I have 2 Chinese Crested Powder-puffs and I am hoping someone can help,I bathe them about once a week(I know way to often)but If I try and let them go without a bath for 2-3 weeks there coat becomes so hard to brush,right now I brush them everyday but when there a little dirty,I spend an hour a dog just trying to brush all the mats and tangles,let me remind you that this only happens when they haven't had a bath in about a week or two,is there anything I can do to help with the mats,I realize bathing them every week is not good so any suggestions?

Cut their hair shorter to avoid tangles.
You could also try not letting them in the part of yard that is quite muddy or dirty.

use a little drop of baby oil and rub thru then brush tail ti neck softly

I'd say try and find a shampoo for them that will last. Something that helps with tangles and such. It's hard when you have dogs with easily matted hair. Usually when you ask a groomer they'll take the easy way out and say to shave it. I would definitely look into finding a detangler shampoo.

as they say too much cleanliness is not good also..you should also bring the dogs out they also need fresh air..use shampoo for the dogs that will help smooth their hair. too much brushing will hurt their hair too. or go and visit vet. ask for solution to your problem, if my suggestion is not effective for you.

experience

With breeds that have that kind of fur, you need to brush daily, as well as comb. When you brush, make sure you are getting all the way down to the skin, as so many owners simply brush over the top of the fur letting the matts accumulate underneath. Part the hair as you brush it so you can see all the way to the skin and after brushing, comb it to separate the hair better.
Hopefully you know to brush completely before getting the dog wet, as wet matts are almost impossible to break up.

Assistant groomer
Breeder

Are you brushing daily? That should help to remove some of the dirt.
Are you using a conditioner? Anti-static?
Maybe you should talk to your breeder and see what they use.

Set them on a table to brush them and use corn starch on the tangles.

You can also get something called "the stuff" a spray. It gives a slighly slick feel to the fur and it's doesn't tangle easily then.

You can wash them weekly if you like. Show dogs are often washed DAILY and believe me,if it hurt the coat, we wouldn't be doing it!

Show breeder

you can roll the hair up, when you have brushed it.

Maltese breeders do it, and a lot of the crested people who have long long hair on the powder puffs.

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

there is a specific way to do it, if you google it will tell you.

then, when a show comes up, or you need to rebrush, you just gently unroll. It does NOT make the hair curly!

Heres one with info on how to wrap a yorkie..
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ho…

but its a start.