Grooming Tips For The Show Ring! - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

dapple · 02-27-2012, 10:48 AM

Can I just say..... I love this site for the huge amounts of info people have!
My last post about show leads was SO helpful. Mine will be here in the mail this week.....I will post pics.

This time I have questions about grooming for the show ring.
Wondering if people can share their tips and tricks.

Trim whiskers and ears. Do people use shavers? I assume yes? What setting?
Besides a bath and the basics.....what do you folks do to get your dobes ready?
What else are you trimming? ha If you have pics of what you do I'd love to see them. I'm sure this will be a very helpful thread for newbie show folk!
You've gotta start somewhere......right?

Can't wait to hear all about your methods!
Thanks in advance!

DogsR4Life · 02-27-2012, 11:08 AM

When I showed my chocolate lab, all my products were for horses lol. I used a coat enhancer supplement 6months before hand (check to see if that's allowed with the organizers of the show). I then shampoo with a product for dark or black hair, i blow dry the coat so it will sit smooth (scraggly coats don't reflect light well), and I use a super soft brush, no curry. I then trim her tail, legs, and belly, but left her whiskers just in case the judge wanted to see them (she is a hunting/gun dog and uses the whiskers to feel her way in the tall grass).

Just before we enter, I spritz her with show sheen and flatten her coat some more with a soft towel, check for eye boogers and such lol.

If you were showing a horse I would have a gazzilion tips lol.

dapple · 02-27-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogsR4Life

When I showed my chocolate lab, all my products were for horses lol. I used a coat enhancer supplement 6months before hand (check to see if that's allowed with the organizers of the show). I then shampoo with a product for dark or black hair, i blow dry the coat so it will sit smooth (scraggly coats don't reflect light well), and I use a super soft brush, no curry. I then trim her tail, legs, and belly, but left her whiskers just in case the judge wanted to see them (she is a hunting/gun dog and uses the whiskers to feel her way in the tall grass).

Just before we enter, I spritz her with show sheen and flatten her coat some more with a soft towel, check for eye boogers and such lol.

If you were showing a horse I would have a gazzilion tips lol.

Thanks. Nope only showing my mini red little pony like Dobie Rudy!
Hey, we should get together sometime. I'd like to see your boy and we're both in TO! ps. Where did you buy your horse products?

Murreydobe · 02-27-2012, 11:21 AM

If you do a search in this section, Starlaine made an EXCELLENT post about grooming a few months ago.

DogsR4Life · 02-27-2012, 11:25 AM

Most of the products were from new brunswick when I had my thoroughbred. If I were to enter Chase in some local shows I would get hem here:

I use this for conditioner:
Original Mane 'n Tail - Personal Care Products - Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners, Hair Cremes, Pomades, and Leave-In Treatments

This for darkening shampoo, and coat enhancer:
black horse supplement, horse beauty naturally, horse nutrition, equestrians, and horse stables.

This is show sheen, I'm sure you can get it for pennies on eBay:
ShowSheen® Hair Polish & Detangler – Grooming – Products – Absorbine

I think I remember one of your posts said you live near the beaches? I may be wrong. I live close to the beaches, about a 5min drive, or 20min walk from woodbine beach.

I really like the diet coat enhancer they have for dogs, I tried it on Chase, just to see if it would work for one year, and here is the results:

Before: sun bleached on flanks, elbows, and face. Overall body color faded.

After 4 months on supplement: Still some fading on the cheek

But the rest of his coat came out great

dapple · 02-27-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

If you do a search in this section, Starlaine made an EXCELLENT post about grooming a few months ago.

I did a few searches but didn't find that post. Could you link to it?
Thanks.

dapple · 02-27-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogsR4Life

Most of the products were from new brunswick when I had my thoroughbred. If I were to enter Chase in some local shows I would get hem here:

I use this for conditioner:
Original Mane 'n Tail - Personal Care Products - Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners, Hair Cremes, Pomades, and Leave-In Treatments

This for darkening shampoo, and coat enhancer:
black horse supplement, horse beauty naturally, horse nutrition, equestrians, and horse stables.

This is show sheen, I'm sure you can get it for pennies on eBay:
ShowSheen® Hair Polish & Detangler – Grooming – Products – Absorbine

I think I remember one of your posts said you live near the beaches? I may be wrong. I live close to the beaches, about a 5min drive, or 20min walk from woodbine beach.

Thanks for this info! Yes. I'm right at the beach. 5 min walk from my house! I'll PM you!

Murreydobe · 02-27-2012, 11:32 AM

I'd stay well away from Show Sheen, it turns your dog into a dust magnet. It's also pretty damaging to the coat. You really don't want to use anything with silicone as an ingredient.

I do use a lot of horse products myself. I don't think you can beat Eqyss shampoo and coat conditioner.

dapple · 02-27-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

If you do a search in this section, Starlaine made an EXCELLENT post about grooming a few months ago.

I just went through Starlaine's posts, and couldn't find it. I would LOVE to read it as I'm really interested. If you have a few mins....and can find the link. That would be amazing!

**melbrod** · 02-27-2012, 11:39 AM

Here you go. I think this may be the thread Murreydobe is talking about. Starlaine's comments are a few posts in. Murreydobe has a few things to say too.

Preparing for the show ring

dapple · 02-27-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbrod

Here you go. I think this may be the thread Murreydobe is talking about. Starlaine's comments are a few posts in. Murreydobe has a few things to say too.

