Here are some additional items when dealing with a Breeder. After I had posted Interview with a Breeder, I had a conversation with a perspective Crested parent who was inquiring about a future litter from us.  It became clear to me from this conversation, as well as others I have had, that “Buyers” need to be aware of some basis facts about breeders.  I too was a buyer and also wanted to work with a breeder who raised the best puppies possible and treated the puppies, as well as me, with kindness and respect.  So from that perspective, I thought it was important to make a note of the following items to be mindful of.  I do realize some “buyers” will not care at all or only care for some of the items to discuss with a breeder.  But for those who bring home a Mythic puppy to add to their family, these items are of importance.  We are happy to work with anyone who understands the value of treating animals with kindness.  For us, that means we breed healthy and happy puppies from parents who are healthy and happy.  For you, that should mean getting a healthy and happy puppy from a proven breeder and then loving that puppy forever.

WARNING:Was the Crested breeder you spoke with responsive to openly discuss any concerns or questions you had or did she/he seem ignorant of them, defensive, offended etc...?  Do your research. If you have any doubts as to the honesty of any of the information the breeder gives you, check it out. Remember it is your right and responsibility to make your purchase from someone who takes all steps necessary to produce dogs of quality and health, and then stands behind what they sell. There can be no gray areas when it comes to selling living creatures. Genetically sick puppies, unlike computers or cars, suffer pain, as do the owners who love them.

WARNING: Is the Crested breeder USDA licensed? If they are, the breeder is a puppy mill. Licensing is required by USDA for any breeder who sells more than $500 per year of puppies to a broker or pet shop.

WARNING: If you find a Crested breeder that suggests meeting you in a store parking lot, a park or any other place than their home to save you from driving that extra mile you should wonder what they are trying to hide. You should ALWAYS be able to see the living conditions of both the Crested puppies and the parents.

WARNING: Crested Breeders who do not question you about your home and family situation or how you intend to care for your Crested are those you should be cautious of. They are more than likely concerned about the financial aspects of the sale than about providing the very best home possible for their Crested puppies.

WARNING: Reputable Crested breeders will provide a written contract/guarantee with a spay/neuter requirement and limited registration for any pet puppies. They do not sell all or most puppies with full registration or for “breeding rights.”  Only few puppies are show prospects and should be bred.

WARNING: If the cost of a puppy is way below the industry standard, then the breeder is either trying to get rid of him/her so they can get ready for another litter of cute, young puppies to sell or they are not doing the health testing or keeping their Moms/Dads in the best veterinary care.  For responsible breeders, there is not a profit to be made in puppies. Mom and Dads of quality pedigree are very expensive.  It cost lots of money to show a dog to their AKC Championship.  It costs to register with the AKC and give each Mom and Dad quality veterinary care.

Good: Remember that responsible breeders will want to ensure their pups will go to good homes, so do expect to be asked some questions yourself.

Good: You will know you have found a responsible Crested breeder when the breeder makes you PROVE you are qualified to own one of their puppies. If a breeder doesn't ask you any questions but only wants to make arrangement for payment, walk away. If the breeder makes you feel like you are trying to adopt one of their kids, you have found a responsible breeder. If a breeder will sell to you without giving you the third degree, walk away. A Crested breeder who sells carefully has quality puppies and not just cheap “items to get rid of” as quickly as possible.   

Good: A breeder who requires that you return the dog to them, if at any time, at any age, for any reason you decide not to keep the dog, is a responsible breeder. They will always be willing to take back one of their dogs.  They feel responsible for every puppy they place, for that dog's entire life.

Good: Does the breeder insist that all non-show-quality puppies for sale be spayed/neutered at the appropriate age?  Do they ask for proof of the procedure?

Good: Do they give a written contract with a health guarantee?

Good: Did the breeder invite you to come visit them on site? 

Good: A personal recommendation from a satisfied owner is an excellent way to find a Chinese Crested breeder. Ask any of your Chinese Crested owning friends or perhaps a veterinarian. They may know of a Crested breeder and would know about the quality of the puppies.

Good: Could they give you at least 2 references of someone who acquired one of their Cresteds in the past?  

Good: If you do decide to purchase a Crested puppy, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.  A responsible breeder will be willing to answer and give advice, as needed and appropriate, about the breed and the puppy in particular.  Even after the puppy placement, a responsible breeder will want updates and want to keep in touch. 

It is very important to work with an ethical breeder who loves the breed and are committed to placing each puppy/dog into proper homes.  Cresteds are not commodities to be sold and gotten rid of.  Each puppy deserves to be given the best homes possible and that is the responsibility of the breeder.  The only way to do this is to take the time to get to know the perspective parents.

