Things You'll Need
- Shampoo and conditioner formulated for dogs
- Dog clippers with No. 10 and No. 7 blade guards
- Dog nail clippers
- SPF 15 sunscreen
- Moisturizer for sensitive skin
- Soft bristle dog brush
- Pin-style dog brush
- Ear wash formulated for dogs
- Cotton buds for ears (large cotton balls)
Instructions
Groom a Chinaranian with Hair
Brush your Chinaranian using a bristled brush every other day to remove loose hair and avoid matting. Brushing regularly also prevents dry skin and dandruff on your dog. Lift the outer layer of the coat and brush from the roots of the hair to the tips to remove all loose hair from the undercoat. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears and legs as these areas are more prone to tangling.
Clip the hair around the anus of the dog to keep the area clean. Most owners find it easiest to use clippers designed for dogs with a No. 10 blade guard. Scissors may also be used if you have a steady hand. Be careful not to cut the dog's skin when clipping or using scissors. Keep the hair in this area short for best results.
Bathe your dog twice a month using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner formulated for dogs to remove built-up dirt and dust and prevent skin irritation. It is not recommended that you bathe your dog frequently as excessive bathing removes essential oils from the skin. When bathing, check the dog's ears for buildup. Rinse the dogs ears with ear wash and remove excess wash with a large cotton bud. Be careful to only use the cotton bud on the exterior part of the ear canal and do not insert anything into the inner ear canal.
Trim nails once every three months, keeping them as short as possible using dog nail clippers. Overgrown nails can become embedded in the dog's skin and necessitate veterinary care. Avoid clipping the pink area near the base of the nail. Clipping this area will cause bleeding and is painful to your dog.
Clip your dog's body regularly to keep the coat attractive. Clipping techniques vary greatly depending on the individual coat of your Chinaranian. Clippers with a No. 7 blade guard will give your dog a shorter, more manageable coat. Start clipping behind the head and work down the neck to the body. Clip in the direction of the hair growth if possible to maintain an even cut. Use a No. 10 blade guard around the face, legs and stomach for a closer shave. Pull the skin tight around the neck, stomach and legs as needed to avoid nicks. If the coat is naturally shorter, trimming is not needed as often.
Groom a Hairless Chinaranian
Apply moisturizing lotion and SPF 15 sunscreen daily to your Chinaranian to protect its skin. The Chinaranian's skin is sensitive and susceptible to sunburn, dryness and scrapes as it does not have any natural protection from the elements.
Brush your Chinaranian at least every other day. Even though some Chinaranians are hairless on the majority of their body, they still require brushing to maintain the hair around their face, feet and tail. Use a pin-style dog brush to remove tangles from these areas. The body of the Chinaranian may also be groomed using a soft bristle brush.
Bathe your Chinaranian at least twice a week using a moisturizing shampoo and clean the ears using an ear bud. Use a soft towel to dry the dog rather than a blow dryer as its skin will be sensitive to the heat of a dryer.
Trim hair around face, tail and feet as necessary. Scissors or dog clippers with a No. 10 blade guard can be used for these areas. Most owners of hairless dogs prefer to keep the hair in these areas long to accentuate the hairless areas of the body.
Trim nails with dog nail clippers every three months to keep them short.