Preparing for the show ring

Yippi
Thanks! I'm getting so excited! I can't wait to start with Rudy in the ring. Only a few more months to go!

DobeGirl07 · 02-27-2012, 12:04 PM

I trim the whiskers, ears (make sure you have a cotton ball inside ear when trimming), skirt, tail, pasterns, etc. Make sure you also clean the inside of the ears with a tissue to remove dirt.

I use Isle of Dogs Shampoo and Conditioner. I use the Gloss Shampoo and Nutrient Masque as a conditioner. Isle of Dogs - Conditioners

Right before my dogs are shown, I spray them with Isle of Dogs Primrose Oil. This stuff is awesome and does not make them greasy!!

The Isle of Dog products are the best in my opinion, and well worth the money.

Then I use a horse brush and brush my dog real good before he/she enters ring.

You can also put vasoline on nails to make them more appealing. Make sure his nails are kept very short.

Sam1491 · 02-27-2012, 12:15 PM

I'm not actively showing, and my grooming experience for show rings is limited to collies, but we use a leave on coat conditioner at work as well as a lot of collie people use (it detangles really well!) it's also great at making a shiny coat, keeping them cleaner longer, and contioning the coat in general. We usally buy the concentrate as it goes on all of our board and bathe dogs but it is sold in premixed spray bottles as well. It does have silicone which I saw above someone doesn't like for what it does to hair, I'm not debating it, but I personally havent seen any coat issues from it. So I guess to me it's up to personal preference, ik I love how super shiny my girl always is!
Good luck in the ring in a few months!

The Stuff Dog Conditioner - Dog.com

arankin · 02-27-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dapple

Yippi
Thanks! I'm getting so excited! I can't wait to start with Rudy in the ring. Only a few more months to go!

woohoo!! Good luck, we may run into each other as my red girl will be stepping into the ring in April

ps, I hear miracle coat conditioning and lusterizer spray is really good. I haven't actually ordered it myself yet, but I know a lot of dobe people who swear by it.

Miracle Coat Pet Lusterizer - Spray 12 ounces, for Dogs

dapple · 02-29-2012, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arankin

woohoo!! Good luck, we may run into each other as my red girl will be stepping into the ring in April

ps, I hear miracle coat conditioning and lusterizer spray is really good. I haven't actually ordered it myself yet, but I know a lot of dobe people who swear by it.

Miracle Coat Pet Lusterizer - Spray 12 ounces, for Dogs

Yes! I'm sure we'll run into each other! I've been using the Miracle Coat products including the Lusterizer and I love them. I've not found a better coat conditioner. Mind you....I've not been looking for 'show' products. So I'm going to check out the products mentioned on this post and see how Rudy does with them. But I do LOVE the Miracle Coat. Makes my Lily's dry skin much better.

nightgrace6 · 03-05-2012, 01:58 AM

Good luck to you.. question.. can you not show baby puppies and earn points in the USA? I'm talking 3 - 6 months. Our system is Baby puppy, Minor puppy, Puppy, Inter, Open, Australian bred... no Veteran but we do now have a Neuter category.

Now to answer your question. I bathe with apple cider vinegar a few nights before, if unfortunately they have not regained shine I will spray lightly with mink oil on the day. I trim their whiskers with scissors because I am to afraid of any nicks with electric shavers...I leave the eyebrow whiskers on for character. I always have baby wipes in my suit pants etc just in case I quickly have to wipe an eye booger away. I use black shoe polish on any patches or bumps (scabs etc) if the dog has any missing hair in parts, I may also use it to blacken the nose. I put Vaseline on the nails (after trimming of course) and sometimes on the nose. I brush the teeth when I wake up in the morning and may give them a rinse before the ring if I have been using bait to train outside of the ring.

I feed my girls Ziwipeak a dehydrated raw product and add yogurt, honey and apple cider vinegar a few times a week. I will give some sardines or other fish as a treat and they are generally house dogs

My first show with the new girl is in 2 weeks. Her chest has done a runner so I am hoping it comes back somewhat but she is in baby puppy so I dont have to stress too much!

ashley728 · 11-28-2012, 06:38 PM

I'm a newbie to Dobes. When you shave the face should it still be prickly? I've tried to get close without getting too close but still don't see improvement. I was using a #10 blade.
Thanks!

eventermal · 11-28-2012, 06:53 PM

I think a #10 is too coarse. I use a men's wahl bead trimmer. They are cheap and easily replaceable if I drop them or they fall off the grooming table.

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dapple · 11-28-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley728

I'm a newbie to Dobes. When you shave the face should it still be prickly? I've tried to get close without getting too close but still don't see improvement. I was using a #10 blade.
Thanks!

I use a trimmer for underneath tail and for body clean up and for ears.
I've been cutting whiskers by hand with scissors.

Rallypup87 · 11-28-2012, 07:25 PM

A spritz of Listerine just before entering the show ring will take care of any dandruff on your dogs coat...just spray and wipe off with a clean towel or rag. Not only will they shine but it leaves a nice little minty smell for the judge, lol!

AgileDobe · 11-29-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley728

I'm a newbie to Dobes. When you shave the face should it still be prickly? I've tried to get close without getting too close but still don't see improvement. I was using a #10 blade.
Thanks!

I use an an adjustable blade set on the shortest position which is equivalent to a #40 for the whiskers. If you are having problems getting close enough try going against the grain of the whiskers, and gently pulling the lips taught. They shouldn't be prickly after shaving, just nice and smooth.