The Chinese Crested Dog Club established a Health Sub Committee some years ago and continues to meet annually in order to discuss current issues and needed direction for the breed.
All You Need to Know About Chinese Crested Health Testing & Research
The Chinese Crested is a truly special breed, affectionate, intelligent, fun loving and wonderfully unique in both appearance and personality. While the breed is generally healthy, like all pedigree dogs there are certain hereditary conditions that breeders should remain aware of and proactively work to reduce.
Fortunately, modern veterinary medicine and genetic science have transformed our ability to protect and improve breed health. Health testing now allows breeders to identify inherited conditions before breeding takes place, helping to dramatically reduce the likelihood of producing affected puppies and supporting healthier future generations.
Health testing is not about eliminating dogs from breeding unnecessarily or striving for “perfect” dogs — it is about making informed, responsible decisions that protect welfare, preserve genetic diversity and improve the overall long-term health of the breed.
Every responsible breeder who health tests contributes valuable information to the future of the Chinese Crested.
Why Health Testing Matters
Health testing is one of the most important tools available to breeders today.
By screening breeding dogs before mating, breeders can:
• Identify carriers of inherited diseases
• Avoid producing affected puppies
• Make safer breeding pairings
• Reduce the prevalence of hereditary conditions over time
• Improve longevity and quality of life within the breed
• Preserve healthy bloodlines for future generations
• Give puppy buyers confidence and reassurance
Without health testing, hereditary diseases can unknowingly continue through generations, particularly as some affected or carrier dogs may appear outwardly healthy.
The goal is not necessarily to remove all carriers from breeding immediately, as this could reduce genetic diversity within a relatively small breed gene pool. Instead, health testing allows breeders to breed responsibly — for example, ensuring carriers are only bred to clear dogs so affected puppies cannot be produced.
Over time, this careful and balanced approach helps strengthen the breed while maintaining important genetic diversity.
Testable & Screenable Conditions
Eye Health Testing
Eye health is one of the most important areas of testing within the Chinese Crested breed. Several hereditary eye conditions are known within the breed, some of which can cause pain, impaired vision or eventual blindness if not carefully managed through responsible breeding.
PRA-prcd & PRA-rcd3
What is PRA?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) refers to a group of inherited diseases that cause degeneration of the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
Over time, affected dogs gradually lose their vision, often beginning with night blindness before progressing to complete blindness.
PRA itself is not painful, but it can significantly affect a dog’s confidence, independence and quality of life.
Why Testing is Important
Dogs carrying PRA genes often show no outward signs until later in life, meaning affected dogs could unknowingly be bred without DNA testing.
The DNA test identifies whether a dog is:
• Clear — does not carry the mutation
• Carrier — carries one copy but will not usually develop disease
• Affected — at risk of developing the condition and passing it on
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
DNA testing allows breeders to make safe breeding decisions:
• Clear to Clear = all puppies clear
• Clear to Carrier = no affected puppies produced
• Carrier to Carrier = risk of affected puppies
Through careful use of testing, breeders can prevent affected puppies from being born while still maintaining important bloodlines and genetic diversity.
Without testing, PRA can silently spread through generations before becoming visible.
PLL (Primary Lens Luxation)
What is PLL?
PLL is a serious inherited eye disease where the fibres holding the lens in place weaken, causing the lens to dislocate.
This can lead to:
• Severe pain
• Glaucoma
• Eye damage
• Blindness
• Emergency surgery or eye removal in severe cases
Why Testing is Important
PLL can develop suddenly and progress rapidly. Dogs may appear healthy before symptoms occur.
Because PLL is inherited genetically, DNA testing is extremely valuable in preventing affected puppies from being produced.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
Testing allows breeders to identify carriers before breeding and avoid risky pairings.
This is particularly important because:
• Affected dogs may require lifelong treatment
• The condition can be extremely painful
• Emergency veterinary intervention is often needed
Responsible testing significantly reduces the likelihood of producing puppies that may suffer from this condition later in life.
Gonioscopy
What is Gonioscopy?
Gonioscopy is a specialist examination used to assess the drainage angle of the eye.
Abnormal drainage angles can increase the risk of primary glaucoma, an inherited form of glaucoma caused by poor fluid drainage within the eye.
