Wonderfully smart, eager
to work and a handsome fellow as well, the Border Collie is not
only a willing and able worker, he cuts a fabulous figure in the
show ring. The envy of those of us who have obstinate and wilful
breeds, the Border Collie always appears to be easy to work with
and almost an extension of his handler. Not only man’s best
friend, this valuable assistant to the flock is a great all round
dog for obedience, agility, etc and the conformation ring.
The trick to it all is
to be able to separate the duties and needs for this breed and
ensure that the necessary approach is taken to his presentation
for all events. Just as one works hard with training for fly ball,
agility and obedience, one needs to learn to groom and present
for the show ring.
The standard calls for
a weather resistant, double coated breed with an abundant coat
to form a mane, breeches and brush. The AKC standard allows some
trimming on the feet, hocks and pasterns and mentions the short
and rough coated varieties. The texture is medium topcoat with
a soft undercoat.
The Border Collie has various
stages with his coat due to seasonal shedding and care must be
exercised to ascertain at which stage the coat is in order to
manage the best outcome.
Starting with the full
coat stage, the main aim is for shine, condition and prevention
of sunburn and dehydration. I recommend the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo which
I call the shine shampoo at a ration of 5:1 (i.e. 5 parts water
to one part shampoo). Only use a conditioner if the coat is too
full and needs some flattening. I prefer to lightly oil this coat
with the Plush Puppy
Seabreeze Oil used at a ratio of 1 Tbspn to 1 gal/4litres
water. Sluice thoroughly through the coat to the skin and leave
in - do not rinse. This gives that extra sheen and keeps the coat
from getting brittle. It also helps to keep the featherings from
tangling. This is after all, an outdoors dog who is a busy fellow.
For sunburn prevention, use the Plush
Puppy Sunshade cream. Just a light amount onto the hand
and spread over the topline every couple of days.
When the coat is starting
to get that look that tells you it is thinking about shedding,
switch to the Plush
Puppy Conditioning Shampoo used also at 5:1. When out
of coat and you need more oomph, use the Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo at the
same ratio. You can use some Plush
Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner when the coat is about
to shed as the coat sometimes can appear boofy and bulky at this
point. Still continue to use the oil.
For that pearly white effect
or to minimise unwanted warm tones to the coat, use the Plush Puppy Whitening Shampoo
which does not bleach or lighten but tones any reddening or rusty
tinges plus giving that lovely pearl white to the whites. This
is effective on all colours of Border Collies though I prefer
to use the Plush Puppy
Deep Cleansing Shampoo on the white areas of any of the
red dogs as I dislike a pearl white finish with a warm coloured/red
dog, preferring the creamy white look instead.
For show day grooming,
this dog ought to be blow dried. I blow dry any time I bath a
dog as it rids the coat of unwanted loose hair and keeps the coat
rolling over and in good shape for a nice outline. There are various
things one can do at this point to ensure a great coat presentation.
If the coat is too skimpy, use Plush
Puppy Volumising Cream at a mix of 1 tbspn to 1 cup of
water in a water spray - the Plush
Puppy Water Spray has measurements on the side. Spray
thoroughly through the coat and blow dry against the growth of
the coat for maximum lift. Use the Plush
Puppy Blow Dry Cream at the same mix to reduce bulk or
soften and flatten if needed, especially when the coat is old
and dry.
For the featherings, furnishings,
wavy areas that may look better smoother, use the Plush Puppy Swishy Coat varying your mix
according to the texture of the coat as this can vary but a good
starting base is 1 tbspn to 3 -4 cups of water. Work well through
the areas that are to be smoothed and if on the topline, blow
dry against the growth with an oval pin cushion brush till ¾
dry and then switch to an oval ½ bristle/½ plastic
cushion brush (without knobs) such as the Plush Puppy Porcupine Brush this will
smooth and straighten. For the featherings, use the pin brush
again till ¾ dry and switch to the Porcupine Brush till
smooth and dry. Now you have the basic shape ready for final titivating
and brushing on show day.
To give depth to the whites
and diminish any stains, use Plush
Puppy Coverup Cream dabbed lightly onto a barely damp
or dry piece of sponge. Lightly rub through the areas needed,
adding more layers till desired effect is achieved and add a brush
full of chalk to dry. Leave and then brush through.
To get extra lift to the
mane in order to frame the head, use the Plush Puppy Quick Fix which has a light
hold factor from the milk fats in the formula. Brush forwards
and spray allowing the spray to dry. Now if you prefer a lighter
feel to the spray, dilute it. Give the coat a light blow dry if
possible to access power and you should have by now a great shape
happening.
Try to avoid using a bristle
brush on show day tin order to minimise static in the coat but
if one of those, hot and windy days, use a light touch of Plush Puppy Coat Balm
onto the featherings. This is non greasy and can be applied many
times throughout the day if needed. It will kill the static and
keep the fringing hanging neatly.
I like to use a light dusting
of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
onto the oval cushion Porcupine Brush and fluff through the bib,
pants and topline for a subtle sparkle and hints of glamour. Just
work against the growth of the coat to allow the powder to settle
below the surface and leave the shimmer on top. Great on blacks
too!
Keep the pin cushion brush
handy for neatening the fringings and fluffing up the mane etc
and get out in that ring and show the rest of them how good a
Border Collie can look. This breed does need lots of attention
to his coat but frankly, on the other hand, you do get it easy
with a dog that is easy to train. Nothing worthwhile is easy and
I just love the beautiful outline this dog has when he moves with
his stealth like gait and looks a million dollars! It just takes
a bit of effort and knowledge and one you have that, you can do
anything. Go for it!
