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A wonderfully gentle and happy breed, the Basset is an intelligent and hardworking scent hound. Trailing rabbits and such and indeed flushing and retrieving if called upon to do so, his standard requires a no-nonsense all-weather coat and must be hard, smooth and short. Their coat generally does not require excessive maintenance or grooming. However, the Basset owner’s tasks is to prepare them at their best for the show ring.
This breed can be prone to sensitive skins. If this is the case use the gentle Plush Puppy Sensitive Skin Shampoo. Dilute 1:3 (1 part shampoo to 3 parts water) until the condition begins to clear, then dilute further down to as much as 1:10. Repeat at the stronger concentration whenever the condition reappears.
This is a dog who has a few wrinkles here and there and humidity and environmental issues can be a bother to this dog. Keep on top of it before it becomes an issue.
You can alternate the Sensitive Skin Shampoo with the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo which is a great shampoo for shine. Good on all the colours of the Basset. Use diluted at 1:5 for shows and dilute down as much as 1:10 for maintenance.
To add back any lost cool tones to the coat and enhance the whites with a pearly sheen use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo diluted 1:5. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for darker colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones.
Another clever stain reducing product is Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
There are times when a clarifying shampoo is needed. Use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo diluted 1:3 for this. It is specifically designed to remove product build-up and to reduce unwanted stains in dogs coats. Its rich formulation using organic sources with added Green Tea and Seaweed extracts to provide the deepest coat clean available. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, this product can be used on any colour coat for a thorough cleansing and clarifying when required.
When washing faces always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. An extremely interesting fact is that the medicinal benefits of the Blue Cypress Extracts are brilliant to use on the folds and pouches on feet or hocks. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning.
Don’t use conditioner on the Basset as this will soften the coat. I prefer to oil this coat with the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will add shine, hydrate and condition to the coat as it is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.
Add 1 tablespoon to 4 Litres of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It will maintain the texture and moisture in the coat and help protect from the harsh outdoors especially in some of the tougher climates where this dog is required to work. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing for a show. Again leave in and do not rinse. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine. Use the oil also undiluted onto the elbows and hocks to prevent dry elbows and calluses.
Now as the Basset tends to be wilful and stubborn in most cases I recommend keeping a collar on him so as to be able to grab him when you need to! However, collars tend to cut the coats unless you use one of the great Plush Puppy Coat Saver Collars that we have been using for years. This is a variation of the old sled racing collars the mushers use and work brilliantly being the only one we will keep on our top show dogs permanently. When traveling I need to be able to hook that leash on immediately when transferring dogs from the trailer and crates. Keep a collar on them and hence the adaptation of this design to suit our needs and now made available to everyone. They come in several sizes to suit all breeds.
The Basset’s all-weather coat doesn’t need styling products when blow drying except for when he is out of coat, but I do insist you blow dry. This has the advantage of removing all dead hair that even the most rigorous brushing and grooming mitts just don’t seem to find and helps to roll the coat avoiding that dreaded moth-eaten appearance short coats tend to get when shedding. A good strong force of cool air from a dryer does a good job.
Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray dramatically reduces drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains a recently discovered ingredient from the Australian Native Flame It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. FAST is amazing on short coats for a brilliant shine.
When shedding the coat should be sprayed with Plush Puppy OMG. A light spray of OMG and brushing in allows this product to refresh the coat leaving it feeling wonderful. Using at an approximate mixture of 1:20 (1 part OMG to 20 parts water) using this break down form the OMG Concentrate or using the OMG ready to use. The stronger the mix the stronger the affects. Using OMG can be a one off at shows or during the drying process after bathing. An amazing product for regular brushing also even on a short coat as its active ingredients polish and protects the coat. The perfect product to allow all the benefits of putting a moisturising product into the coat. OMG never builds up, never goes stringy. A true necessity for the tool kit.
For show day don’t forget to use the Plush Puppy Coverup Cream on those elbows and white muzzles or areas that need some white cover. When you really need to cover stains your whites or intensify white areas, Cover Up Cream will do the trick. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer. Leave to dry, then blow dry to remove excess or brush.
For brushing and drying use Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Black Boar Bristle Brush. This amazing brush allows to remove unwanted loose coat and the pure boar bristles polish the coat for that perfect finish.
Now who would not be tempted to add some glints of glamour with Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. Trust me, this does work and used judiciously, looks brilliant. Just don’t overdo it. Simply add a very light dusting onto your Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush, give it a light tap to tip of the excess and apply with light edgy strokes. Work through against the growth of the coat along the topline, chest and rear into the coat, leaving the shimmer behind on the top. This looks brilliant when showing outdoors or under spotlights. This gives a lovely hint of shimmer and shine.
For a final boost of shine and lustre, spray a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb 30cm above the coat and let the mist fall onto the coat. By keeping shine to the coat, you instantly give the appearance of deeper and richer colour as the light reflects off a smoother surface better than a rough surface.
Add a quick spritz of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher to get him smelling divine and remove any low level odours acquired since bath time.
Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for “those show day” last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. In moments when regular shampooing is not an option, Wonder Wash will clean, whiten and brighten problem areas on all coat kinds.
This tenacious hound is ready for the ring. He can power around that ring despite those shorter legs and moves with a great deal of coordination and purpose. He looks fabulous and his engaging personality and quick intelligence makes him a delightful and exciting pick for any judge. Their affectionate and appealing dispositions make them a wonderful and worthy competitor.
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