When is an Aussie not a
true Aussie? Well when it actually is an Australian Shepherd as
they did not originate in Australia at all. This glamorous and
lively herding dog was likely from the Basque region between Spain
and France and adopted and adapted into the American ranch way
of life.
I am always drawn to this beautiful breed with their eye catching
appearance and the energy and dedication to which they bring to
the ring and their work. A lovely double coated breed with a great
variety of colours in a coat that is weather resistant.
Becoming more and more
popular in the conformation ring, the presentation level has kicked
up a notch too. It is great fun to watch a dog that can work with
great purpose turn into a beauty pageant winner when required
to do so and so it should . That wonderful combination of a fabulously
useful dog that is to be beautiful as well. It makes the heart
sing.
Best shampoo to use is
to decide just where the coat is at in the ever evolving process
of a double coated breed - it is either coming or going so it
seems. Different stages of the coat necessitate a different shampoo
to get the maximum benefit. Different colours also require different
approaches too.
When the coat is just right
then use the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo for super shine. This works well on all
colours. Dilute all the Plush Puppy shampoos at 5:1 (5 parts water
to one part shampoo unless stated otherwise). For dry, old coat
grooming, use the Plush
Puppy Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose. This
will give extra moisture when the coat gets dry and brittle prior
to shedding or after long hot summer days. Use the Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo when
out of coat. or for a coat that is not abundant enough. This works
really well and helps to puff up the outward look of a dog that
could use some bulking up. Use the Plush Puppy Whitening Shampoo to tone
or rid the coat of unwanted warm tones especially good on a blue
merle, black that has turned rusty red or to tone down unwanted
orange tones on a red coat. Good also on the white areas. For
difficult stubborn stained white areas switch to the Plush
Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo. See there is something for
all occasions! I love it when people ask which shampoo should
they use on an Aussie? Gosh, they need all of them. My Siberians
are the same too - coats constantly coming and going so it seems.
So to keep this abundant,
full look and to enhance the picture of a solidly built dog, don't
use a conditioner. It will flatten and soften the coat. The instruction
and focus is to keep a weather resistant texture and the best
way to do this, especially when shampooing and drying each week
is to oil the coat using Plush
Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This is just great and not at all
oily or difficult to remove, nor does it collect dirt and grime.
Sourced from Evening Primrose oil, Calendula Oil and other goodies,the
Seabreeze Oil is applied after shampooing and rinsing at a ratio
of approx 1 tbspn to a gallon/4.2 litres of water. If using a
hydrobath, add a dspn to the tank. However you apply it, whether
with a sponge, a hydrobath or whatever, ensure you get it right
down into the coat as it is wonderful for the skin too. Don't
rinse out. After 4 - 6 weeks just watch the healthy glow and vigour
on the coat. Can't live without this product - this is a real
must have for outdoors coats.
For really brittle and damaged coats or coats that have done their
fair share of hard knocks, use the Plush Puppy Coat Rescue at
2 tbspns to 2 cups water or 1 tbspn to a hydrobath tank and leave
for at least 5 minutes and preferably up to 20 minutes. The longer
the better. Then rinse. You can alternate this with the Seabreeze
Oil or just use once a month if needed. The Seabreeze Oil is generally
enough - I would only use the Coat Rescue if I was in damage control
till the coat resumed a semblance of health again.
Now the show presentation
grooming starts with a good dose of Plush Puppy Volumising Cream. I am of
the school that asserts a good bit of lift to the coat is good
and more is better. By the time the dog rolls around in the crate
or trailer, it is a lot flatter than when I started! Use 1 tbspn
to 1 cup water and spread evenly and liberally. Now blow dry with
a turbo charged cool dryer with as much lift as possible to the
coat lifting up and forwards to wards the head to create a nice
full ruff. The secret to a good double coat is to dry thoroughly.
I hate it when people leave it half dry and it starts to felt
at the skin after time. The dog can also get hot spots with this
damp undercoat situation. A good weather resistant coat doesn't
get wet naturally down to the skin but we all push the envelope
with jet forced bathing etc and therefore have to ensure we do
dry well.
If the coat is a tad dry on the ends or the ends are starting
to flip a bit, then apply a light dose of Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream mixing 1 tbspn
to 1 cup water and sponge or spray onto the area that is problematic.
Then dry.
I could not in all conscience
groom a double coated breed without Volumising Cream or Blow Dry
Cream - they are my main tools. The Volumising Cream coats each
hair and makes each hair look like 3,000 and the Blow Dry Cream
flattens and softens. Using them correctly and in the right place
will tailor your dog to it's best. There is no rule for the generic
dog. This is all about YOUR dog.
Show day you need to attend to the little stuff but no less important.
It is the 100 little things that no-one else can be bothered with
that make the whole. Never forget it. Having said that, start
with your Plush Puppy
Coverup Cream with a light dab onto a barely damp sponge
and pat lightly onto any stained or less than white areas that
ought to be white. Add a flurry of chalk to dry and then brush.
This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed
off. I do it early at the show - I just like to know I have done
everything and it is out of the way. This leaves me time to fluff
and titivate and generally quieten the nerves.
Last minute stuff is to
brush the coat up and forwards with another light mist of the
Volumising Cream and using a Plush
Puppy Pin Brush which is an oval cushioned pin brush.
I hate slickers. So many like them but I feel they tend to rip
the coat and don't get the lift. I prefer the pin brush followed
by a wide toothed metal comb if needed. However, having bathed
and dried as prescribed every week, the comb should not be necessary.
Finish off with a Plush
Puppy Porcupine Brush for a smoother look from the half
bristle/half nylon cushioned action. I usually just use the Pin
Brush, liking the lift and fullness.
Don't forget a light dash
of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
sprinkled onto the brush and lightly brushed through the topline
and pants. Ever so glam! It picks up the sunlight and adds dazzle
and the barest hint of shimmer. If you can see this as you apply
it, you have gone overboard! Finish with a light spray of Plush Puppy Shine & Comb
held about 12 inches/30 cms away from the coat and misted down
onto the area you wish to highlight, usually the topline and pants.
Your wonderful smooth gaiting
dog is now ready for action and ready to take on the flashiest
of breeds in the ring. He is dressed to perfection and will draw
gasps of pleasure and excitement as he uses that ground covering
stride to his best. His quick and intelligent personality will
endear him to all as he performs as you ask and you will have
had that extra bonding that you have created during the quiet
times of grooming - the laying on of your hands on this magnificent
dog is a treat and one to be enjoyed and never a chore.
CHERYL LE COURT
Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo
Plush Puppy Conditioning
Shampoo with Evening Primrose
Plush Puppy Body Building
Shampoo
Plush Puppy Whitening
Shampoo
Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Plush
Puppy Seabreeze Oil
Plush
Puppy Volumising Cream
Plush
Puppy Blow Dry Cream
Plush Puppy Coverup Cream
Plush Puppy Pin Brush
Plush Puppy Porcupine
Brush
Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
Plush Puppy Shine &
Comb