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Post by Jezzi on Nov 20, 2003 22:19:22 GMT -5
I would really like to get some different ideas on which products you all recommend for helping our GSD's coats look their best in preparation for a show. I have been buying Ol' Roy shampoo and giving the gang a bath the night before a show.  But... there has to be some "wonder" products out there that are perfect for obtaining a beautiful, gleaming coat? Of course, my raw fed dogs dont need much help with their coats.  ... Ideas anyone? |
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Post by Northwinds on Nov 20, 2003 23:09:29 GMT -5
Hi,
There are tons of products out there, my husband complains that the dogs have more hair care products at home then we do! I have tried several brands and really like the Crown Royale. I use their shampoo and leave in conditioner as well as their bodifier. It doesnt weigh their coat down, and the scent isnt too heavy like some of them can be. You can mix the product with water and adjust it to the level of your water hardness till you get the desired results.
Pam
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Post by gsdoglady on Nov 21, 2003 0:49:18 GMT -5
My rule of thumb is to keep the grooming products as simple as possible -- fewer ingredients cause fewer problems.
We all know that this is a perfectly natural breed and so should not require much other than cleanliness, but for those of us who like that extra bit of spit and polish (really handy when showing indoors for you AKCers), I find some basic rules help:
Stick to dog products -- human products may make you feel like they are doing a better job, but they are not good for dog's coats.
Do not use dishwashing soaps unless it is an emergency! Dawn makes the coats stand out nicely becasue it is a degreaser -- unfortunately it does not know the defference between degreasing hair and skin.
If you use any sprays, mouse, glosses, etc, wash them off ASAP as they are not good left on.
If you use shampoos like Blackout or texturizers, use a simple basic shampoo to get rid of the build-up after the shows. And blackout and similar products work best if used several times in succession.
Find a brand that works for you and stick with it during show season -- don't be surprised half-way through!
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Post by gsdoglady on Nov 21, 2003 1:15:11 GMT -5
I need to add one basic -- good grooming starts inside. If the dog is not in excellent condition, all of hte grooming products in the world will not help.
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Post by JanisN on Nov 22, 2003 13:01:52 GMT -5
I learned my show grooming from Julie at Mittelwest. And I have to state, absolutely, that I have NEVER seen a Mittelwest dog go in the ring that didn't look absolutely beautifully groomed and ready to compete. So, if you're gonna learn, learn from the best.<grin>
We show bathe 3-4 days before the show IF we show bathe at all. If a dog is starting to blow coat, NO bath. This is assuming the dogs are generally clean and groomed (nails clipped, ears cleaned, haven't rolled in something dead) as usual.
After the bath, we dry the dogs with compressed air and do NOT crate them until they are totally dry. Sitting in a crate with damp fur can give them a flip up over the croup that is darned hard to get rid of!
On the day of the show, I use a product called Miracle Groom (I get it from Tractor Supply) that I spray on, rub in and towel off and then rake. It's a cleaner and de-odorizer, smells just like lemon cheesecake! Then, I spray the black areas with Pink Spray (from Sally's Beauty Supply) and lightly towel over them. This gives a gleam to the black coat when the sun hits it.
I make sure nails are tipped, ears are cleaned and no eye boogies just before the dogs go in the ring. And check their teeth to make sure there's no spinach or anything on there.<grin>
I also completely agree that good grooming starts from the inside. All her entire show career, Enschi and I fought over her very harsh and dry stock coat. If she got enough fats to soften the coat, she blimped out. If she was at the right weight, the coat was garbage. Now, with raw feeding, coats are always soft and luxurious.
JanisN
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Post by VonIsengard on Nov 23, 2003 0:48:09 GMT -5
I love Top Performance ProGlo shampoo and Silkote conditioner. I'm also big fan of "the stuff". It's a grooming spray, and that's really the name.
