Question for those that show...

[CanadianGolden423]

Do you have a fancy dog bathtub/grooming table, etc? I plan to show Delta in breed (although when I went to the Specialty last weekend I was quite glad I hadn't entered- she's at a gross stage with no coat, and she didn't look anything like the other dogs!) and I definitely do not plan to spend money on a grooming table. I am not going to be into breed enough for that. My friend used to show and she has a bathtub that I can use, plus she will help me show groom Delta. Do I really need all these extra things? I currently bathe my dogs in the barn using the horse wash stall and horse shampoo.

Samra

[messano]

We just use our household bath for washing the dogs, with a handheld shower attachment for rinsing out the shampoo.
We do not use a grooming table, we put stretch-toweling coats onto the dogs to ensure that their coats dry in a controlled manner and do not curl-up and become unsightly.
We have never blow-dried any of our dogs coats, it should not be necessary and tends to dry the coats out too much.

You have to learn to go with the dogs coat and not fight against the natural lay of the hair. We have dogs with wavy coats which are a nightmare to prepare and literally take all day to dry with the coat being constantly combed, but they look wonderful when dry. We also have 'wash and go' coats which naturally lay flat when drying and are very easy to prepare.
The secret is to recognise the type of coat and use the best method to prepare it.
The competition is usually so tough that unless a coat is looking 100%, you will be just wasting your money if you enter, there will always be a dog in full coat that will beat an out-of-coat competitor!

messano

[GoldenLady1]

I just use the bathtub as well; we have a hand-held showerhead, so it's easy to wet the dogs down and then rinse them off after shampooing, anyway. If you don't have a hand-held showerhead, I've seen inexpensive attachments you can buy to use just for bathing the dogs.

I do have a grooming table, and really appreciate the convenience now - I don't know how I ever lived without one before I started showing. It makes trimming, etc. much easier - especially of the feet. That being said, I've seen people just lay a good, strong board overtop of a metal crate and have the dogs stand on that... Maybe you can try grooming/showing her without, see how you feel, and make a decision after that?

Those forced-air dryers can be pretty pricey, but I find mine is a godsend when it comes to getting ready for a show. As Messano said, you don't need one, but depending on your dog's coat, it can save you tons of time not having to keep on brushing the coat as it dries. I have a Golden with a wavy coat, and if I were to bathe him and let him air dry, I wouldn't want to take him anywhere near a ring. ;) It's true that as long as you keep on brushing the coat, you can get good results, but IMHO you really do get better results with a good dryer. If Delta has a straight coat, it won't make as much of a difference, though.

It's nice that your friend will be helping you out with all the picky grooming! Plus you won't have to worry about buying grooming equipment such as thinning shears, stripping knife, etc. I tend to be a grooming minimalist myself, but I find in Goldens, the hefty competition you run into at a lot of shows tends to "up" the entire level of grooming, compared to some other breeds that generally would need to have the same things done (feet and ears neatened, etc.), but have lower entries and more owner-handlers.

[CanadianGolden423]

I've definitely noticed most people in my area really "faking up" their dogs- fluffing coat, lots of conditioner (leave in stuff), blow drying, primping, etc. Judges seem to like dogs with quite a lot of coat. I don't like the type of grooming stands that just have 4 little squares for the dog's feet- it looks uncomfortable for the dog. Delta's coat is fairly wavy (photos here)here (http://www.geocities.com/sammyzel/delta.html)

so she might need some grooming work.

Samra

[GoldenLady1]

Hey - you must live not too far from me, seeing that she's one of Sandra Esford's dogs! I'm in Southern Ontario, and have seen Sandra in the ring many times, first with her boy Blazer several years ago, and more recently in Agility. I also saw Delta's sire Crash in the ring, pre-OTCH. Nice-working boy! :)

Looking at Delta's coat, I think a forced-air dryer would go a long way towards getting those flips out of her coat. In my opinion, it's the best grooming investment you can make, if at all you can afford it. I use mine on my guys on a regular basis, even when we're not showing - after baths, when we've just been out for a walk in the rain, for cleaning off that mud from the spring thaw ;) , etc. As far as showing goes, if in fact you're in my neck of the woods, I know just what you mean about all the fussing that goes into those show Goldens' coats! The boy I was showing fairly recently has the type of coat that really doesn't puff and fluff too well; it's actually a correct-textured coat, but we see a lot of show Goldens with lighter (in texture), fluffier coats that lend themselves to lots of poofing, which unfortunately a lot of judges do tend to put up, incorrect though it may be. Nevertheless, I did finish my boy. It takes patience, but it can be done. :)

Hope this helps!

