Everyday grooming or show grooming: what changes?

The two types of preparation complement each other. The beautiful Sunday presentation is built long before you step into the ring!

Day to day: maintain, observe, get used to it

Routine care removes dirt, limits the formation of tangles and lets you check the condition of the coat and skin. It is also a chance to teach the dog to accept being handled calmly.

“Daily” doesn’t necessarily mean a full bath or brushing every day. Needs vary according to coat type, activities and the dog’s condition. A routine that suits the dog is better than the same programme for every breed.

At a show: presenting to the standard

The standard describes the characteristics sought in a breed, notably the length, texture and look of the coat. Show grooming has to take this into account.

For the Poodle, the standard details the permitted clips. It also points out that judging at a show is not a grooming competition and that excesses should not be encouraged. [2]

For the American Cocker Spaniel, grooming should emphasise the dog’s true lines and keep a natural look. The standard states, among other things, that electric clippers on the back are not desirable. [3]

A clip that is practical for everyday life may therefore be unsuitable for a show. Before cutting the coat noticeably shorter, it’s best to know what your breed requires!

Beginner: three tips to get off on the right foot

1. Set up a pleasant little ritual. Begin with short sessions, with gentle movements and a reward. The aim: for your dog to accept the brush and being handled without turning every session into a game of hide-and-seek under the sofa.
2. Choose tools to suit the coat. A brush doesn’t automatically suit every coat. Ask the breeder or a groomer who knows the breed to show you the right equipment and techniques. Take the opportunity to learn how to check the areas where tangles can form.
3. Mention your show plans before the cut. When you book, say that you want to show your dog. A single sentence can stop someone cutting a length that is needed for the expected presentation. Check the standard before making any major change. [2][3]

Intermediate: three tips to prepare without improvising

1. Build your schedule with someone who knows the breed. There is no universal rule such as “bath the day before for everyone”. Organise the steps according to the coat and the result you want: maintenance, any suitable clip or stripping, bath and finishing touches.
2. Do a rehearsal before the show. Test your preparation early enough. Look at the dog standing, then moving: does the coat let his lines show? Does the look match the standard? In the American Cocker Spaniel, feathering that is too abundant must not hide the outline or the gait. [3]
3. Check the products, even those labelled “show”. At FCI international CACIB shows, substances that alter the structure, colour or shape of the coat, skin or nose are forbidden. A marketing claim is therefore no substitute for reading the regulations. [1]

Advanced: three tips to refine the presentation

1. Look at the result and adjust your schedule. Note the dates of the grooming and photograph the coat under comparable conditions. You will be able to find the interval between preparation and show that suits your dog, rather than automatically copying another exhibitor’s.
2. Aim for precision, within the limits of the standard. Before touching up, identify what the breed really asks for. For the Poodle, check the requirements of the chosen clip; for the American Cocker Spaniel, keep in mind the natural look and the visibility of the lines. An extra finishing touch is only useful if it serves this presentation. [2][3]
3. Plan a comfortable preparation on show day. Organise your equipment to limit how long the handling takes and build in breaks. The FCI regulations give priority to health and welfare; they also forbid keeping the dog tied on the grooming table for longer than needed to prepare him. [1] The best ally of show grooming remains regular, suitable maintenance. You then arrive at the finishing touches with a well-kept coat and a dog used to the routine: a good basis for approaching the ring calmly.

Sources

• FCI: Dog Show Regulations (PDF)
• FCI: Standard No. 172, Poodle (PDF)
• FCI: Standard No. 167, American Cocker Spaniel (PDF)