The perspective parents should also due their home work , research and due diligence to make sure they are bring home a well bred puppy who has been socialized since birth.  Many breeders will have puppies they need to place quickly so they will tell a perspective parent the puppy is just super healthy and cute… Most breeder will not want to have a puppy stay with them until they are older puppies or young adults.   So they will make the puppy appealing to a buyer.   I feeling is, if we do not find a great home for each and every puppy, then we will continue to raise them as we would one of ours until we find a great home.  They were bred at Mythic and each and every one of them will always have a home with us if needed.

So when you call a breeder about a puppy or the breeder’s future litter, they will give you information about themselves and should ask you question.  I recently had several perspective Crested enthusiasts looking for a puppy who lived far from the tri-state area.  I thanked them for their interest but  advised them to contact their local breeders, do onsite visits and interview the breeder.  Well they had no idea what to ask a breeder.  They want to deal with a good breeder and also get a puppy. So I compiled a list of question for them to ask breeders.  Ask the questions and write the answers down. This way you (and your family members) can review the answers after the call.  Be sure to listen to what the breeder says since they will give you clues as to their breeding philosophy.


1. How many Cresteds do you have? (If they have a large number, can they really play and socialized each one as well as puppies?)
2. Do you have other breeds? - Breeders who only have 1 is best since they are committed to that breed.  If they have 2, 3, 4... breeds, they are running a puppy mill even if their website is pretty or they spin it nicely.
3. Do you health test your Cresteds for PRCD-PRA, PLL and patella?  - if they do, they will be able to email you the certificate or tell you to get the info from a database.  Testing costs considerable money and a reputable breeder will spend the money to make sure the puppies they are producing for themselves and others are as healthy as possible.  If they say they are planning on it, skip them.  Planning and having them done are worlds apart.
4. Where do they house their Sire(s)/Dam(s)? - house, kennel, separate room, separate building...
5. Where do they sleep? - in bed with them, crates... 
6. Is the Sire registered with AKC (American Kennel Club)?  - fyi> CKC, UKC or any other American dog registry is for people who breed just to sell.  It costs more to register with AKC.  Also, some backyard breeders will buy a pet puppy and instead of getting the puppy spayed/neutered per a pet contract, they bred any way and say the puppy could not be registered with AKC because: the breeder they bought the puppy from did not send the paperwork; CKC, UKC... are just a good as AKC...
7. What is the Sire's pedigree? Is he an AKC Champion?  Can they email you his pedigree?  - You can also look up the pedigree, breeder and owner of Chinese Cresteds on the Chinese Crested Registry.   You just need to get the AKC name.  http://www.chinesecrested.no/en/registry/
8. Is the Dam registered with AKC? What is her pedigree? - look up her info to make sure the breeder/owner info matched with the breeder you are dealing with.
9. Are all or most of your puppies show prospects? –  If they do not show Cresteds and they say yes, they are just out to sell puppies.  A show prospect puppy is rare, and highly prized.  If there is a show prospect from a litter, a breeder will either keep the puppy for themselves to show or will place in a show home where they will start a show carrier.  Not all cute puppies are show prospects but if they are bred from health test stock and properly socialized, they  make wonderful companion pets.  Beware of breeders who will sell you any puppy as a “breeder” or show prospect if you are willing to pay a little more money. It takes time to recognize a show prospect puppy.
10. How many litters do you have a year?
11. How long have you had Cresteds and how many years have you bred for?
12. Do you take your puppies to the vet for puppy shots or do you give them?  - Many big, show breeders as well as backyard breeders give shots.  It is up to you on your comfort level.
13. If there is a particular puppy you are inquiring about, ask them to describe the puppy/dog - see if they are very general and vague.  The Breeder should be able to describe the puppy's likes, dislikes, temperament, movement...clearly and accurately.  When they say "so cute and active" "just a doll"... they are vague.
14.  See if they are pushing you to buy the puppy: you will love it, this is the right one...
15.  What happens to the puppies who do not find homes? – see if they say the puppies stay with them until they find a great home. Most likely they will not say they will do whatever they need to get rid of them as fast as they can.   
16. See if they ask you lots of questions.  A good breeder will want to know a perspective parent well and not just want to "sell" or "get rid of" the puppy.
17. Has the APSCA or any other animal agency or municipal agencies ever charged you of animal cruelty, neglect or any other acts?
18. See if they offer to have you come visit them.  If not, ask to meet them at their home/kennel.  - a great breeder will want you to visit and meet the Sire, Dam, puppy, their Cresteds and family.
19. Ask for a recent picture of the puppy/dog and see if they do it. - see if they do it. If they flake out then they could flake out during the placement process or may not be able to support you after the placement.

