List of grooming essentials
I've spent so many hours trying to figure out what would work best on the type of coat the bobtails have... Watched countless grooming YouTube movies, read hundred of reviews, etc. As much as this is enriching for my knowledge base before I adopt an OES, it's not even close to what you are capable of sharing in terms of your grooming products experience. Or, even better, a list of all essential OES items, incl. First Aid, de-wormers, flea/tick prevention, etc. Thank you all in advance! |
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| Other posters I'm sure will give you the list you want, but I went from using everything on the market to just a few things. 1. pantene or head n shoulders to wash 2. my normal hair dryer to dry 3. ice on ice to spray for brushing 4. good chris christensen scissors (3 to be exact, 1 curved, 1 straight, and small ones) 5. chris christensen comb 6. ibuprofen for my back pain (even though I do own a grooming table... i tend to never bring it out. i like the sit on the floor method) i own 100 brushes. I only use my comb. my dog never has mats. ...and I only brush once a week. I'd like to think she has a pretty coat too  |
Joahaeyo wrote: Other posters I'm sure will give you the list you want, but I went from using everything on the market to just a few things. 1. pantene or head n shoulders to wash Wow! So all those fancy-shmancy dog shampoos are not needed? Do you know if Vetericyn is as good as they promote it to be? |
Joahaeyo wrote: i own 100 brushes. I only use my comb. my dog never has mats. ...and I only brush once a week. I'd like to think she has a pretty coat too Sorry Mrs J, I have to interject here with the most vociferous objections to the use of combs as primary grooming tools in this breed. There is certainly a time and place for the use of combs (both fine and course toothed), even grooming rakes and stripping tools. I have them all and from time to time have to use them but first and foremost your primary grooming tool should/must be a high quality pin brush. If you are happy with your Bobtail's coats that is great, it meets your needs and family circumstances but that may not be the case for someone else. My preference for and effort to maintain full coats in near show quality works for me and others I know but that is certainly not appropriate for everyone else. Using a comb as your primary tool will result in the loss of a lot of hair. Heavy use of combs will essentially completely remove the undercoat (not necessarily a bad thing depending on where you live, if you don't show and don't need or want the "full fluffed up" look) and will also break and pull out a lot of guard coat and I submit that the loss and breakage of guard coat IS a bad thing. While everyone has their own aims in regards to grooming their dogs I think it does a great dis-service to those entering the breed if "established" people simply gloss over or completely ignore the teaching of proper techniques, the use of proper tools and instead insert their own short cuts or parent/furkid specific procedures as the "be all and end all" of grooming. We need to do a better job of teaching the basics and supporting people in their efforts to care for their Bobtails. Only when that teaching and support is available can new people make an educated choice as to how and to what standard they are going to care for their Bobtail's coat. Remember this coat is in fact a big factor in people choosing this breed - yes many initially think it will be easy and are not prepared for the effort it requires but that is where education and advise is required. Carl |
Fairy Godmother wrote: Joahaeyo wrote: Other posters I'm sure will give you the list you want, but I went from using everything on the market to just a few things. 1. pantene or head n shoulders to wash Wow! So all those fancy-shmancy dog shampoos are not needed? Do you know if Vetericyn is as good as they promote it to be? This is quite a point of contention in this breed. There are "camps" which will defend one or the other and can be very dismissive of the other point of view. For basic cleaning I use a good quality "people" shampoo - of late I am using the "European" brand of shampoo and conditioner sold at Walmart. It cleans very well and when properly rinsed out poses no skin irritation problems or other hair damage. And it is far less expensive than dedicated "dog" shampoos. Personally I only use Pantene on my Afghan Hounds, it simply softens a Bobtail's coat so much that it looses it's volume, proper texture and water resistance. Pantene is a great product, just feel the silky coat of my Afghans as proof but that is not what the Old English Sheepdog breed standard calls for and a soft coated Bobtail really doesn't look "right". I do however use a dog formulation whitening shampoo on the whites to bring them up to their highest lustre. If I were bathing my dogs more frequently, say every two weeks or so I would also use a "terrier" or "course coat" dog shampoo on the grizzle areas to retain the harshness there that is supposed to be characteristic of the breed in those areas. So it really comes down to what you want to accomplish, how often you end up bathing your Bobtail and how much money you want to spend. There are a number of threads in the grooming forum about shampoos and conditioners. If you try searching them and still have questions please don't hesitate to ask and we can then address specifics once we know if you want a "show coat", a pupy clip or something in between. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
