Hello, Glen,
I'm going to preface this with saying that in my opinion there is no
one "right" product (or line of products) for all dogs and all coats.
However, I have found that the good folks at Vellus (
http://www.vellus.com click on "pet cosmetics") come as close as any
I've used. It may be that I came from the equine world and knew a bit
about their product line so trusted it. Specifically I use the shampoo
concentrate (which I like because I can dilute it more or less depending
on the job I'm doing), the conditioning concentrate (same reason) and
the Satin Cream (which I use sparingly on show days and also a bit when
shampooing dogs in between times). The cost looks hefty until one
realizes that the huge bottle lasts over a year showing four to five
dogs moderately. (I have the largest size and the pump for convenience
as well as the smaller measuring bottles).
I tend to prefer Ice on Ice for tangles and comb out. I use a tad bit
of it whenever I comb or brush a dog.
I use a drying coat (you can get them from Ellie Mordecai and they are
super: ELLIE could you tell us where your URL is? <G>). Some people
just leave the coat on; I tend to dry the dog through it. (It is mesh).
I personally like the superduck dryer as the stand is a great
convenience and it doesn't make me deaf. (I assume the dogs like the
quieter flow as well). One can also purchase a large dryer called a
"turbo dryer; Sahara pro version" which sits on the floor and can be
directed at an area in which several dogs have been bathed. This is
useful for bathing between shows. I admit, I tend not to use it as much
as I like to go over the dogs one more time when drying them. There are
many systems of doing things; mine is not the "correct" one, but just
the one I use.
It has been said (I think by George Allston) that "clean hair grows".
I happen to agree that combing out the dead hair weekly and a bath does
make a difference in condition of the coat.
Different dogs have coats with different challenges, so you may find
you need other products for a dryer coat, itchy coat, etc. And there are
many products on the market you may want to try.
Now.......I await the myriad groomers on the list to correct
me...<VBG>!!!
Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
Glenn Fulton wrote:
>
> Thanks to everyone. Some specific things I have been wondering is what kind
> of shampoo do you like best? What kind of conditioner? Do you use a spray or
> anything inbetween baths or right before the show ring? What about drying
> techniques? How do you keep the hair from curling? What kind of food do you
> feed? How much exercise is enough? I was told that Cavaliers should look
> natural so they aren't stacked in the ring like many other dogs are? I have
> many more questions but don't want to be a pest!
>
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