanings are essential to preserve oral health and prevent infections that can spread to vital organs. The breed faces several eye conditions requiring vigilance and screening, including progressive retinal atrophy in both early-onset (PRA-rcd3) and late-onset (PRA-prcd) forms that can lead to complete blindness, with the early-onset version often causing vision loss by one year of age. Primary lens luxation, caused by genetic mutations, results in dislocation of the eye's lens and requires immediate veterinary attention to prevent glaucoma and optic nerve damage. Other ocular concerns include persistent pupillary membrane, dry eye syndrome, and various forms of corneal dystrophy. Orthopedic issues are prevalent, with patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) affecting many small dogs in the breed, along with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which reduces blood supply to the hip joint and causes bone deterioration, and hip dysplasia requiring surgical intervention in severe cases. The Chinese Crested is susceptible to Canine Multiple System Degeneration, a neurodegenerative disorder specific to the breed that progressively affects motor skills and walking ability with onset between eight months and two years of age. Skin conditions are a significant concern for the Hairless variety, including susceptibility to sunburn, blackheads, allergies, and seborrhea that can be either dry or oily, all requiring specialized skincare routines with frequent bathing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Additional health concerns include epilepsy in some bloodlines, collapsing trachea causing breathing difficulties, and various congenital conditions. Responsible breeders conduct health screenings for eyes, knees, and other genetic conditions, and prospective owners should request documentation of these clearances from organizations like CERF and OFA to minimize health risks.
Maltese
The Maltese is a diminutive toy breed standing between seven and ten inches tall at the shoulder and weighing no more than seven pounds, with most adults falling in the four to six pound range. Despite their tiny stature, these dogs possess a sturdy, compact build with a body that appears nearly square when viewed from the side, as their height is almost equal to their length. The breed's most distinctive and celebrated feature is their floor-length coat of pure white, silky hair that flows in a straight cascade, almost touching the ground when left ungroomed, giving them an ornamental, almost ethereal appearance as if they are floating when they move. This single-layer coat lacks an undercoat, which means Maltese are light shedders and often suitable for people with allergies, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The Maltese head is well-proportioned to the body with a slightly rounded skull, featuring large, round, expressive dark eyes set close together that are rimmed with dark pigmentation, creating the breed's characteristic gentle and alert expression. A distinctive feature called a "halo" of darker pigmentation encircles the eyes, enhancing their soulful appearance. The small, black button nose sits at the end of a moderately long, slightly tapered muzzle that is about one-third the length of the head. Drop ears are set low on the head and heavily feathered with long, silky hair that blends seamlessly with the neck coat. The breed exhibits an elegantly arched neck that promotes a proud, high head carriage, conveying nobility and confidence despite their small size. The body features level toplines, well-sprung ribs, and sloping shoulder blades that contribute to their graceful movement. Their delicate legs end in small, rounded paws, and the heavily plumed tail curves gracefully over the back in a gentle arc, adding to their aristocratic bearing. The Maltese coat can be pure white or feature subtle cream or lemon patches, particularly around the ears, though white is most prized. The hair around the eyes requires daily cleaning to prevent tear staining, a common cosmetic issue that leaves reddish-brown marks on their pristine white faces.
Key Characteristics
The Maltese possesses a gentle, affectionate, and playful temperament that has made them beloved companions for over two millennia. These dogs are intensely devoted to their families and tend to form exceptionally strong bonds with one particular person whom they follow devotedly, seeking constant companionship and physical closeness. Maltese are friendly, social, and trusting dogs who see themselves as integral family members, eager to participate in all household activities and accompany their owners everywhere possible. Despite their dainty appearance, they display surprising confidence and energy, with some individuals exhibiting a bold, even brash attitude toward larger dogs, seemingly unaware of their diminutive size. These intelligent and responsive dogs are fairly easy to train when approached with consistency and positive reinforcement, though they can display stubborn and independent streaks that require patient handling. Maltese are generally good with older, gentle children who understand how to interact respectfully with small dogs, though their fragile build and occasional impatience make them less suitable for homes with very young children who might handle them roughly or view them as toys. They typically get along well with other household pets, including cats and dogs, when properly socialized. However, their alert nature makes them enthusiastic watchdogs who will bark to announce visitors or unusual sounds, though proper training can help manage excessive vocalization. Maltese are energetic and playful dogs who love games, tricks, and interactive activities, though they don't require extensive exercise and can meet their activity needs through indoor play sessions and short neighborhood walks. Their moderate energy levels and small size make them perfectly suited to apartment living and ideal companions for seniors or people with limited mobility. However, these dogs are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods, as they crave human attention and companionship above all else. Without adequate mental stimulation and social interaction, Maltese may develop unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or attention-seeking actions. They thrive in environments where someone is home most of the day or where they can accompany their owners on daily activities, making them excellent therapy dogs and devoted companions for people who can dedicate time and affection to their care.
The Maltese generally enjoys good health and a long lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, though like all purebred dogs, they are predisposed to certain genetic health conditions that require monitoring and preventive care. Dental disease is among the most significant health concerns affecting this breed, as their small jaw size leads to overcrowding of teeth, making them highly susceptible to periodontal disease, premature tooth loss, and painful gum infections. Without daily tooth brushing and regular professional dental cleanings, bacteria buildup can progress beyond the mouth, potentially spreading infections to vital organs including the kidneys and heart, significantly impacting overall health and longevity. Toy breeds like the Maltese require more frequent dental interventions than larger dogs to maintain oral health. Orthopedic conditions are common in the Maltese, with patellar luxation being particularly prevalent. This inherited condition occurs when the kneecap slips out of its normal groove, causing intermittent lameness, skipping, hopping gaits, and unusual leg postures that can progress to arthritis and predispose dogs to cranial cruciate ligament tears. Depending on severity, treatment may involve physical therapy, weight management, pain medication, or surgical correction to improve quality of life. Another orthopedic concern is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the hip joints of young Maltese puppies by reducing blood supply to the femoral head, causing bone deterioration, pain, and lameness that typically requires surgical intervention. Cardiovascular and liver issues also affect this breed, with patent ductus arteriosus representing a significant congenital heart defect where the blood vessel connection between major arteries fails to close properly after birth. This condition forces the left heart to work excessively hard, eventually leading to heart failure if not surgically corrected early. Responsible breeders screen puppies for this and other cardiac abnormalities. Portosystemic shunts and other congenital liver problems, where abnormal blood vessels bypass the liver's filtering system, can cause stunted growth, neurological symptoms including disorientation and seizures, and require dietary management or surgical repair. Additional concerns include white dog shaker syndrome (generalized tremors believed to be autoimmune-related), progressive retinal atrophy causing vision loss, hypoglycemia particularly in young puppies, and collapsing trachea producing characteristic goose-honk coughing. The breed's single coat and small body mass make them sensitive to temperature extremes, requiring protection from both excessive cold and heat.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Chinese Crestese may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Chinese Crested and Maltese to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.