A long-time customer with two busy West Highland White Terriers recently asked me, “How do they make Westie heads so round on the show dogs?” He was clearly hoping I could make his dog’s heads look just the ones he saw on Westminster. I explained to him how chalk is applied to show coats and that those round heads are washed after the show. He gave me a grin and said, “Just do your usual.”
While it is impractical for pet groomers to go to the lengths that show groomers do to achieve a breed-appropriate look, there are some things we can do to help mimic the beautiful grooming that show dogs exhibit.
For instance, Westie and similar style heads can gain some extra body and texture in their fur if pet-appropriate mousse is applied when the fur is still damp from the bath. After brushing it through, dry the head, making sure to direct the airflow of the dryer against the natural lay of the coat to give it some extra lift and volume. Once the fur is dry, a light mist of hair spray designed for use on animals will add still more texture to help you scissor and shape the fur in a pleasing manner. It goes without saying that one should exercise care not to get any of these styling products in the dog’s eyes.
Good results can be achieved on those unfortunate poodles that lack curl and body in their topknot and have more of a floppy look going on. Boosting texture with hair products really helps. Shortening up those flopknots so there is less weight pulling the hair down is also a help.
If you are grooming a terrier-type pet dog that has prominent eyebrows or a fall, for example, Schnauzers, Scottish Terriers, or Soft Coated Wheaten terriers, apply mousse to the brows or fall as soon as you have completed towel-drying the dog. Using a fine slicker brush, work the fur so that it lies in the direction you desire. Add a little more mousse and be sure to let the air from the dryer flow in such a way that the brows or fall are dried in the correct position. A spritz of hair spray or gel applied before you scissor and shape the brows or fall will help you achieve nice lines.
Letting hair care products work to improve the texture and body of pets’ coats can make a pleasing difference in the end results of the dogs you groom.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