This differs from secondary glaucoma, which develops as a result of another eye disease or injury, such as PLL, inflammation, trauma or cataracts.
Glaucoma is a serious and painful condition caused by increased pressure inside the eye and can progress rapidly if left untreated.
Why Testing is Important
Glaucoma can cause:
• Severe pain
• Sudden blindness
• Irreversible eye damage
• Eye removal in advanced cases
Unlike DNA tests, Gonioscopy physically assesses the structure of the eye itself.
Primary glaucoma is particularly important within breeding programmes because abnormalities of the drainage angle may be inherited. Gonioscopy helps identify dogs at increased risk before clinical disease develops.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
By identifying dogs with abnormal drainage angles before breeding, breeders can reduce the risk of passing structural predispositions for glaucoma onto future generations.
As some eye changes develop over time, repeat testing every three years is recommended.
BVA Eye Examination (CERF/BVA)
What is the BVA Eye Test?
This is a comprehensive annual eye examination carried out by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
The test examines the overall health and structure of the eye and screens for inherited or developing conditions not currently covered by DNA testing.
Why Testing is Important
Not all eye conditions have available DNA tests.
Physical examinations remain essential because they can detect:
• Cataracts
• Retinal abnormalities
• Inflammation
• Degenerative changes
• Other inherited or developmental eye diseases
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
Annual eye screening helps:
• Detect developing conditions early
• Prevent affected dogs from breeding unknowingly
• Monitor long-term eye health within bloodlines
• Contribute important data to ongoing breed research
Combining DNA testing with physical eye examinations gives the most complete picture of eye health possible.
KCS (Dry Eye)
What is KCS?
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye) occurs when the tear glands fail to produce enough tears to keep the eye properly lubricated.
This can lead to:
• Chronic irritation
• Infections
• Pain
• Corneal ulcers
• Vision impairment if untreated
Why Awareness is Important
KCS can sometimes be hereditary and may appear within certain bloodlines.
While there is currently no definitive genetic test, awareness and monitoring are important.
How Testing Helps
A simple Schirmer Tear Test measures tear production levels.
Identifying dogs with poor tear production can help breeders avoid doubling up on affected lines and reduce prevalence over time.
Patella Testing
What is Patella Luxation?
Patella luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place.
Symptoms may include:
• Skipping or hopping
• Lameness
• Difficulty exercising
• Pain or discomfort
• Arthritis later in life
Why Testing is Important
Some dogs with mild luxation may appear normal but still pass the condition genetically.
Testing helps identify structural weaknesses before breeding.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
Breeding from dogs with healthy, stable joints helps improve:
• Mobility
• Structure
• Long-term comfort
• Overall soundness within the breed
Over time, consistent patella testing can significantly reduce prevalence.
Von Willebrand Disease Type II (VWDII)
What is VWDII?
VWDII is an inherited bleeding disorder affecting the blood’s ability to clot properly.
Affected dogs may experience:
• Excessive bleeding after injury
• Surgical complications
• Bruising
• Nosebleeds
Why Testing is Important
Dogs may carry the mutation without obvious symptoms.
Without testing, the condition can unknowingly spread through breeding lines.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
DNA testing identifies clear, carrier and affected dogs.
This allows breeders to avoid producing affected puppies and carefully manage carrier lines responsibly while further research continues.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
What is DM?
Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive neurological disease affecting the spinal cord.
It causes:
• Weakness in the hind limbs
• Loss of coordination
• Gradual paralysis
• Loss of mobility
Why Testing is Important
Symptoms often develop later in life, after dogs may already have been bred.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
DNA testing allows breeders to avoid producing genetically at-risk puppies and helps reduce the long-term prevalence of this devastating condition.
Canine Multiple System Degeneration (CMSD)
What is CMSD?
CMSD is a neurological condition affecting:
• Balance
• Coordination
• Movement
• Gait
Affected dogs can struggle significantly with mobility and daily function.
Why Testing is Important
As this condition is inherited, DNA testing provides breeders with essential information before breeding decisions are made.
How Testing Helps Prevent Disease
Through careful breeding strategies, testing helps prevent affected puppies from being produced and supports healthier neurological health within the breed overall.
