CHINESE CRESTED

Alicia will take you through the bathing and drying process on Simon, and explain why the Chinese Crested needs extra care to look after their skin. 

Hairless Coat Care

Caring for the skin of a hairless dog is essential, as their lack of a protective coat makes them prone to skin issues like dryness, blackheads, and infections. Here's how to properly maintain their coat, bathing routine, and drying process:

1. Pre-bathing Skin Condition:

   • It's vital to ensure the dog is clean before any clipping or shaving, as dirt or oil on the skin can lead to infections when pores are exposed during grooming.

2. Bathing Routine:

   • Use exfoliating dog shampoos that help remove dirt, oils, and blackheads from the skin. A butter wash with milk and honey or natural scrubs made from honey and sugar can be used for gentle exfoliation.

   • On areas with hair, such as the head, socks, and tail, use a whitening shampoo to enhance the appearance of their white patches while maintaining care for the sparse hair they do have.

   • After applying shampoo, gently massage it into the skin to stimulate circulation and effectively exfoliate without causing redness or irritation.

3. Conditioning:

   • Condition the hair on their socks, head, tail, and ears (if desired). A protein conditioner is recommended to prevent breakage, promote growth, and protect the existing hair.

4. Drying:

   • Use a stand dryer on a medium setting with a pin brush, avoiding slicker brushes as they can scratch the delicate skin and cause discomfort.

   • Be mindful of the heat setting to prevent burning the skin. If it feels too hot for your arm, it's too hot for the dog.

   • The stand dryer will gently dry the sparse coat and skin without the need for high-velocity drying, which could scare or irritate the dog.

5. Post-Bath Skin Care:

   • After drying, apply a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. The moisturizer will help prevent dryness and flaking, a common issue for hairless breeds.

   • Make sure to also take care of the nails, ensuring they are clean, as dirt and oils can cause infections at the nail beds.

Key Takeaways:

• Hairless dogs need specialized skin care that includes regular exfoliation, gentle cleaning, and moisturizing.

• Proper bathing with exfoliating products is essential to prevent blackheads and infections.

• Using mild conditioners and gentler drying methods ensures that their sparse coat and sensitive skin are well-protected during and after grooming.