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Post by freundhund on Nov 24, 2003 23:29:33 GMT -5
Could I please ask how much grooming(brushing) you guys do when not showing, what grooming (brushing) you do leading up to a show. And what equipment you use ie hard brushes, soft brushes, combs, slickers rakes etc.  Many thanks for your help. Regards Freundhund |
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Post by gsdoglady on Nov 25, 2003 1:12:14 GMT -5
We tend to use the dryer a lot. It rains quite a bit out here so the dogs are frequently blown dry and that gets rid of a lot of the loose hair and dirt. The dogs all love having their turn up on the grooming table and after blowing off the dust or rain, we use a pin brush to brush them out. If it is dry, we mist the coats slightly as dry hair is not as elastic as damp. Then they get to go play while the next one gets brushed. We check ears routinely, do nails not as frequently as we should, and as they get ready to blow coat, they get a bath to help the process along. When they are really blowing, we use a rake on them, but with the K-9 dryer we have, much of the hair can be blown right off. A couple more baths and shedding is complete.
People keep asking how often we bathe the dogs as they are always shiny and groomed -- not often, unless they decided to roll in something!
I would never again have dogs without having a good dog dryer -- it makes everything so easy and with practice you can learn to place every hair just where you want it before walking into the ring! And it sure keeps the house cleaner when you blow the yard off them before they come in.
My basic equipment is pin brushes in a couple of sizes, a good comb, nail clippers (or grinder), blower and towels. I personally don't like to use slickers on a good GSD coat. Others think slickers are the best thing there is.
I don't think it is the tools as much as hw they are used. As a matter of fact, when flying to a show across country one time the luggage with all the show supplies went elsewhere. I had a leash, a comb and the dog. We went Winners dog for 5 points without any grooming supplies. It was a good day! Luggage caught up with us when we got home.
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Kerry
Full Member
Posts: 177
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Post by Kerry on Nov 26, 2003 0:29:53 GMT -5
Oooh, these are all good tips. Janis, my handler at the last show had the Pink Spray. I've used something like it in the past, and I liked it.
I like to use Veterinarian's Best ear cleaning solution as a general ear wash and/or wipe. It's natural and smells like cloves I like to use gauze instead of cotton balls, and start cleaning several days before the show in case there's any funky stuff in there.
I've been learning how to use the Dremel tool for grinding nails instead of clipping. One of my dogs, Candi, really loves it, and lays down like she's in a spa having a deluxe manicure. She also likes to lay down in the bathtub in warm water.
Hot spots right before a show is a perplexing phenomenon... How do they know a show is coming up?
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Post by Schaeferhund on Dec 4, 2003 3:57:46 GMT -5
On the day of the show, I use a product called Miracle Groom (I get it from Tractor Supply) that I spray on, rub in and towel off and then rake. It's a cleaner and de-odorizer, smells just like lemon cheesecake! Then, I spray the black areas with Pink Spray (from Sally's Beauty Supply) and lightly towel over them. This gives a gleam to the black coat when the sun hits it. JanisN Janis, where exactly can you get those 2 things?? I have a friend coming over from the States soon, and he would bring it over for me, but he's got no idea what Sally's Beauty or tractor Supplies are Are these online shops? Or where else can you get them? Thanks. |
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Post by Currmudgeon on Dec 4, 2003 9:36:39 GMT -5
I don't know about Sally's Beauty Supply, but these may be the people: www.sallybeauty.com/Tractor Supply is a natuionwide chain of farm supply stores. They're a good place to buy fence posts, generic tractor parts, cheap farm implements, and bib overalls. They have a pretty good tack department. Their website is www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=2&paID=1019 They have a store locator. |
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Post by JanisN on Dec 4, 2003 9:56:01 GMT -5
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Post by barongsd on Dec 7, 2003 20:58:47 GMT -5
We have been using a product called "Plush Puppy" shampoo with wheat germ and also their volumizing cream. I guess it is everyones preference .... we have tried many things. Naked Care works well ... Our dogs have good shiny coats but because they are inside dogs they do not have as deep and plush a coat as we would like. Our "groomer" (who is also their breeder, Karen Fisher) does an outstanding job gettin gthem ready for shows. Here is Plush Puppy's url .... www.plushpuppy.com.au/ |
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But... there has to be some "wonder" products out there that are perfect for obtaining a beautiful, gleaming coat? 
...
