Pampered Paws Day Spa

08/26/2026

🎓 LESSON TIME: THE 5 DEGREES OF CHINESE CRESTED “NAKED” 😂

Alright y’all, pull up a chair because today we’re discussing something that confuses the fire outta folks new to Chinese Cresteds:

How can FIVE dogs all be Chinese Cresteds and range from buck naked to looking like Cousin It? 🤣

Well honey, hairless ain’t just hairless in this breed. There are LEVELS to this foolishness.

Think of it like Southern sweet tea. You can have a little sugar, some sugar, a whole lotta sugar, diabetes in a Mason jar… and then somebody shows up drinking unsweetened tea and ruins the whole comparison. 😂

Here we go…

1️⃣ TRUE HAIRLESS — less than about 25% body hair

This baby is NAKED naked.

Head, feet and tail get the decorations, but the body said:

“No thank you, ma’am. We will not be participating in hair today.” 😂

This is the Crested equivalent of your husband walking through the house in his underwear like curtains somehow make it private.

Very little body hair. Very little shaving.

Basically born nekkid and proud of it.

2️⃣ MODERATE HAIRLESS — around 50% body hair

Now Mother Nature started crocheting a sweater…

and got distracted halfway through. 🤣

You’ve still got plenty of naked skin, but you’ve also got enough body hair that the clippers need to come out occasionally.

Shave him today, admire your beautiful naked dog…

Two weeks later:

“Well where in the Sam Hill did all THAT come from?” 😂

It’s like mowing the yard in West Virginia in May.

You KNOW you just did it.

Nobody cares. It’s back.

3️⃣ HAIRY HAIRLESS — around 75% body hair

Now we’re getting into some foolishness. 😂

Genetically hairless?

YES.

Actually looking hairless without grooming?

Wellllll… bless its heart. 🤣

These babies can have gorgeous furnishings, but they’ve also got enough body hair to make you wonder if somebody switched puppies while you weren’t looking.

You shave.

You clip.

You admire.

You turn around twice…

and that sucker is trying to grow britches again. 😂

4️⃣ EXTREME / VERY HAIRY HAIRLESS — approaching nearly 100% body coverage

NOW HOLD ON.

This is where somebody new to the breed looks at me and says:

“Letha… you said that dog was HAIRLESS.”

And I say:

“Genetically, honey. I said GENETICALLY.” 🤣🤣🤣

Because this joker can be covered almost head to toe.

The hairless gene is technically present, but apparently it showed up Monday morning, punched the time clock and spent the rest of the shift hiding in the bathroom. 😂

Freshly groomed?

Beautiful hairless Crested.

Let that coat grow?

Sir, we appear to have misplaced the naked dog.

This is like buying a w**d eater because you wanted a low-maintenance yard and accidentally purchasing 17 acres in July. 🤣

And THEN…

5️⃣ THE POWDERPUFF

We have officially left Naked County. 😂

The Powderpuff does not carry the dominant hairless allele. A Puff inherits the coated version from both parents, giving you a fully coated Chinese Crested.

And when I say coated…

Honey, that dog came prepared for winter.

Head hair.

Body hair.

Leg hair.

Tail hair.

Hair blowing through the house like she’s starring in a shampoo commercial. 😂

And somebody always says:

“Well at least I won’t have to shave that one!”

Correct.

Now you get to BRUSH IT.

And if you don’t?

That coat will mat faster than Southern women can clear a Dollar General shelf when they hear snow is coming. 🤣🤣🤣

So there you have it:

TRUE HAIRLESS: Somebody stole his clothes.

MODERATE: Found half his clothes.

HAIRY: Wearing britches and pretending he isn’t.

EXTREME HAIRY: Fully dressed but his DNA is still yelling “I’M NAKED!”

POWDERPUFF: Showed up in a fur coat wondering what foolishness the other four are involved in. 😂

And THAT, my friends, is why when somebody tells a longtime Crested breeder,

“I want one of those hairless dogs because I don’t want to deal with hair…”

We don’t argue.

