The Crustie, otherwise known as the Crested Yorkie, is a cross of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chinese Crested. The loveable little dogs are energetic and playful, making them a good choice for active families.

Breed Overview

If your family is considering bringing a devoted, loyal playmate home, the Crustie might be a good choice. Read on to learn more!

Crustie Characteristics

Crustie Puppies

Crusties are somewhat rare, so they are expensive. The price range will depend on the breeder, parents, and location of the puppy.

If you do choose to get your Crustie from a breeder, make sure you ask plenty of questions about the health of the puppy’s parents. Crusties can be prone to certain inherited diseases. Since they are so rare, you aren’t likely to find a Crustie in an animal shelter.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Crustie

Crusties are very sweet, loyal, and affectionate. They want to be around their families all the time and can become distressed if left alone. They are also very intelligent but do have a stubborn streak, so training might be a challenge. However, if you start early and practice consistency, you can train your Crustie.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Crusties are great family dogs. They thrive with an active family who can give them the affection and attention they need. The ideal home for a Crustie would be with a family and a fenced yard. The Crustie loves to play so respectful children would make great companions for a Crustie.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If they are socialized from a young age, the Crustie can get along with other pets such as cats and dogs. The Crustie does have a jealous streak and will act out if they don’t get enough attention. If you do have other pets, you’ll need to make sure you’re distributing your love equally so your Crustie doesn’t feel neglected.

Things to Know When Owning a Crustie:

Crusties have some specific needs when it comes to exercise and training. You’ll want to ensure that you have the time and energy to dedicate to their care before bringing a Crustie into your home. Here are a few things to consider before bringing a new puppy into your family.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Crustie is a small dog, but it does expend a lot of daily energy. Your dog’s activity level will determine exactly how much food it needs. However, a good rule of thumb for this hybrid is roughly one cup of food per day. High-quality food for toy breeds will ensure your Crustie has all of its nutritional needs met. You can also use occasional treats for positive reinforcement, especially when training this smart, stubborn dog.

Exercise 🐕

Crusties have a lot of energy! They need about an hour of exercise each day. Two 30-minute walks, along with a few bouts of indoor playtime will keep your dog from becoming bored and destructive. Crusties are known to bark and chew when they get bored or feel like you haven’t given them enough attention. Proper amounts of exercise each day will prevent bad behaviors and make your Crustie a content and healthy pup.

Training 🎾

Crusties are very smart so they can be trained to perform many tricks. However, they can be very stubborn. Training might take some time but if it is started when the Crustie is young and utilizes positive reinforcement, you should have success. The use of positive reinforcement is very important as Crusties are highly sensitive dogs who won’t respond well to negative training, yelling, or force.

Grooming ✂️

The grooming needs of your Crustie will vary depending on what kind of coat it has. If they have the hairless gene of the Chinese Crested, your Crustie will need occasional baths with shampoo for sensitive skin. They’ll also need sunscreen if they are going to be outside for a long stretch on a sunny day. The Crustie with long hair will need brushing a few times per week and occasional hair trims if their coat gets too long.

All Crusties need regular tooth brushing and nail trims. Their ears should also be checked weekly for signs of parasites or infection.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Crustie is relatively healthy, but there are a few potentially serious conditions they are prone to. While there is no way to know for sure if your dog will acquire any diseases as they grow older, you should always ask about the health of the puppy’s parents before purchasing from a breeder. If either parent had health problems, your puppy is more likely to also experience health trouble during their lifetime.

Male vs Female

There is no significant difference between the male and female Crustie. Both are the same size when fully grown. They also exhibit the same characteristics of an affectionate, loving, and loyal temperament. Male and female Crusties require the same amount of daily exercise and have the same likelihood of experiencing health problems.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Crustie

1. They can be hairless or have a long silky coat.

Crusties can either have the hairless gene of the Chinese Crested or the long, silky coat of the Yorkshire Terrier. They tend to resemble Yorkies in color and markings. Whichever coat they have, the Crustie is not known to be a heavy shedder.

2. Crusties do not do well in cold weather.

Both coat styles of this hybrid do not do well if the weather is too cold. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to have a sweater for your Crustie in winter. You should also limit their time outside when it’s cold. The hairless version is also prone to sunburn so you will need to use sunscreen on your dog if they are out in the sun.

3. They love attention!

Both parents are needy and want all of your attention. It’s no surprise that the Crustie also loves to be doted on. This is not a dog you can leave alone for long stretches.

Final Thoughts

The Crustie is a rare crossbreed, but for those who are lucky enough to own one, they make great family pets. Crusties are loyal, loving, energetic, and playful. You would be hard-pressed to find a more loyal companion for you and your children. If you have the time and energy to dedicate to their care, you may want to consider searching for a Crustie.

We have more Chinese Crested Mixes and Yorkshire Terrier Mixes for you to enjoy!

Related Reads:

• Canis Panther
• Corkie

Featured Image Credit: RobertArt, Shutterstock