Westminster grooming complaint
 Picture of Swagger, who did so well at Westminster. This is not a criticism of Swagger, or his owner/breeder/handler, they have to follow the trends. It is a complaint of where OES find themselves currently in the show ring. I hate hate hate HATE the current styling, especially around the head, it doesn't look like a sheepdog, it looks idiotic like a gargantuan toy dog!  I am absolutely positive that this hyper-fluffed grooming has hurt the breed's popularity. How many people for whom a sheepdog would be an ideal dog instantly dismiss it as an option because they see a picture like this and they don't want a silly fluffy toy dog? I'll also wager that front page UK article of the pictures by Cees is better publicity.  This is a sheepdog:  |
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| I will say I like the bum (Of course!) and legs, it's mainly the head I have issue with, but it's such a crucial part obviously, it affects the overall profile and shape of the dog, which doesn't look like a sheepdog to me. |
| I have to disagree... I love the look of an oes groomed for show... I thought Swagger looked phenomenal, although that is probably the worst, most unflattering pic of him that I've seen. I don't like the straggly, messy look. If I'm not showing I usually keep mine shaved a couple times a year so that they mostly appear to be in a "puppy cut" |
| I'm not fond of the big, floofed up head. Nor do I like the fur along the topline. It doesn't seem to match/follow the topline, instead raising up at the end of the back. I think the fur of a dog should more closely follow the shape of the actual dog. I think what would drive a person away from a sheepdog when seeing these show pics, is they probably wonder how they'd ever take care of a coat like that. It's too much work for most people. If people could see them in puppy cuts, they might be more open to getting one. |
| Sports have evolved over time perhaps and this cut is a sign of the times. Perhaps Swagger would have won if he was groomed like Sir Lance. maybe, maybe not. Seemed like the crowd loved Swagger the way he was. He represented well but what do I know. |
Willowsprite wrote: I have to disagree... I love the look of an oes groomed for show... I thought Swagger looked phenomenal, although that is probably the worst, most unflattering pic of him that I've seen. I don't like the straggly, messy look. If I'm not showing I usually keep mine shaved a couple times a year so that they mostly appear to be in a "puppy cut" Ok I should be more specific, it is the big round fuzzy helmet head which I despise, the rest of the coat is fine. It's just that ridiculous head that looks like a Bichon or something. |
| I dont like the poofy look either. I dont understand why they don't leave it to fall naturally like beardies for example. But its show standard. After showing I flatten it all anyway. I dont want him going out in public looking like a pom pom. I like the messy scruffy look best |
| Obviously your opinion didn't influence the expert opinion of the Westminster judges. Everyone is entitled to a bad hair day every now and then. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Obviously your opinion didn't influence the expert opinion of the Westminster judges. Everyone is entitled to a bad hair day every now and then. Wow, excuse me. Someone pissed in your corn flakes this morning? |
Willowsprite wrote: I have to disagree... I love the look of an oes groomed for show...If I'm not showing I usually keep mine shaved a couple times a year so that they mostly appear to be in a "puppy cut" Ditto, ditto, ditto. The scraggly look drives me crazy. Though Sybil has perfected the "unmade bed" look, when she has hair, when I look around the show ring I want to have some prayer of seeing the actual dog and not just a pile of flapping hair. Personal opinion. Now, personal opinion re Swagger's presentation at the moment: I thought the uneveness of coat length made him look somewhat "unbalanced" on the move. And I don't mean his actual movement, but that his body coat seemed short compared to head and even leg coat, more evident on the move for some reason. But keep in mind, he's still basically a baby/class dog...He has great head coat for his age, but it doesn't look to me like he has his mature body coat yet. If he's still going through any kind of coat transition Colton has my heartfelt sympathies! <g> Nice moving dog - a pleasure to watch. And I bet he'd look equally great shaved. No small feat. Kristine |
| Last time I saw that much back combing it was a drag show. |
| I have met the person who brought the puff look in a few times. I show & have to agree with David & to be shaped like a toy dog is daft. In the UK you still have to have a natural look bar the poof hair doo. Its a working dog & they might as well add it into the toy dog section |
| I agree with Kristine. The moment I saw Swagger I said to DH, "He's young, coat isn't fully grown out." While I don't believe there will be a coat change, he's got his permanent pants, I think there are several inches to come. As for the head, well, I consider that current fashion. Who knows what will be in style in 10 years.........more like a poodle head  For those who remember sheepdog boom of the 70's.....and earlier and the number of BYBs that showed up, poor breeding that still influences today's gene pool, let's hope people don't fall in love with sheepdogs. On the other hand, responsible breeders, yes, who research and follow good breeding practices, they are always welcome. |