The list can be daunting really.... to start with all you really need is a pin brush with no balls on the tips of the pins, a "grey hound" comb (if for no other reason than to flick poop off it's butt if it occasionally get stuck there  ), nail clippers. For baths, any human shampoo will work but for babies a baby shampoo can avoid some soapy eyes.I did a grooming tutorial a few years ago that includes photos of the tools I prefer and step by step instructions. Again, we all have our preferences, but don't let yourself get overwhelmed with info at this stage.  The link to my tutorial is at the bottom of my posts in blue.... or here http://www.lakesongoes.com/grooming.htm |
I think it's great to have "extras" ...I OWN those extras  ...but when it boils down to it, they are never used in this home. Most of the time I feel like I'm forcing myself to use tools that I can really do without and/or achieve by using just my comb. I do think it's great to have a list of the best/most recommended brushes, slickers, [the list is a mile] ...but with time, I really do feel most owners DON'T use them, which is why I feel it's nice to hear what the average owner uses. I hope the original poster DID read your informative post. I definitely always find them informative. Again, I'm always glad when people give a list that THEY feel is needed ...as many on here prefer their one "brush" and one "comb" I'm not showing but if the original poster were to look through my photo album, all the animals always look nicely groomed (by ME not a groomer). |
| @Carl: You say you use European brand shampoo and conditioner. Since, in your opinion, Pantene does not give the appropriate result, which brand do you prefer for your Bobtails? You're absolutely right, the coat is one of the OES "trademarks" that attracts people to the breed. Although that is not the chief reason I chose to adopt an OES, I would like for my dog to stay as true to the breed standards as possible in terms of outer appearance. I'm ready and willing to invest an hour or two weekly in maintaining the coat myself and expect that it would actually be a relaxing experience, just like Stacy explained. The goal here is when purchasing items for my Bobtail to get the right ones. The first time. As far as the length of the coat is concerned, I was planning on giving him/her a shave for the summer. The Bobby will be just a loved family member, not a show dog. Also, your tutorials about grooming are very beneficial for me since, obviously, I am new to the breed (my previous dog was a Bulgarian Sheep Dog). Given how gorgeous your dogs look, I will try to stick to your instructions as closely as possible. You must be doing it right @Stacey Your short grooming tutorial is splendid! It has what I asked for, and more, since there are pix as well. @Mrs. J Yes, your dogs do look very well groomed. But your kids stole my heart in an instant! |
| Oh this thread is going to cause such a debate. firstly, dog shampoo and human shampoo are different for a reason. dogs have a different ph balance than humans, therefore. using a human shampoo on dog may cause skin conditions. secondaly. it all depends on how you want your dog to look. if its a show dog follow carl. to the every word, keep as much undercoat as you can, use pin brushes. if you dog is a pet and you want a longer coat but keep them cool then a coat ling and slicker brush. my personal top 5 as my dog is. medium coated and not shown is..... #1 all systems white lightening(i find it better than chris christersons white on white) but shampoo before use then leave on 5/10 mins 2 a good condotioner if you like a soft fluffycoat, some whiting shampoos make. the hair harsh which is a good thing in show dogs but i like k9 competition conditioner, expensive )ut bery nice. strangely my favorite brush is a small #1all systems slicker, small but mughty, i had one that i used daily on all dogs i groomed and. its still good apart from no paint on the handle. just because you have a big dog doesnt meen you need a big brush, whatever type. you can get in amy area with a small brush. 3rd a matt. breaker, its a small tool with about 5 sharp blades to break down matts, you still need to brush them out after. 4th les pooches matt breaker, longer teeth than normal slickers, but great for removing matts and a quick hroom comes single or double headed. 5th the stuff, dematting lotion and conditioner or cowboy magic drtangler and shine. if i was to add a few more an 8" pair if scissors, some thining scissors to descretly cut through matts in sections, an undercoat rake. and an abundance of patience xx |
SlaveToTheBrush wrote: Oh this thread is going to cause such a debate. So be it, Karen. All those who would and gave their 5 cents do it based on their experience and I learn something from each post. For example, now I know the difference between pin brush and the slicker brush in terms of end result. And yes, you would be able to get into any area with a small brush Thank you also for recommending a detangler. That is one of the products I consider a must for my dog. P.S. My kids and I rolled of laughter while looking through the hairstyles of your Billy |
| Erm yes billies hair doos! He has his own facebook (pamperedpooch08@aol.com if you want to add him) some cavalier king charles spaniels teased him for wearing bows so they were ment to be the macho look lol. 'The stuff' detangler. Is a good one too this one repels dirt. But cowboy magic is better when your brushing |
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