Coat Care

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

What products do you use on your Show dogs? Where can one find useful info on the coat care and maintaining show coats when in between shows and when preparing for shows? Also being a show dog do these show dogs while waiting earn their Champion title get to act and play like normal pets? Meaning do they get to run around with the other Yorkies whom are not show dogs? Where do they sleep? Are they able to sleep with you in your bed or is it better to keep them in their kennel/crate? Should their bedding be made of satin to help keep their coat from tangling and what not?

[CarlyBaby]

I can only speak for myself and I am new to the "dog show world " I have one dog that I am showing and the other is a pet.They both live the same life.The coat is alot of care,but that's the fun of it for me...or the challenge. I use a variety of products and am always trying new products.My 2 have totally different coats and I use different products on each of them.
They don't sleep in satin beds,only because my boy is still in the destructive stage.Eventually ,yes when I can trust him they will be in satin beds.....satin is easy on the coat. They both go out and play and we have friends with other pet and show yorkies that they all play with.Ours sleep part of the night with us and the rest of the night in their bed beside ours.They live a normal and active life.I'd say the biggest difference is in the time spent on grooming, including wrapping the coat.

Here is a pic of the 2 of them,it's hard to pick out who is the show dog isn't it ?

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

wow they are lovely! and thank you for you input...i am hoping to hear more....i am trying to learn all i can about the Yorkie show world and what is involved...i am hoping to get into showing someday...and learning all i can....i am working with a show/breeder now on getting me a dog that will get me started in the show world...right now it all just seems so scary...lol...so i am hoping that my first show dog will make the transition a bit less scary...hehe...but until he comes along i will take in as much info as I can and go from there...hehe

[gemy]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

wow they are lovely! and thank you for you input...i am hoping to hear more....i am trying to learn all i can about the Yorkie show world and what is involved...i am hoping to get into showing someday...and learning all i can....i am working with a show/breeder now on getting me a dog that will get me started in the show world...right now it all just seems so scary...lol...so i am hoping that my first show dog will make the transition a bit less scary...hehe...but until he comes along i will take in as much info as I can and go from there...hehe

Good plan to study. I hate to be repetitive but again Kirsten McGregor does have a series of videos out : one is on daily maintenance for your show dog(this one I don't have yet) but I have her other two, which I found very helpfull and welldone.

On the products to use, my best advice is first to go with what your breeder is using. Then as your pup matures you might like to branch out a bit. Another thing I learnt that as far as brushes and combs go it is best to get the best you can afford, care for them well and they will last you a lifetime. There are other threads on here that talk about brushes, what people like etc. Then there are threads about different shampoos and conditioners. You;ll find that Maximo and I love to try out different products. Its a lot cheaper on the wallet if you can just get sampler sizes to see what you like.

Razzle lives a relatively normal dog life, but he does live it in wraps right now. How-ever we go swimming, and walking, now that milder weather is coming we'll go hiking too. We do agility once a week.

There is alot of coat care required, plus all the other regular doggy care that happens with a short coated breed. But its so worth it, to see a beautiful, glossy coat.

Have fun with your studies.

[CarlyBaby]

Well said Gail
I want to get that new video too,I think it's just coming available now. I think it will be a great tool for people like us that are new to this wonderful and rewarding world of showing Yorkies.

I love to hear that other people have "show yorkies" that live normal lives.The biggest challenge in all of this is the coat,but living in wraps is a small price to pay to allow them to do every thing a dog with a short coat can do. Really they don't mind the wraps either,I think it's more of an inconvenience for us than for them.

I love trying new products to, I'm now waiting for an order that I placed a few days ago.The products are "Vellus" I've read a bit about them and it sparked my interest. I'll let you know how I like them.

Good luck with your studies xxmxaxrxyxx

[Mardelin]

The products used are different with each dog, depending on coat texture. Also, what you use on a puppy when it first goes in the ring is much different than what you use on it as an adult. But, remember the secret to growing a great coat is nutrition and cleanliness. I bathe show dogs every 4 days.

A must do is training it early on every aspect of the grooming process. Teaching it how to lay still for you on the table while you put up that topknot. How to stand while you trim their feet and iron it's coat.

Oh! back to the topknot....practice, practice, practice. I struggled with it until Marie Cordona gave a lesson. A good hairspray I use "CC" for spraying that tease to give it body, "IT" for setting the topknot and a must have is All Systems Invisible Hold, A real life saver is applying a good gel before drying.

[CarlyBaby]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

The products used are different with each dog, depending on coat texture. Also, what you use on a puppy when it first goes in the ring is much different than what you use on it as an adult. But, remember the secret to growing a great coat is nutrition and cleanliness. I bathe show dogs every 4 days.

A must do is training it early on every aspect of the grooming process. Teaching it how to lay still for you on the table while you put up that topknot. How to stand while you trim their feet and iron it's coat.

Oh! back to the topknot....practice, practice, practice. I struggled with it until Marie Cordona gave a lesson. A good hairspray I use "CC" for spraying that tease to give it body, "IT" for setting the topknot and a must have is All Systems Invisible Hold, A real life saver is applying a good gel before drying.

