Q.) Is this breed really "hypoalergenic"?
A.) Yes and no. It depends on what type of allergy you have. For those
that are alergic to dog dander - yes, this breed is an excellent choice as they do not have the dander associated with other
breeds (both hairless and puff are dander-free) HOWEVER, if your allergy is a reaction to the PROTIENS found in canine saliva
than this breed will affect you in the same way as any other canine. Saliva can come in contact with your skin and cause a
reaction either from a direct "kiss" or from contact with any area of the dogs body s/he has licked during normal personal
grooming. Your allergist can help you determine which allergy you are affected by - as will "trial by fire" (exposing yourself
to the dog)
Q.) I am interested in a hairless Chinese Crested because I do not want to have to
groom/ brush a dog. How often should my hairless get a bath?
A.) "Brush free" does not mean maintenance free. Though you will not
have to worry about tangles or matts in the coat, the hairless does need frequent bathing. Unlike other dogs with hair to
wick away dirt and skin secretions; the hairless must be bathed to remove daily accumulations, just like your own skin. What
would happen to your face if it weren't washed often? It would break out in zits and blackheads - the same is true for
the hairless. I personally shower with my hairless dogs each morning. It adds 5 minutes to my bathing routine and the result
is a dog with soft, smooth, clean and blemish free skin. When they are clean, I toss them out of the shower to rub off on
the towel I've placed on the floor for them. When I get out of the shower, I give them a quick rub with my own lotion and
let them out of the bathroom to play while I finish my morning routine.
Q.) What special bath/ lotion products do you use for your dogs?
A.) I use no "special" products. I personally have quite sensitive skin - I use the same shampoo
(which doubles as a body wash for the dogs) as I use on myself - right now, that happens to be Garnier Fructise Sleek &
Shine - the added oils in this formulation do well for skin and hair alike. I use Johnsons adult 24 hour lotion on both
myself and the dogs. Any good "sensitive skin" lotion is fine - just remember never to use any products with LANOLIN in them
as many cresteds have an alergy to this substance. I also use St. Ive's Apricot scrub once per week to exfoliate the dogs
skin, as I do my own face, to stave off blemishes/ blackheads and keep skin looking it's best.
Q.) What is the Powder Puff's coat like and how often should they be brushed/
bathed?
A.) The powder puff coat is dense and of medium length. (Look at Faboo
or Lacey's pictures for an example of an adult puff coat) It requires brushing from head to toe about twice per week. I bathe
my dogs weekly, but a bath once or twice a month for a companion dog combined with twice weekly brushing is more than adequate.
Q.) Which personality is better? Male or female?
A.) A dogs' personality comes from many factors - one of the least
contributors to that personailty is gender! Neither gender is more outgoing or affectionate then the other. There are shy
and outgoing dogs in both sexes. Temperament is largely affected by the upbringing the dog received; proper and thorough socialization
by the breeder is key, especially in this breed. Choose a dog by it's individual personality - the sex of a dog should
not be a factor, most especially when choosing a companion dog. Also, a dog that is altered (spayed or neutered) at 6 months
as is recomended by responsible breeders and veterinarians alike (as well as the AKC) will never develope the secondary sexaul
charictarsitics that people may associate with personality of "male" and "female" dogs.
Q.) I'm looking for a "Tea-Cup" Crested. Do you have any tiny cresteds planned for
future breedings?
A.) No. There is no such thing as a "tea-cup" anything. This is a
term used as a sales tactic by irrisponsible breeders to entice buyers looking for a "pocket" or "purse" pet. A truly tiny
specimen does come along occasionally, often due to genetic anomalies that may also contribute to poor health and short life
span. Purposefully breeding for "tiny" or "tea-cup" cresteds in the "under 10 inch/ under 5 Lb" range is irresponsible,
against the breed standard and not something any reputable, resonsible, ethical breeder would intentionally do. The standard
for the Chinese Crested states the ideal dog is 11 - 13 inches in height but that dogs slightly under or over are
acceptable and to be given equal consideration. Be wary of any "breeder" offering a "tea-cup" chinese crested (especially
if the price is atronomical in comaprison to "normal" cresteds) Soemthing else to be aware of is that, often, dogs purchased
as "tea-cups" who were indeed very small as puppies (most often a result of gestational prematurity) grow to be normal sized
dogs, perhaps on the small end, but by no means "tea-cup". A standard tea cup, by the way, can contain only 4-6 ounces. The
smallest of toy breed canine adults on record is far larger than any tea cup!
Q.) What is the average lifespan of a Chinese Crested?
A.) The average lifespan of a healthy, well bred and well cared for Chinese Crested is 17-20
years. A reminder that purchasing a crested puppy is a long term commitment and a wonderful investment in loving, loyal companionship!
Q.) I've heard that Chinese Cresteds have alot of dental problems and that their teeth
fall out. Is this true?
A.) Yes and No. Powder Puffs have teeth as normal as any other canine and should have complete,
well formed dentition in an even or scissors bite. With a hairless, it depends on how they were bred and on the pedigree behind
them. Educated Chinese Crested breeders know that if a hairless is bred to a hairless, generation after generation, without
the inclusion of powder puffs and without careful attention paid to the dentition itself, that hairless puppies will be produced
that have poor and failing dentition. Part of the gene mutation that causes the hairless characteristic also affects dentition
if sincere care is not taken. Hairless Chinese Crsteds produced by careful breeding practices with powder Puffs used frequently
throught each generation will have sound and solid dentition lasting that animal throughout it's life with the use of regular
dental cleanings - as with any dog (and any person, for that matter) This is one area where careful choice of your breeder
is as important as careful choice of your puppy.
Q.) Do you perform any health testing on parent animals and do you offer a written
health guarantee for puppies you place?
A.) YES!!! Health testing is a very important part of responsible breeding. Health testing
documentation and information can be found on each of our dogs individual pages. Health testing details are listed
below the first picture on each dogs individual page and documentation is accessed by clicking on the dogs first picture
at the top of their page. Our health guarantee is long term and comprehensive and covers any puppy or dog that we place.
Our health guarantee can be found in the menu bar of this website. For more information on health issues that commonly affect
this breed, please visit the "Health Issues In Cresteds" page of this website.
