Chi Chi Grooming

The Chi Chi, as a Chihuahua-Chinese Crested hybrid, has a good bit of variety in coat types. The Chihuahua comes in both short and long-haired coats, while the Chinese Crested comes in hairless (with silky hair only on the head, feet, and tail) and powderpuff (long, silky, double-layered) coat variations. This means its Chi Chi offspring can be hairless, short- or long-haired--or somewhere in between. And the different coat types have specific grooming needs, each of which is described below.

With the coat varieties that are possible with this hybrid, so too does Chi Chi dog grooming have some variation in frequency. None of the coat variants shed much, but the longer-haired Chi Chi coats can mat or tangle some, so brushing needs range from once weekly (if the Chi Chi is more hairless) to 2-4 times per week for full-coated dogs. Baths are required weekly for the hairless varieties, as they're prone to skin irritations which a bath will help minimize; the coated dogs need baths once every month or two. And a longer-haired Chi Chi can have its coat clipped, and will need a trim every 2-3 months. Here are some details on coat maintenance for both hairless and fuller-coated types:

• Hairless Chi Chis will need their ear, leg, and tail hair combed once a week with a quality 2-in-1 comb to keep it smooth. They'll also need weekly baths using a gentle canine shampoo to keep their skin healthy; consult a veterinarian for the best shampoo to use. These dogs also need lotion applied to their skin several times per week, and they'll definitely need to wear sunblock when outdoors on bright days to minimize sunburn. Some owners of Chi Chis with this coat say they need to occasionally clip or pluck stray hairs that grow on their dogs' smooth skin.
• Coated Chi Chis can have short, medium, or long coats. Those dogs with short coats need brushing with a rubber curry brush once or twice per week; the longer coats need more frequent brushing (3-4 times weekly) with a pin brush. To bathe: give the dog a thorough brushing first, then bathe using canine shampoo (and conditioner, if desired). Additionally, longer-haired Chi Chis often get a "low-maintenance" Puppy Cut, which sees the entire coat shaved to about 1½ inches.

Depending on the dog's coat length, Chi Chi brushing will be required frequently--or not at all. Hairless or shorter-haired dogs need little to no brushing, while longer-haired ones need it often (3-4 times per week, if not daily).

The necessary Chi Chi brushes will depend on the coat length too. Hairless Chi Chis actually have a bit of hair on their ears, legs, and tail--and this can be combed weekly with a good 2-in-1 comb. Shorter-haired Chi Chis will need a rubber curry brush, and Longhairs a pin brush.

Brush your coated Chi Chi as follows: first spray the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. Long-haired coats may tangle, and if you run across one, try separating it with either your fingers or the end teeth of a comb (or both).

For longer-haired dogs, numerous Chi Chi hairstyles are possible. And depending on the Chi Chi style, the dog will need a touch-up trim every couple of months.

Three popular Chi Chi haircuts:

• Puppy Cut: A low-maintenance style. The entire coat is clipped short (to 1-2 inches). Some people like to leave the hair on the legs, face, and head a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Show Cut: Leaves most of the length, but requires some precision. The coat is scissor-trimmed by only a half-inch or so, and often thinned out with thinning shears; the hair on the face and head is rounded and even. Needs a groomer's expertise.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut, but the hair on the legs, face, and head is left longer, and is carefully rounded and sculpted to make the dog resemble an adorable stuffed animal. Probably best done by a groomer.

(BONUS: Some owners love to dye their Chi Chi coats different colors. Most groomers will do it--but people can safely dye their Chi Chi pink, blue, or even in a rainbow pattern, all from home. You can pick up canine hair dye from a pet store or online, or you can use food coloring. Be sure not to use human hair dye on your Chi Chi, as it's toxic to dogs.)