How Much Does a Chinese Crested Cost? 2024 Price Guide

Chinese Cresteds are unique-looking dogs that give the visual impression that they’re perpetually dressed in furry boots and a hooded fur coat. Cresteds are a tiny, zippy breed that fits right in with most families. They’re affectionate, eager to please, and highly trainable, making them excellent companion dogs.

In this guide, we’re going to cover the financial side of owning a Chinese Crested. We’ll cover the initial costs and recurring costs ($65–$200 per month), leaving no stone unturned. Cresteds are small dogs, which makes them more affordable than many larger breeds. They’re also relatively low maintenance, with minimal grooming costs and few potential health problems.

Chinese Crested Dog Price: One-Time Costs

Before you bring home your new friend, you need to plan your puppy budget. Many people, understandably, get caught up in the excitement of getting a dog and lose sight of the financial requirements. Getting a new puppy will cost a sizeable amount of money if you use a breeder, and that doesn’t even include the cost of the supplies and initial vet visits.

The following sections break down the upfront costs you need to be aware of before taking the plunge into puppy parenthood.

Free Chinese Crested Dogs

The cheapest possible route to getting a Chinese Crested is to rescue one for free. Adoption drives often waive their regular fees to help get a large number of dogs adopted in a short amount of time. Finding an adoption event near you isn’t always easy and may require some traveling. Check with your local vets and pet stores to see if they know of any upcoming adoption drives.

Chinese Crested Dog Adoption

If you can’t find a free adoption drive, adopting a Crested through a local shelter is still a good way to save money and simultaneously help a dog in need. Adoption fees are significantly lower than the price of buying a dog from a breeder but vary substantially depending on where you live.

Rescuing a dog is a noble choice and helps reduce the burden on your shelter, so we recommend adopting if you can. However, there is an element of luck to adopting since you’ll have to wait until your shelter has a Chinese Crested. Many shelters have mailing lists or systems to notify interested people when their desired breed is available.

Chinese Crested Breeders

If you prefer to go through a breeder, expect to pay up to 10 times more for a Chinese Crested than you would through adopting. Despite being small dogs, Cresteds are in high demand, meaning they can fetch exorbitant prices.

Make sure to do a background check on any breeders you’re considering before committing to purchase a dog from them. Breeders have a certification program and are required to provide you with the parents’ health records. Steer clear of any breeders that don’t provide this information.

If you aren’t concerned with getting a show dog, expect to pay in the ballpark of $800 to $1,500 for a Chinese crested. However, show-quality dogs can easily hit the $2,500 mark, with some prices even higher than that.

List of Chinese Crested Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Chinese Crested Cost Per Month?

Chinese Cresteds are relatively cheap to own compared to larger breeds since they don’t eat much food and don’t wear out toys as quickly. In addition, medication costs for small dogs are quite low, and insurance is also comparatively cheap.

Cresteds have the additional benefit of needing little to no grooming, although you will need to give them regular baths to keep their skin clean and clear of infections.

The following sections break down health costs, entertainment costs, and environmental costs.

Chinese Crested Dog Health Care Costs

Chinese Cresteds are relatively healthy dogs that don’t require much food and don’t need professional grooming. We discuss each health-related cost in more depth below.

Chinese Crested Dog Food Costs

Even top-of-the-line dog food won’t cost much for a Chinese Crested since they typically only eat about 1/2 cup of food per day. Before choosing what food to give your dog, you should consult your veterinarian. Many dogs need specialized diets to meet their nutritional needs, and only a professional vet or canine nutritionist will be able to guide you.

Chinese Crested Dog Grooming Costs

Since Chinese Cresteds are either entirely hairless or mostly hairless, professional grooming isn’t necessary. If you’re up to give your dog a bath yourself every month, you can save substantially over bringing them to a groomer. Brushing out the hair around their head and feet is important but entirely manageable for non-professionals.

If you don’t feel comfortable clipping your dog’s nails or cleaning their ears, a trip to the groomer every 6 weeks or so is a good idea. It won’t be as expensive as a complete wash and trim and will keep your dog healthy.

