Care of Chinese crested hairless

Have you ever seen a Chinese crested hairless? Are you thinking of hosting or have you started living with one? If so, you have to know that this breed of dog, as the name suggests, comes from China but nowadays we can find it almost anywhere in the world. In addition, there is both the variety with hair and the one that does not have fur in a large part of the body, although neither of the two varieties is among the best-known breeds at the moment and, little by little, they are making their way to the homes of all the world.

If you are interested in knowing the care of the Chinese crested hairless you have come to the right place. In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about this breed so that you take good care of your pet and enjoy the two of your company.

Origin of the Chinese crested hairless

These dogs already existed in China in the thirteenth century and it was common to find them on merchandise ships to put an end to rat pests. But they did not begin to see some in Europe until the 19th century and, in fact, the hairless variety is more frequent in South America and Central America.

In Europe the hairless variety began to be seen in the late nineteenth century when the breeder Ida Garrett, who liked dog breeds without fur, began to raise and promote this breed. Although they are still rare, it is the best-known hairless dogs . In addition, every day they grow in popularity and are seen more frequently in homes.

Some of the things that make families opt for them are their characteristic physique, the ease of educating them and the simple care they require. Thus, it is a race suitable for beginners in the possession of dogs.

Features of the Chinese crested dog without hair

These are small and light dogs, of which there is the hair variety known as powder puff and the hairless variety. Focusing on the latter, they are characterized by having no hair on much of their body, maintaining long, smooth and silky hair on the head, and sometimes part of the neck, on the ears, the tip of the tail and on the feet. Any color or combination of colors is accepted and among the most common we can see: salt and pepper, earth or cream tones, white and white with black spots.

The people who have lived with these dogs describe them as very happy, active, pleasant, loyal dogs and that they have the ability to take strong attachment one or two people of the family. In addition, they are sensitive, shy with strangers and are always alert. Also, they have described him as a very intelligent dog and he learns quickly different orders and tricks.

If you are socialized correctly you can live with several people at the same time, more pets and try and play with any dog ​​that crosses the street. But, in case of a bad socialization you may end up having a dog distrustful and afraid due to its somewhat shy nature.

If you want to care for a Chinese crested without hair properly you should know that they are easy to have dislocations of the patella and that they suffer from skin problems easily if we do not take care of this delicate part of their body. It is vital that you take it to the veterinarian for checkups, vaccinations and do not skip the deworming so that you have good health and even to keep our own health in good condition.

Feeding

The most suitable feed for this breed of dog is a good quality feed that is suitable for small dogs and, depending on your age, you should offer feed for puppies, adults or seniors. Also, if at any time in your life you have a health condition that needs to be treated or alleviated through food you should offer the food that the veterinarian tells you and, possibly, a specific feed of veterinary range.

You can also supplement your diet with homemade dog food that you make with boiled natural products and without added salt. You should also know what foods dogs can not eat to avoid them, for example, excessive chocolate, caffeine, avocado, and so on. In these aspects it is better to be guided by your trusted veterinarian.

Hygiene care of hairless Chinese crested

Apart from taking into account your type of diet and that this is of quality you have to keep in mind other basic care that this breed needs, being some due to the fact that it does not have hair in a large part of its body:

Brushed

Although they almost do not have fur, the one that they do have to be taken care of. Thus, it will be necessary to brush the parts with hair 2 times a week with a brush for long hair or with natural bristles. In times of molting you may need to increase the number of times you brush your pet, but it usually releases very little hair.

Bathroom

As they do not have the protection that the mantle provides to the dogs, the Chinese crested skin without hair is delicate and is exposed to various external factors. So that it is always healthy and looks well taken care of, you should bathe it every 15 days with neutral and moisturizing shampoo. In addition, once a month after a bath you can exfoliate your skin and hydrate it with special products for dogs. You can take it to the canine hairdresser if you want to ensure good care of both your skin and the hair you have in some areas, which should be trimmed when the hairdresser / dog specialist sees it necessary.

Hydration

In addition to using some specific products for dogs, to moisturize the skin of your can you can use body oil for babies and natural vegetable oils. You should moisturize your skin not only after the baths but also between them. Depending on the skin of each dog it may be necessary to moisturize every week or even more than one day a week.

Protect it from the sun

It is vital that you protect from the sun because your unprotected and exposed skin can suffer burns, especially if it is a clear tone. It does not mean that you are forbidden to be in the sun, but that you must protect it by providing shade spaces and you can also use a specific sunscreen for dogs. Of course, just as they are exposed to the sun they are also exposed to the cold, so if you see that it is cold or your pet seems to have it, you can put a sweater or coat on it.

Also, you should take care of some basic aspects of your health as we should keep them in mind for any other dog breed. Therefore, you have to take care of your eyes, mouth, ears and legs, making sure that they do not accumulate dirt, wounds or infections and, also, you should clean the anal glands of our pet periodically or take it to a veterinarian to do it or request that it Do the canine hairdresser when you take it.

Exercise, environment and entertainment

Hairless Chinese crested dogs are a fairly active breed and, therefore, need a high daily dose of exercise . Whether at home, on the street or in the country, you should allow your pet to run and play and it will also be necessary not only to do it with other pets or dogs that you find for a walk, but to play a lot with it . As they are a very intelligent breed, we advise you to include some interactive toys for dogs among the toys that you offer, so that you feel curious and entertain yourself and exercise your mind, feeling more fulfilled.

As with any other dog, it is necessary to take him out for a walk at least 3 times a day so that he can relieve himself and take advantage of these trips so that he runs and spends energy.

These dogs need a lot of company, so it is advisable not to stay at home alone for many hours because you can suffer separation anxiety and destroy things at home and have a really bad time. It will be good to live with other pets and not be the only animals at home and / or living with several people.