Skin Care for a Hairless Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is a dog breed well known for flashy appearances and a long flowing crest of hair. For most varieties, however, those locks grow from an otherwise hairless body. Hairless Chinese Crested dogs are prone to sunburns, acne and other skin irritations. It may seem strange, but these dogs require frequent grooming that includes shaving, bathing and other human-like skin care regimens.

  1. Chinese Crested Varieties

    • Chinese Crested dogs come in three varieties, all of which can be born in the same litter. The powderpuff has a long, soft double coat of hair all over its body. The hairless is the variety most often seen in dog shows and ugliest dog contests, and has hair only on its feet, tail and crest. The hairy hairless has short to medium length hair in patches throughout the body. The amount and length of the hair can vary, but a dog is considered a hairy hairless if there are still certain parts of the body without hair.

    Shaving

    • Regardless of the amount of hair a Chinese Crested has, its face is almost always shaved under the eyes, on the muzzle and on the back of upright ears. Many owners also choose to shave the dog's body to make it look like the hairless breed standard, even if it is a hairy hairless. The dog's patchy body hair can be removed with a bread trimmer, razor, electric razor, hair remover or combination thereof. Hair removal can irritate a dog's sensitive skin, so products like shaving cream or gel, sensitive formulas of hair removal creams and electric razor pre-shave treatments are essential parts of most Chinese Crested skin care routines.

    Bathing

    • A Hairless Chinese Crested dog's skin is more exposed to dirt and irritants than a dog with hair, and as such, they need to be bathed more frequently. The Chinese Crested should be bathed one or two times a week, and always after shaving in order to open the pores and prevent ingrown hairs. Use mild or "sensitive skin" human body washes and scrubs on the dog's skin, and a mild dog shampoo for its hair. There are also many bath products designed specifically for hairless dogs available at pet shops that work just as well, but are often more expensive than human equivalents.

    Lotions

    • After bathing, lotions help lock moisture in the dog's skin, which helps to keep it supple and soft. Avoid using heavy oil-based moisturizers like baby oil or Vaseline, as these can cause blockages in the pores which leads to pimples. Use a water-based lotion that has ingredients with soothing properties like aloe, oatmeal or almond. A thin layer of aloe vera gel is also a good treatment for the Chinese Crested after shaving. Sensitive skin or baby formula sunblock is also essential for outdoor activities. In the summer, even a quick walk can expose a Hairless Chinese Crested to sunburn risk.

    Skin-Improving Diet

    • Diet has a big influence on Chinese Crested skin health. Allergies are a common cause of skin irritation, whiteheads, dermatitis and acne. Feed the dog a diet free of color additives, and try to avoid wheat-heavy brands. Wheat is a common allergen for dogs, particularly Crested varieties. A supplement of vitamin E or omega 3 oil can also help keep the skin healthy, and the hair that does grow soft and shiny.