Many dog lovers prefer hairless dogs over standard dogs (i.e., with a full coat) because of the lesser amount required for professional grooming sessions and amount of hair shedding. Emphasis must be made, nonetheless, that even hairless dogs require regular grooming to maintain good overall health including presentable appearance.
Distinctive Breeds
Hairless dogs are canines with a genetic predisposition either for hairlessness or for hair loss. As such, dogs that have been shaved completely of their coats but have the natural ability to grow their coats back are not considered as hairless breeds since human intervention is involved.
Today, there are only a few recognized hairless dog breeds including:
- Chinese crested dog
- Mexican hairless dog
- Peruvian Inca orchid
- American hairless rerrier
- Hairless Khala
- Xoloitzcuintle
These distinctive breeds have very little to no coating at all. In cases where hair is present, these are only in small amounts at the top of the head as well as on the ears, feet and tail. Due to the absence of protective coats, hairless dogs are highly susceptible to weather conditions especially cold and heat.
For this reason, the skin will require regular attention to keep it in good condition. Regular attention comes in the form of regular oiling especially after baths and sunscreen in summer as a preventive measure against sunburn.
Regular professional grooming will also be required to maintain optimum health and appearance. But always remember that regular grooming sessions at home are more important for these distinctive breeds.
Bathing and Drying Tips
Hairless dogs should be bathed anywhere from once a week to once every four weeks depending on the breed, age, and physical condition of the dog. Ask your pet’s veterinarian and professional groomer as every dog has different needs in bathing frequency.
Before bathing your hairless dog, be sure to put a cotton ball in each of its ears to prevent water from entering its ear canals. Give your hairless pet a bathe like any other dog but be sure to use a gentle shampoo for the body and a tearless shampoo of the head; only a single application is necessary since too many applications can strip the dog’s skin of its protective oils. Rinse off the shampoo with clean water.
After a bath, use a clean, dry towel to dry off the dog’s body. Use a hand dryer set to warm to ensure that excess moisture has been removed.
Body Checks Are a Must
The best time to conduct body checks on your hairless dog is after bathing and drying. Your dog is already clean and in a relaxed mood, which makes it easier to perform the following steps:
- Check the ears for dirt, pests, and wax. Clean the inside folds with a small towel or cotton balls.
- Clean the dog’s eyes of sticky deposits. Wipe away from the affected eye toward the nose.
- Check the teeth and gums for signs of teeth loss and scaling. The Chinese crested dog is highly vulnerable to teeth loss.
- Check the condition of the paws and its pads as well as the hair growth. Using round-ended scissors, trim excess hair growth around and between your dog’s claws followed by clipping the nails.
Body checks are a must not just for aesthetics purposes but, more importantly, to check for unusual things on your pet’s body that can signal injuries and illnesses. For example, during a body check, you may observe an unusual growth on the body that may or may not be a tumor.
Conditioning and Moisturizing the Skin
Due to the increased exposure of the hairless dog’s skin to the natural elements, applying a conditioner and moisturizer after a bath is a must for good health, too. Always apply a crème rinse, which can be left on the body as a conditioning mask treatment for several minutes and then rinse off with clean water; the crème rinse can be applied after the body shampoo has been applied and rinsed off.
After performing the body check, be sure to apply moisturizer into almost every part of your dog’s coatless body. Professional dog groomers usually recommend the following products for moisturizing purposes:
- Dog lotion, which can be purchased from online stores selling pet supplies like Petco and PetSmart
- Jojoba oil, which can aid in the prevention and treatment of several types of skin-related issues including blackheads
- Coconut oil, which has a deep moisturizing quality that nourishes the dog’s skin
Moisturizing is an essential part of keeping your dog’s skin in optimum health especially during the hot days of summer and cold nights of winter. During the days, your dog’s skin is more susceptible to dryness, cracks and irritation, among others.
While applying the moisturizer, you can also give your beloved pet a gentle massage to rub in the lotion or oil. You and your dog will love the physical contact, which will strengthen your emotional bond.
