SIBERIAN HUSKY, FINE TUNING
The recent Siberian Husky
of America Nationals in Sth Carolina, brought many questions and
as it has been about 3 yrs since I last did an article on the
breed, it's perhaps timely that I update the procedure to include
new ideas.
So many exhibitors are
now putting in the hard yard and the standard of presentation
has been kicked up a notch or three. The old days of a quick
hose over the dog and a drip dry grooming technique, has long
gone.
Grooming the Siberian is
ever a challenge with the seasonal shedding of their coats. The
coats always appear to be either coming or going and that brief
period of the perfect coat is a blessing. So, the coat has to
be looked at in each of it's stages and handled in a different
manner.
Easiest stage of all is
the "just right coat". At this point we look for good
health and vigour to the coat with a degree of shine plus I like
to bath once a week and blow dry thoroughly. This keeps the coat
rolling and rids the coat of any dead hair. I also get to part
the coat to the skin with the strong cattle/turbo dryer and check
for any skin conditions or fleas/ticks - heaven forbid!
I personally use a hydrobath
- this is a surge hose bath that recirculates the water from a
tank/reservoir, getting right into the double coat with quite
a good deal of force. This appears to be an uniquely Australian
machine and does come in double tank variations. I bypass the
tank with dual taps for hot and cold water directly into the input
hose and simply empty and refill the one tank. I just prefer
it - the single tank variety has a larger tank which I find I
need for a larger breed.
Of course any system that
works for you is a good one. This just happens to be a good one
for me and the fibreglass unit has high walls with a removable
door for access. I stay drier and the dog stays in! It's also
better on my back. However any bath unit will work too.
I start with a squirt of
Plush Puppy Hydrobath
& Bath Wash into the wash water to negate any static
on the coat and lightly spritz clean the main body of the coat.
If I am bathing weekly, then the coat doesn't need a heavy duty
clean. I also don't like dehydrating the coat more than is necessary.
Texture is important and I endeavour to maintain it. The Hydrobath
Wash is a light bathing alternative but the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo can be
used instead for extra shine - again just a light squirt to the
water. Roughly ½ tspn to a gallon just to get the cleansing
action happening.
Then mix the shampoo 10:1
i.e. 10 parts water to one part shampoo in a jug or squeezy bottle
and apply to the coat where needed. I rarely need shampoo on the
main body of the coat with the above technique.
For the whites, I use the
P.P. Whitening Shampoo
at around 3:1 for that pearly, white finish. This will not lighten
or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. Should
a more creamy white be desired, then use the P.P. DeepCleansing Shampoo which does
have a mild clarifying action.
I don't use a conditioner.
Conditioners flatten and soften and I like to see a fuller look
to the coat. I do need to hydrate the coat and maintain that
texture and shine and use instead the P.P. Seabreeze Oil at 1 tbspn to one gal/4
litres water. After shampooing and squeezing the excess moisture
from the coat, thoroughly saturate with the oil mixture and leave
in - do not rinse out. This is wonderful on the coat and skin
giving fabulous shine and texture to the coat without being greasy.
I show the dogs with this in their coats.
For out of coat situations
use the P.P. Body Building
Shampoo at 5:1 for extra assistance and for a dry old
coat, use the P.P.
Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose at the same
ratio. If the coat is burnt, faded or has rusty tones, use the
P.P. Whitening Shampoo
at 3:1 to tone and kill the unwanted warm tones. Use the P.P. Seabreeze Oil
as instructed above.
Next step is to blow dry.
I mix 1tbpsn P.P. Volumising
Cream to 1 cup/250 mls approx of water and apply thoroughly
to the coat. This gives the illusion of 3 hairs looking like
3,000! I used to just apply this when the coat had shed and we
needed to make it to the show with some coat to look presentable.
However, we liked the effect so much, we use it all the time.
You won't feel this in the coat and it does give extra volume.
New on the scene in the
next few weeks, is the P.P. Puffy Dog - a strong hold mousse that
does have a lift effect if you want that extra outline to the
dog, especially around the ruff area. You can use this on top
of the Volumising Cream for more coat and more lift. Great for
most coats where extra lift is needed.
If the coat is overly dry
and looking too puffy, use the P.P. Blow Dry Cream 1 tbspn to
1 cup water and apply thoroughly. This will instantly flatten
and soften those dry, brittle areas, especially on the toplines
that tend to frazzle with flipped ends when older.
Use the P.P. Pin Brush
to blow dry. I avoid using a slicker as I find they rip the coats
to bits when wet and I like the effect of getting right to the
skin with the pin brush when the coat is dry. I then get into
the coat and line comb with a metal Poodle comb. I hate anything
that just fluffs over the top of the coat. Blow dry with the
brush and hands pushing the coat forwards towards the head for
maximum lift. It will settle down over night and follow the outline
of the dog as required.
Show day - use the P.P.
Coverup Cream - a small amount dabbed lightly onto the legs, face,
inside ears, elbows etc with a barely damp sponge. Dab lightly
and allow to dry and then reapply in layers hitting it with a
bit of loose chalk if the weather is damp. This will dry it quicker
- just brush or blow out the chalk afterwards.
Brush up the main body
of the coat either with an extra mix of Volumising Cream for more
coat, or P.P. Revivacoat mixed at 1 golfball amount to 1 cup
water for more moisture to the coat. This is an excellent non
greasy moisturiser and can be applied either direct or diluted.
I prefer diluting it for more even distribution to the coat.
Snip off the shaggy hair
around the underneath of the feet and trim whiskers if you wish
- I don't. A good spray of P.P. Odour Muncher for that extra attack
on the judge's senses and a dash of P.P. Pixie Dust sprinkled
judiciously onto the pants and topline for that hint of a shimmer
and finish with a light spray of P.P. Shine & Comb for a final
bit of shine and glamour.
Now it's up to the handler
and judge on the day. Your dog looks good, he hopefully knows
what is expected of him and you have attended to all the 100 little
things that make a winning dog. It's hard work to groom a dog
to this level each and every week. You can't shortcut it and have
the dog look his best - ask the Standard Poodle people or the
Afghan exhibitors! A Siberian Husky can and should look beautiful.
I don't recollect reading anywhere that I am to show an ugly
dog. I know he is not a hairdo dog but he is a regal and noble
breed who can look as good as any of them. His grace and elegance
and hard working attitude with a glamorous presentation makes
him a breed that gets a lot of notice - for all the right reasons.
CHERYL LECOURT
