What would cause this?

[Karen]

Poor guy looks so goofy and he's chilly right now!

Just an excuse to buy him cute sweaters! If you look at a "show" version of the Chinese Crested, they do have fur on their head and necks, so that's why I thought of that, as that seems to be where his coat is thickest! Only time will tell, I suppose!

[IRescue452]

It sounds like a classic case of post-shave alopecia. Its a typical risk for any fur-bearing breed that gets shaved. Either the hair just doesn't grow back or it grows back in patches. Mostly its harmless but it can be a sign of futher complications like black skin disease, which can be hormonal or auto-immune. Either way if his blood panels look good for thyroid, hormones, and kidneys it shouldn't harm him (these are probably NOT the blood panels he had for teeth and neutering). I've seen cases of black skin disease where dogs get huge open sores though so make sure they don't shave him ever again if it grows back. Cutting a fur-bearing breed with scissors is better. I don't know what starts it but shaving seems to irritate the skin enough on a dog predisposed to alopecia and then it goes from there. It can happen anytime in a dog's life too, even if previous shavings have been fine. I can understand he had to be shaved due to his condition, but medical is the only reason a fur-bearing breed should be shaved. I fhe was shaved when they got him and had a recovering scar from the collar I bet somebody was treating him when he got away.

[kaycountrygal]

Wonder what that poor little dog went through before he was found and taken in?? I shudder to think what may have been done to him in the past. He is such a cute little feller and he sounds so sweet and loving. I have no idea about his hair.

[Freedom]

Boris has got ATTITUDE! I love your photo caption, this is what he has to say at the dog park when they make fun of his coat, ahahahahaaaaaa. GOOD ONE, funny you caught that photo, too.

I've no input on the the fur, but thank goodness your brother and gf took him in and are willing to keep him! Of course it helps he is so sweet, and gets along with the rest of the family. I know of one guardian angel who was VERY BUSY, getting Boris out of his prior life and into this setting. Whew! Someone was looking out for this pup, for him to land in such a great home, that is for sure.

Target has some really cute dog sweaters, in the bins when you first walk in, for about $2.50. Measure from his neck to the base of the tail for size. I bet he will look dashing in a sweater!

[Asiel]

I was thinking alopecia too, brought on by faulty immune system. Without knowing what kind of abuse the little guy went through I guess it would be hard to guess at...would need more testing that could be very costly.
I think he's adorable even without the hair so I probably would just love him as he is and be very careful of sun and extremes in temperatures...little sweaters and raincoats are so cute.
With luck it could be genetic from some hairless breed as was mentioned. He's adorable regardless.

[Varga]

I don't have any input on the lack of fur either but I hope it's nothing serious.

Thanks goodness that they saved that charming little guy. He is just adorable

[carrie]

I agree with Irescue, it sounds like someone has found/rescued this poor little thing and started to help him back to health (maybe they didn't have clippers and he was in such a state that shaving seemed like the best option) and then lost him. He may have been too sick for dental work at the time. Thank goodness he has fallen on his feet and someone has taken in the little chap, despite his problems and age. Wonderful.