Need for conditioners?
Generally, I brush without the aid of water, conditioner, or anything other than a comb and pin brush. Sometimes I'll spritz with a little bit of tap water if there's a significant amount of dust or sand in his coat, just to keep it out of the air and my lungs. I have not noticed much (any?) coat breakage, and have certainly been able to keep on top of things (no major matting). So, given that Barkley is 15 months old, gets a bath twice a year (spring and late fall), is in full coat (with undercoat, no stripping), is fully line groomed weekly, is not being shown, and plays outside (sometimes in the mud, sometimes in the dirt, sometimes in lakes, often with other dogs, etc...), do I need to be looking for a conditioner? I'm not looking to make my life easier, I'm looking to do the best thing for Barkley (who enjoys being groomed). If the only benefit of a conditioner is to make grooming go a little faster, then I'm not interested. However, if there are other positive benefits, I'm all ears. I've seen posts where people indicate that their dog's coat is smoother, silkier and softer after using conditioner - I don't particularly want that (I like the hardy, soil-resistant coat he has now), unless what I'm currently doing is causing harm in some way. The standard states that the coat should be: of a good hard texture; not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. Quality and texture of coat to be considered above mere profuseness. Softness or flatness of coat to be considered a fault. and Neither the natural outline nor the natural texture of the coat may be changed by any artificial means except that the feet and rear may be trimmed for cleanliness. While I'm not showing Barkley, I'd still like to stick as close to that as I can. So, are there any compelling reasons for me to be looking into getting a coat conditioner for regular use? |
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| Chewie has hair, and is a similar age to your Barkley (he will be 17 months on the 15th).
I use a spray bottle with a water/conditioner mix in for all grooming sessions. I lightly wet each area as I go. I also usually use a water based conditioner on his whites with a bath, and rinse thoroughly. Sometimes I forget, but I do use it most of the time. Never conditioner on his black/gray. I also have an emu oil spray that I spritz over him at the end of grooming. It acts like a teflon coating for dirt and dust. Keeps him cleaner longer! |
| I use CC's Ice on Ice for grooming and a rinse out conditioner with each bath. |
Craig Duffield wrote: So, are there any compelling reasons for me to be looking into getting a coat conditioner for regular use?
No. I use it sparingly on the whites of a matted dog - i.e. typically on a puppy going through a coat change <hi, Dawn!  > but I find that the dog gets so much dirtier that way that I avoid it on the rest of the gang. With them I use plain old water or perhaps some self-rinsing shampoo.
Otherwise you get trapped in this viscious circle of having to bathe the dog all the time. Some of the conditioners smell kind of nice, so that's one benefit. But I don't think my dogs agree. Because after I've used it, some of them seem that much more determined to find a dead fish to roll on. 
Kristine |
| I must point out - the amt of conditioner I add to the spray bottle of water is small. Add too much and you get the mess that Kristine mentions!
And I agree, us people like the fresh smell, but the dogs hate it! They will try and cover it with some scent they prefer.  |
got sheep wrote: I must point out - the amt of conditioner I add to the spray bottle of water is small. Add too much and you get the mess that Kristine mentions!
Don't get me wrong - you're doing it exactly right. With a mom and grandmother who may be part pig, and a sister who is apparently part goat, you've got your hands full. That may explain the Emu contribution
We do get a little nuts though. My vet was helping me put up Sybil at a show and she used some lotion hitherto unknown to me that is made for unfrizzing human hair, saying it helped keep the shawl smooth, and you just know I had to run to the drugstore and buy some.
My dogs have 40 x more "stuff" for their hair than I have for mine. And I can just about sit on mine. Go figure. 
Kristine |
| I use a very light conditioner when I line groom Clyde because it does make his coat extra soft and easy to manage, but not because he needs it. I think I also go a little overboard with it! (As you know, we don't show so softness isn't an issue.) The Stuff claims to repel urine and, since Clyde loves peeing on his feet, I use it in hopes of setting up a forcefield to stop the urine from soaking in. It hasn't worked yet but I'm still trying.
However, I never brush dry when I line groom. Even without conditioner, always spritz a little water. Brushing dry can break hair. I've also found a little moisture helps prevent flyaways and it's easier to keep the parts parted while you're working. Clyde's really long now too so I do a lot of toggling while I work, too. |
 I keep hearing never to brush human hair when wet as it breaks easier. What is the difference? Is sheepie hair stronger? I imagine it has a different structure? |
Hint of Mischief wrote: :? I keep hearing never to brush human hair when wet as it breaks easier. What is the difference? Is sheepie hair stronger? I imagine it has a different structure?
It's actually kind of the same concept. It's safe to comb human hair damp, not soaking wet and even then, with a stiff comb. A brush will bend and stretch the hair, causing it to break. The brushes we use on our dogs are already pretty stiff bristled, and you don't want it soaking, just lightly spritzed. Plus, like you said, the texture is a bit different so that helps, too. |
| I don't use conditioner at all; I consistently use a spray bottle of water and lightly mist where I am line grooming. Since Bingley is showing I don't want the soft coat that can form if you use too much conditioner. I may consider using some diluted conditioner on his neck tonight as I noticed he has some matts forming from our walks. |
Emily try the Mr.Groom Mink oil for that area to help get the knottys out Good for areas on the greys too, does not build up in the coat or soften it.  |
| I have am
question. If you do use a conditioner WHAT KIND??? |
lisaoes wrote: Emily try the Mr.Groom Mink oil for that area to help get the knottys out
Good for areas on the greys too, does not build up in the coat or soften it. Awesome - thanks!!!!!!!! |
| Emily just make sure it is that brand Mr. Groom some of the other Mink Oil brands are too oily. This one tried and tested and wonderful, been using it for a long time. |
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