If what they says adds up and it makes sense to you, you are off to a good start.  You should be able to ask the breeder you chose to work with questions and they should be able to answer. So contact your local breeders and find one that you feel comfortable with.  Go slowly, get educated, fall madly in love with your Crested and be the best Mom possible.

If you do not find a local, ethical breeder, then I am willing to work with you.  Unless you know you want one of our puppies because you have one already or were referred by a friend, always go local.

 Cresteds are just an extraordinary companion.  Go slowly and chose wisely with your head and your heart.  The extra work you do now can mean the difference between 12-18 years of bliss or trials.  We wish you all days of Crested love.

The debate on whether to feed Chinese Cresteds food other than dog food is on.  Some people do not believe in giving them anything other than their kibble while others will only give homemade food.  We go the middle path.   We know our Cresteds are dogs and we are not interested in catering to their culinary whims.  However, we do want to round out their diet to keep them in the best shape as possible.  While they get kibble every day, we do give our Cresteds natural homemade food and treats.  We have found they do well with our diet and we have not experienced any allergies or side effects.  So here are some of the food recipes we make for our Cresteds.  Please remember to consult with your vet when trying out a new diet.

With their kibble, I like to mix in boiled chicken, grilled beef or poached salmon.  I mix the cooked food with the kibble with my hand and it adds a great taste to their food.  We only do this couple of times a week to add extra nutrients into their diet.  They also get on occasion the boiled sweet potato, scrambled egg and homemade chicken broth.  They do not get homemade food mixed into their kibble every day.  For those of you who are concerned with spoiling your puppy with homemade food and worrying about them not eating their regular kibble, there is no need to worry.  Puppies will eat when they are hungry and if dry kibble is what they are offered, they will eat it when they are hungry.  Food is  put out and if they do not eat it in 10-15 minutes, then the food gets picked up and they have to wait for their next feeding.  Trust us, they learn not to be picky eaters when food is given to them for nourishment and not to gain their affection or is given in compensation for our human neurosis.  This does not mean they will not pick out their favorite items from the food bowl because they will.  But if they are given the correct amount of food, they will eat the rest if they are hungry.  If they are given proper exercise, they will have a good appetite.

In our home, pregnant and nursing mothers get a special diet.  They get their kibble mixed with food I specially prepare for them.  I make two batches a week and mix it up as the week goes on.  The standard meal is a combination of chicken liver with sweet potatoes, fax seed and some sort of green vegetable, either green beans, kale or broccoli.  I put everything into a pot and cook until soft.  I do not add any salt or spices into any of the food I prepare for them.  Boiled chicken is one of the girls’ favorites.  I save the chicken broth and add that to their kibble which they just love.  Another favorite of theirs is beef bone soup with sea weed.  I boil it for a long time to get all the nutrients out of the bone marrow and then serve the seaweed soup to them.  The bones I give to everyone and they have a grand time chewing on them for days.  The seaweed can be bought at any Asian supermarket and is very easy to prepare.  I know giving seaweed and flaxseed to dogs seems strange and my husband makes fun of me asking if we are trying to raise high IQ puppies.  But these are super food items and if they are good for kids then they can’t be bad for puppies.  We also give the girls either scrambled or hardboiled egg every other day to add protein into their diet which helps them as they are developing the puppies or nursing.  We have found a supplemented diet has helped in producing healthy and strong puppies, as well as keeping the mothers in great shape.

For treats, we like to give our Cresteds raw vegetables.  They really like whole string beans, broccoli stems, sweet potato and carrots.  We just cut the broccoli, sweet potato and carrots into slices and they get couple of pieces each.  I save some vegetable as I am cooking to give to them later and they just love their treats.  We limit the amount of fruits they get as most fruits are high in sugar.  Most Cresteds just love their food and they really like slices of apples, pears, oranges, blueberry, kiwi and watermelon.  We have and do give our Cresteds couple of grapes and Godiva who is old now has never had any problem with them. 

IMPORTANT: Little puppies while being weaned, around 4-5 weeks of age to 7 weeks, get mashed puppy kibble with canned puppy food. At 7 weeks to at least 2-3 months old, they get puppy kibble with canned puppy food.  We do not give them any other food.  After they pass this stage, we will introduce the food items the rest of our Cresteds get. 

