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TO THE TIP OF HIS NOSE – The Beagle, this tireless, little hunter is a very work-oriented breed. One can be forgiven for thinking that function is enough to carry him through in a show ring. He is often seen as a no-nonsense breed and the brevity of the coat paragraph of the standard can be deceptive. The show ring surely is more than just the presentation of a dog that can do his job. It has been suggested that the show ring is the forum partly for the evaluation of the parts of the dog and most importantly for the whole of the dog – the type – the visual picture that fills your eye of the dog as expected from the reading and hands-on experience of the breed.
So, it is expected that one attempts to fill the eye with all the glory and majesty of the breed when presenting at showtime. Your breed may be small and he may be a short-coated fellow, but he is a terrific little dog and ought to have all the assets of his breed highlighted and showcased in that brief moment of spotlight time when the judge turns his head to focus on him. There isn’t any mention of clipping, trimming or otherwise – some people do, and some people don’t. If you do or wish to do, then it is still minimal – just to sharpen the outline rather than change it. After all, there isn’t enough hair to change it. A light neatening of the tuck-up with the thinning shears – same with the ridge of hair on the back of the stifle. The tail may need some neatening too.
A cigar-shaped, well-covered tail is the visual appearance to strive for and you may need to snip the strays and round off the tip. The coat ought to have some weatherproof attributes and not be soft. He is, after all, a working hound. You need to be selective in what to use and what not to use so as not to artificially soften the coat yet give lots of moisture to maintain health and vigour.
I recommend you select a shampoo that does not alter texture but gives good cleansing and tone to the white areas. Use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo diluted 1:5 (1 part shampoo water to 5 parts water). 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.
If you need extra heavy duty cleansing on the feet then use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo diluted 1:3 Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo 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.
Should the coat be dry and dull and shine of paramount importance, then use the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna at 1:5. We call this the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. It is wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats.
You make the decision on which shampoo to use based on whether toning for pearly whites is of greater importance at the time than shine.
For extra white or stained areas use 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.
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. 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.
I do not like using conditioner on this breed. It tends to make the coat soft and fluffy. You do need moisture in the coat and yet cannot use anything conditioning. So, the alternative approach is to use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This is the best stuff for that healthy coat bloom and wonderful also for dry scratchy skin. Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil to add shine, hydrate and condition the coat. It is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.
Add 1 teaspoon to 2 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. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing for a show. Again leave in and do not rinse.
Now you have your well hydrated and oiled coat without the greasiness one associates with coat oils. Now blow dry. I know – you think this is a wash and wear dog. Well, the reasons for blow drying are that it gets ALL the dead hair out. The coat always is regenerating, and you don’t seem to get those holes or patchiness with the coat when shedding.
For brushing and drying use the 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.
At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. I know it sounds strange to use an anti-static on short coats but it adds to the protection, include a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat strength for the perfect finished look of the coat. This amazing product is idea for this breed and a must for your tack box.
On show day should you need any extra whitening to any area, apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream with a barely damp sponge. Damp days delay the drying too so apply a little loose chalk on top and let it dry, usually a few minutes and then brush to remove excess chalk. If it takes too long to dry, you have applied too thickly, or the sponge is too wet. I like to layer this product when applying. A light application and allow it to dry and then another on top until the desired outcome is achieved. It will last all day and will wash off with water and shampoo.
Then use powder or chalk as required whilst cream is drying. Brush off excess when dry. Add a tiny bit of Plush Puppy Chalkestral with your fingertips to the whites to assist holding the white powder you apply. You need something to help grip and to protect the coat from abrasion.
Best of all is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Apply with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover. The absolute best for glamorous perfect whites.
Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash with this breed. They are busy little dogs and prone to oops moments, usually just prior to ring time. This 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.
So it’s now your turn for the ring and your supermodel is ready to strut his stuff. A light spray over with Plush Puppy Shine and Comb which is a water-soluble shine – just bliss – non greasy and a good low-level shine that appears natural but very effective. Run your hand over the top line to even out the application.
Last but not least is the fragrance. Plush Puppy Odour Muncher does more than just smell good. It is a deodoriser as well as a fragrance, eating up the nasty odour and leaving a good fresh smell that won’t asphyxiate the dog or the judge.
Want to stretch it and go the whole hog? I just love a sprinkle of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. Used sparingly this stuff is wonderful. Apply a light dusting to your Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush or a Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Brush for this dog, and touch lightly along the top-line and pants and up under the tail to the tip to work the powder down under the top layers of the coat and leaving the shimmer behind. You would apply this BEFORE the shine spray.
So, what have we got now? You have one of the showiest breeds in the dog ring on that leash. His little white tipped tail standing up like a beacon for all to see that he is here and frankly, here he is, gleaming in all his glory for everyone to envy and admire. This is such a tempting breed.
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