| Kristine you are correct (of course), a reporter stated that Colton said Swagger still had some puppy coat to grow out of. David - I tend to agree with it being overdone. Neat is great but my husband almost rejected the idea of an OES when I first showed him a show dog. He remembered the OES of Shaggy DA and My Three Sons, etc. When I showed him a pic of the rescues I visited in their puppy cuts, he said OK! |
While I'd consider a poodle for a house dog, never one in poodle show cut just as you won't see an OES in show "clothes" here. Still, they look mighty fine all dolled up. Hooray to all exhibitors who spend the hours and days getting the coat just right.  |
| I don't know what they're supposed to look like, so me saying I thought he looked perfect means nothing. I prefer them to be shaped up over the let it hang look. |
| Here's a good view of Swagger away from the ring. Just in case you're curious about his grooming. http://gothamist.com/2013/02/12/photos_meet_swagger_the_best-in-sho.php#photo-1 |
kayc1218 wrote: Here's a good view of Swagger away from the ring. Just in case you're curious about his grooming. http://gothamist.com/2013/02/12/photos_meet_swagger_the_best-in-sho.php#photo-1 Ha yes I've seen those face pigtails before on show sheepies. And just so no one gets the wrong impression, I am positive Swagger is an absolutely wonderful dog, and I am very happy he came in 2nd! I am even (as I posted elsewhere) a bit annoyed that BIS went to a terrier/toy dog again! My complaint is more like complaining a gorgeous and brilliant oscar-winning actress is wearing a dumb dress because it's the current fad, but she is still a gorgeous brilliant actress. Since I only saw the briefest glimpses of the show, I was surprised by the picture in the NY Times I posted, they had pictures of all the breed winners, and scrolling down to that picture, I don't think it shows off OES very well and I blame the head poof, they are not oversized Bichons!. (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013 ... breed.html) |
I don't care for the poof look either. But really, I think the rules should say, once in the ring, give up the brushing! It is so distracting to watch the show and every second someone is brushing or teasing their dog's hair. Like really, how messed up did the hair get in once short run around a mini ring?  They all really need to leave the brush at the door... |
Ashley wrote: I don't care for the poof look either. But really, I think the rules should say, once in the ring, give up the brushing! It is so distracting to watch the show and every second someone is brushing or teasing their dog's hair. Like really, how messed up did the hair get in once short run around a mini ring? They all really need to leave the brush at the door...You'd be surprised. It's not the moving, though there is that, so much as the judge going over the dog. Then the damn head coat falls down and dog can't see. Now, Swagger's head coat isn't so much "poufed" as he just has a tremendous amount of it. I'm very jealous. Becky has the type of coat that breaks easily and will probably have the appropriate amount of head coat, oh, never. Well, too, she has a mask and the greys don't typically grow like the whites do. Had to laugh, though. I can't tease. I can't fluff. I need someone to put the dog's head coat up for me before I go in the ring, and put it in so tight it has a prayer of staying together. The fact that I have NO BUSINESS wielding a brush and actually do more damage than good does not prevent me from bringing one in the ring. 1) it's a way to dissipate excess energy when there's a lot of standing around and 2) I need SOMETHING to drop, right?  Now, as for the rest, whether showing them drenched in excessive coat, trimmed and fluffed, or just that horrid look where owner wants it long, but can't manage the undercoat (understandable, don't get me wrong) so strips it all out, and then they look like oversized drunken beardies, it's all equally wrong based on the original function of the breed. They would have been shaved at least once a year, probably more. We could spare ourselves the endless complaining and lots of headaches by staying truer to the breed's original function and showing them in a nice puppy cut. Not gonna happen, so no need for wadded up undies for those of you who may find that solution offensive. But just think how liberating that would be and all the fun things we could do with the spare time!  Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: We could spare ourselves the endless complaining and lots of headaches by staying truer to the breed's original function and showing them in a nice puppy cut. Not gonna happen, so no need for wadded up undies for those of you who may find that solution offensive. But just think how liberating that would be and all the fun things we could do with the spare time! Kristine Works for me...I think my favorite sheepie is a NAKED sheepie   Ah...who am I kidding...I love all sheepies of all fur lengths  I just wonder why the grooming standard for a show is what it is? Why should the head be puffed up? What purpose does that serve? I understand having a long coat because the coat color/texture/??? need to be judged. But why can't it just be brushed out and "there" as opposed to puffed up/teased/etc...? My inquiring mind wants to know  |
