Having lived with a Peke firsthand the quest was on to find the perfect way to groom this adorable little breed. The general consensus was that one did not bath the Peke - rather one just talked and brushed with the occasional spray of men's hair tonic (Pinaud) and water. Where this notice came from is anyone's guess but I have since found it is not the case anymore. There is no need to have a cloud of powder greet you everytime you lift or place the Peke. Nor is there any reason to have matted wads of undercoat with a smooth overlay. Whatever philosophy one subscribes to, one should never ever take a dirty Peke to a show. Now just how often to wash depends on the coat and of course if it is beginning to blow, then one would tread likely. The Peke has a double coat with a soft under coat which does come out easily - so gently Bentley! Best to allow a week before the show of the coat tends to softness as I an told by higher authority that Peke coat textures vary, though a harsh outer coat is correct and more desirable. Then a judicious cleanse on the nether regions before the show and if necessary, bath again after the show. That's the routine of one of the best Peke kennels in the U.S. Bath very gently and just squish the diluted shampoo (Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo) through the coat or if more coat is needed (Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo). Don't rub! Then rinse and condition with Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner broken down 10:1 and apply to skirts and tail only. Dry gently and spray of needed with Plush Puppy Revivacoat - a tablespoon full to 300mls warm water in a water spray to prevent tangling. Now the grooming regime - train your Peke to lay on its back. Now, judicious trimming, under pads, keep toe fringes neat not chopped and boys get a trim around the willy. Brush if you must with powder through I never saw a skerrick of powder on top U.S. Pekes. Preferably spray lightly with Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner and water (3 squirts to 500ml) or the Revivacoat mixture. Brush with a soft pin cushions brush #1 All Systems upwards towards the head - if matted use a Collie comb. Attention please to the underarms and where legs join. Turn over and do front. Work head to tail with upward motion till completed. Then switch to a Mason & Pearson brush or use a ½ bristle ½ nylon oval cushion brush (available from Plush Puppy). Delicately work on tail, pants and ears. Never poke or prod a Peke ear. Wipe gently inside with metho on cotton wool and apply 5 drops Leo's Ear Cleaner and then massage. Now, the face. With warm damp washer, wipe under eye and in wrinkle. Add Eye Brite drops 1 per eye if powder has been used in the grooming. Now the tricky bit. Lift the fold of the wrinkle upwards and open fold - use tiny Blunt end scissors and remove all unwanted hair in the wrinkle. Any unwanted hair over nostrils use thinning shears to tidy - not a blunt look, please. Now dog on all fours and rebrush upwards and outwards around the head. Use a small knitting needle and make a small part base of the tail 2 inches up the back. Part coat. Spray with Revivacoat or Silk Protein mixture and "throw" tail into the part. You are striving to achieve a lion shape or Pear body so proceed to flare the tail to the head in a fan shape over the body. Now the controversial part. To trim or not to trim. Is there a question? I saw trimmed skirts in the U.S. and they did look good and the dogs were not tripping over absurdly long trailing wisps of skirt. It's up to you. Lastly, look at your dog. No apple heads please. Nice flat rectangle shapes, thank you, with width at the sides. Now spray with something nice - like Plush Puppy Odour Muncher (smells divine), lightly mist over the coat just before going in the ring with the Revivacoat or Silk Protein mix. Exhibitors of old would wear damp white gloves to keep the coat from static fly-away. What a dear little breed and how gorgeous and grand he can look too. Many thanks to Tony Rosato (Morningstar Pekingese USA) and Denise King (Chindara Pekingese Brisbane) for their powerful insight and experience. Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner Plush Puppy Reviva Coat Plush Puppy Odour Muncher

Cheryl Le Court