Shih Tzu
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 someones 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 heres 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 dont. 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 < Puffy Dog to > 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 countrys 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 its 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
tablespoon 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 > 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 wont 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 doesnt change texture) and slide the irons gently
down the hair shaft till smooth. This is laborious so make sure you
dont do this in a rush. Trim feet removing all underneath hair and
neatening the foot shape not to distort - dont 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. Dont 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 wont 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
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