Hi, I wonder if there is somebody out there who could give me some advice. I have recently acquired a Chinese Crested Powder Puff puppy. I know that they need their faces and neck clipping for showing. Having only done this a handful of times I am finding that she is getting grazes on the sides of her face and on her neck from the clippers. What am I doing wrong? She and I are both becoming more wary of the clippers as I dont want to make her skin sore anymore. Does anybody have any tips? What size blade should I be using? Should I be putting something on these areas first before I clip? Also how far round to the ears should I be going? Im not sure whether I have been clipping enough or whether I should be going very close to her ears. Thanks

Welcome to the forum Debbie.

I am sure that someone here can give you a few pointers :-)

Leigh

I take it that you have the hairless variety of Chinese Crested. This breed has exceedingly sensitive skin and after clipping you may want to rub a balm onto the skin to ease any razor burns. Stray hairs over the body and on the neck can be removed using a bikini Nair solution, making sure to check it in about half the time normally recommended on the box and thereafter every minute up to the maximum time allowed. Be careful to wash with a soothing soap and water solution after to remove all traces. I realize that the sun is less intense here than in many parts of the US, but I always used sunscreen lotion on the Crested that I showed in the US and you may want to also. As far as blades for clipping, you're going to want to use the same blade that they use for poodle cuts (I believe it was a 30 or 40 in the US, not sure if we have the same numbering system here).

Hope this helps you.

You might also find these links to be useful.

Woodlyn Chinese Cresteds Grooming Options

Chinese Crested Club of British Columbia -- Grooming a Hairy Hairless

Grooming the Hairless

Crestars Cresteds Step-by-Step Grooming with Photos

Because the Chinese Crested (hairless variety) is a 'skin' dog, you're going to want to use the 30 (surgical) Oster to clip right down to the skin. As you know, there is none of the close cut hair on the face like the poodle, but rather the clipped-to-the-skin type. As you can see in the link, there are two versions of ears acceptable.

If you need additional links, please let me know.

Sierra, I would be very grateful for any further links you may have, I dont seem to be having much luck finding things :)

Okay, I'm going to see if I can talk you through the shaving process for the ears and face.

First, let's look at a close-up of a powder puff with shaved ears and face. And then we are going to go to a site where they demonstrate a 'hairy' hairless being prepared for the ring.

Notice that the face is shaved from a point even with the lower part of the eye, straight back to the back of the cheek. So, pick an imaginary line going straight back, secure the hair that you are wanting to keep as a 'crest' or mane, take a deep breath and begin to shave. When doing between the eyes, draw your imaginary line again midway between the eyes and shave downwards. Make certain that you tie back the hair that you want to keep as a mane. Shave the underside of the dog's jaw and slightly down the neck. How far you go down the neck is purely a visual, and will depend in part on whether you feel your dog's neck needs elongating. In which case you will probably extend your line down just slightly. You do not want to shave the sides of the neck so take care to keep your line solely along the front.

Now we go to the ears. Again, tie back the hair that will remain and carefully begin at the base of the ears and establish your line. Shave to this line only.

Don't forget to trim the pads of the feet.

You may want to email the [email crestars@cybersurf.net]Crestars Chinese Cresteds[/email] breeder. She has some gorgeous dogs and has done a grooming video that donates over half of the proceeds back to the Chinese Crested rescue.

There are quite a few sites available through the Chinese Cresteds website ring. Simply go to that page and click on the icon on the bottom that says Next. Happy surfing!

Hi Debbie
I trim a powder puff but not for show and so I scissor the face. A poodle face blade is an Oster 15. 40 is a surgical blade. The blade must always be newly sharpened and sprayed with lubricant or it will pull, and the blade and the skin must be hygenically clean. Pull the skin tight and clip against the way that the hair grows, taking great care to keep the skin flat. Following the rules that I was taught, I have never had a poodle with clipper rash. Styling I can't help you with. If your puppy was bred from show stock, then the breeder is the best person to advise you. If you are new to the breed, it would be worth making contact as she could help you with any problems that may arise.
Enjoy her, they're are dear little characters!

I learn something every day - I never even considered that these dogs would need shaving as thought they were naturally bald over most of their bodies

Christine

**grinning** did you know that a hairless should be bred to a powder puff in order to assure fewer problems with skin and teeth? The hairless variety tends to have missing teeth also. Hence, some of the 'hairless' ending up a bit 'hairy'!!!

Oh Sierra,

You have destroyed all my illusions about these hairless dogs - I thought they were pretty young things when they turn out to be bald and toothless (old men??)

<grin>

Seriously though, which teeth are missing and is it always the same ones and what skin problems do they have, and do they increase if hairless to hairless is bred over a few generations? Always ready to learn about a different breed

Christine

Yes, one must breed a hairless to a powderpuff or can face a mouth full of gums and no teeth.... the Chinese Crested, unlike other dogs, has sweat glands in its skin... so they can get acne, etc. Same skin problems as we have, including sunburn and the possibility of skin cancer from overexposure to sun. The missing teeth will vary from dog to dog.... I've seen some hairless with almost all their teeth and some with almost no teeth. It's an exceedingly interesting breed and I enjoyed the ones that I showed. They are like little ponies in stance and gaiting. Didn't tend to be 'yippy' and had sense.

Thanks to all that have replyed. I have a black and white powder puff and as much as I would like to go back to her breeder she sells all of the powder puffs she breeds as she dosent like them and just keeps and shows the hairless. My little bitch came from two hairless parents and as far as I am concerned is a little darling (but then I am biased) and has a wonderful nature, so loving. Does anybody know the address/telephone number of somebody called Julie Guvercin (I think thats how its spelt) who lives in Swindon?. I met her at a show but because I wasnt entered didnt have a catalogue and foolishly didnt write it down. If anybody else has any further ideas I would love to hear them. My little baby has her first show Oct 26th, Midland Counties so I would like to have sorted out the clipping before then plus getting one of her ears to stay up!! Many thanks