I have been asked repeatedly to do some grooming advice for short coated breeds such as Whippets & Greyhounds. These noble breeds have true working purpose, make affectionate and wonderful companions & are easy, yet dignified breeds to show.
With their short coats and relatively easy natures, they are a great introduction to the show ring for the novice. None of the massive shedding of the double coated breeds nor the wrist wrenching tasks of regular brushing long lengths of coat. Not for them either, the wrapping, blowdrying and coat disciplines of some of the more “hair-do” breeds.
Nontheless, the presentation of these “easy wear/easy care” dogs can still be considerable. I don’t subscribe to the old belief that true working dogs don’t need a fancy finish nor a grooming regime. Gone are the generations that just tossed them from field to showring and expected to win with the mud still clinging to the coat. It’s showtime folks! If you want to cut the mustard with the best of them, then it’s time to do what the best of them do.
The Whippet and Greyhound standards call for a short, close and fine coat. I adhere to the analysis approach of assessing your dog’s coat at this point and then making decisions on what shampoo to use. If the coat is just right then you choose Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo used at a ratio of at least 5:1 (i.e. 5 parts water to 1 part shampoo) or up to 10:1. If you are regularly bathing every week and the coat needs just a freshen up, use the Plush Puppy Hydrobath & Bath Wash. This is a low foaming wash that lightly cleanses and refreshes. It is good for coats that don’t need the texture adjusted. Either use just a few squirts from the pump bottle directly into a hydrobath tank and sluice through or add a dessertspoon to a bucket of water and either tip over or sponge on. Easy and quick to use.
If the coat is too dry then you will need to get some conditioning into the coat. Use the Plush Puppy Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose. Again use at a rate of 5:1 or up to 10:1. The coat should not need a conditioner as such after this but does need to have the moisture content of the coat kept up. Conditioners which are acid balanced will in fact soften the coat but a moisturiser will keep up the quality and elasticity in the coat preventing dry and brittle coats. Plush Puppy Reviva Coat is brilliant and so easy to use. Just a squirt of the nice non greasy foam onto the hand and spread through the coat and leave in. You can use this daily and the coat will just get better.
Grooming is the fun part. A lot of people use a grooming mitt and others a softer oval bristle brush – whatever takes your fancy and you find best to use. I prefer to blow dry with a cool dryer (not cold) to remove all loose dead hair and then use the Plush Puppy Reviva Coat and brush at this point. Now I recommend to not do anymore till next day, show day. Then, use the brush once again or the grooming mitt followed by a few wisps of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust sprinkled lightly onto the coat for inner shimmer. Lightly brush again.
If you have white areas that need attention, then use the Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream, a white paste applied with a damp piece of kitchen sponge. Blend with loose chalk to completely dry. Finish with a light spray of Plush Puppy Shine & Comb. A nice spray of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher completes the picture to appeal to all the senses.
In between shows, continue with the Plush Puppy Reviva Coat applied and left in the coat to protect and moisturise. For heavier duty protection, you can lightly oil the coat with the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil – good if your dog is outdoors in a harsh climate.
This all may seem extravagant and hard work for a seemingly no nonsense dog but good presentation is an important factor these days and your dog has to be a complete picture. All the little things make the difference. Attention to 100 things done just 1% better makes a hell of a lot of difference. These were often dogs of kings and noblemen – why shouldn’t they deserve the royal treatment?
CHERYL LECOURT