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Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog – An alert, intelligent and faithful friend of the drovers of the great Aussie outback, is a breed that has been around for over a 100 years, easing the burden of working the cattle with his quiet and determined attitude. The no-nonsense persona of these types of breeds lends credence to the myths that they don’t need any grooming or attention to coat and that a quick hose bath is all that is needed. What you see is what you get with the Australian Cattle Dog. If you have not done your homework along the way then you will reap what you have sown which you will be hard-pressed to correct on show day.

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The Australian Cattle Dog

To maintain and enhance your Australian Cattle Dog’s required rain resistant double coat, it is advisable to oil this coat. Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil to add shine, hydrate and condition to the coat. It is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.

Add 1 teaspoon to half a bucket of water (2L), 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. It will maintain the texture and moisture in the coat and help protect from the harsh outdoors especially in some of the tougher climates where this dog is required to work. Use this in place of a conditioner as conditioners will flatten and soften and this is not an ideal outcome for this type of coat. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing for a show. Again leave in and do not rinse. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine.

The silhouette you achieve with the Australian Cattle Dog coat also comes from a good even texture on the coat and we find the best way to keep a good texture without the moth-eaten appearances some of the coats can get when they shed or even with a rolling of the coat, is to blow dry using a force dryer. We know this goes against the belief of a lot of people who purchase a dog such as this so as not to have to blow dry but it does do wonders for the coat. Using a cool, strong, force dryer, after bathing. Dry the coat against the coat growth till ½ dry and then with the growth of the coat to settle it back down. This lifts all the dead hair out and allows you to check the skin for any skin disturbances such as eczema, rashes or scurf. I like this quiet time with the dog to run my hands over his body and check him all over for anything unforeseen and knowing I am doing his coat a great turn at the same time.

When washing faces 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.

Your regular shampoo should be one such as the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo for both the red speckle and the blues which will give a good healthy sheen. Use the Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo to impart a good toning effect, especially if the red speckled coats tend to burn in harsh sun or just fade out as the coat ages. Use all the above at a dilution rate of 5:1 (5 parts water to 1 part shampoo) for a show bath and 10:1 for home maintenance.

Switch to the Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo when the dog is not in full coat and dilute at 5:1. Don’t use conditioner, follow again with Seabreeze Oil. Maintain the coat during brushing with Plush Puppy Reviva Coat. Spray a golf ball amount into a water spray and top up to 1 cup of water. This is a great spray for keeping up the moisture in the coat. Brush with an oval cushioned brush such as the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush which is ½ bristle and ½ dialon. You need a brush that gets down into the coat and doesn’t just skate over the top.

If the coat texture tends to be too harsh due to sun damage, use Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream. Mix 1 tablespoon into 250mls of water into a spray bottle. This will help flatten and relax the coat if it has a tendency to stick up a bit.

For those dogs out of coat use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray. This is a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for quicker, easier and fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow-drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the show. Apply a light even spray, and brush in until dry, or use a dryer. This is a hair thickener to add volume, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable. It leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel. This is also available in a cream Plush Puppy Volumising Cream that can be mixed 1 tablespoon to 500ml (16oz) of water. Mixed through the dog and left in.

When drying the Cattle dog use the innovative Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray that combines clever ingredients to dramatically reduce drying time. It adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains Australian Native Flame Tree extracts known for their hydrating properties that help make a dry or old coat feel and look perfect. It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. It contains a slight hold ingredient for better coat management and a special active ingredient that eliminates static electricity and stops the fly-away’s. A brilliant blow drying spray that halves the drying time.

Due to their ruff and tuff outdoor lifestyle, Cattle dogs can get damaged and dry coats. For this use Plush Puppy Coat Rescue as an “in-between shows” treatment should the coat need that bit extra. Dilute 2 tablespoons of Coat Rescue into a squeeze bottle with 500ml (16oz) water. Apply to the dehydrated area of the coat with a large sponge and leave on for a minimum of 5 minutes. Try ro leave on for as long as possible. We tend to leave on for hours while we do other dogs. Then rinse clear. Coat Rescue helps to put some lost structure back into the hair.

For brushing and refreshing the coat use Plush Puppy OMG. This is a a revolutionary grooming spray that lives up to its name. OMG is the perfect product for this coat type when used correctly. 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 1:30-40 (1 part OMG to 30-40 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. For this type of double-coated breed, a lighter concentration works best. 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.

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 without being too flowery or girly.

You have your Plush Puppy Wonder Wash which is your self-rinse (instant clean) to remedy any last-minute messes.

Lastly, who would not be tempted to add some glints of glamour with Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. Let’s not leave it all to the Poodles and Afghans! Trust me, this does work and used judiciously, looks brilliant. Just don’t overdo it. Simply add a very light dusting onto your Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush, give it a light tap to tip of the excess and apply with light edgy strokes to the topline, pants, and front of your Australian Cattle Dog. Keep brushing against the coat to work the powder down into the coat leaving the shimmer behind on the top. This looks brilliant when showing outdoors or under spotlights. It just grabs the pinprick of light down onto your dog.

The point is, you can do something to make your Australian Cattle Dog even better than before and to help him stand out from the crowd with the balance of power and endurance this breed exudes. The honesty and integrity he displays and the courage and devotion to which he applies to his work and family. Seeing him out in the ring also beautifully groomed and presented and handled with skill that shows what he is capable of. This is a truly admirable breed.

Recommended Products

Styling & Finishing

Odour Muncher Fresh

£11.50£21.50

Styling & Finishing

Volumising Spray

£25.00£130.00

Styling & Finishing

Seabreeze Oil

£29.00£91.00

Bathing Alternatives

Wonder Wash

£15.00£32.00