| Ya know, it's not just an OES that has a special haircut for the ring. Many breeds do. To me, that would make it harder to judge the dog because it's hidden by the hair, or masked by the cut, etc. They should change the rules on fur & cut to just "natural". However the coat would be in real life, is how it should be in the ring, no matter the breed. |
| Yay for naked sheepie! I don't know anything about showing and style. But swagger was beautiful to me. Yes lots of back brushing. It is show. I have shih tzus also. Take a look at what is done to them for show. I would get some strange looks if I walked around town with my shih tzus hair up as in show style. |
oesmom2 wrote: I have shih tzus also. Take a look at what is done to them for show. I would get some strange looks if I walked around town with my shih tzus hair up as in show style.  Have that image in my head now. Thanks for the laugh! KB |
| "Now, as for the rest, whether showing them drenched in excessive coat, trimmed and fluffed, or just that horrid look where owner wants it long, but can't manage the undercoat (understandable, don't get me wrong) so strips it all out, and then they look like oversized drunken beardies, it's all equally wrong based on the original function of the breed. They would have been shaved at least once a year, probably more. " This describes my style, which is closer to the 70's look. It works for us. It doesn't bother me that others hate it. We live in the hotter-than-**ll belt and I do what I have to do to keep them comfortable (including keeping the AC on 72, with ceiling fans going 24/7). I'm not crazy about the show grooming on heads over the last 5ish years, but I don't show so it doesn't matter. I've often wondered if we went more natural in show grooming, would Sheepies be more popular? And I'm not sure that is something to wish for, either. |
| I have to say I like the more shaggy (but brushed), natural look. The puffed up head doo does not seem to suit their character. It makes them look like a toy dog instead of the adventure dog, running around like clowns, chasing things, fur swept back from activity. I don`t think it captures their personality. I also think the postion they are put to stand in makes their back end so high, it looks unnatural. I don`t show so I can`t make an opinion on standards on how they should be built or marked, but I would like to see them look more like our everyday OES and of course nicely washed and groomed but not backcombed. Its fun to hear everyones different views, makes the world more interesting. |
| I watched the show, or at least the herding group and best in show. Swagger is a lovely dog, I am certain and I was thrilled that an OES won reserve champion (but still think the breed got robbed!). I HATE the teased up head. You could scarcely tell he had ears, much less eyes. At least the body and legs follow the lines of the body and don't obscure the way they look. I couldn't tell you a thing about Swagger's head or what an OES head should look like by him. No idea of length of nose, stop,that it should be square, etc. I know the judges went over him well, but the audience could not possibly tell what he looked like under all that hair. His head simply looks like a big cotton ball. One of the reasons I like a lot of color on the face and ears is that it is hard to make them look like a cotton ball. It's too much and I think it distracts from the actual look of the breed. To tell the truth, if I had that picture of an OES in my head when I was deciding what breed of dog I thought I might look at, I would have passed them over completely. I realize that this is not a popular opinion and only confirms why my decision not to show was an excellent one. |
Mad Dog wrote: oesmom2 wrote: I have shih tzus also. Take a look at what is done to them for show. I would get some strange looks if I walked around town with my shih tzus hair up as in show style. Have that image in my head now. Thanks for the laugh! KB Me too!! You'd create a sensation.  |
 Mad Dog wrote: Not gonna happen, so no need for wadded up undies for those of you who may find that solution offensive. Kristine Wadded up undies What the?? Is that an Americanism or a Kristineism?? Not heard it before but it's a goodie that I plan on slipping into a conversation at the earliest opportunity. |
Mim wrote: :mrgreen: Mad Dog wrote: Not gonna happen, so no need for wadded up undies for those of you who may find that solution offensive. Kristine Wadded up undies What the?? Is that an Americanism or a Kristineism?? Not heard it before but it's a goodie that I plan on slipping into a conversation at the earliest opportunity.Maybe in Aus you get your knickers in a knot instead? Or your panties in a twist? |