[CanadianGolden423]

I'm actually in Maryland- we flew up to pick up Delta. :) Crush's owner, Marcia, has done such a great job with him. He's 11 now. Delta's breeder said that Delta's mother wasn't even Canadian pointed until she was 3, and then she took 3 BOBs and a Group 4. I'm thinking I may just need to wait fro her to fill out. :)

Samra

[GoldenLady1]

It's great that you flew up here to pick up Delta; I did that too with one of my pups, and it was a really neat experience. :) I think you're wise to hold off showing Delta until she fills out and matures some more; she's still a teenager, and at her age, would likely be the youngest bitch in a very strong Open class. Are you planning on handling her yourself?

[CanadianGolden423]

I plan to first bring her out myself. If she seems to be doing okay but no points, I may consider putting a handler on her. I am really only doing breed as a new, interesting thing- I'm much more into performance. I plan to handle her in all performance events. I'd prefer to handle her myself in breed- for me, it's more fun to say I put the title on the dog than that my friend or a handler did. :)

Samra

[GoldenLady1]

Definitely! Winning with your own dog is a great feeling, and to me it's worth the time and work it takes getting there. :) I guess it all depends on how much you enjoy it yourself; I know a lot of people who love to participate in performance events, but really don't like handling dogs in breed - while others love it! Good luck, whichever route you choose to take. :)

[lotagoldens]

Hello Samara,
It is said the most expensive dog item you will ever purchase is your first show collar....because then you get hooked!!!:lol
Seriously, following is a list of items that I feel are necessary for you to be competitive, and for both your own and your dog's comfort.
I strongly recommend getting a grooming table. I even suggest this to my pet puppy purchasers. It's much easier to groom, trim nails, check teeth, etc. with a dog on a table. The Dog doesn't struggle AND it saves your back!! Grooming tables also become a good place for you to sit at shows!!!
A forced air dryer. I don't know how I could live without mine. I have a large one for at home and smaller ones for at shows.
A spray bottle filled with water is a must-have. We use them to give the dogs a little water without letting them tank up. Misting pads will keep a dog from slipping on grass or slick mats, and for dampening the coat to blow out waves and crinkles.
A lightweight, collapsable, crate. Even nervous dogs are comfortable in their "traveling home!"
A 2 qt water pail with a double sided clip to hang in the crate.
A Greyhound comb....the world's best Golden grooming tool.
Towels. For flattening coat, for clean-up when your dog walks through mud and needs to be rinsed and re-dryed, and for covering crates when your dog winds up next to an unfriendly canine!
Mints. For you. It is said dogs can tell when a person is nervous by an undetectable (to humans) change in their breath. Popping a mint into your mouth before going into the ring covers this scent.
Hope this helps some!:p
Lotagoldens

[samndig]

So lotagoldens, where do you show? East Coast? Midwest? Do you handle your own dogs?

Just wondering. :085

Sam

[lotagoldens]

Hello Samndig,
I am in the Mid-west and really don't travel too far from home. I handle my own dogs and sometimes assist handler friends with conflicts. (I handled a Norwich Terrier two weekends ago-too fun!)My first champion was finished by a handler (Connie Gerstner-Malagold Goldens)when she lived in this area.
I really do enjoy the sport!
Lotagoldens :048

[CanadianGolden423]

I know Malagold- my pup is linebred on Beckwith's Malagold Flash who was, as you probably know, the only Golden (and I believe the only dog at all) to win BIS and HIT at the same all-breed show. :) He was a great dog.

Samra

[lotagoldens]

"Robby" as he was known is behind some of my dogs as well although not as close and not as often. Connie did not own this particular dog, but was his co-breeder. :)
Lotagoldens

[goldnspots]

My golden is more of a smaller boned type, or field golden, so I am trying to set up a bathing routine for the next 3 months to get the coat in the shape I want. She has not been in the ring for over a year, but stays inside mostly so she is clean.

#1 REGULAR CLEANING
I will wash and blow dry her every other week for about a month. I want to use a top quality shampoo for this and need input. One option is Crown Royale Biovite Shampoo, followed by Bodifier, and Magic Touch Spray. Another option would be the Chris Christensen Gold on Gold, followed by Thick N Thicker, and then Ice on Ice. I am open to experience suggestions here.

#2 SHOW CLEANING
After I feel the coat is in shape and the blow dryer has done its thing, I will be attentive to the featherings and hocks with more frequent shaping. Bathing will be less intense and more for manageability. So a Day To Day shampoo or one that is made for frequent baths would be best - even though I may not need to bath but once a month, or three days prior to show.

#3 DAILY BRUSHING
I like to spend 30 minutes daily brushing. I mainly use a steel buttercomb. I will be getting a porcupine brush.

Getting the coat in shape, my goals are to add body and volume with the bodifier or volumizer, and drying.

Any comments for feedback is much appreciated.