Those are all great points Mary, it is soooo true about the topknots,practice,practice and more practice. Alot of people wait until show day and it can be a very stressful job to put a topknot in when you are stressed about the show itself.So preparation is vital !! It will save you time and make the whole show preparation experience less stressful and more enjoyable

* This is of course in my own experience , thus far *

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by CarlyBaby

Those are all great points Mary, it is soooo true about the topknots,practice,practice and more practice. Alot of people wait until show day and it can be a very stressful job to put a topknot in when you are stressed about the show itself.So preparation is vital !! It will save you time and make the whole show preparation experience less stressful and more enjoyable

* This is of course in my own experience , thus far *

I really try to get to the show site early, with enough time to potty and excercise before I begin the grooming. I allow myself 1 hour per dog for grooming. Ironing the coat is really nothing, but allowing myself enough time to put up the topknot 3 times. There is an art to it and each dog's head, earset is different.

Oh! and always allow enough time for those unexpected accidents.....Always have baby wipes, paper towels, self rinse and a blow drier.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by gemy

Good plan to study. I hate to be repetitive but again Kirsten McGregor does have a series of videos out : one is on daily maintenance for your show dog(this one I don't have yet) but I have her other two, which I found very helpfull and welldone.

On the products to use, my best advice is first to go with what your breeder is using. Then as your pup matures you might like to branch out a bit. Another thing I learnt that as far as brushes and combs go it is best to get the best you can afford, care for them well and they will last you a lifetime. There are other threads on here that talk about brushes, what people like etc. Then there are threads about different shampoos and conditioners. You;ll find that Maximo and I love to try out different products. Its a lot cheaper on the wallet if you can just get sampler sizes to see what you like.

Razzle lives a relatively normal dog life, but he does live it in wraps right now. How-ever we go swimming, and walking, now that milder weather is coming we'll go hiking too. We do agility once a week.

There is alot of coat care required, plus all the other regular doggy care that happens with a short coated breed. But its so worth it, to see a beautiful, glossy coat.

Have fun with your studies.

thank you...i was trying to google for her video's and couldn't find any last night...so i will try again later...unless one of you have a link to where I can get them...hehe

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

thank you...from everything i am reading and hearing the main thing is the coat.....

besides just products you use on hair...what type of nutrition do you find best for the Yorkie coat....

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

thank you...from everything i am reading and hearing the main thing is the coat.....

besides just products you use on hair...what type of nutrition do you find best for the Yorkie coat....

Yes, the coat is the yorkie's shining glory. However, it's what is underneath that is more important.

Every exhibitor tailors their dogs nutrional needs to the dog. So many different things out there......You want to feed that coat, but if the dog's genetics aren't there you can beat yourself to death. You also want to make sure what you are feeding the dog is good for the dog's immune system, muscle tone and stamina building.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

ok thanks..

Ok i know here on YT many are against like RC and Eukanuba for the quality of their food but when I go to like some show/breeder website i noticed that is what they feed their puppies because that is what is included in their puppy package...with that being said how does that work...

i myself feed my furbutts Blue Buffalo which is ranked 100% up there...being it is a Holistic food...

so i guess my question is how would i know what would work? i think i just confused myself...lol

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

ok thanks..

Ok i know here on YT many are against like RC and Eukanuba for the quality of their food but when I go to like some show/breeder website i noticed that is what they feed their puppies because that is what is included in their puppy package...with that being said how does that work...

i myself feed my furbutts Blue Buffalo which is ranked 100% up there...being it is a Holistic food...

so i guess my question is how would i know what would work? i think i just confused myself...lol

Each breeder is different. However, most don't feed a one size fits all. What is being fed is very dependent on the dog's needs/digestive system/and what you are attempting to accomplish; build muscle tone, stamina, add or reduce weight, etc.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

ok i guess i will have to look more into this...i think after i do learn most of it i could be some sort of specialist in some areas...just kidding....for every response i am beginning to wonder what am i thinking about getting myself into....but i am one who loves to learn so we will see how far i get with this...

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

ok i guess i will have to look more into this...i think after i do learn most of it i could be some sort of specialist in some areas...just kidding....for every response i am beginning to wonder what am i thinking about getting myself into....but i am one who loves to learn so we will see how far i get with this...

This is a long slow learning process, things you will learn up front and others things you will pick up along the way. Nutrition, genetics, canine behavior, training, studying pedigrees, breeding, whelping take along time to learn......
It's a continual learning process.

What I strongly suggest, is doing what you plan to do, go to shows, let people get to know you......lend a hand....exhibitors can always use help from someone that is willing.....this will also help you in determining the type yorkie you like

Next, if you're really serious, start studying pedigrees, looking for that great breeder/exhibitor's line, where you want to get your show dog from. Remember this person will/should be your mentor.

Next, before you get your dog, start purchasing your equipment, it'll be less painful that way....remeber the cost of the dog is going to pinch that pocket too.