Mom of 3 wrote: I've often wondered if we went more natural in show grooming, would Sheepies be more popular? And I'm not sure that is something to wish for, either. I think if there was more natural grooming, the general public would have a better idea what an OES should really look like. All of that fluff can cover up and obscure a multitude of sins and bad conformation. How many times have people on this board complained about people wanting a 'cotton headed' sheepie because it is the current fad and not because it represents the breed ideal? But what else does this style of show grooming promote? I would like to see more people better educated about the breed and more interested in getting really great dogs, not because of what they look like in the ring all dolled up. Too many people buy dogs based on 'cute' and not on character and suitability. I'd love for more people to be interested in the breed and for the breeding stock to be expanded with excellent dogs, bred and raised by equally wonderful people. |
Parwaz wrote: I have met the person who brought the puff look in a few times. I show & have to agree with David & to be shaped like a toy dog is daft. In the UK you still have to have a natural look bar the poof hair doo. Its a working dog & they might as well add it into the toy dog section very true but now we are useing little clips to hold the hair up away from there eyes ,which then holds the hair up goes off to find these clips  Crufts will soon be here  |
guest** wrote: Mom of 3 wrote: I've often wondered if we went more natural in show grooming, would Sheepies be more popular? And I'm not sure that is something to wish for, either. I think if there was more natural grooming, the general public would have a better idea what an OES should really look like. All of that fluff can cover up and obscure a multitude of sins and bad conformation. How many times have people on this board complained about people wanting a 'cotton headed' sheepie because it is the current fad and not because it represents the breed ideal? But what else does this style of show grooming promote? I would like to see more people better educated about the breed and more interested in getting really great dogs, not because of what they look like in the ring all dolled up. Too many people buy dogs based on 'cute' and not on character and suitability. I'd love for more people to be interested in the breed and for the breeding stock to be expanded with excellent dogs, bred and raised by equally wonderful people. Im sure "cotton headed" or "snow capped" refers to the head being all white, not the fluffed up look. It's pretty hard to get past the look of any sheepie. Naked, puppy cut, full coat or show coat. They aren't common dogs and look different. Not to mention their personality dictates that anyone in sheepie distance, must pay attention to that sheepie. I most certainly wasn't interested in getting a masked sheepie but I have one. Now that I have one with a mask, I kinda want collect all sheepies with different markings (yea im greedy but sheepies are like potato chips) |
| I think that he looked better in the ring than in that first picture. His coat does look a bit silly, but of course he's still a puppy with his coat growing in. His coat is the opposite of Eevee's, hers is long on the body and short on the head instead of short on the body and long on the head. When I was at Nationals, I don't think most of the dogs looked like Swagger. I've got a couple pictures of Bond ready for showing, the way his fur is done make him look fantastic. I remember watching people running around, combs and brushes in hand, finding places to stow those brushes other than pockets (because many didn't have pockets on their outfits). It's fun to watch! |
AnInnocentEvil wrote: Im sure "cotton headed" or "snow capped" refers to the head being all white, not the fluffed up look. It does. It's goes back to the Dulux advertisements - they used mostly/all white headed dogs (still do - see the Australian ads) and that's what the public got used to seeing. People without a background in the breed thought that was the only or "ideal" look; breeders who cater solely to the less educated pet market cottoned on (pun intended ) and started using snow capped (never heard of cotton headed before) to appeal to that market.It's pretty hard to get past the look of any sheepie. Naked, puppy cut, full coat or show coat. They aren't common dogs and look different. Not to mention their personality dictates that anyone in sheepie distance, must pay attention to that sheepie. I most certainly wasn't interested in getting a masked sheepie but I have one. Now that I have one with a mask, I kinda want collect all sheepies with different markings (yea im greedy but sheepies are like potato chips) I know what you mean about the markings. With me it's the full mask. Yeah, markings are irrelevant but I always, always find my eyes drawn to a full mask first. Can't help myself. Kristine |
snazzierella wrote: When I was at Nationals, I don't think most of the dogs looked like Swagger. I've got a couple pictures of Bond ready for showing, the way his fur is done make him look fantastic. I remember watching people running around, combs and brushes in hand, finding places to stow those brushes other than pockets (because many didn't have pockets on their outfits). It's fun to watch! Glad you had a good time! We certainly enjoyed having you there! And you are correct - there's a fair degree of variety in how dogs are shown and no single "look". I think the versatility of the coat is part of what draws more creative people to the breed. Kristine |
