GROOMING your CRESTED
& Ear Taping

Skin Care for the Hairless Crested

The skin of the Hairless type requires a lot of moisturizing with lotions that you use on yourself. This breed is ALLERGIC to LANOLIN so always check the ingredients.

You can use baby oil or Nivea face cream to keep the hairless parts smooth.

In case of breakout or blackheads, pimples or boils Oil Control Lotion absorbs the oil from the skin's surface. This product is available at www. dermalogica.com.

Aveeno Original is another great product and can be found in any food stores usually in either the baby isle or bath products isle.

We also use Baby Shampoo tearless, instead of dog shampoos since it is much gentler on their skin.

One thing I've noticed time and again ... "you are what you eat" ... clear skin starts with premium quality foods. Holistic foods, natural foods and even those for human consumption are best. This breed is ALLERGIC to several foods including CORN found in many dry dog food kibbles, be sure to check the ingredients.

Grooming procedure for the Hairless

I use a bristle brush, a 7" stainless steel comb & a small face stainless steel comb and of course clippers. Whal Peanuts clipper is easiest to find and use since it is cordless (runs on AA batteries) and is fairly quiet. It can be found in your pet section at stores such as Wal-Mart or check the men's grooming supplies.

The hairless Chinese Crested should be kept clean with several baths each week using a mild shampoo (no Lanolin) and following with a moisturizer. (I tend to use gentle baby products on my Cresteds).

The Crest (head), Socks (legs) and Plume (tail) should be dried thoroughly with a blow drier and a bristle brush.

For facial hair the Whal razor will come in handy. Initially it will take some getting used to but after a while both you and your Crested should enjoy the experience. My cresteds love being pampered by me. If you feel that this is simply too much for you to handle be sure to consult a professional groomer with experience on this breed.

Be sure to towel dry the body (as not to remove too much moisture) and keep your Crested warm, especially on chilly days and in colder climates.

Grooming procedure for the Powderpuff

Frequent brushing is required with a bristle brush, daily is preferred and may be necessary as the Crested puppy's coat changes into an adult coat.

Mats can be teased out using your thumb and forefinger. When the mats are removed use the brush to work through the coat. Remember to check between the front legs and on the inside of the elbows.

Bathe regularly using a good quality shampoo and blow-dry. After bathing and drying follow-up with a Whal clipper on the face (or 10 mm blade clipper). Note: In the U.S. the face is not shaved of a Powderpuff.

Check between the pads of the feet for felting and remove to prevent discomfort.

Finally, clip the Chinese Crested's nails, clean the ears and the teeth. Nails should be moderately long in this breed.

Ear Taping

EARTAPING VIDEO 1 intro and taping the ear flat at base
EARTAPING VIDEO 2 finish up on taping and folding the ear
EARTAPING VIDEO 3 bridging the ear

This 3 part video is made by Jill Gibbs at Perizad Chinese Cresteds and is very helpful for beginners who are learning to tape the ears.

Remember there are several different methods and nothing is set in stone. If one method does not work for you try another, don't give up. Do what is most comfortable for you. Switch tape 5-7 days and don't let it get wet. If you bathe it should be removed and ears cleaned.

It is important to clean the inside of a Chinese Crested's ears otherwise there will be wax build up and a possibility of ear infection.

Note also that young puppy ears will pop up one day and droop down the next, this is generally as a result of teething. Be persistent and the ears will stand.