We just smile…

because they ain’t ready for this lesson yet. 🤣🐾

07/23/2026

Milo had his first full groom this week. He was a very good boy!!

06/16/2026

Rock and ResQ, 6/20/26, 4-7 pm, here at Friends Forever, 966 Rudy Rd, in Freeport. Please share! Thank you.

06/09/2026

Kathie Jones

03/10/2026

Miley Mae received her first big girl hair cut yesterday. 🥰 She was a very good girl 🥰

11/19/2025

I have a grooming appointment available tomorrow at 8:30am, anyone interested? This spot is large enough for a small doodle.

11/11/2025

Great advice for keeping our pets safe through the winter months.

05/14/2025

So very true

Dog Grooming isn’t just a job…………….it’s much more!
It’s a labour of love that brings both joy and heartache. And sometimes, groomers carry more on their shoulders than you might imagine.

When you drop your dog off at the salon and a few hours later, they’re back in your arms - clean, fluffy, and happy. But what about your groomer? What did they go through during those few hours?
Imagine starting your day with a dog that’s terrified - shaking, growling, or hiding under the grooming table. The groomer knows they must remain calm, speak softly, and move slowly to help the dog feel safe. It’s not easy to hide your own nerves when a dog is scared or trying to bite. It’s heartbreaking to see a dog so anxious and not be able to comfort them straight away.

Then there are the moments when they spot something that doesn’t look right - a lump that wasn’t there last time, a patch of sore, irritated skin, or an ear that smells off. They worry about how to tell you without causing alarm. They hope you won’t be upset or blame them. It’s not just about grooming at that point; it’s about caring for your dog’s wellbeing and hoping you’ll trust their judgement.

And when they’ve had to shave a matted coat down to the skin to relieve a dog’s discomfort, they worry you might be angry or upset. Groomers don’t want to let you down. They know how much you love your dog, and they only want to make them feel comfortable and cared for.

But then there’s nothing quite like seeing a dog come into the salon looking dishevelled and leave looking like they’ve just stepped out of a doggy spa. The wagging tail at the end of the groom? That’s the highlight of the day.

And there are the regulars - the dogs that once were timid but now wag their tails as soon as they walk through the door. The shy ones who slowly come out of their shells because the groomer has taken the time to build trust. Those small victories mean the world.
Groomers love seeing the bond strengthen between them and the dogs they groom regularly. The nuzzles, the happy spins, the sleepy eyes after a bath - it’s those little moments that make all the hard work feel worthwhile.

Many dog groomers don’t talk about the days when they go home exhausted - not just physically, but emotionally. They’ve spent hours trying to calm an anxious dog or worrying about whether they handled a health concern the right way. They’ve smiled through the stress of dealing with a challenging dog because they know it’s not the dog’s fault.

When clients don’t understand why a groom took longer or why a coat had to be clipped short, it hurts. Groomers know they’re doing what’s best for the dog, but it can feel disheartening when their expertise is questioned. They put so much love and care into every groom, and they just want you to know that they’re always acting in your dog’s best interest.

For every tough day, there’s a moment of pure joy - a dog snuggling into their arms after a groom, a grateful owner who leaves a kind review, or a nervous dog who finally trusts them enough to lie still during a trim.

Groomers do what they do because they love dogs. It’s that simple. They care deeply about the well-being of every dog that walks through their doors, and they take pride in their work. It’s not just about making dogs look good - it’s about making them feel good too.
If you’ve found a groomer who treats your dog with love and care, let them know! A simple thank-you, a thoughtful review, or even a small tip can make a world of difference. When they mention a concern, listen. They’re not trying to worry you - they just care enough to speak up.
Next time you pick up your beautifully groomed dog, take a moment to appreciate the person behind the scissors. Groomers do far more than just make your dog look good - they’re your dog’s friend, carer, and sometimes even their health guardian.
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02/03/2025

I have a 7am appointment open on Wednesday, Feb 5 for a bath brush nails. Not enough room/ time for a doodle appointment. Call me:
815-238-4648

02/03/2025

I have a 7:30am opening tomorrow (2-4-25). For a small dog groom or a bath, brush nails. Not room for a Doodle.