Dog health

Chinese Crested health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Chinese Crested, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 23 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 7 health issues to plan for: luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, lens luxation, heart disease, epilepsy and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Chinese Crested

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [2]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [4]
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The cells at the back of the eye slowly wear out, starting with night vision. It isn't painful, but it can lead to blindness. [5]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [6]
GlaucomaNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Pressure builds up inside the eye. It is painful and can cause blindness quickly, so a red, cloudy or bulging eye needs a vet the same day. [7]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [8]
Lens luxationNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The lens of the eye slips out of place. It can cause sudden pain and glaucoma, so it is treated as an emergency. [9]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [8]
Heart diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [11]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [10]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [12]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [13]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [8]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [14]
Legg-Calve-Perthes diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The top of the thigh bone loses its blood supply and breaks down, causing a limp in young small-breed dogs. Surgery is the usual fix. [15]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [16]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Patellar luxation (slipped stifles) affects Cresteds, as it does most small breeds. Responsible breeders consistently screen their breeding stock for inherited eye problems that are known to occur in the Chinese Crested, including progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and primary lens luxation. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - DNA Test, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 (PRA-rcd3) - DNA Test. [1][11] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Chinese Crested, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [17] One health test costs $58 there. [18]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Chinese Crested, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [19]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Chinese Crested at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 13–18 years and you get roughly $11,400–$24,900 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [19][20] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [21] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [22] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [23]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Chinese Crested?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, lens luxation, heart disease, epilepsy and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. That doesn't mean every Chinese Crested will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Chinese Crested?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Chinese Crested?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Chinese Crested breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - DNA Test, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 (PRA-rcd3) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Chinese Crested live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 13–18 years.

Chinese Crested breed guideLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in dogsDorzolamideSurgery and hospitalization costDiagnostics cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (23) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Chinese Crested breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VCA – Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
  6. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  7. VCA – Glaucoma in dogs
  8. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. VCA – Lens luxation in dogs
  10. OFA – Cardiac disease
  11. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  12. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  14. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  15. VCA – Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  16. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  17. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Chinese Crested DNA tests
  18. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  19. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  20. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  21. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  22. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  23. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)