Chinese Crested Prices Australia

The Chinese Crested might just be one of the most unique-looking dog breeds in the world, sporting a completely hairless body and just a namesake tuft of fur on their head and on their tail and feet. If you want a truly eye-catching breed, this could be the dog for you, but before you welcome a Chinese Crested into your home, you need to understand the real costs involved. Obviously, you’ll need to pay for the dog, but what about their ongoing care needs that will eat into your monthly income? To help you plan and decide whether this peculiar pup is the right choice, we’ve put together this ultimate guide, where you’ll find everything you need to know about the costs of owning a Chinese Crested.

How Much Does a Chinese Crested Cost in Australia?

Your first cost is going to be actually buying your Chinese Crested, and the price of your puppy will vary depending on where you buy them from. A registered breeder selling Chinese Crested dogs will charge an average of $3,000 – $5,000 while adopting from a rescue shelter will come with much lower fees of around $300 – $600.

Be cautious when researching Chinese Crested puppies for sale, as some listings might be even cheaper than the averages above. These dogs are likely being sold by unregistered breeders, who skimp on things like health testing and early socialisation, leading to potential health and behavioural issues later in life. So, for peace of mind, only ever buy a Chinese Crested (or any other dog breed) from a registered breeder or through an adoption shelter.

Average Price of a Chinese Crested When Buying Through a Registered Chinese Crested Breeder in Australia

Buying a Chinese Crested dog through a registered breeder will set you back anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. However, the exact price will depend on a few factors, including the lineage, coat type, and more. We’ll look at these closer further down the page, but as an example, a Chinese Crested with a show-winning ancestry who meets all the breed standards will cost more than a pet-quality dog.

Average Price of a Chinese Crested When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

Adoption is the more affordable option, with the fees usually ranging from $300 – $600. This cost also includes things like microchipping, vaccinations, and desexing, and sometimes even a starter park with all your dog’s essentials. However, there’s an element of patience needed when adopting a Chinese Crested, as they are a rarer breed and, as such, don’t show up in shelters very regularly. You can speed things up a bit, though, by registering with breed-specific rescue organisations like No-Hairs Ark, who will let you know when a Chinese Crested-in-need becomes available.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Chinese Crested

Those are the average prices. But what actually determines how much you’ll pay for a Chinese Crested? There are a few factors that influence the cost, including:

Coat Type & Skin

Chinese Crested dogs come in two varieties: hairless and “Powder Puff”. Hairless Chinese Cresteds are the type you’re probably more familiar with, and these have tufts of fur on their head, feet, and tails. Powder Puff Chinese Cresteds have a full, soft coat and, aside from the build, look almost like an entirely different breed altogether. Of the two, it’s the hairless Chinese Crested that is usually priced higher, as there is greater demand and careful breeding is needed to produce puppies with healthy skin. That’s right – their skin affects the price! This is because puppies with healthy, resilient skin from good breeding are less likely to suffer from issues like acne, dryness, and sun sensitivity, resulting in fewer health issues.

Lineage

The puppy’s lineage will determine what type of coat they have and how healthy their skin is, but it’s not the only role it plays. If a Chinese Crested dog’s parents come from a strong background of show-winning champions, the price will be higher, as they’ll be deemed as having more desirable traits and are much more likely to meet the breed standards outlined by Dogs Australia. This includes size, gait, and temperament, and the closer the puppy is to these standards, the higher the price will be. With this in mind, if you’re not interested in showing your dog and are simply looking for a family companion, it might be better to look for a pet-quality Chinese Crested that doesn’t have such a prestigious lineage.

Breeder Reputation

The breeder’s reputation will also affect the price of the dog and there are a couple of good reasons why. Firstly, good breeders will spend time and money looking for the best possible parent dogs to produce healthy Chinese Crested puppies who suffer from fewer health issues, like skin disorders. Secondly, to make sure there aren’t any inherited health problems, the breeder will carry out several health screenings once the puppies are born, which also costs them money. All of this is reflected in the price of the dogs, and the more money the breeder has invested, the higher the price will be so they can claim back their costs and make a profit.

Costs of Essentials for Your Chinese Crested

The next cost you’ll need to cover is some essential items your Chinese Crested needs for a happy, healthy life. Here’s what to pick up before you bring them home and the average costs:

• Dog crate: $120 – $200 for a secure crate that can be used for training and as a retreat when they need some quiet, alone time.
• Dog bed: $80 – $150 for a soft, plush bed that offers warmth against their bare skin and has a supportive layer that takes pressure off their joints.
• Dog collar/lead: $35 – $60 for a lightweight collar that protects their delicate neck and a retractable lead that allows them to explore but gives you control when needed.
• Feeding bowl: $20 – $50 for a shallow, non-slip feeding bowl that your Chinese Crested can feed from without struggling.
• Dog toothbrush: $30 – $50 for a canine toothbrush and toothpaste set that will keep plaque at bay and help prevent gum disease.
• Dog car harness: $30 – $80 for a crash-tested safety harness that will protect your pup during car rides.
• Puppy treats: $30 – $40 for all-natural treats that can be used as training aids and to encourage downtime in their crate.
• Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 for small, reusable or disposable puppy pads for house training in the early weeks.
• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $50 for a gentle shampoo that will clean their skin without irritation, ideally with a built-in SPF to offer sunburn protection (you can also pick up dog-safe sunscreen).
• Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $80 depending on breed, as Powder Puff Chinese Cresteds need a lot more grooming than hairless.

