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Keeshond

Originally a barge dog from Holland, this medium sized, handsome dog is quite a lively and smart participant at dog shows. Now we are one’s to harp on the importance of that ‘silhouette’ of every breed – that figure the dog cuts out in the line-up on both the stack and the move.

Your quest is to make your dog fit that ideal silhouette of the breed and not the other way around. It is the job of Plush Puppy to help you get there! Do be objective and evaluate your dog to see what needs to be done to present him or her at their best, understanding if they are not compact enough or the tail is not sitting well etc. You can maximise and minimise areas by your coat presentation.

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The Keeshond

Originally a barge dog from Holland, this medium sized, handsome dog is quite a lively and smart participant at dog shows. Now we are one’s to harp on the importance of that ‘silhouette’ of every breed – that figure the dog cuts out in the line-up on both the stack and the move.

Your quest is to make your dog fit that ideal silhouette of the breed and not the other way around. It is the job of Plush Puppy to help you get there! Do be objective and evaluate your dog to see what needs to be done to present him or her at their best, understanding if they are not compact enough or the tail is not sitting well etc. You can maximise and minimise areas by your coat presentation.

Good presentation starts many months ahead with a coat not made in one bathing session, though a better general outline can be achieved quickly. Hair takes many weeks to grow, so good coat hair is a long process.

Now to achieve the ideal outline you will need for that outer coat to be harsh and stand well out from his undercoat. This correct texture and then technique in grooming for the show will give you a lot to work with. We never and certainly mean ever, condition this type of coat. You do not want to soften or flatten this coat and conditioners will indeed do just that.

Best is to oil this coat, having said that, you need one that is water soluble and never greasy. The answer is Seabreeze Oil. Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil is a truly beneficial blend using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.

Add 1 teaspoon to 4 Litres of water, 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 without softening. 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. A key product for this breed. This is the secret to all great coats.

Your standard asks for a harsh outer coat. If you want to retain the coat texture or improve it use Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo.  This is recommended to thoroughly yet gently cleanse and deodorise the coat of wire, harsh or coarse coated breeds without softening or compromising texture. Formulated to be pH controlled, creates or maintains texture, easy to rinse out and low irritant with a subtle apple fragrance. Use at 1:10 ( 1 part shampoo to 10 parts water) or apply undiluted directly to areas requiring cleansing. Rinse thoroughly.

Your coat colour is varying shades of grey, black and cream with the ruff and trousers lighter than the rest. Ideally one should use a toning shampoo that is violet in colour like Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng. This is a lightening shampoo that reduces unwanted warm tones in the coat thus minimising tawny tones and will therefore deepening the colour lost in a dehydrated coat. Always dilute 1:5. You can leave on an area that needs extra toning for 10 minutes if you wish to add that extra tone before rinsing. Great on the lighter areas like the harness markings too.

For extra oomph and lift to the coat, especially when the dog has been shedding and not quite back to normal, use Plush Puppy Natural Body Building Shampoo  diluted 1:3. This shampoo is packed with high quality wheatgerm extract to add texture and body and enhance shine. If you like the toning of the Whitening Shampoo and want the body attributes of the Body Building Shampoo, mix 1/2 and 1/2 and dilute 1:3. Then of course, follow through with your final rinse of the Seabreeze Oil. Now that is the heart and soul of your bathing routine.

The head and expression is hugely important in this breed. Try Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This hypoallergenic, sulfate-free and low foaming shampoo is uniquely designed for faces. It’s no tear formula and highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts with Panthenol, Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate will clean, sooth, add moisture, aid healing and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amount directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy of rinsing yet complete cleaning.

For extra hydration and moisture, especially when the coat is beginning to look like it is heading towards shedding, use  Plush Puppy Coat Rescue. Dilute 1/4 cup in a large jug with with 1 cup of water to a watery slurry and work well through the coat after the shampoo and before the final rinse of Seabreeze Oil. Leave Coat Rescue in for 5 minutes and then rinse off. There is everything known to man in this formula. Stick with that and you won’t go wrong. Your texture will be bang on the money and you will maximise the condition without sacrificing the lift.

Now for the tweaking to get that perfect silhouette. I just happen to like lots of lift and to maximise the sturdiness of this breed by lots of body in the coat so like to use  Plush Puppy Volumising Spray. This is a non-sticky, no residue, can’t feel or find it type of product that just makes each hair look much thicker and bigger – kind of like 3 hairs looking like 3,000 as I always say. So for extra lift at shows use this ready to use formula by simply spraying lightly on the coat and either brush or blow dry.

You will need to blow dry and we all know it takes time and for those not inclined to enjoy this process, too bad! The coat does need to be blown 100% dry, using a force dryer. For those that wish to speed up the process try our Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray. FAST 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.

A double coat should be so good that a wide toothed metal comb can run through it without a hitch with no matting or felting anywhere on the dog!

When brushing up use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush, an oval cushioned brush that works and finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.

For final show day presentation you can now go to the show with little to do.

The tail area is important; this is an intrinsic part of the hallmark silhouette of your breed. It must not look like an added appendage but be part of the whole. Use Plush Puppy OMG Grooming Spray. Spray a mist on the tail area and brush forwards towards the head. Now take a tail comb the edge of a large metal comb and part the tail making the part either centre or to one side if the tail has a tendency to swing towards one side.

Brush up with OMG for the whole of the coat on show – using a very weak breakdown of 1:40 dilution of the OMG Concentrate – this is just right for the Keeshond.

Add a mist of  Plush Puppy Odour Muncher for that absolute 100 of the little things it takes to make a winner most of the time, remembering that most people want to do just one thing, if only it were that easy!

There are so many other things such as a hint of  Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. I do say a hint as this will pick up glints of light especially in the sun, but you don’t overdo it. It’s meant to be subtle. If you can see it when you put this on, then you have gone overboard. It looks sensational but needs a wise hand.

For a final boost of shine and lustre, spray a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb 30cm above the coat and let the mist fall onto the coat. By keeping shine to the coat, you instantly give the appearance of deeper and richer colour as the light reflects off a smoother surface better than a rough surface.

Your distinctive breed with his characteristic spectacles is going to look a million bucks out there in the show ring. He is really a very beautiful dog and given all things that he is a good specimen of his breed, you can make this dog something really special. His typical spitz personality is a bubbly happy and energetic one and it is always delightful to see this personality combined with great presentation.