Chinese Crested Dog Medications and Vet Visits

You will need to pay for heartworm medication and flea and tick prevention for your Crested. These medications are not optional, but thankfully, they’re also reasonably priced. Other medications could become necessary as your dog gets older, especially when they reach the senior stage of their life. The monthly cost estimate here covers basic medication with a small allowance for specialized needs. For many Chinese Crested owners, this will be a slight overestimate.

Chinese Crested Dog Pet Insurance Costs

We often get asked by new dog owners if pet insurance is necessary, and we always tell them yes. Like all insurance, pet insurance will save you significant amounts of money in the unfortunate event that your dog gets sick or injured.

Most pet insurance companies offer two tiers of plans. The cheaper option only covers accidents like swallowing foreign objects or breaking bones, with the more expensive option also covering illness. We recommend at least getting accident coverage, although illness coverage is highly suggested.

Chinese Crested Environment Maintenance Costs

Chinese Cresteds aren’t destructive dogs, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money replacing toys or repairing damaged household items each month. All dogs can be messy, so most of your maintenance budget will go to keeping your cabinets well-stocked with paper towels and cleaning products.

Chinese Crested Dog Entertainment Costs

Keeping your Crested entertained and stimulated requires some toys. Since they’re small dogs, one or two medium-length walks per day go a long way to satisfying their exercise requirements. Cresteds are energetic and playful, so having a few toys and puzzles on hand to keep them engaged is essential.

Many dog owners choose to subscribe to a monthly toy box to replenish their dog toys and keep their pups happy. You don’t have to go this route, but it’s a good option if you have some extra money to spend on your dog.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Chinese Crested

Chinese Cresteds are relatively affordable dogs and don’t cost much on a monthly basis after you get through the first year. Getting your dog vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and other first-year check-ups cost a significant amount upfront but are one-time costs.

If you only consider the essentials — food, water, medication, and pet insurance — the monthly cost of owning a Crested is very reasonable. For owners with some money to spend on pampering their pets, toy subscriptions, top-of-the-line food, and professional grooming will raise the monthly total substantially.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Besides the costs we’ve already covered, some people may run into other high one-time costs throughout their pets’ life. Emergency vet trips are impossible to predict but occur at least a few times in virtually every dog’s life.

If you and your family like to travel, you’ll need to budget for a pet sitter or pay to have your dog boarded. Depending on the length of your trip, these costs can accumulate and result in a hefty sum.

Other optional costs like getting your dog microchipped or hiring a professional trainer are personal choices but often a good idea. Cresteds are eager to please and fast learners, but some people still resort to professional training to make their lives easier.

Owning a Chinese Crested On a Budget

Being a dog owner is serious business and isn’t a decision anyone should make lightly. Many people don’t realize how expensive a dog can be and are shocked to hear that a long-lived dog like the Chinese Crested can cost more than $50,000 over its lifetime. That sounds like a lot, but spread out over the average 13–15-year Crested lifespan, it doesn’t sound so crazy.

If you want to add a Chinese Crested to your family on a budget, don’t skimp on food, vet visits, or pet insurance. Your dog’s health takes precedence over all else, and it’s not fair to them if you can’t afford to give them the care they need. If you can’t afford the monthly costs of feeding your dog healthy, nutritious food and regular vet visits, you should postpone getting a dog until you’re more financially stable.

Toys and games are the best places to save money since dogs will play with nearly anything. All you really need is a tennis ball and something to tug to keep them happy and engaged. You can craft mental toys and games out of household items like cups and towels, and basic obedience training offers your dog mental stimulation and costs nothing but time.

Conclusion

The first-year costs of getting a puppy surprise people who don’t do their research beforehand and can cause some people to land in financial trouble. A Chinese Crested will cost between $2,000 and $4,000 after the cost of the puppy, spaying/neutering, and purchasing all the necessary supplies.

After the first year, costs decrease, and you can expect to pay between $40 and $100 per month. We recommend having at least enough money to cover the initial costs and one year’s worth of spending before getting a Chinese Crested. We also recommend setting up an emergency fund so you’re prepared in the unhappy event your dog needs sudden medical attention.

• See Also: 220 Amazing Names for Chinese Crested Dogs: Ideas for Lively & Unique Dogs

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Featured Image Credit: Veronika Andrews, Pixabay