Chinese Crested Maintenace Costs

It’s not just these products that your Chinese Crested needs you to pick up for them. They also need year-round care, including food, visits to the vets, and grooming, all of which add to the cost of ownership.

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Chinese Crested?

Chinese Crested dogs are a small breed and a healthy adult should weigh around 3kg – 6kg. This means they need around 100g – 150g of food each day, which taking the diet types below into account, could set you back around $60 – $300 each month.

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $2 – $5 for a small-breed formula dry mix with a high protein content and added nutrients for skin and coat health.
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $3 – $8 for fresh or canned wet food made with real meat and no artificial ingredients.
• Cost per day on a raw food diet: $5 – $10 for a carefully-designed raw food diet consisting of meat, bones, organs, and vegetables.

It’s important to note here that these are just estimates, and the amount you’ll pay for dog food each month will vary with your dog’s age, health, and size. Likewise, the diet type and brand of food you choose will determine the cost. Speak with your veterinarian for the best feeding advice, including diet recommendations and appropriate portion sizes.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Chinese Crested?

You might think you only need to bother taking your Chinese Crested to the vet if they become ill or get into an accident. However, routine preventative care is also needed to stop certain illnesses from taking hold and keep them healthy all year round. Here’s what to expect in terms of annual healthcare costs:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care:

• Annual vet checkups: $90 – $150 for a routine checkup that monitors their weight, skin health, and dental hygiene while detecting early signs of illness.
• Vaccinations: $120 – $200 per year for core C3 and C5 vaccinations to protect against parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, kennel cough, and more.
• Worming and parasite treatment: $15 – $50 per month to keep your Chinese Crested free of fleas, ticks, and various worms, all of which can lead to serious health problems.
• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years for a thorough inspection and cleaning under anaesthetic.
• Pet insurance: $40 – $80 per month to help cover unexpected medical costs and other potentially-costly procedures, depending on your chosen coverage level.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Chinese Crested’s Grooming?

As you might expect from a dog with either very little hair or a lot, depending on the variety you choose, Chinese Cresteds need a regular grooming routine. You can do a little of this at home, but each variety has its own needs that only professional help can deal with.

Hairless Chinese Cresteds need more skincare than traditional grooming to help prevent acne, dryness, and sunburn. This involves moisturising, exfoliation, and sunscreen, with regular baths with a hypoallergenic shampoo to wash away dirt and excess oils. Here’s what you can expect to pay for this:

• Hydrobath prices: $40 – $70 for a deep-cleaning bath
• Skincare program: $20 – $50 for a monthly course of moisturisers, sunscreens, and gentle cleansers initially applied at the groomers and continuing at home.

Powder Puff Chinese Cresteds need regular brushing and occasional trims to keep their fine, silky coats in good condition. This can be done across several services, each with its own price range:

• Hydrobath prices: $40 – $70 as above, to deep clean the coat without damaging the skin.
• Full groom prices: $80 – $150 per session for a bath, hair trim, brush-out, coat styling, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
• Face, feet, and tail groom prices: $20 – $40 to wash and trim the areas that get dirty quickly in between full grooms.

Chinese Crested Training Costs

Small breeds are famously intelligent and playful, but without proper training this can manifest as stubbornness and bad behaviour. So, to make sure your Chinese Crested is well-behaved, you’ll need to invest in training classes, too, which can cost:

• Basic obedience training: $180 – $250 for a 6-week course that covers commands like sit, stay, and recall, as well as lead walking and preventing “big dog syndrome” from developing.
• Puppy training class prices: $150 – $250 for a 6-week early weeks course that helps build confidence around other dogs, new people, and environments, as well as some basic command training.
• Specialised training prices: $100 – $200 per session to deal with specific behavioural issues like excessive barking, clinginess, aggression, or house training struggles.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Chinese Crested

Bringing a Chinese Crested into your home is a long-term commitment that should be made with careful thought, especially given their unique care needs and the costs that come with them. And, when you consider the average lifespan of a Chinese Crested is 13 – 15 years, you’ll need to be confident that you can cover these costs for a long time. But if you are, one thing is for certain – you’ll be gaining a not-so-furry friend who will love cuddling on the couch and give you unconditional love for years to come.