Is giving your Crested cooked food or table food vital?  No.  Giving them a high quality commercial kibble is great and what they get used to is what they will eat.  Will it confuse them to mix their diet around?  No.  We have switched the brands of kibble we have used over the years and they go from one to the next without a hitch.  We mix and match the homemade food and they just roll with it.  I like to cook for our Cresteds as I like to cook for my human members of our family.  The only rules we have is not to feed our Cresteds food from the dining table, no small bones for them to choke on, nothing with sugar and our children must ask us before giving our Cresteds any treats. 

If you would like detailed recipes, please email me.  If you have a great recipe you would like to share, please let us know. Cooking for your Crested is simple and fun. Bon appétit.

Many people ask us if girls make better pets than boys.  They assume girls are less aggressive and are easier to potty train.  New pet owners looking to bring home their first puppy think girls will get along better with them and be more loving, affectionate and just easier in temperament.  Owners looking to add to their pack think boys will be more difficult to acclimate to their home, be more aloof and be an alpha of the dog pack.

Oh how untrue all of this is.  In our home, the alpha is Romi, our second Chinese Crested girl.  She regulates the other Cresteds in their play and likes to tell the squirrels in the backyard they are in her turf!   She is well trained so when we tell her to leave them be, from the other puppies to squirrels, she stops.  But make no mistake; she is the boss of the dog pack.  So we remind her we are alpha and not her.

Next in line for the leadership is Romi’s daughter, Tara, turning out to be like her mother in both looks and temperament.  She likes to play hard, driven by lots of energy, and has no problem letting other know what she likes and does not like.  It is Tara and her mother we most often tell to be nice and let others be.  She likes to be on the go so we do not get lots of sofa time with her.  She does loved to be held but then she's off and running.  Only time will tell how Tara will be but so far, she is a pretty girl with lots of fun attitude.

Karma our pale girl is not the dominant alpha like Romi.  Karma is playful version of her mother without the need to let others know she is in charge.  Really, Karma doesn’t care who’s in charge because she has fun around the clock.  At couple of months of age, Karma was the ring leader of her litter and still loves to instigate play with the adult Cresteds.   She is a great girl but really I do wish she was more affectionate like her brother, Leo.  She is known as the Empress since we feel she is “too good” to give kisses.  She tolerates us holding her and kissing her but really, all she wants to do is go explore and play.

Leo, Karma and Tara's litter brother, is more gentle and calm.  He is more of a lover than vying for dominance like Karma and does prefers to play for a while and then chill out unlike Tara.  At 5 months of age, he is so far the better pet.  Of course we love our girls but with this smooth attitude, he has become Dante and my favorite when it comes to cuddling and just hanging out.  Karma is good at this but Leo is the best for just chilling.

Spider Man, our stud, is just a mellow man.  As long as he has his food, toys and gets his share of the love, he is good.  He is super affectionate and just likes to be with us.  He is very patient with the puppies and doesn’t mind when they get on his back as puppies will do.  He epitomizes “live and let live” attitude.  Even when Romi is asserting her dominance, he just walks away.  Only on the rarest occasion when Romi is just too much of a b#&%$ will he let her know he will not take it anymore.  Then it is over and he moves on to do his thing while Romi is still in the “I’m the BOSS” mode.  That is why we have all heard the expression “being b@#$%%.” 

Another famous male is Cesar Millan’s top dog, Daddy.  He is a boy and really just lovely.  He only shows calm gentleness.

So who makes better pets?  Both males and females make great pets.  Cresteds are known for their easy ways.  One of their endearing traits is to get along with other dogs, cats, birds…  It is all a matter of the new owner’s attitude towards the gender of the puppy and how well they train the new puppy. 

We completely understand some people prefer one over the other for whatever reason.  We know lots of owners who only like boys.  We know others wanting just girls.  And there are the ones who have had great experiences with boys and girls and do not prefer one over the other.  

One of the most important points in deciding on a girl or a boy is to speak with the breeder you working with.  If they are good breeders, they can tell you the personality of the puppy they are placing and will be able to advise you on whether the puppy would be a good fit for you.  They can tell if the puppy is better suited in a home with other pets or is better if she/he is the only one.  A good breeder knows her puppies and can tell you if the puppy will be good around young children or needs a calmer home.  More than the gender, the personality will determine how well the puppy will fit into your home. 

When people say they only want a girl from us then we tell them to wait for a girl, go to another breeder or consider a boy, if we have one available.  But we always say they must be OK with their choice since the puppy is counting on their guidance and love.  Remember, dogs are like kids, they can smell fear, weakness or ambivalence from us.  We tell people to get the puppy they want.  But perhaps be open to a possibility of loving a puppy you did not consider before if it is just a matter of gender.  At the end of the day, love the puppy you have and be the best owners possible.