Are Chinese Crested Dogs healthy?
Chinese Crested are a generally healthy breed but may be susceptible to the following:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes: This condition causes the head of the femur (located in a dog’s hind leg) to spontaneously degenerate. Over time, this will lead to erosion of the hip joint and arthritis. A dog suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes will become lame, limp while walking, and experience pain when moving the hip joint. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.
- Eye problems: Lens luxation, a type of dislocation that occurs when the support ligaments of the lens (a sphere-shaped area of the eye that focuses light on the retina) weaken or break. The weakening of the ligaments causes the lens to dislocate from its normal position. When the lens falls forward it prevents proper drainage of fluid from the eye and can lead to glaucoma. The condition is also very painful and can cause blindness if the luxation is not surgically fixed. Chinese Crested Dogs may also suffer from glaucoma, a condition that causes excessive pressure on the eye and makes fluid drainage difficult and leads to increased pressure that eventually damages the optic nerve and results in blindness; Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; and dry eye.
- Others: Chinese Crested Dogs are prone to a variety of skin disorders and dental issues. The hairless variety’s exposed skin makes them susceptible to rashes, sunburns, and skin irritations.