I am no OES expert but I enjoy a more natural look and maybe it could be done if the dogs were in a shorter cut. I like the bums more round I hate the shelve they do. I do have to say all of dougs dogs are very nice loking and move ....well.... they have the WOW factor. As for other breeds ...look at what they do to the poodle!! and the P water dogs!! ye gads I know darn well way back when they did not have the ways and means to do this to dogs  I think that dogs ,especially OES ,have the most brautiful eyes and the way the show dog is all teased up you cannot see them! again mine are cut short now and I love it a sheepdog in full coat is a beautiful thing  I guess labs have it good in the ring. |
Mad Dog wrote: AnInnocentEvil wrote: Im sure "cotton headed" or "snow capped" refers to the head being all white, not the fluffed up look. It does. It's goes back to the Dulux advertisements - they used mostly/all white headed dogs (still do - see the Australian ads) and that's what the public got used to seeing. People without a background in the breed thought that was the only or "ideal" look; breeders who cater solely to the less educated pet market cottoned on (pun intended ) and started using snow capped (never heard of cotton headed before) to appeal to that market.It's pretty hard to get past the look of any sheepie. Naked, puppy cut, full coat or show coat. They aren't common dogs and look different. Not to mention their personality dictates that anyone in sheepie distance, must pay attention to that sheepie. I most certainly wasn't interested in getting a masked sheepie but I have one. Now that I have one with a mask, I kinda want collect all sheepies with different markings (yea im greedy but sheepies are like potato chips) I know what you mean about the markings. With me it's the full mask. Yeah, markings are irrelevant but I always, always find my eyes drawn to a full mask first. Can't help myself. Kristine Certainly of late the Dulux dog here in Aus has one grey ear. I notice because Tiggy has one grey ear too. Not masked though. |
Mim wrote: Mad Dog wrote: Not gonna happen, so no need for wadded up undies for those of you who may find that solution offensive. Kristine Wadded up undies What the?? Is that an Americanism or a Kristineism?? Not heard it before but it's a goodie that I plan on slipping into a conversation at the earliest opportunity. It is a derivative of someone "getting their undies in a bundle" (getting all worked up over/upset by something) and I don't THINK I made it up. You are, however, free to use it at your earliest convenience. Let me know how it goes. I'm trying to find a way to slip 'pongy' into a casual conversation (not that my guys don't give me plenty of reasons ) But I fear I don't really know how to pronouce it and it will just come off sounding stupid. You need to come to the OESCA national this fall so you can demonstrate the proper pronounciation. I'm sure Sybil will be able of giving you plenty of inspiration. KB Kristine |
Mim wrote: Certainly of late the Dulux dog here in Aus has one grey ear. I notice because Tiggy has one grey ear too. Not masked though. OMG! What is the world coming to...???  Kristine |
| In Aus we are more likely to say someone has there "knickers in a twist". I've never heard the "getting their undies in a bundle" either. Pongy = Pong as in Thong and add 'ee' as in the sound of pee or flea. I thought of spelling it pongee but that it looks wrong. Still working on coming over for the National. You will go away with lots of Aussie-isms. I grew up around farmers and still use a lot of slang. I occasionally get myself in trouble at more formal occasions when I forget and use less than ladylike slang. |
Mim wrote: Still working on coming over for the National. You will go away with lots of Aussie-isms. I grew up around farmers and still use a lot of slang. I occasionally get myself in trouble at more formal occasions when I forget and use less than ladylike slang. Well, the good news is that how would we know? Of course, the bad news comes after you go home and we meet some Aussies and think we're using near and dear expressions to your culture that we picked up from you just to discover that we just told the visiting judge that his wife smells like a rotting kangaroo carcass or something   KB |
Mad Dog wrote: Mim wrote: Still working on coming over for the National. You will go away with lots of Aussie-isms. I grew up around farmers and still use a lot of slang. I occasionally get myself in trouble at more formal occasions when I forget and use less than ladylike slang. Well, the good news is that how would we know? Of course, the bad news comes after you go home and we meet some Aussies and think we're using near and dear expressions to your culture that we picked up from you just to discover that we just told the visiting judge that his wife smells like a rotting kangaroo carcass or something KB What a challenge you have set!! I will need to think up every odd and unladylike piece of slang I've ever heard, especially the difficult to interpret kind and write them all down. Then I can use them incorrectly while visiting and leave you to get yourself in trouble with visiting Aussie judges AND their wives. Even comments that seem harmless can lead to confusion. We told our French colleague at work the other morning that she was 'full of beans'. The look on her face was priceless, she didn't know whether we were insulting her or not. Apparently in France if we wanted to comment on her energy and enthusiasm we would have told her 'she's the peach'.  |
