Hairless breeds

Well.. the toothless thing is a fault- not a certainty. 'hairy hairless' dogs in the hairless breeds seem to be prone to fewer missing teeth. (There's so many different combinations of genes that can cause varying degrees of hairlessness!) And ideally, breeders breed from those dogs with good dental health AND good skin/lack-of-hair, although that varies- even in rare breeds, you have breeders of varying responsibility, unfortunately.

As for finding a breeder, your best bet is through the national breed club for the breed, which you can probably locate through google. Googling for breedname+champion may also help, or searching breedname+(NADAC, USDAA or UKC if the breed is recognized with the United Kennel Club)titles can also bring up listings of dogs of that breed competing in various sports, and follow the info back from there.

They are VERY fun to pet and smooch. I adore the hairless breeds. They've been an obsession of mine, for years[] In fact, the night before I got Emma, I dreamed that there was a Xolo in the kennel, at the shelter. Otherwise, I never would have gone back there.

The toothless thing seems to be common in rescues, who haven't had their teeth taken care of. If you got a dog, from a good breeder (and seriously, GOOD LUCK finding one, it's a hard, hard job. some breeders are still CULLING coated puppies, in the primitive breeds), and take care of it's teeth from day one, you aren't nearly as likely to have a problem. Personally, I don't mind the toofless dogs. Their tongues stick out, and they're really cute[]

It is very common in Chinese Cresteds to be missing teeth.  I would think it might be a gene linked with the hairless gene, but I am not positive.  The powderpuff variety does not have nearly as many problems.  Here is the AKC standard for the bite in the Chinese Crested.
Bite - Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.

I'm a big fan of the Powderpuff variety, I think they look like tiny little afghan hounds, or little horses.

On a side note, beware of "gentle giants" I've heard alot of things about them, some good, most not so good.

ORIGINAL: Xerxes
On a side note, beware of "gentle giants" I've heard alot of things about them, some good, most not so good.

Yeah, I was reading through their application, and you HAVE to feed their brand of food. It's low protein, I think 22%. There were some other things I was hesitant about, also. I'm not serious about getting one, I was just surfing, curious. You know how that goes. []

I love Peruvian Inca Orchids. A while back when I was riding at another barn, the farrier had a few of them. Besides being such cool dogs they really are so sweet (atleast the 4 or so that I met). I knew them for about a year and they were extremely trainable and were great with children, however were shy with new people. They really are so cute, however I can't imagine having to put a coat or sweater on a dog and suntan lotion, but I guess that's something that the owner would have to get used to. 

I can't imagine having to put a coat or sweater on a dog and suntan lotion, but I guess that's something that the owner would have to get used to.

Eh, I do it. Teenie was born virtually hairless, and Emma has chronic demodex, so she's kept shaved to almost nothing. If we're spending the day in the sun, they get sunscreen and a T shirt. If it's cold out, they wear a jacket or sweatshirt, and it doesn't even get really cold, here[] It's not a big deal, at all. Takes all of five minutes, in my wild getting ready routine.

Hairless cresteds can lack teeth.  It's linked to the hairless gene so I guess that's why the Incas can have that issue, also.  It doesn't matter how well you take care of the teeth, some will be genetically predisposed to tooth problems.  Conscientious breeding is the only way to avoid that.  The gene is also linked to closed eardrums and deformities of the eye, so you have to be really careful what breeder you choose (or gt a dog from rescue who's already developed [] ). 

Unscrupulous breeders will breed for more hairlessness because those are the pups who sell to people who think they are getting an allergy free and low maintenence dog.  Breeding for increased hairlessness increases the incidence of the problems, however. 

Good breeders breed for soundness, conformation, temperament, and healthier skin and better dentition.  Degree of hairlessness is a bonus.  Believe it or not, now that those hairy hairless dogs are starting to look better to you [], the breeder will probably take his or her pick from those.  The gorgeous full "furnishings" on the show dogs are usually hairy hairless dogs shaved down smooth.  Because they are both showy and healthy but with the hairless gene, they make the best breeding stock. 

Don't forget, though, that no matter what type you pick, if you want the look, you have to keep the face shaved (they are bearded like a terrier).  Plus hairless dogs need their body hair kept short or it will matt, and it makes it hard to apply lotions evenly and keep thier skin as clean as needed.  Unlike most dogs, the hairless dogs need frequent baths, like we do, to keep pores open and free of dirt.  The furnishings must be combed every day or more often to keep tangles out.  The powderpuffs must be combed every day, also.

The gene has a lethal dominant structure.  Seriously lethal.  Pups homozygous for the hairless gene do not live, so all hairless adults are heterozygous (they have one hairless gene and one powderpuff gene).  Thus, almost all litters produce powderpuffs, which good breeders value just as much as the hairless.  That's another way to tell whether the breeder you are talking to is a good one - they'll talk about structure, temperament, health and so forth, and they'll have good powderpuffs as well as hairless (assuming the breeder has more than one or two females).

The hairless dog is a marvelous gift to humanity, I think.  They thrive on affection, and being touched, even more than other toy breeds.  Their soft skin is therapeutic - mentally and physically.  Cresteds have their origins in terriers and sighthounds, which gives them a neat personality - self-possessed, loyal, energetic, and they can be either gentle or highly outgoing.

I'm a little prejudiced towards my Crested, can you tell?

Edited for spelling error [8|]

Thanks for all the great info. It sure is an interesting type of dog. Becca, have you ever posted pics of your Crested? []

ORIGINAL: janobonano

ORIGINAL: Xerxes
On a side note, beware of "gentle giants" I've heard alot of things about them, some good, most not so good.

Yeah, I was reading through their application, and you HAVE to feed their brand of food. It's low protein, I think 22%. There were some other things I was hesitant about, also. I'm not serious about getting one, I was just surfing, curious. You know how that goes. []

I have heard that they do the "bait and switch" technique as well...as if they don't have the breeds that they say they do.  They have advertised a "Silken Windhound"  and the people from that breed have contacted the rescue only to be told that they cannot adopt.  They're being sued by a class action as well, though it's not advertised too well, but I've seen the paperwork somewhere on the web before.

ORIGINAL: Xerxes

ORIGINAL: janobonano

ORIGINAL: Xerxes
On a side note, beware of "gentle giants" I've heard alot of things about them, some good, most not so good.

Yeah, I was reading through their application, and you HAVE to feed their brand of food. It's low protein, I think 22%. There were some other things I was hesitant about, also. I'm not serious about getting one, I was just surfing, curious. You know how that goes. []

I have heard that they do the "bait and switch" technique as well...as if they don't have the breeds that they say they do.  They have advertised a "Silken Windhound"  and the people from that breed have contacted the rescue only to be told that they cannot adopt.  They're being sued by a class action as well, though it's not advertised too well, but I've seen the paperwork somewhere on the web before.

Are they a rescue, or do they breed?  They really do not look like any rescue I have seen, but rather a breeder page.

Beautiful Zhi! 

I have heard that they do the "bait and switch" technique as well...as if they don't have the breeds that they say they do. They have advertised a "Silken Windhound" and the people from that breed have contacted the rescue only to be told that they cannot adopt. They're being sued by a class action as well, though it's not advertised too well, but I've seen the paperwork somewhere on the web before.

 
I googled it and found the website for GG and this site:
 
[linkhttp://www.gentlegiantnews.com/]http://www.gentlegiantnews.com/[/link]
 
I've only read a few stories from that website, but if even if 2 or 3 of them is true, it's a bad, bad place.