Non-Testable or Currently Untestable Conditions
While modern DNA testing has transformed canine health screening, not every hereditary condition currently has a definitive genetic test available.
Some conditions are believed to have hereditary influence but are likely caused by multiple genes, environmental factors or more complex inheritance patterns that science does not yet fully understand.
These conditions still require careful monitoring, honest discussion and responsible breeding decisions.
Epilepsy
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures.
Seizures can vary greatly in severity and presentation, ranging from mild episodes to full-body convulsions.
Symptoms may include:
• Trembling or collapse
• Muscle twitching
• Loss of consciousness
• Disorientation after seizures
• Excessive salivation or paddling movements
Why Awareness is Important
Idiopathic epilepsy is believed to have a hereditary component in many breeds, although inheritance patterns remain unclear.
There is currently no DNA test available to predict or prevent hereditary epilepsy in Chinese Cresteds.
How Breeders Can Help Reduce Risk
Responsible breeders should:
• Avoid breeding from affected dogs
• Avoid repeating combinations that have produced seizures previously
• Research pedigrees carefully
• Maintain open communication with puppy owners
• Share health information honestly within the breed community
Because epilepsy often develops later in life, long-term follow up on offspring is extremely important.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCP / Perthes)
What is LCP?
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease is an orthopaedic condition affecting the hip joint.
It occurs when blood supply to the head of the femur becomes disrupted, causing deterioration of the bone and joint.
This condition is most commonly seen in young dogs.
Symptoms may include:
• Limping or lameness
• Pain in the hind limbs
• Difficulty rising or exercising
• Muscle wastage in the rear legs
• Reduced mobility
Why Awareness is Important
Although the exact cause is not fully understood, hereditary influence is strongly suspected.
There is currently no definitive DNA screening test available.
How Breeders Can Help Reduce Risk
Responsible breeders can help reduce prevalence by:
• Avoiding breeding from affected dogs
• Researching family history carefully
• Monitoring offspring for orthopaedic concerns
• Being cautious with heavily affected bloodlines
• Remaining open and transparent about diagnosed cases
Early veterinary diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve quality of life for affected dogs.
Other Potentially Hereditary or Multifactorial Conditions
As with all breeds, Chinese Cresteds may occasionally develop conditions influenced by a combination of genetics, immune function, structure and environmental factors.
These may include:
• Allergies and skin sensitivities
• Autoimmune conditions
• Dental abnormalities beyond normal breed dentition concerns
• Additional orthopaedic issues
• Neurological disorders
• Heart disease
• Endocrine disorders
Not every condition is directly inherited, and isolated cases can occur even within carefully bred lines. However, repeated occurrences within families or bloodlines should always be taken seriously.
The Importance of Openness & Research
For conditions without definitive tests, openness and communication become some of the most important tools available.
Responsible breeders should:
• Keep accurate long-term health records
• Maintain contact with puppy owners throughout the dog’s life
• Share information honestly without fear or blame
• Support ongoing breed health research
• Prioritise health and welfare over reputation or competition success
Avoiding discussion of hereditary concerns only allows problems to remain hidden and potentially spread further within the breed.
Through transparency, education and responsible breeding practices, breeders and owners together can continue working toward healthier future generations of Chinese Cresteds.
A Shared Responsibility for the Future
The future health of the Chinese Crested depends on openness, education and responsible breeding practices.
Health testing is one of the greatest tools available to protect the breed.
Every breeder who tests contributes not only to their own breeding programme, but also to the wider understanding and long-term improvement of the Chinese Crested as a whole.
By embracing health testing, sharing information openly and continuing to support ongoing research, breeders and owners together can help ensure future generations of Chinese Cresteds live longer, healthier and happier lives.
The Following Resources Are Available To View or Download
Click HERE for Patella Sub Luxation Veterinary Form
Click HERE For Heart Murmur Veterinary Form
Click HERE for a copy of the presentation given by Dr Rosario Cerundolo, DVM, Cert. VD, Dipl. ECVD, MRCVS from our breed education morning
Health Surveys
In 2012 we conducted our first Health Survey, the results of which you can find by clicking the link below.
2012 Chinese Dog Club Health Survey Results
2017 Health Survey Results & Summary
You can also find the Kennel Club's 2014 Health Survey Results at the link below