This biweekly column is written by Suzanne Lawter, Director of Community Outreach for Mutts Matter Rescue, a local nonprofit, all-volunteer dog rescue. Mutts Matter is a network of volunteers who love animals and want to make a difference by helping forgotten and discarded dogs find loving families. Since our founding in 2010, we have successfully rescued and placed more than 1,400 dogs in the local Washington Metropolitan area.
Alexandra, affectionately known as Alex, is a delightful 4- to 5-year-old, 11-pound Hairless Chinese Crested who has a true joy for life. This social little pup is spunky, playful, good with kids and dogs of all sizes, and would be an ideal companion for a single owner who telecommutes or fit well in an active home with kids. Alex has an engaging personality, and when you meet her, she will probably want to curl up in your lap for a quick snuggle. She’s a sweet soul who just wants to please, and needs a family to love and call her own.
Alex is a remarkable dog in many ways, and has an amazingly resilient spirit. She survived years of neglect in a puppy mill, where she was locked in a cage and forced to breed, but has emerged unfazed and ready to embrace the world around her. We rescue a lot of dogs from these terrible places, but rarely do we see one so immediately social and trusting of people. Alex really loves people and craves attention, and she deserves a special family who will cherish her.
Chinese Crested dogs like Alex are not common in rescue, and they definitely stand out in a crowd. Their origin has been a bit of a mystery, but many believe they are descended from African or Mexican hairless dogs. When Chinese explorers discovered the breed, they brought them back home and bred them to be a smaller size. They wanted the dog for its excellent ratting abilities aboard their ships, and could trade them at different ports. The Chinese also viewed these dogs as having healing powers and would use them as living heating pads to help nurse sick sailors.
Having been in foster care for a few months now, Alex’s foster mom, Dawn, says she’s a delight to have in her home. Dawn describes Alex as a happy-go-lucky pup with a medium energy level who is always up for play, but will relax and just hang out when you want her to.
Dawn says “Alex listens so well, she is great in the car, and loves to go on walks and play with my other dogs. She fit in right away.” When she’s not on someone’s lap, you will typically find Alex hanging out on her little “pod” bed, burrowing in deep to keep warm, but sticking her head out to make sure she’s current on her family’s activity.
Alex has a whip of silky white hair on the top of her head, feet, and tail, but has smooth delicate skin everywhere else. Because of the lack of fur, the Hairless Chinese Crested is more prone to have skin irritations and allergies, and they’re susceptible to sunburn, so owners will need to take precautions and understand their specific care requirements. Maintenance of their skin is similar to caring for human skin; they require a weekly bath, moisturizer to combat dryness, and sunblock to prevent sunburn. They also need a little help staying warm in the winter, and Alex will appreciate having a fashionable wardrobe for the colder months.
We believe Alex would fit best with a family who has a flexible schedule and lots of quality time to spend with her. A fenced yard is preferred because she is still working on her potty training. She will go outside, but also goes inside on training pads as she learns. This is typical for puppy mill dogs who never had the ability to leave their cage and just takes some patience and training. Now that the weather is better, Dawn plans to work diligently with Alex to get her completely potty trained.
Alex would be fine as an only dog or with other dogs too, and she loves kids. And although no dog is completely hypoallergenic, Cresteds shed little to no hair and are good dogs for families who suffer from allergies. Alex is a unique little pup who is fun, social, and will bring joy to your home and family.
To learn more about Alex, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.
