Big Dogs - Bigger Job
All the things that go to Making the Big Dog a Winner
Most of the giant breeds shown here in Australia are
from Group 6, the Utility Group, so I get to see most of them at
some stage up close and personal. This is particularly so when I
show at Erskine Park down in Sydney where you can't bring your
vehicle right up to the ring and instead set up with brollies, tents
etc. As a dog person I am always consumed by curiosity about other
breeds. I cannot helpbut be awed by a good example of any breed. It
would be nice to play Noah and have two of every kind as they all
have beauty and attributes that are appealing. Still one wonders
just how you lift a Saint Bernard into a hydrobath or even haul it
through the doorway of a hydrobath big enough to take it.
How do you lift an Anatolian up onto a grooming
table? Then just how much shampoo does one need to bath a Neopolitan?
Have you seen the size and thickness of those toe nails. Do they
make clippers big enough to cut them? I tend to stick my nose into
what other people do with their breeds from sheer nosiness and a
desire to learn. It beats gossip and maybe I can not only learn but
offer assistance. When speaking to some lovely people with a giant
breed I was interested to see they were feeding the dogs in the
crates by the ring. I found that interesting as I don't feed my guys
the night before a show and if another show follows on the next day,
then I try to feed as early as possible. I like those dogs on their
toes and perky.
It's sometimes a bit tricky opening up conversations
with strangers about their breed and asking what and why they do
things. I suggested that as a giant breed it might be a little more
spry on its toes around the ring if not ready for a snooze after
dinner. No-one had ever suggested such a thing so they tried it the
following week and bingo, hit the jackpot and won. It's hard getting
animation from these big guys. They don't rocket around a ring all
light and flowing as does my breed but they can move according to
their standard requirement with purpose and desire. I wondered that
no-one had sought to help them as fellow exhibitors.
So pondering over the thought of getting a giant
creature into some sort of confined bathing area and then the task
of getting it to show presentation is a good exercise. I wonder if
most do this every week when there is a show? I have encountered
some whiffy large dogs at shows but in all fairness it must be some
kind of achievement at any time to get and keep them clean. I
suggest a light swish through with something not too demanding on
the groomer or the dog - either a bucket routine or a hydrobath
system with just Plush
Puppy Hydrobath Wash which can be sluiced through to lightly
cleanse. This is very low foaming and only needs a small amount to
get the action going. It doesn't need to be scrupulously rinsed out
either. Feet, legs and the undercarriage and face can be attended to
with a diluted solution of Plush
Puppy All Purpose Shampoo - this smells divine. Scrub if
necessary with a nail brush and rinse. If the feet area etc is white
then use PP
Whitening Shampoo. Condition if required with PP
Silk Protein Conditioner again diluted at least 5:1 or 10:1.
What to do with the slobber stains? You often find
inside ears and around the mouth reddish staining which is not
required at all. I did mention a mild lightening mix a few articles
ago which I have been asked to repeat - for WHITE COATS ONLY -
cornflour and Milk of Magnesia mixed together with 40 Vol peroxide
to a paste. Mix only in a plastic dish and use a plastic tint brush.
Apply to coat only, not skin and do not get anywhere near the eyes.
Leave to dry and then brush excess out and wash off. The other
alternative that is reasonably mild is Smokers Toothpaste. Apply,
dry and brush out and rinse off. At the first sign of discomfort to
the dog with either of these recipes, take it off immediately.
Obviously with a big dog you would have bathed him the day before -
it's a big job! So they can get whiffy between then and there at the
show. They also tend to slobber again and pigroot when peeing and
your wonderful presentation has gone west. Use the PP
Wonder Wash. Just spray, lather and rub off with a dry
towel. Sparkling clean once again.
On the day you must brush well all the way through
from skin to end. I hate to see matted coat at the root. So many
breeds are just brushed over the top and the undercoat left to fend
for itself. I like the skin to breath and to get rid of any dead or
loose coat. Brush or comb right through. Takes time but the coat
will regenerate quicker. Before brushing, spray with Plush
Puppy Odour Muncher. Some breeds just have an odour - some
more so than others. This will eliminate the whiffiness and leave a
really nice fragrance on your dog. It also smells clean and freshly
done. Great when you have a 2 or 3 day event away from home. We've
already covered how to cover-up stains on the day in a previous
article so get the PP
Coverup Cream going and finish off with a nice light gloss
of PP
Shine and Comb or if something more intense is required, a
light spray of PP
Seabreeze Oil onto your hands and wipe along the topline
etc. This is particularly good for thicker, coarser coats and if you
must use on a single or finer coat, do so sparingly. A little bit
goes a long way.
The hot weather is now upon us and it makes showing
the larger breeds a bit harder - most don't like the heat. A handy
standby if you must show when it's warmer is PP
Show Reviver. A few drops first thing in the morning and
roughly 45 minutes before you go on, gets the dog at least focused
and moving. Frankly I don't like the heat any better either and I
have been known to allocate these with a one for them one me
attitude. That and lots of ice cold water and ice cubes for the dogs
in their crates.
That last little hint is the best. Don't slosh the
dog full of water just before going in the ring. Give him his water
steadily throughout the day and then drop off thewater well before
show time and issue him instead with a dish or small bucket full of
ice cubes. Keeps him cool and rehydrated without consuming too much.
Nothing worse on a hot day than a belly full of food and a gut full
of water all sloshing around whilst you try to get him to give you
performance.
Good luck to all the big dogs out there and I
deserve a big slobber and a kiss from all of you.
CHERYL LECOURT
