Absolutely! Here’s a detailed description of the “white crusty dog” phenomenon, the breeds commonly associated with it, and some key takeaways:
The “Crusty White Dog” Phenomenon
The term “crusty white dog” has gained notoriety in recent times, often used in a slightly derogatory and comedic way on social media. Here’s what it means and why it became a trend:
- What It Refers To: The phrase describes small, white-furred dog breeds prone to eye crust and tear stains. The contrast of the reddish-brown residue against their white fur can make it look particularly noticeable and is sometimes considered unappealing.
- The Meme: The meme started on Twitter when users began poking fun at a perceived pattern – wealthy, young, white women seemed to frequently own these breeds of dogs. It became a light-hearted inside joke and the “crusty white dog” trend took off.
Why Do White Dogs Get Crusty Eyes?
While prominent in white-furred breeds, tear staining and eye crust can happen to any dog. Here are the common causes:
- Excess Tears: Some breeds produce more tears, leading to staining.
- Porphyrin:** Dried tears contain this pigment, turning red-brown when exposed to air.
- Allergies: Can cause eye irritation and watery eyes, leading to crust buildup.
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Prevents proper drainage, causing tears to overflow.
- Irritation: From debris or long fur rubbing against the eyes.
Breeds Often Called “Crusty White Dogs”
While any white-furred dog can experience this, these breeds are commonly associated with the meme:
- Maltese Bichon: Silky, long white hair that requires meticulous grooming.
- Coton de Tulear: Also has long, fine white fur that easily tangles.
- West Highland Terrier: White or light sand-colored coat, needs regular brushing.
- Bichon Frise: Has fluffy, white fur that needs frequent maintenance.
- Poodle: Dense, curly white coat (amongst other colors), also prone to tear staining.
- Shih Tzu: Long, dense fur that, if not groomed, can contribute to eye issues.
Key Takeaways
- It’s More Than a Meme: While the “crusty white dog” trend is meant to be humorous, it highlights that some breeds do require extra care to avoid eye problems and maintain their appearance.
- Responsible Ownership: Owning any dog is a commitment. Small, white breeds need regular grooming, eye-area cleaning, and sometimes veterinary attention to keep them healthy and comfortable.
- Don’t Judge a Dog by its Crust: If you like one of these adorable dog breeds, don’t let the potential for a little extra eye care dissuade you. With proper care, they can be healthy and beautiful.
- Consult a Veterinarian: If your dog, regardless of breed, has excessive eye discharge or crusting, it’s important to have them examined by a vet to rule out any underlying medical issues.
What Are Crusty White Dogs?
Crusty-eyed dogs are the common name for canines with crust in their eyes. Mucus that collects close to the eye hair and dried-up tears cause the crust to form in that area. Although these tear stains are difficult to remove, a dog’s eyes can be cleared of this crust with the right care.
If neglected, this crust can also cause several allergies, eye irritation, and itching. Sometimes it gets worse and the tear stains set in permanently, giving rise to the term “crust” on the eye. If these stains appear in the eyes of white dog breeds, they also appear uncomfortable and unattractive. So it’s unfortunate if you have a white dog with crusty, teary eyes, according to the internet and meme trends.
Crusty White Dogs: How Did It Become A Meme?
When Twitter users started remarking on how every wealthy white influencer woman has one of these dogs, the phrase “crusty white dogs” became a meme. The “crusty white dog” trend spread like wildfire, and soon everyone was talking about these pups, their owners, and how they appeared to be the children of wealthy young ladies.
Why Do White Small Dogs Develop Crusty Eyes?
Small white dog breeds develop these stains for a variety of causes. The most frequent cause of the red-brown stains is dried tears. Dried tears contain the pigment porphyrin, which turns red or brown when exposed to air for an extended period of time. All dog breeds with long hair around their eyes can develop this condition, although white dogs are easier to see.
Crusty eyes can occur in small white dog breeds for a number of causes, such as allergies, blockages in the tear ducts, or irritation from debris or foreign objects.
As dog owners, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian for an evaluation and treatment of any eye problems in order to ensure that the underlying cause is properly addressed.
What Dogs Are Called White Crusty Dog?
There are few white dogs that fall under white crusty dogs. If we love them above all because they are wonderful companions, dogs are also capable of astonishing us with their beauty! How can you not fall in love with the immaculate white fur? So, here let’s see which dogs are called white crusty dogs.
