Show grooming article
I would like to share from Cinzia Sechi www.zeppeline.it/eng/grooming.html Enjoy !! |
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| I read this, it is pretty good any other links out there that any one has found.
Carl, What additional steps do you take after you do the normal line groom for a show? |
Nice article - great diagrams - thanks!  |
| Well I was asked so I'll wade into this one a bit.
First off of course one needs to thoroughly line groom the dog to ensure the coat is free of matts, dirt and any other debris these guys manage to attract. Only then can one accomplish the proper ring presentation with backcombing, shaping, primping and fluffing as described in this article. Knots, matts and dirt will result in the show presentation being "clumpy" and uneven. Overall this is a pretty good article but it is also one which shows that there is "more than one route to the destination". The illustrations are very good and the overall text describing how and where to back-comb is also very good. I basically like the diagram showing areas to be trimmed but you need to remember that any areas needing trimming have to be blended into each other. Thus the areas illustrated as short, medium and long need a "seemless" transition with no "stepiness". I especailly liked the head illustration showing the diference between the "undefined natural look" versus the ideally trimmed and distinct "beach ball head". Just be careful not to trim that beard too short!! What does not work for - me - are the tools being referenced. I don't like bristle brushes at all. I think they are in-effective for OES and ultimately will end up brushing the surface only and allow the deeper guard coat and undercoat to knot and matt. Clearly a number of people use them and are successful, each groomer needs to try the tools for themselves and determine what is best for them and their dog. Nor do I like using fine combs for selective stripping of the undercoat. I feel that this is more than adequately accomplished with a coarse comb which does far less damage to the long guard coat. Michele and I also backcomb with a medium steel comb and "lift" the backcombed hair with a long toothed "hair pick". I think this gives a good combination of firmness requiring minimal hair spray and maximum lift (volume). The Canadian OES club website www.oesocc.org has a similar and more easily readable article on show grooming. So too did the OESCA site although since it has been recently updated I haven't found where it is currently located - I'm sure it's there I just haven't found it. Show grooming is an art that needs to be practiced. At the very least take good mental notes of what you are doing and the results obtained. Keep what is effective and revise your weaknesses. After a season long campaign even a novice will have it "set" and like all other Bobtail husbandry this too will become a routine for both you and your hair child. Cheers Carl |
| Hi Carl-
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions on this article. I thought it might be of interest to members who are involved with showing. Our sheepie is a pet, so we will keep in a shorter coat for the spring/summer. Your article on matting and line brushing really helped, he is at the groomers today, some slight matting but overall in great shape!! Thank you also to Willowsprite and Blue Star's Mom for the suggestions on the transition from puppy coat to adult coat.... |
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