Drying: a stage of grooming in its own right

Good drying prepares the coat while protecting the dog's comfort. It deserves a proper place in your schedule, especially before a show.

Dry the coat, not just its surface

MyDogShow tip: start by soaking up the water with a towel, patting or gently pressing the coat rather than rubbing it in all directions.

What comes next depends on the density of the coat, its length and the finish you're after. A short coat, a thick undercoat and cords don't call for the same techniques. Have a professional who knows the breed show you the right method.

Hair dryer or blaster: what's the difference?

A hair dryer uses a flow of air, often heated, to help evaporate the moisture. A blaster blows powerful air that helps drive water out of the coat; some models also have a heater.

Maximum power is not the goal. The setting should suit the dog, the area being worked on and the appliance's instructions.

MyDogShow tip: with a hair dryer, use gentle heat and keep enough distance to avoid burning the skin.

Beginner: three tips to start gently

1. First remove as much water as possible with a towel. Have several towels ready if necessary: a saturated towel absorbs less well. This first step makes the rest of the drying easier.
2. Get your dog used to the noise gradually. Show it the appliance switched off, then introduce short bursts of it running at a distance, with treats. Then start with a weak airflow on an easy area. This training is done before the day of the show.
3. Watch the heat and your dog's reaction. Keep the airflow moving and check its comfort regularly. If it tries to move away or shows worry, stop the session and adjust the settings. Don't aim a powerful blast at the eyes, ears or nostrils.

Intermediate: three tips to dry methodically

1. Work in sections. Adopt a simple order to avoid missing anything: body, legs, then details suited to the coat. Gently part the hair to check the deeper layers, especially on dense coats.
2. Combine with brushing only if the coat suits it. Some preparations use a brush during drying. Others, particularly corded coats, call for a different technique. Learn the technique specific to your breed instead of systematically trying to smooth the whole coat.
3. Check before putting the appliance away. Check the thick, less accessible areas. Don't rely only on how the top of the coat looks.

   MyDogShow tip: keep your dog somewhere comfortable until it is completely dry.

Advanced: three tips to prepare for the show

1. Aim for the look described by the standard. The drying should serve the expected presentation. In the American Cocker Spaniel, for example, the standard looks for silky hair, flat or slightly wavy, with natural-looking grooming. Always adding more volume therefore doesn't suit every breed. [1]
2. Adjust the airflow to the area. A dense part of the body and fine feathering don't have the same needs. Watch how the hair lies and how comfortable the dog is, then adapt the power, the distance and your movements. Follow your equipment's instructions.
3. Plan breaks during long preparations. Organise the work so the dog can change position and relax. At an FCI international CACIB show, it is forbidden to keep it tied on the grooming table for longer than needed for its preparation. [2]

When the coat is dry, watch your dog standing and moving. You'll be able to judge the real result and decide whether a few finishing touches are still useful.

Sources

• FCI: Standard No. 167, American Cocker Spaniel (PDF)
• FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)