BA Bearded Collie 300x257 1

Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is gaining popularity at shows around the globe. This hardy and active working dog ancestry tells you his coat has to be able to withstand a fairly rigorous and cold climate. The Beardie Collie has a double coat with a soft furry undercoat and a close, harsh textured flat outer coat. It ought to fall naturally to either side and the length and density to provide a protective coat to enhance the dog without obscuring the natural lines of his body. No trimming allowed.

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The Bearded Collie

Regarding the preparation of this coat between shows is of great importance to maintain the health of the coat lengths and you can go no further than the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil to do just that. Dilute 1 tablespoon into 1 gal/4 lt. water then either sponge on or sluice well through the coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE OUT.

At this dilution, you will not get a greasy coat but a well hydrated coat with healthy vigour to the hair. This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It just adds all the goodness of Evening Primrose and Calendula Oils for an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It won’t soften the coat but will keep it protected from dehydration and maintain the elasticity of the coat. This is an active working dog so he will tend to be an outdoorsy dog if he is allowed to be himself and this will ensure minimum wear and tear.

For show preparation, start with the Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo for all your blacks and blues as this will not soften but will tone any unwanted warm tones keeping that nice blueish, silvery overtone to the coat. For the browns and fawns use the Plush Puppy All Purpose with Henna for shine and good depth to the light reflect on the hair. Neither of these will soften the coat and dilute for easier dispersion at a ratio of 5 parts water to one part shampoo. Should you have any colour fade on the blacks or blues, use the Whitening Shampoo for tonal effect to deepen the colour slightly. For greater whitening or stain removal use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok, this product is one of our proudest achievements in helping to maintain a white stain free coat. It’s not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but with the use of modern technology and high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin, This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/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.

For dogs with a soft coat that needs to have more texture try Plush Puppy Texture +Shampoo. This shampoo thoroughly yet gently cleanses and deodorises the coats of wire, harsh or coarse coated breeds without softening or compromising 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.

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.

In your final rinse water, add 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream and 1 tablespoon Plush Puppy Swishy Coat to a bucket of water and liberally apply, saturating the whole of the coat. The Blow Dry Cream will flatten the coat and the Swishy will help eliminate the wave and assist with reducing the fly away effects of static. Should the coat be really too voluminous or a puppy coat which doesn’t sit flat, then a bit more Blow Dry Cream can be added to the mix. If the coat is really dehydrated, then a light touch of Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner can be added into the bucket mix as well. I tend to avoid any conditioner on this type of coat as conditioners will soften the texture. Now work into the mid-lengths and ends, a good handful of Plush Puppy Reviva Coat.

You can also use Plush Puppy Coat Rescue as an “in between shows” treatment should the coat need that bit extra. This won’t soften but will re-hydrate and strengthen the coat. Dilute 1 tablespoon of Coat Rescue well into a squeeze bottle with 500ml (16oz) water. Apply to the dehydrated area of the coat with a large sponge and leave in. Do not rinse. Treat as a mid-week treatment.

When drying 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.

Never use a bristle brush to work through a wet coat. It will stretch and snap the coat over time. The coat is at its most vulnerable when really wet. Start with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb. Once you can readily work the comb through the coat, section up the top part of the coat and start blow-drying the underneath lengths with a cool dryer and a Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush. This won’t give you the ultimate in straightening but will be kind to the coat till it is ¾ dry. Then switch to an oval cushioned ½ bristle ½ dialon brush such as the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush. This will give you the smoother finish you require.

Plush Puppy OMG is 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 coat type where you still wish to retain texture, use at a higher breakdown. It will still allow you to brush the dog and refresh to coat without over softening. 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. This is a great moisturiser and reduces tangles and snarls in the coat.

Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash for last minute clean ups. This is a no rinse wet instant shampoo. Spray and foam up and towel off.

Always keep that blow dryer handy for this breed. I know it is a lot of time-consuming work but this dog is sensational when presented beautifully and if you want to win the big stuff then you have to do big stuff to get there.

Plush Puppy Puffy Dog+ is a doggy styling mousse for lift and hold. Apply a tennis ball amount to your hand and work through all of the coat starting at the top of the head ensuring coverage from root to end. Brush up and against the growth till 3/4 dry and then lightly comb into place without flattening.

You want the illusion of putting air into it for fullness and height, allowing you to see that lovely Beardie eye and expression. You can further hold in place by applying Plush Puppy Sit N Stay. Just a touch to the fingertips, warmed through by rubbing together until tacky, then applying at the roots by grabbing down into the coat and clenching the fingers and dragging up to the mid-lengths.

For more coat use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for a quick an easy way to get 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.

To calm the flyaway ends at shows use Plush Puppy Protein Coat Balm. Apply a small amount to both your hands and wipe down the mid-lengths to the ends clumping your hands to a fist with a touch extra of the balm to the ends to add a modicum of weight to the hemline.

Now you have prepared your beardie to their very best. This breed requires a fair amount of attention to his coat, but what a brilliant result to achieve when done correctly. A sight to behold! This breed is always a contender in the ring.

Recommended Products

Bathing Alternatives

Wonder Wash

£15.00£32.00

Styling & Finishing

Seabreeze Oil

£29.00£91.00

Styling & Finishing

Volumising Spray

£25.00£130.00

Styling & Finishing

Protein Coat Balm

£26.50