Chris Brown talks dogs, driving, dancing

Chris Brown hams it up with his blue-nosed pit bull, Diamond, at a Ford Sync/BET event taking place in NYC.

“This is my puppy,” the Kiss Kiss singer tells me. “I’ve had her since she was little. She’s like my family. She’s like my little daughter, but she’s my dog. She means everything to me. I take her on walks. It’s a normal dog relationship.”

Diamond will join Chris on the road for his Up Close & Personal tour, which kicks off tonight in Cincinnati. The trek is sponsored by the carmaker, which has a special place in his heart. “My first car was a Ford Expedition, and I was always driving. It’s fun. I’m a speed demon. I like going fast, so it’s cool.”

How is the 18-year-old star readying for life on the road with Bow Wow, Sean Kingston, Soulja Boy, Hurricane Chris and Lil’ Mama?

“My gym workout is in rehearsals,” he says. “I don’t want to lift too many weights because if I’m buff and tall, I’ll look funny.”

Hopefully gal pal Rihanna will catch him in action.