Golden Retriever
Good as Gold
The popularity of the Golden Retriever in
the show ring is in proportion to the number of queries I get regarding coat
care and presentation for this outstanding breed.
I am never sure whether the variety of
questions is a result of the rather large number of differences in the
Australian/FCI standard and the American Kennel Club standard - the AKC standard
being rather more descriptive and specific in its requirements.
Whatever the differences, the common ground
is the need to maintain a dense water resisting texture to the coat as stated
for a good water retrieving dog.
So many products alter texture that it is a
quest to find something that will maintain the status quo. Many diehards just
dont bath their dogs or resist doing it more than they feel they have to.
Shampoos tend to make hair fluffier and softer and when the coat is required to
lie close and be fairly firm and water resilient, so one needs to understand the
mechanics of selecting the proper cleanser.
Shampoos are vastly different believe it or
not, from brand to brand. A general rule of thumb is that they are fairly high
foaming and the larger the individual size of the bubble, the more static and
fly away the coat will become. Quality non detergent based shampoos will still
be high foaming but have a smaller diameter bubble lessening the static and
flyaway problems.
The real quest therefore is for a low
foaming product to cleanse and remove dirt and grime but not alter the texture
or make the coat fluffy. For pure, straight maintenance on a correctly textured
coat, I recommend the
Plush Puppy Hydrobath and Bath
Wash which is extremely low foaming to the point of almost no
bubbles. Use at the ratio of 1 Tbspn to 1 gallon of water either in a bucket,
bath or hydrobath or surge bath and the coat will still be cleansed without the
high visibility of froth and bubbles.
Should deeper cleansing be required then use
the Plush
Puppy All Purpose Shampoo at a ratio of 10:1 or 10 parts water to one
part shampoo to minimize the foaming action. This will give a good shine finish
to the coat.
Shampoo for a desired requirement is
permissible then on the featherings and furnishings for either fuller appearance
or more conditioning action.
Plush Puppy
Silk Protein Conditioner at a ratio of 5:1 is good for disentangling and
preventing matting under armpits etc.
A final rinse for that good, water resistant
texture is to add 1 Tbspn of
Plush Puppy
Seabreeze Oil to a gallon of water and applied throughout the coat and
left in - I prefer surging this through the coat in a hydrobath. This is truly
the most wonderful product for good shine, coat maintenance and longevity to the
strength of the coat. It is based on an old Ayervedic recipe and is light, water
soluble and wont build up on the coat. Made from Calendula Oil, Evening
Primrose Oil and other goodies, you can use this in greater or lesser
concentrations on most coats for maintaining good appearance of health,
durability and elasticity.
The Golden coat traditionally allows for the
coat to be wavy or straight, without the outline or natural appearance being
altered by trimming or clipping. Gee whiz! I do see some brutal attempts at
removing stray hairs then! Heavens above! Purchase a good set of thinning shears
and if you must play hairdresser, then do it judiciously. That way you only get
to make half a mistake at a time!
Featherings and furnishings do look good if
they behave and dont clump or tangle. A good thorough application of
Plush Puppy Swishy
Coat at a dilution of 1 tspn to 3 -4 cups of warm water and thoroughly
worked in to the furnishings and then blow dried gives a nice finish to the coat
without compromising the texture. Use a half bristle half plastic, oval cushion
brush for a straighter finish.
Color - well! I can hear the arguments for
the pros and cons of the various shades and hues of gold and will steer clear of
stepping into the fray except to say that for those who want to achieve a more
golden highlighted effect to the coat, then you might like to add a naturally
derived highlighter such as the boiled water of a good handful of dried Marigold
flowers at the required concentration and pour over the coat, comb through and
leave in. This will bring more gold reflects to the coat. Use wisely. An
artificially colored coat is not allowed!
Last but not least, finish with a light
application of Plush Puppy Coat Balm on show day to furnishings and
featherings for easier brushing and to hold the coat in place in dry, hot or
windy weather and a light sprits of
Plush Puppy Shine
& Comb to the main body of the coat. I do like a light sprinkle of
Plush Puppy
Pixie Dust onto the brush and judiciously brushed throughout for subtle
shimmer. Subtle being the operative word.
The Golden is an easily maintained and
relatively quick to groom breed for the show ring compared to a host of others.
If you view and analyze carefully what it is your dogs coat requires, then it
is the choice of your decision making that determines just how well it is done.
I have endeavored to make some of this decision making for you and hope you get
this stand out breed to look a real standout in the ring.
CHERYL LECOURT
