Chinese Crested Grooming

Chinese Cresteds are relatively low maintenance in regards to grooming-- not to mention they are considered "hypoallergenic". This means the average owner can take care of it at home if desired. There are two varieties-- hairless and powderpuff. Surprisingly hairless and powderpuff (full coat) are about equal in the amount of maintenance they require. This breed is prone to skin problems including irritation and acne, as well dental issues. This page will cover the basic grooming procedures for the following:

• Bathing
• Brushing
• Nail Care
• Dental Care
• Haircuts and Styles

Coat care may be the most important part of the grooming regimen for most breeds, however, Chinese Crested grooming also requires an equal amount of skin care. The hairless type will need more emphasis on skin care due to their likelihood of having sensitive skin and acne; these dogs will need more frequent bathing. The Chinese Crested powderpuff grooming regimen will be a bit different as this type has a full coat. They need frequent brushing with a slicker brush and the occasional bath. Trimming around the face and ears is typically done for both hairless and non.

Bathing your Crested will be a little different depending on whether you have a hairless or powderpuff. Hairless, especially if they are show dogs, can be bathed as frequently as weekly or as infrequently as every few weeks. Powderpuffs can be maintained with monthly baths, if desired. The best shampoo for Chinese Cresteds is usually either an intensely moisturizing canine shampoo or, if they have bad skin, a canine acne shampoo. Here are a few tips for bathing your Crestie:

• Brush and/or groom your Crestie before bathing to remove tangles-- if not these tangles can turn into mats.
• Run 3 inches warm water into the tub or sink before introducing your pet to the bathing area.
• Make sure to rerinse the skin thoroughly as soap residue is the easiest way to irritate her skin.
• Dry the hair afterwards, then brush through to prevent any hair from tangling straight away.
• If you pet has acne and blackheads you can use a canine acne product on the skin.

From mohawks to pink hair, the Chinese Crested is definitely a breed owners like to experiment with. In regards to haircuts and grooming styles, Chinese Cresteds that are hairless have few options. The hair in front of the eyes is usually cut along with some trimming of the legs and tail plumes. The stray hairs over the body are often shaved and then a moisturizer or moisturizing spray applied.

The grooming styles for a Chinese Crested powderpuff are a bit more varied. Show dogs are left in their natural coat-- which is medium length-- and only the face and ears are trimmed. A choice for the average pet Chinese Crested is the pony cut. This entails clipping the hair short and uniformly over the body; some owners choose to leave the legs a bit longer.

Some Cresties fall in between and have a smattering of hair over their bodies but are not a fully coated Powderpuff. These dogs are often shaved very close save for some hair on the lower legs, tail plume, mane and head. They will need an astringent as well as a moisturizer post shave to reduce any irritation.

Teeth- A Chinese Crested's teeth can naturally be problematic, especially the hairless type. The problems can vary from a few missing teeth to a high aptitude for dental disease. Brushing the teeth is very important for this breed. We recommend using a fingerbrush or canine toothbrush-- plus a drop of doggy toothpaste-- to gently clean the teeth and gumline at least twice per week.

Dental care is so important for this breed that you may consider also scheduling professional dental check ups with your veterinarian. Remember, you can start getting your puppy used to the feeling of having their teeth cleaned by rubbing your finger along their gumline daily.

Skin- Partially to fully hairless Cresties will need sunscreen to protect their delicate skin. They may also need acne creams and moisturizers in between baths to keep their skin in good shape.