| I'm all ready for some more Aussie-isms!! As far as the coat debate - I enjoy all parts of it. I love being able to fluff my boys for show...and then go wow them in agility, dog sledding or herding. Breaking stereotypes and pre-conceived notions is totally my style, however!   Not a big grooming time result from this fall - Bond going from his herding test out in the dirt and wind all day, and into the National match. I had approx 30 minutes from arrival back from the herding site, to ring time. And the bulk of it was taken with washing the dirt out of his face and drying it; and me taking the time change out of my boots and put on deodorant!!! I know the judge appreciated both of those...more than fluffing time  The important part, and the part no one really sees, is the fact that these dogs are bathed and clean, also that they are groomed so well and thoroughly that you could run a comb through any and every part on their body and not hit a single snarl or mat. That's that part that takes dedication and time. |
| Dawn - you did well to get back from herding to show ring in 30 minutes. In Australia we can't put pins, clips, etc., in the head coat to hold it out of the eyes in the showring, we have to tease (rat). The head coat is too thick just to leave naturally, gravity takes over and it just falls down and your dog puts his nose to the ground to find his way round the ring. Hence the teasing and shortening of the head coat. Our dogs now do have much heavier coats than I had in the 60's and 70's. Leaving showdogs not stripped out on the neck and trimmed over the body and head makes them look like lumps with the massive coats they now carry. In a perfect world we would leave them natural, but for the showring, it is that, a showring, and we compete against other breeds which are heavily trimmed. For those interested the ratting of head coats and stripping of necks started with a very well known kennel in the UK in the 70's. They were heavily teased on the head and just about terrier stripped on the neck. |
got sheep wrote: The important part, and the part no one really sees, is the fact that these dogs are bathed and clean, also that they are groomed so well and thoroughly that you could run a comb through any and every part on their body and not hit a single snarl or mat. That's that part that takes dedication and time. I really admire the combing, I wish I could do that with Monty, I just can't get on top of it. He does not have any big mats and always looks good but there is fur near the skin which is hard to comb through. I can only really do half an hour to an hour at a time, Monty squirms quite a bit and will try to roll over when I get to a tough bit. He is not the type of dog who falls asleep when you are grooming. I try to do the line grooming but can't do it like the lesson on this forum, I get one side half done then then he rolls over. If I try to force him back he will stand up and always present his head and front end which is always nicely groomed as that is the area he does not mind I do. I groom every two days, but never on top of it where you can run a comb through it all over. Its going to be even worse when I get back from two weeks of teaching as Russ is not really into the grooming. Is there any tips for dealing with the rolling over or getting up and facing me to avoid the area I am grooming. Buster in comparison will just lay there and let me do what I need to do. |
| I think some of the show styling makes them look like they have little pug noses. When I blow dry Leonard's coat it looks like that for the first few hours, giant puff ball. His head looks like a giant fluffy bear. I don't back comb and usually tie his hair off of his face before he wakes up from his grooming nap he just looks like a fru fru fluff for a while. Leonard's coat is changing right now and he tends to look a lot like the pictures of swagger when he is freshly brushed, poufy and uneven in spots (right now his back leg coat is a little shorter as it is coming in grey). I don't do anything to make it look that way but he just has so much hair right now. I agree that the poofy look isn't the natural state of their faces and they usually look like shaggy muppets. However they are styled in the ring it seems to be grabbing attention- I have had several people come up to me since the Westminster dog show when I am walking Leonard and ask me about the dog show. I had to google it because I had no idea there was a sheepie finishing near the top as I don't follow these things. People have assumed Leonard is a show dog (he is not) and ask how much work goes into his coat. I guess this is because they are a rare breed and a lot of their exposure is in shows? I try to explain that the grooming isn't a Terrible chore, that he loves grooming and it only takes a good brushing once a week to keep him mat free. I do tend to do a quick brush before classes or walks as I know people always want to pet him. However they are styled they are beautiful, loving and unique dogs ps- my sheepie has an eye patch and I don't even notice it anymore, I don't think an l white head would make him any better looking it's just part of what makes him great. |
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