Borzoi
Expert Grooming Article
Borzoi
The Borzoi originated in sixteenth-century Russia by crossing Persian greyhounds and European sighthounds with thick-coated Russian breeds. The Borzoi was popular with the Tsars before the 1917 revolution. For centuries, Borzoi could not be purchased but only given as gifts from the Tsar. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich of Russia bred countless Borzoi at Perchino, his private estate.
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The Borzoi coat is silky, flat, wavy, or rather curly, but never woolly. Short and smooth on the head, ears, and front of the legs, but much longer on body with heavy feathering on the backs of legs and hindquarters, tail, and chest. The neck carries a large, curly frill that is more profuse in dogs than bitches and comes in a huge variety of colours and combinations.
In preparation of the Borzoi, the coat requires assessment of its current condition and what are the desired results you need to achieve.
Firstly start at the head, the greatest hallmark of this breed. 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. Leave this on until final shampoo rinsing to offer protection to the eyes.
Borzois mostly have a base colour of white. For the general shampoo on a coat in excellent condition use a combination of Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo AND Plush Puppy Natural Conditioning Shampoo. Mix equal parts of the shampoos and then dilute the mix to 1:5 (1 part shampoo mix to 5 parts water). The whitening shampoo will tone the whites and the conditioning shampoo will maintain the silkiness of the coat. Apply to a wet coat, lather, then allow the ingredients to work their magic (5 mins) before rinsing.
Never fear mixing Plush Puppy Shampoos as they are all outcome orientated. You will achieve ALL the individual results of each shampoo and save time!
For any stained areas on any coat type apply for greater whitening 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 time (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.
The Borzoi topline is a hallmark of this breed and accentuates the galloping sighthound silhouette. For this specific area of the coat use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo diluted 1:3 (1 part shampoo to 3 parts water). This shampoo does have enormous lift and bodifying effect to the coat without an artificial feel plus it is wonderfully good for the coat containing naturally sourced plant extracts. Using in this area simply highlights the shape of the topline. This shampoo is excellent for those out of coat times. Can be used overall or just in specific areas needed.
When conditioning a Borzoi use Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner. Dilute 1:10 (1 part conditioner to 10 parts water) and apply a light squish through the longer parts of the coat. This will serve to keep featherings untangled and hydrated. It is not necessary to use a conditioner on the shorter body coat as you risk making the coat fluffy.
If you feel the coat is dehydrated on the shorter areas use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat. This is a unique hydration foam. Apply a couple of golf ball amount to the area and massage in. It hydrates by does not change the texture of fluffs up the coat. Plush Puppy Reviva Coat is excellent for mid-week protection of pee feathers on boys and even girls. Lightly clean the area using Plush Puppy Wonder Wash our no rinse shampoo, towel dry and apply Puppy Reviva Coat and leave in. This product hydrates, protects and closes the cuticle to vastly reduce staining and breakage.
When brushing this coat, always make sure you are using a moisturising grooming spray rather than attacking and potentially damaging a dry coat. Plush Puppy OMG is the perfect product for this coat. A light spray and brushing in allows complete coat refreshing. It separates the coat and leaves the most amazing finish. Use OMG Concentrate diluted at 1:20 (1 part OMG to 20 parts water) or OMG Ready to Use Grooming Spray. The stronger the mix the stronger their effects. Different dogs at different coat stages require different mixtures, so dilute to your requirements.
For grooming and drying use the cushioned oval Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush. Brush until ¾ dry as this won’t stretch the featherings then switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush. This is a half bristle, half dialon brush that will finish by smoothing the featherings. I use the two brushes as it is detrimental to the coat to not overly stretch hair when wet, hence the use of the Pin brush first till almost dry.
This is a breed that many do those devastating coat drops from time to time. For those times which normally occur just before a great show apply Plush Puppy Volumising Cream. Mix at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 cup water and spray well onto the ear featherings or sponge on liberally. Or use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray which is a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for quick and easy fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow-drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the show. A light even spray, brush in until dry or use a dryer. This is a hair thickener to add volume, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable as it leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel. Just perfect for ears and anywhere requiring a bit more lift.
Use the Pin Brush to ¾ dry and either finish with the air from the dryer and your fingers for a more tousled finish. Alternatively you can complete the drying lightly with the Pin Brush for a more regulated but still loose and fuller finish.
Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins will reduce drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
For Show days make sure you pack the Plush Puppy Wonder Wash for the feet and legs in case they get dirty or dusty. This is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for last-minute emergencies that will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray and foam in with the fingers and towel off.
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. It also 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.
All senses come into play when judging and a good smelling dog is nice to touch. Plush Puppy Odour Muncher is sensational in that it kills the odour and leaves a pleasant scent behind.
A well prepared Borzoi is a breathtaking sight. There outline and coat draws the eye of many a judge. Your efforts in maintain the coat and preparation can put a smile on the judges face.
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