Crested Peke
The Crested Peke is a cross between the Chinese Crested and the Pekingese. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Crested Peke. 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 an elegant and refined toy breed that stands approximately eleven to thirteen inches at the shoulder and weighs between five and twelve pounds at maturity. This breed possesses a fine-boned, slender build with a body that may appear slightly longer than tall, creating a graceful silhouette that moves with fluid, agile motion. The skull is wedge-shaped and slightly arched, complemented by almond-shaped eyes and large, erect ears that give the breed an alert and attentive expression. The neck is gracefully arched, and the tail tapers to a gentle curve at the end. Despite their delicate appearance, these dogs are well-balanced and proportionate throughout their overall structure. The Chinese Crested exists in two distinct varieties that can appear in the same litter: hairless and powderpuff. The hairless variety has soft, smooth, humanlike skin on the body with silky hair present only on the head forming a distinctive crest, on the feet resembling socks, and on the tail creating a flowing plume. The powderpuff variety features a full double coat consisting of a soft, shorter undercoat and a longer, silky outer coat that covers the entire body. Both varieties may display any color or combination of colors, as no specific color standard has been established for the breed, allowing tremendous variety in appearance. The breed is further distinguished by its unique hare foot, which features more elongated toes compared to the cat foot common in most other breeds. This anatomical difference means the quicks extend deeper into the nails, requiring careful attention during nail trimming to avoid causing pain or bleeding. The hairless variety often lacks a complete set of premolar teeth, though this is not considered a fault in the breed standard. The skin of hairless individuals ranges from pale flesh tones to black, and these dogs may exhibit varying amounts of body hair from nearly none to a moderate covering that can create a near-full coat if left ungroomed.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament While not as yappy as some toy breeds, the Chinese Crested can still be vocal and benefits from gentle, consistent training from puppyhood onward. These dogs are highly trainable due to their intelligence and eagerness to please, though they respond best to positive reinforcement methods given their sensitive nature. Harsh training techniques can damage the trust these dogs place in their owners. The breed excels in dog sports such as agility, flyball, and obedience training, enjoying the mental stimulation and bonding time these activities provide.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Orthopedic concerns include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, all of which can cause pain, lameness, and mobility issues that may require ongoing management. Treatment options range from medication and physical therapy to surgical intervention depending on severity and impact on quality of life. The hairless variety requires additional attention to skin health, as their exposed skin is susceptible to sunburn, acne, dryness, and other dermatological problems. Protection from temperature extremes is essential, whether applying dog-safe sunscreen and protective clothing in warm weather or providing sweaters during cooler periods. Regular moisturizing helps prevent dry, damaged skin on hairless individuals.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a compact toy breed that stands approximately six to nine inches at the shoulder and weighs between seven and fourteen pounds, with the breed standard specifying that dogs should not exceed eleven pounds for males and twelve pounds for females. Despite their diminutive stature, these dogs feel surprisingly heavy when lifted due to their substantial bone structure and sturdy, well-built bodies that are essential characteristics of the breed. The Pekingese presents a distinctive silhouette with a body that is slightly longer than tall, short bowed front legs, and a broad chest that creates their characteristic dignified rolling gait. The most remarkable feature of this ancient breed is its luxurious double coat, which consists of a thick, soft undercoat covered by a long, straight, coarse-textured outer coat that stands away from the body in a glorious display of abundance. The hair is longest around the neck and shoulders, forming a magnificent mane that resembles a lion's ruff and contributes significantly to the breed's regal appearance. Abundant feathering adorns the ears, backs of legs, tail, and toes, requiring dedicated daily grooming to prevent matting. The breed standard accepts all colors and markings as equal in merit, including gold, red, sable, cream, black, white, tan, and various parti-color combinations. A black mask or self-colored face is equally acceptable in the show ring. The Pekingese head is fairly large with a skull that is moderately broad, wide, and flat between the ears, creating an impressive appearance. The flat face with its short muzzle and wide-set, large, dark eyes creates the breed's characteristically bold and self-important expression. Heart-shaped ears lie flat against the head and blend into the coat, while the slightly arched tail is carried over the back, covered in long, straight fringe. The breed standard was modified in 2008 to require an evident muzzle rather than the extremely flat profile previously favored, addressing health concerns related to breathing difficulties in brachycephalic dogs.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Pekingese make excellent watchdogs despite their small size, remaining alert to their surroundings and willing to bark to announce visitors or perceived threats. They generally adapt well to apartment living due to their modest exercise requirements and relatively quiet nature compared to other toy breeds. While tolerant of older children who understand how to interact gently, they are not ideally suited to households with young children whose rough play could injure these small dogs or provoke defensive reactions. The breed does best with owners who appreciate their unique combination of affection and independence.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Orthopedic issues affect many Pekingese, with the breed showing a notably high incidence of hip dysplasia despite their small size, affecting approximately thirty-two percent of individuals tested. The long back combined with short legs creates vulnerability to intervertebral disc disease, particularly if dogs are allowed to jump from furniture or climb stairs regularly. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of position, is common in small breeds including the Pekingese. Heart disease, particularly mitral valve disease, typically develops in dogs over six years of age and requires monitoring through regular veterinary examinations. Skin fold dermatitis can occur in the facial wrinkles without proper cleaning and care.
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 Crested Peke 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 Pekingese to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.