First, which Chinese Crested is standing in front of you?
No breed makes this question harder to answer with one rule, because Chinese Cresteds come in two varieties that can appear in the same litter. The Hairless has smooth skin over most of the body, with hair only as a crest on the head, a plume on the tail, and socks on the feet. The Powderpuff is covered head to toe in a soft, silky, flowing coat. Asking whether 'a Chinese Crested' needs haircuts without naming the variety is like asking one question about two different dogs, so the honest answer splits cleanly in two.
The Hairless: almost nothing to cut, skin to look after instead
A Hairless Crested needs no regular haircut and essentially no brushing, because there is almost no coat to manage. Some dogs grow sparse stray hairs along the back or legs, and owners who like the clean look have those tidied, but that is cosmetic neatening, not a required cut. The real grooming workload sits on the skin: it needs gentle washing, protection from sun and cold, and regular checks for the blackheads and spots this breed is prone to, since exposed skin behaves like human skin in ways a furred dog's never does. The crest, plume, and socks do benefit from a light comb so the fine hair does not tangle, and the hair on the feet can be neatened so the dog is not slipping on overgrown tufts.
The Powderpuff: brushing is the job, clipping is the shortcut
A Powderpuff's coat is a genuine commitment. The hair is fine and silky with a softer underlayer, and it mats quietly, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and where a harness or collar sits. Thorough brushing and combing to the skin several times a week is the baseline for a Powderpuff kept in full coat, and the comb, not the brush, is the honest test of whether you reached the skin. Nothing about the breed requires a haircut, but many pet owners sensibly choose a short all-over clip: it turns a demanding daily discipline into a light one, and the dog neither knows nor cares that the show version looks different. If you clip, the remaining tasks are the same comb-throughs, just far faster.
Details both varieties share
Whichever type you have, the ears, teeth, and nails need the same attention as any small breed, and the fine hair inside a Powderpuff's ears and around the eyes should be kept tidy so it does not trap moisture or irritate. Hairless dogs need their skin dried carefully after baths and checked where clothing or harnesses rub, since a rub that would vanish into fur leaves a visible sore on bare skin.
Skin and coat changes to take seriously
For the Hairless, spreading redness, sores that do not settle, or a sudden crop of inflamed spots is a veterinarian conversation, not a cue to try another cream from the cupboard. For the Powderpuff, a coat that begins matting within a day of a full brush-out, breaks off in patches, or comes with constant scratching deserves the same escalation, because coat change in a previously easy dog often reflects skin or general health rather than grooming technique. Bring notes on when it changed and what products you have used, since small dogs accumulate well-meant lotions quickly.
Dividing two very different routines at home
Households with one of each variety often blur the routines together and under-serve both dogs, so make the split explicit: KinsLe's Care Teams feature lets you assign the Hairless dog's skin checks and the Powderpuff's comb-throughs as separate duties to separate people, and when each carer marks a job complete with its timestamp, the next person can trust the Powderpuff really was combed to the skin on Tuesday.