The Dachshunds are a popular
breed, coming in 3 coat varieties and divided again by 2 sizes
making this a busy breed for judging. In Denmark I believe it
was, I noted that there was a whole group devoted just to Dachshunds
- there seemed to be any number of varieties. I am being expressive
here but as my command of Danish extends to the pastry only, then
I was unable to verify the truth of it. Suffice to say that there
appeared to be a perfect one for everyone.
I have selected the Longhaired
variety to discuss and mentor for their grooming. This coat appears
to be one that the exhibitors have the most questions of.
The standard for Australia
calls for a soft coat whereas the American does not mention it.
Both however, do state the coat can be straight or slightly wavy
and both stipulate that it ought to be shiny or glistening. The
outward overall appearance of the coat should not be too heavy
but somewhat close lying with longer hair under the neck and underparts
and behind legs and a tail forming a flag. It has been compared
in coat appearance to somewhat like an Irish Setter.
The Dachshund is a lively, little fellow, built for work and his
coat though soft is thick and should protect against the ravages
of bushes and cold and heat. It also should be rainproof. This
extraordinarily intelligent dog has a job to do so you have a
job to do too - to ensure his coat is correct and he is able to
get on with his job.
I have seen a number of
this breed with a powdery dandruff (dander)/scurf. It takes away
that glistening shiny appearance that is a breed characteristic.
I have had great results with Plush
Puppy Itchy Skin Shampoo which addresses itch, scurf,
dandruff, psoriasis and/or sensitive skin. Naturally sourced and
laced with Arnica, Lichen and other herbal extracts, it is gentle
to the skin. The Arnica addresses the redness and soreness, the
Lichen sorts out the fungal problems such as dandruff and scurf
and the herbs are for promotion of good new skin and coat. Use
at 3:1 (3 parts water to one part shampoo) to start with till
the problem abates and dilute further to a maximum of 10:1 for
maintenance.
For those without dandruff/dander
use the Plush Puppy
All Purpose Shampoo which is the range’s shine shampoo.
Use 3:1 for show and up to 10:1 for maintenance.
The question of conditioning is one that is judged on the condition
of the coat. The ideal is for a soft coat so if the coat you are
working with is hard, then you will need to soften it with a softening
agent such as a conditioner which is acid balanced. I recommend
Plush Puppy Silk
Protein Conditioner. Use at a ratio of (5:1) - some like
to use the conditioner straight from the container without dilution
but for ease of working with a dog’s coat and ensuring complete
dispersion through the whole of the coat, I always dilute wet
products. This way I don’t get too much in one area and not
enough in another. I also usually have only one free hand when
bathing a dog. The other is clutching it’s neck to stop it
bouncing out of the bath! Mix everything prior to starting and
have everything in closed neck squeeze bottles so when the dog
throws a tantrum in the bath you don’t lose all your products.
You can tell I have and breed renegades!
If your dog’s coat is perfect and well done if it is, then
use the Plush Puppy
Seabreeze Oil mixed at a ratio of 1 tbsn to 1 gal/4lt
water. Use this mix all over the body and do not rinse out - it
will keep the coat in waterproof type mode and help the moisture
content plus give incredible shine. I like to use this for show
day too but you may if you wish, dilute further depending on the
thickness of the coat. For males, use the Seabreeze Oil undiluted
directly to the groin area to prevent breakage on the pee area
featherings during the week.
The Seabreeze Oil is a
good protector from the ravages of the yard. However, in summer
use the Plush Puppy
Sunshade for any chocolates or dilution colours - wiping
from the hand a good amount every second day to areas prone to
sun bleaching. Dark reds in this breed will rarely sun bleach.
Plush
Puppy Revivacoat is
a magical preventative for coat breakage on ears, featherings
and fringing. Apply direct or diluted - if diluting, use 1 golfball
amount to 1 cup water and spray on. Do this daily.
When the coat is dropping and it is decision time on whether to
show or not to show, use Plush
Puppy Volumising Cream. Dilute 1 tbspn to 1 cup water
and apply with a P.P. Spray bottle or other suitable sprayer and
leave in. Do not rinse. This will coat each hair effectively making
much ado about very little. Great for ears!
When preparing for show
day, forstly bath, then oil or condition, apply coat assistance
with either Volumising Cream for more coat, Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream to flatten the
coat if it is too boofy and spoiling the outline at a ratio of
1 tbspn to 1 cup water, or, Plush
Puppy Swishy Coat. This great product will help to smooth
the furnishings/featherings and keep excess wave out of the coat.
Mix at 1 tspn to 1 cup water. For that straighter appearance use
the Plush Puppy Pin
Brush, which is an oval cushioned pin brush - no knobs,
till ¾ dry and switch to the Plush Puppy Porcupine Brush, oval cushioned
½ bristle ½ plastic brush for smoother finish. This
ensures the coat is not stretched and broken and the desired finish
is achieved. You can use the various products concurrently in
various areas of the coat or on their own.
Once you have done the hard yard on this coat there is little
to do at the show leaving you time to relax and socialise. Nothing
worse than getting in a spin at a show with 9,000 things to do
and never enough time to do it. Simply give the dog a light brush
with the pin brush on the longer lengths and then the Plush Puppy Metro Anti-Static Brush. Apply
Plush Puppy Protein
Coat Balm to prevent the flyaways - invaluable on a windy
day when everything just snarls and tangles.
For final finish, another
light application of Protein Coat Balm and a light spray of Plush Puppy Shine & Comb.
You can apply this either direct or onto your Metro Brush or onto
your hands and wipe over. You don’t need much - just enough
to bring out the lustre and depth of colour. I also like a sprinkle
of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
first thing when I arrive at the show onto the Metro Brush. You
do this lightly and against the growth of the coat allowing the
powder to sink and the shimmer to stay behind. This leaves just
a pinprick of shimmer to catch the light. If you can see the shimmer
when you apply it then you have used too much. This dog is not
the glitter fairy! Then you do your Protein Coat Balm and Shine
& Comb.
So now this little full
hearted character is ready to go. His standard is full of superlatives
from the very obedient to the extraordinarily intelligent. His
job may well be to beat about the bush but yours won’t be
with this straightforward routine. I love a dog that can do something
and this well balanced confident little dog is surely capable.
Glamour is an extra and maybe just the something extra you have
been looking for.
