Weird Chinese Crested Dog Picture

I am creeping into the world of dogs for one page. Please forgive me. I felt I had to because this purebred dog is weird looking and I think we need to ask some questions about this. Also there is an overlap with cats here. They are both companion animals and the breeding of dogs and cats are subject to the same rules which are sometimes broken. I am not saying that it happened in this instance.

Chinese Crested Dog - Photo copyright Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic

This interesting Chinese crested dog picture comes from the Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic. This photo has been used with permission for teaching/educational purposes at this site.

There is a lot of discussion recently about the over breeding of dogs. There are far more purebred dogs than cats so there are far more over bred dogs than cats (see criticising the CFA). There is more opportunity for it. Is this Chinese Crested Dog over bred? He or she certainly looks like it (personal view). The eyes are what I noticed the most. They look extraordinarily odd and wrong. It looks like there are no eyelids. Perhaps this dog has PRA?

Eyes can be a health problem for the Chinese crested dog. It appears that this breed can suffer from one of two forms of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). It can lead to blindness. Regular veterinary tests are recommended. Perhaps that is why the dog was at the Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic? I don't know. They can also suffer from dry eye syndrome.

The skin looks awful too. It looks chapped and dry. But it may be normal. Apparently the skin of this dog can become dry and sunburned.

Perhaps this dog is developing his or her crest (the hairy bits). The pictures I have seen have more hair around the head, which has got to be the raison d'etre of this breed of dog.