Is the Hairless Chinese Crested The Right Dog for You?
Remember a few years back when a certain retail establishment that caters to animals featured a chic-looking woman who pampered her dog? And she asked her toy-sized dog whether it wanted to have what little soft, silky hair that existed on top of its head spiked? Well, that dog was a hairless chinese crested. Although this fine-boned, elegant dog craves human companionship, it’s not likely they will demand a daily do.
This breed is playful, intelligent and very loving. There are two varieties of this breed. The first is the hairless chinese crested. They have soft, silky, single coats of fur only on their head (also called the crest), tail (the plume) and feet (socks). Some also have fur on their muzzle (also called the beard). The little fur they have can shed a little. Their exposed skin is soft and smooth, very similar to human skin, and also prone to the same skin irritations and allergies. When they are in the sun, they will need sunscreen protection. But be aware that, since they have allergies to lanolin, you will need to check the sunscreen’s ingredients first. And in the winter, provide their exposed skin with a sweater to prevent dryness. Many are allergic to wool, so be sure to read the fabric content label. They need frequent bathing, followed with applications of lotions and/or oils to their skin to keep it supple.
The second variety is the powderpuff. The powderpuff’s body is completely covered with a thick double coat of fur that requires daily brushing, especially when shedding. Otherwise, its woolly undercoat will become matted. It is possible for the powderpuff and the hairless chinese crested to be born in the same litter. The reason for this is that each hairless carries one gene for hairless and one gene for hair, so each hairless had a 50/50 chance of having fur. A combination of two hairless genes is fatal, and those do not reach gestation.
This breed does not suffer from the congenital health problems as do many other toy dogs. However, dental problems are common with the hairless chinese crested. To prevent decay their teeth need daily care. Since most have an incomplete set of teeth, do not give them bones to chew. These problems may be alleviated in the future, however, as breeders are interbreeding the hairless chinese crested with the powderpuff, because powderpuffs have normal teeth. These dogs are very clean and are not prone to fleas or ticks. And they have elongated toes, so take care not to cut their nails too short. Polish is optional.
