The first thing that I would recommend that anyone who was contemplating coming into this breed would be, first of all ask yourself whether you want to join the Happy!!! band of people who choose to enter the sport of dog showing, or whether you want a companion only. A show dog will be a companion as well as a show dog but a pet crested if bought as such will be just that, You must be honest with the breeder and tell him or her what you would expect from them.
You have now purchased your little darling be it a hairless or puff, please remember if it is to be a hairless one of the first things you should ask when phoning the selected breeder is how hairy is the puppy which you have been offered. The expressivity of the hairless gene can vary from no body hair and very little furnishings (crest, socks, and tail plume) to virtual powder puff (fully coated) and everything in between. You are very dependent on the honesty of the breeder, I suggest that you ask that they do not shave the puppy!!! So you have purchased your precious little bundle, you should expect along with the relevant paperwork a diet sheet and a worming record, and some breeders will give you a few days supply of the food that the puppy has been reared on.
When you get your puppy home, let it explore it's new home, don't rush to feed it even though it may be way past it's feeding time, it will need to get it's bearings. While it's doing this prepare it's food, never leave food down, even should it not eat, pick it up and discard. The amount that a puppy will need is so small and inexpensive it isn't worth risking the health of your baby for economy!!! This is where the new owner makes their first mistake. I have often had the phone call, "My little one wont eat the food you have supplied", so we have given it chicken!! etc., and then they wonder why the puppy gets explosive diarrhea!! If the puppy looks good what you must think is that it has been on this food all of it's life and that this food has made it what it is. With dogs any change with food should be done gradually over a period of several days, I always suggest that you choose the best quality food that you can afford if the food that you have been supplied with by the breeder can't be obtained and mix it with what I have given. Dogs need to be got into a regular routine of feeding times and places. Give a supply of water put down at the same place and refreshed daily, do not give milk to a puppy this again will cause an upset tummy.
Grooming your crested :- A hairless will benefit from weekly bathing and I always recommend using baby products i.e.Shampoo and lotion. Whether you have purchased a hairless or puff you will need some essential grooming equipment, which I usually tell my customers about.This includes a pinbrush, a slicker brush, metal combs wide and narrow toothed and a mans beard trimmer for trimming the face on both your hairless or puff. A cage or crate to house your pet in for car journeys, feeding or showing is also useful. When you purchase this please remember that your little one will grow so get one that you think will fit your car and will be big enough when the puppy reaches full growth.
Care of your Powder Puff :- Is generally the same as with the hairless regular bathing say once every 2 weeks, with a puff go through the coat in-between baths to check for knots and if one is found tease apart with your fingers. Start both hairless and puff getting used to regular grooming by standing them on a none slip surface for a few minutes every day and either brushing or smoothing them while they stand there.This will also get them used to the noise of a hairdryer. Reward good behavior with a tidbit or just a kind word.
Toilet training your puppy:- Never scold your puppy for defecating where it shouldn't. Liken it to a baby, they are not being dirty when they do this, they simply haven't the muscle control. There are times that you can catch them i.e. When they have just woken up or after feeding. When the weather permits at these times take them out into the garden and stay with them. If they should perform for you praise them well, if the weather is bad provide some sheets of newspaper in a convenient place.
And finally I always suggest that the purchaser takes their new puppy within 24 hours to their vet to be registered with the practice and to start their puppy vaccination. And then all that remains is that you love and enjoy your little one and always stay in contact with the breeder.
