Bathing Double Coated Breeds

Both these breeds are dear to my heart as I have owned both. The double coated breeds are a true challenge breeds are a true challenge to keep in good show condition for any great period of time. Ten to one, the pride of your life will explode coat just when that big show is due.

You rarely see a bitch of either breeds being "specialed". Huge expense goes into a "special" circuit dog and to have a dog out of the loop for weeks on end not winning all important points is sometimes not worth the effort. Bitches will throw their coats usually twice a year whereas a dog will hold his for most of a year and if carefully handled as he gets older for 18 months and longer.

I always use a strong cattle dryer which is cool air only and blow out dead hair in the coat after bathing every week. This allows the coat to regenerate on a constant basis and prevents that awful felting and clumping one tends to see on some dogs. Looks awful as these breeds are definitely not "wash and wear".

The weekly coat blowing also keeps the coat even without the horrid holes that occur when the dog is shedding. Your dog will stay neat and tidy and be able to be shown quicker. The older dogs tend to "roll" their coats with this method and will only kind of "fluff" out instead. This means they are never really out of coat and can last as much as two years.

The coat can be addressed in 3 different stages. Firstly, when it has shed and the dog is naked, secondly when it is just right and thirdly when it is an old coat and you're hanging onto it for dear life.

At the first stage you need to body build with Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo to volumise the coat. Do not use conditioner at this stage as it will flatten out the coat. Better to use a leave in moituriser such as PP Reviva Coat instead. Second stage use PP All Purpose Shampoo followed by a light condition with PP Silk Protein Conditioner and third stage use a good conditioning shampoo such as PP Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose to keep up the moisture and whack in heaps of leave in moisturizer rather than a regular conditioner unless you want to loosen the coat and accelerate shedding.

If that all important show is looming and the coat is ready to go to God, then for heaven's sake don't bathe and condition it. Just rinse it through with a low foaming wash such as PP Hydrobath Wash, or if not grubby then a warm wet towel all over and pray. Just use a partial bath routine with either PP Whitening Shampoo or PP Deep Cleansing Shampoo for the whites or more explicitly the legs, face and underbelly. Dry CAREFULLY and stop if coats starts to explode. In that case, allow to dry naturally and hand pick the loose bits if needed.

At all other times blow dry the coat forwards from the rear to the head Don't forget to carefully comb the underneath of the tail near the base. (looks ghastly when not done and the dog carries his tail up) and not forgetting around his bollocks. Why do people forget to comb around this area?

Now for the short hair areas such as ears face and legs. Use a flea comb. It really fluffs these out. I will go over the best combs and brushes I have found work well and styling and finishing products in the next part.

Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo with Wheatgerm
Plush Puppy Reviva Coat
Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna
Plush Puppy Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose
Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner
Plush Puppy Hydrobath and Bath Wash
PP Whitenening Shampoo with Ginseng
Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Cheryl Le Court