Known sometimes as the
Chrysanthemum faced dog due to the facial hair growing in all
directions, this study little companion dog has proud ancestry
and noble beginnings. A hard to beat contender one has to appreciate
that all that glamour comes from diligent and long planned months
of work. A good coat does not just “happen”. Genes do
play a big role but at the end of the day, this coated breed is
the result of someone’s investment into long range planning.
Maintenance for this breed
is a key issue and to keep that required double coat, luxurious
and long and flowing be prepared to do the work. This is not a
wash and wear breed. For those loving the discipline of grooming
and able to keep to a well planned schedule then this breed will
give you lots of rewards with achievement.
There are key things to
learn such as the intricacies of that top knot and many hours
of practice will see this done correctly. Some countries allow
more “bouffant” and contrived head pieces than others
but the basics stay the same. One sections into two areas with
the front section running horizontally to mid skull and the rear
section to a V just behind the occipital. The front section is
as wide as the outer corner of the eye.
There are many ways to
do this and each will have their own “secret” technique
but here’s one for you anyway - Front section first - gather
up into a band the area between eyes down to a line above the
stop bearing in mind that this has to be done right otherwise
you could build an illusion of lengthening or shortening the nose.
Some backcomb lightly at this stage, others don’t. If you
do, then I recommend a Lady Jane brush which is a narrow brush
for safety around eyes or a tail comb. Lightly backcomb - get
an old hairdresser to show you how to do this properly so it is
not a matted mess - and gather the hair into a band once all the
top layer is smooth. Try not to twist the hair when putting the
band in, centreing at the first turn of the band. Otherwise pull
out and start again.
Second section , gather
into a band - this is the part that supports the front section
- Both ponytails ought to be right on the dividing line between
the sections. Now the artistic bit begins by pulling out with
fingers or the tail of the brush/comb, the front section into
a puffy bubble in front. Now join the two ponytails into one with
another band and add a bow or section further for more support.
Apply Plush Puppy Puffy
Dog ¼ Puffy Dog to ¾ water in a spray bottle
and dry, finishing off with small curling irons to give shape
and support. Puffy Dog will add texture and hold as it is a special
mousse designed for show dogs. Pull into shape and tuck ends in
and under. Use Hair Spray if your country’s rules allow it.
The coat is not permitted
to be curly or sparse. Prepare with Plush Puppy Conditioning Shampoo if dry
or the Body Building Shampoo
on sparser areas. The All Purpose for shine or the Whitening Shampoo
for toning unwanted warm tones and white areas. Use all at 3:1
(3 parts water to one part shampoo). Condition with Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner at
5:1. Rinse lightly.
Now for the drying - use
Plush Puppy Swishy Coat
either on it’s own for the smoothing process or with Blow Dry Cream added.
They are wonderful together or used singly. The Blow Dry Cream
will flatten and soften and help the brush to slide easier. Add
a tbspn of each to 6 - 8 cups water depending on the coat texture
and how much has to be done to achieve results. You can dilute
or strengthen this mix as coats are individual even within their
own breed and lines.
Dry with an oval Plush Puppy Pin Brush
section by section till ¾ dry finishing the drying with
the Plush Puppy Porcupine
or Metro Brush.
Both these are mixtures of bristle and nylon and enhance the smoothing
process. Your pin brush will not smooth well enough but won’t
rip the coat when wet. Small sections dried properly from root
to end is the key to success.
In between shows, oil.
Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze
Oil - especially important for puppies changing coat -
at 1 tbspn to 1/2 gal/2 litres water and saturate the coat. Dry
thoroughly (without all the straightening attention) and band
face, ears, top knot, tail if required or wrap using Plush Puppy Revivacoat at 1 tbspn/golfball
to 1 cup water in a spray bottle.
For show day you have done
the long slog with the preparation of drying and have banded lightly
to keep neat for the show. Use straightening irons - I like these
new ceramic irons or the wet to dry irons which are very new and
very effective. Contact us for these if you have difficulty getting
any to suit. Make sure you have power for show day with this breed.
Buy a generator if necessary. Section and lifting with the pin
brush, spray with the Revivacoat mix (as this moisturises and
doesn’t change texture) and slide the irons gently down the
hair shaft till smooth. This is laborious so make sure you don’t
do this in a rush.
Trim feet removing all
underneath hair and neatening the foot shape not to distort -
don’t do this like an Am Cocker foot. It is just to tidy
the excess and shape.
A light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
onto the Metro Brush and through the top layers will give hints
and glints of light to the coat and finish with a light application
of Plush Puppy Shine &
Comb to your hands and applied down from the centre part
to keep down the “fluffies”. Don’t keep reapplying
this - one light touch of this is all that is needed on this coat.
For the flyaways on windy days and to keep static under control,
use the Plush Puppy
Protein Coat Balm and you can use this as much as you
like. It won’t go greasy. Apply to hands and wipe down from
mid lengths to ends adding extra to ends to weigh them down and
hold into place.
Do not continue using your
bristle brushes once the coat is dry - this just encourages the
static. Use the pin brush or a metal comb. Frankly, if you have
done a good and thorough job, your light touch with the pin brush
ought to be enough as long as you apply the Protein Coat Balm
just prior to ringtime.
Now move that Shih Tzu
out like a Spanish galleon with full wind in the front sail and
motor around that ring showing the pads of the back feet to full
advantage. This is an arrogant, proud breed. Look the part!
CHERYL LECOURT
Plush
Puppy Puffy Dog
Plush Puppy Conditioning
Shampoo
Plush
Puppy Body Building Shampoo
Plush Puppy Silk
Protein Conditioner
Plush Puppy Swishy Coat
Plush Pupp Blow Dry Cream
Plush Puppy Pin Brush
Plush Puppy Porcupine
Plush Puppy Metro Brush
Plush Puppy Seabreeze
Oil
Plush Puppy Revivacoat
Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
Plush Puppy Shine &
Comb
Plush Puppy Protein
Coat Balm