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The Pekingese is a breed of great character, history, and charm. Their unique lion-like look, with that beautiful face framed with glorious ears along with trailing pants and profuse tail over their back. All this makes for not only a great companion but a force to be reckoned with in the show ring.
Throughout history, many said the Pekingese shouldn’t be bathed for various reasons but mainly to not soften the coat. Some still don’t but others have realised that through technology we have able shampoos that can cleanse without over softening the coat. We shall give our ideas on grooming on both.
The Pekingese coat is a double coat with its longer straight, coarser outer coat and soft thick undercoat. The mane is longer with feathering on the ears, back of legs, feet, pants, and tail. The aim is to have a correct textured coat that is it all its glory of profuse yet not too much to take away from the natural outline and shape.
Washing is important for the health of both skin and coat growth. When bathing use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo at a greatly diluted rate of 1:20 (1 part shampoo to 20 parts water) in a squeeze bottle. This rate reduces the froth and bubbles when bathing and doesn’t cause to soften the coat as much. For those dogs that are out of coat or an area that could use more coat (ears, tail or pants) use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo. This can be used at a higher dilution rate of 1:10.
The Pekingese feature is its face hence why we highly recommend using 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.
For dogs with a coat that is too soft and requires more texture use Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo. This is formulated to retain and improve coat texture. It’s ideal for boosting body and coarseness in coats of all colours and coat types. Formulated to be pH controlled, it can create or maintain texture, is low irritant with a subtle apple fragrance and is easy to rinse out. It is full of beneficial and powerful extracts from the Gentian Root, Juniper Fruit, St John’s Wart Leaf, Hay Flower, Lemon Balm Leaf and Arnica Flower that combine to nourish and vitalise the skin. Use diluted up to 1:10 or apply undiluted directly to areas requiring intensive cleansing. Rinse thoroughly. You can also mix this with the Body Building Shampoo for a milder result on body and texture.
After bathing it’s normal to use conditioner, this however on a Pekingese double coat often softens the coat too much. There are two unique options available, 1 is to use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat. A remarkable “leave in” product designed to moisturise all types of coats without leaving them greasy or feeling oily. It is brilliant for conditioning coats that cannot take a regular conditioner, such as where you need to retain fullness, or coats that need a totally non-greasy conditioning. Great for disentangling and reducing knots. Use by applying small amounts to your hand and massaging throughout the coat but apply more to the bottom half of the ears, all the pants and tail. Leave in for a short while and then rinse. This product hydrates and protects the coat yet doesn’t over soften.
Alternatively, you can use a diluted mix of Plush Puppy Coat Rescue. Coat Rescue has been specifically formulated to help dry or damaged coats. Coat Rescue’s naturally blended essential oils and pure plant extracts help restore strength and elasticity to dehydrated and tired coat hair.
Dilute 1:5 ( 1 part coat rescue to 5 parts warm water) this allows easy application to the coat. The same as Reviva coat apply and massage into the Pekingese coat and extra attention to ears, pants, and tail. Leave in for 5 minutes and then rinse. This is excellent for a treatment to help rehydrate an “old” coat or trying to grow more featherings.
Dry using an oval cushioned ½ bristle ½ nylon brush such as the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti Static Porcupine Brush or the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Bristle Brush or use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush. Everyone has their preferences on brushes. You do need to get into the coat to the skin and lift the coat. You do want bristles that do just that and not skate over the top of the coat leaving a felted undercoat. You should always be lifting and fluffing up. Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb, built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish that reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
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 is infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. It also includes a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat damage.
For those that let’s use the term “Old School” and prefer not to bath, or just those at a show without access to a bath and have had an accident, Plush Puppy has Powder Puff Regular. This amazing powder is a gentle and deodorising way to thoroughly cleanse the coat. A light sprinkle on the coat and a thorough brush is all that is required. The unique ingredients work their magic with no harsh chemicals and leave the coat with a light and fresh lemon and ginger fragrance.
Plush Puppy Powder Puff also comes in a Terrier formula. This is perfect for those softer Pekingese coats that require a little added texture. A very, very light sprinkle is all that is needed. Apply and then gently brush in. A very discrete yet noticeable coat texture difference.
Brushing is the key to the quality and health of any coat. The Peke by design is low to the ground and has a tendency to be a magnet to everything. For brushing and refreshing the coat use Plush Puppy OMG. This is a revolutionary grooming spray that lives up to its name. A light spray of OMG and brushing in allows this product to refresh the coat leaving it feeling wonderful. It separates the coat and leaves the most amazing finish. Use the concentrate form at 1:20 for those heavy coats or as light as 1:40 for that show freshen up (1 part OMG to 20-40 parts water). The stronger the mix the stronger their effects.
Using OMG can be a one-off at shows or during the drying process after bathing. This is also an amazing product for regular brushing as it hydrates the coat reducing stress and coat loss. Its active ingredients smooth the cuticle and protect the coat. OMG never builds up and never goes stringy. A product that took years to develop using amazing technology for maximum effects. A true necessity for the tool kit.
Many Peke people wrap coats for two reasons. One the obvious is to grow coat by protecting the coat from abrasion and dehydration. The other is to allow the dog to more easily enjoy life. That romp in the wet garden, or that playing hide and seek in the bushes with their friends is so much nicer with all that long hair neatly out of the way.
The key to wrapping is making sure there is adequate hydration of the coat. This protects the coat and reduces any matting or felting. An application of Plush Puppy Reviva Coat is perfect. A golf ball size amount into the hands and work through the area before wrapping works a treat.
Traveling with a Peke and those mid-week clean-ups are always a joy. Having those wonderful pants looks so pretty but why oh why is it 10 minutes until ring time !!!! For those show or home emergency’s, there are 2 alternatives. First is 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.
Or secondly, as mentioned before Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular. This is an all natural dry cleaning powder for last minute mishaps. Just toss on and brush or blow dry off for instant clean and deodorising the longer areas of the coat. This can be repeated until the area is clean and dry. This also can be used with PP Wonder Wash to increase drying time.
There are some magic secrets for those that need that added oomph to the coat. Plush Puppy Volumising Spray is that added extra for the finishing touches. A light spray and then brush in. Perfect for those ears to help frame the face. Great for use on the tail or pants to just add that extra volume where you need it. Use Volumising Spray ‘Ready to Use’ for quicker, easier and fuller coat results either before blow-drying or Use to ‘fluff’ up the coat before the show. This is a hair thickener, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable.
At shows, a light mist of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher is the finishing touch on your Pekingese. Apply as part of your finishing preparation for the ring for a beautiful, clean, fresh smell. Different from all the rest! This fabulous deodoriser literally munches the offending odours others just mask. Plus it smells divine.
Well, you have prepared your Pekingese for the show, your hard work and dedication to looking after that coat has paid off. You can proudly take this amazing breed into the ring and making that judge’s heart sing. There is nothing like a Pekingese…..just ask them!
Plush Puppy Australia