Grooming a Chinese Crested Dog

Hair type: There are two distinct varieties of the Chinese Crested Dog, the “hairless” and the “powder puff.” The Hairless has soft, humanlike skin, as well as tufts of fur on its paws and tail and long, flowing hair on its head.  A Powderpuff has a long, soft coat. Both Hairless and Powderpuff varieties can appear in the same litter. The look of the Powderpuff varies according to how it is groomed. When its fur is completely grown out on its face, it strongly resembles a terrier. However, the Powderpuff is usually shaved around the snout as a standard cut.

Daily coat care: Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odour. Powder puffs need a lot more grooming. Daily brushing of the Powder puff’s long, fine, double coat is recommended, taking extra care when the dog is shedding. The woolly undercoat becomes matted if neglected. Bathe the hairless frequently and massage a little oil or cream into the skin to keep it supple. These dogs shed little to no hair and are great for allergy sufferers. The hairless variety is not prone to fleas. They can get ticks just like humans, but they are easy to see.

Recommended groom frequency: The powderpuff Chinese Crested requires a lot more care than the hairless crested. Hairless crested can go all their lives without needing to be groomed whereas the powderpuff may need to be professionally groomed on a regular basis.

At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your Chinese Crested. If you get puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.

Diet

These lean dogs have quite sensitive skin and are prone to kidney and liver damage which can be caused by too much Vitamin C. When choosing a dog food for your Chinese Crested, choose a brand which offers a high protein content with a good balance of vitamins and minerals.

For advise on choosing the right dog food for your Chinese Crested, call instore and speak with one of our pet care advisors who will be happy to assist you.

Activity Level

The Chinese Crested is an active breed which needs regular exercise. A long daily walk is required for emotional as well as physical well being of the dog. An occasional run in an open area is also recommended. It tends to gain weight quickly so should not be overfed. This dog is allergic to wool and lanolin so should be kept away from such things.

Where to get a Chinese Crested Dog

There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.

However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.