Grooming for shows

[ArtfulCharm]

I just started showing my girl this year, we have been to two shows and still have A LOT to learn. I have so many questions, but for now Im wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques they are willing to share for getting your newf ready on show day. I have been taking her to a groomer for the trimming so far (though I would eventually like to do that myself as well). I know some things but am not totally sure Im grooming her correctly before we go in the ring. Any and all tips are welcome!

 

[dfwmiket]

Jeannie has a video on grooming newfs........ not show cut, per se, but it at least provides some good insight. Maybe we can convince her to do an updated 'show' one.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Your breeder should be a good resource to help you show groom. Once you get the basics, observing the other dogs in the ring helps too, to see how the dogs are groomed. You also can ask another person showing their dog if they would groom your dog for the next shows. You can watch and then try it yourself. But knowing how to groom is only the first part. Having the right type and quality of shears is important too. There are vendors at the shows that sell shears, that can help you select a good shear for you. You can see how they feel in your hand as well so they are comfortable to use.
You will also need a high velocity dryer, when you start grooming yourself, to thoroughly dry and fluff the coat before showing.

 

[Jeannie]

There is so much to learn for show grooming. The secret is to make the dog look good but natural. You can do corrective grooming to hide faults. To show groom correctly you need to really understand the breed standard then groom your newf to match that as closely as possible. Of course you have to have a good specium of the breed to begin with. Any good judge is going to find the faults no matter how good the grooming job.

Go to the shows and talk to the others who are showing newfs. The time to do this is when you are not showing your dog but going to learn. Most will be more than happy to give you a pointer or two.

Your breeder should also be a good starting point.

 

[ardeagold]

This is the best link I've seen.

http://www.logrus.trivium.blink.pl/groomingnewfengl.html

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

That is a good link, Donna. I like this one too...

http://www.shadows-eternity.com/grooming_inhalt_e.htm

 

[ArtfulCharm]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I should have specified that I am taking her to a groomer that knows how to groom Newfies the day before we show, so all the trimming has been done. I do know how to trim her myself but dont have good enough shears (or quite enough confidence) to trim her myself when we are showing. So she is blown out and trimmed the day before the show, but I dont know if Im preparing her the right way the morning of the show.

I know some things like combing the hair on the head forward/up with mousse, and combing the hair on the legs up to make it fluff out. I just dont think I know everything. I am learning things here and there, like I think you are supposed to comb the hair on the paws up and fluff it out, which I didnt do my first two shows. I know that so much comes from experience and was just wondering if you guys have any tips or tricks that you use that you are willing to share.

Also, do most of you wet them down and blow dry them every morning? It seems like that would make them the most fluffy, but its COLD at some of these spring shows!

 

[Jeannie]

here is what I do. There is really not much to do before a show once the dog is trimmed.

I mix about 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy in a quart of hot water in a spray bottle. This can be mixed ahead but use hot water so it will mix.

Set your dryer on low and take the nozzle off. Using the dryer blow the hair apart while spraying the grooming spray into the coat. this way you can get it to the skin. You can wet the coat as much as you want but I usually don't get it too wet. This will poof the coat. For the paws I take moose and run through the hair on the top of the paws then use the dryer to set it. I do the same for the hair on the back of the hocks. Blowing upwards so it will be full. Then I use Men's consort hairspray to set it. (It won't be sticky) There are dog grooming hair sprays you can use also.

I do the same as above for the top of the head blowing it forward to make a big floof.

I brush all the hairs on the front of the legs upwards to make the legs look fuller giving them a ' more bone' appearance.

If my dog has wavy hair on the top of the rump I lay a towel over the topline to smooth the coat. I lay it on the dog forward of where I want it them pull it back so it smooths the coat flat and straight. I do this as soon as I finish blowing the plus puppy into the coat - while doing the paws and hocks.

Poof the tail if needed back brush it to make it fuller.

Keep a towel handy at all times to catch drool.

 

[ArtfulCharm]

Thank you Jeannie! We are signing up for our next show today. Hopefully I can have her looking like a real show dog!