Question
Queen
Hello! I purchased two Chihuahua long coat from a reputable breeder. Their names are Queen (Black with White Markings long coat female at 7 months old) & Blondie (Gold & White long coat female at 6 months old). Their first show will be on May 1st to 3rd 2009 on the specialty weekend which I'm pretty exciting and looking forward to it. Both girls are placed under puppy class (6 mos & under 9 mos old).
My main concern is their growing longcoats. I am not expert at grooming or having any knowledge to it. I'd like to learn how to do it in the proper way so I can make their coats looked gorgeous and to die for!
I went to several AKC show rings in the past and I've seen a lot of Chihuahua long coats. I saw MANY beautiful shining thick long coats. I know they will grow their long coat when they are up to 2 years old or so. But I never see this SUPER shining thick longcoat. I have seen pet quality Chihuahua long coat and they are not like show Chihuahuas!
I met some breeders and most of them do not want to share their secret about grooming Chihuahua long coats. Some are not that NICE. Some of them does but little information or good enough only.
My main concern is...I'd like to know what is the best shampoo or any secret that I can make my girls' coats looked so gorgeous shining heavily long coat. I feed my Chihuahuas the Innova Evo dry food and I give them fresh water to drink only. I usually use this shampoo from Petco which is Oatmeal Shampoo with free tear.
So what is your best suggestion? (I attached one picture of Queen for you so you can get the idea of it). Thanks!!
Oh! One more thing, I bath them probably 1 time a month or sometime twice in a month. I heard if you bath the dog's coat too often then it will dry coat out. Is that right? How many times should I bath them? :)
*NOTE: Queen's father is smooth coat and Queen's mother is smooth coat as well. Blondie's father is long coat and Blondie's mother is smooth coat. I hope it helps you in some way just in case if you want to make a point out of this. :)
AnswerWell George, you've taken the plunge into the nether-world of dog show politics.
Dogs that get shown are bathed as many times as they go into the ring. Sometimes 2-3 times a day. They are puffed fluffed sprayed chalked texturized teased out fussed with all day long every day and then some! So once a month won't cut it. Invest in a good blow dryer as well.
I have to tell you the truth here that breeders who show their dogs rarely sell the good ones. They keep them or make contracts for you to commit to showing and breeding. It's a closed society unless you can wiggle your way into the inner sanctum.
Some of those dogs just have magnificent coats which is why they are blue ribbon dogs. They sell the ones that don't to pet homes.
Did you say you were going to show when you bought the dogs? Does the breeder you bought from show? If not then you will have a hard time breaking into the club. Breeders that don't show are looked upon as questionable. I.E in it for the money as opposed to furthering the breed. I know that some breeds mate smooth to rough and get long hair but I don't know how you get a full coat breeding smooth to smooth of the quality coat your dreaming of.
Start with match shows and talk to other owners - professional handlers are loathe to share their secrets. You kinda have to spy by walking around and making notes of what products you see at the setups. Talk to the companies that sell product at the shows. Cherrybrook is a leading show provider on line and at the major shows. #1 AllSystems, Crown Royal, Magic Coat are just a few of the hundreds of products available. Each product has a lines for different breeds. Go to your breed club and don't be afraid to keep asking questions. They can only ignore you for so long... Get a book on showing dogs. There's plenty out there.
But first you have to grow a pretty thick skin.
I love the personality of Long Hairs so good luck and most importantly enjoy your dogs!
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