The Maltese Bichon:
This adorable little dog has long, falling, and silky hair. He can live without problem in an apartment, is very attached to his master, and is often sociable and jovial with humans. He loves being the center of attention and being cuddled for hours! The Bichon therefore does not tolerate solitude well and can become embittered if neglected. Its coat requires daily maintenance, which can be limited to simple brushing even if a trip to the groomer proves useful from time to time. It is recommended not to wash it too frequently so as not to denature and weaken its coat. Its counterparts, the Bichon Frize, and the Havanese, are just as endearing and affectionate. Very playful, Maltese are good companions for children and adapt to all lifestyles.
Coton de Tuléar:
This small dog has long, fine hair, with an undercoat whose fault is to create knots at its base. Thus, permanent and rigorous maintenance is essential to maintain the appearance of your coat. Playful and mischievous, he is also intelligent, which makes training easier. Like all small companion dogs, he cannot stand being alone for too long. Despite his size, his education must be firm and fair because he is very stubborn and often mischievous, it is therefore important to teach him basic commands from an early age otherwise he will become disobedient. The Coton de Tuléar is very energetic and needs to exercise regularly: three to four outings per day, even short ones, are crucial if he lives in an apartment. He loves running and playing ball.
The West Highland Terrier:
Also called “Westie”, this terrier with erect ears and a short muzzle has an almost white coat or more precisely a light sand color. It is a small rustic dog that measures approximately 30 cm at the withers and weighs no more than 10 kilos. Their coat requires a lot of maintenance to maintain its color and appearance: daily brushing is recommended, or at least three times a week. Frequent shampooing is not recommended, but you can use talcum powder to maintain the whiteness of your coat or a dry shampoo for dogs. Sociable and dynamic, the Westie is an excellent companion for the whole family, affectionate and cuddly. However, he is dominant in character, which is why special attention must be paid to his training.
Bichon Frise:
The Bichon Frize is a small companion and pleasure dog full of cheerfulness and liveliness, recognizable by its long, spiraling, and supple hair. His head posture is high and denotes a certain pride in his attitude.
The Bichon Frize is a small dog that weighs no more than 5 kg for a height of 35 cm at the withers. Considering its size, its coat is long. In order to respect breed standards, it is always white and has no shades. Likewise, his round eyes have a dark color.
The Bichon Frize hardly loses any hair. As such, it is one of the so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds. However, its coat requires fairly significant and frequent maintenance because its coat can easily form knots and must keep its impeccable white color.
Poodle:
The Poodle is the ultimate companion dog. He is intelligent, lively, docile, faithful, and cheerful. What more could you ask for from a dog? One of the only drawbacks that can be criticized is that it sometimes barks excessively, especially Miniature Poodles.
The Poodle is recognizable among thousands with its harmonious body, its curly coat, and its almond-shaped eyes, generally dark in color. Some varieties of Poodles have so-called “corded” hair, that is to say, similar to fine, tight cords, but they are much rarer.
The Poodle is one of the most playful dogs we know. He is lively, always cheerful, and extremely curious. Its intelligence also stands out from all other dog breeds. The Poodle is also a great charmer who is ready to do anything to show the unfailing affection he has for his master. In return, he also needs a loving family. He particularly appreciates the presence of children whose cuddles he loves.
Shih Tzu:
The Shih Tzu is classified as a toy dog in most countries, its height is 20-30 cm and its weight is 5-10 kg. Like most toys, Shih Tzus grows quickly, reaching adult size at about 10 months.
Shih Tzus are often slightly longer than they are tall, with a robust body and well-proportioned head. The muzzle is rather short, with an undershot. The head is round, the eyes are noticeably bulging. The tail is slightly curled over the back. The gait is quite fast for such a small dog.
The Shih Tzu is covered with thick, long, straight hair. Thick fur requires a lot of attention, especially if it is left long, that is, dragging along the ground. The color can vary, but usually, there are darker spots around the eyes and nose. Shih Tzus tend to be fairly hardy little dogs and often live up to 14-15 years.
Shih Tzus are known for their cheerful, joyful temperaments. They are lively and friendly. Shih Tzus generally get along well with people of all ages and with other dogs, as well as other pets of various species. Meeting an angry Shih Tzu is very rare, most of them are very sweet.
Conclusion:
If you’re prepared to assume the burden of providing them with the right care, the crusty white dog breed can make a wonderful family pet. In light of this, if you feel capable of handling this duty, the dog can be a fantastic addition to your household. Make sure you can reach a veterinarian who is familiar with pets. Skin diseases are more common in these breeds. Therefore, it is crucial that attention be given to correct treatment if they do occur. Additionally, they require regular care to keep their fur clean and free of infections. Therefore, you must feed your favorite pet nutritional food.
