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Schnauzer

The Schnauzer breed are a smart looking dog of each of the 3 sizes and 4 colours and have been big winners in the ring around the globe, miniature, standard or giant.

Again, this is a breed where the purists tend not to want to do anything with shaping of the coat and others go gung-ho. If you follow the English standard, it doesn’t say a word about whether you can or can’t shape the coat, whereas the AKC standard specifically mentions stripping and trimming. I am of the belief that if the rules don’t mention it and don’t say you can’t, then it is fair enough to do it.

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The Schnauzer

The Schnauzer breed are a smart looking dog of each of the 3 sizes and 4 colours and have been big winners in the ring around the globe, miniature, standard or giant.

Again, this is a breed where the purists tend not to want to do anything with shaping of the coat and others go gung-ho. If you follow the English standard, it doesn’t say a word about whether you can or can’t shape the coat, whereas the AKC standard specifically mentions stripping and trimming. I am of the belief that if the rules don’t mention it and don’t say you can’t, then it is fair enough to do it.

It does take talent to shape a good Schnauzer. However, it can be learned and once you have the picture in your head of what is to be done, then all else follows readily. Basic trimming and stripping skills can be mastered and all it then takes is patience and a will to put the effort in.

Whatever you set out to do with his shaping, remember that your standard calls for correct conformation being of more importance than colour and beauty. So be mindful that your shaping should enhance his conformation and don’t just follow what someone else does to their Schnauzer whose shape is likely different.

I like to bath this dog. I am aware that the body of the coat ought to be harsh and wiry. The perfect shampoo for retaining texture is Plush Puppy Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo. This product is specifically formulated to retain and improve coat texture.  It will thoroughly yet gently cleanse and deodorise the coat of Terriers and other 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 at diluted ratio of 1:10 (1 part shampoo to 10 parts water) or apply undiluted directly to areas requiring cleansing. Rinse thoroughly.

Use the Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo to tone and clean this furnishings.  The trick is to tone these areas by removing yellow or reddish tones.  Use at the ratio of 1:5.

For deeper whitening and toning 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 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 Schnauzer face is a hallmark. To clean the face without causing eye problems 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.

Drying the body use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti Static Brush. This will flatten the jacket.

For all furnishings use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush. This is the Rolls Royce of brushes! It promises durability and flawless brushed results every time. This dog brush is of ergonomic design to lessen strain on the groomer’s hands while at the same time offering maximum brush contact. A soft, flexible rubber air-cushion houses the strong pins.  These pins penetrate through the dogs coat without excessive pulling on the hair or scratching the skin.  The Ultimate Soft Slicker Brush ensures a gentler, more comfortable brushing experience. This Slicker Brush  is exclusive to Plush Puppy and made using the highest quality materials.

Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb, built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish that reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.

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 using the latest technology is 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.

Dry the head, and you can even use straightening irons on the eyebrows if necessary.  Then apply Plush Puppy Sit N Stay warmed through the hands and smeared onto the brows. This will help hold them in place.

Sit n Stay is a pliable coat shaper for shaping small areas and keeping styles in place. Use for shaping furnishings, root-lifting, hand shaping more bitsy, unkept looks and as a pre-chalker on legs. Highly effective anti-slip product to apply to pads to combat some of those tricky indoor show surfaces.

For thicker looking legs use one of two Plush Puppy products. Either Plush Puppy Volumising Spray or Plush Puppy Puffy Dog+.  Volumising Spray is a ‘Ready To Use’ bodifying spray for quicker, easier and 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.  It leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel. Perfect for legs that need that added density.

Plush Puppy Puffy Dog+  is a firm hold styling mousse but is totally water-soluble and doesn’t build up or get sticky in humidity. Apply work in and then dry.

Dry the legs upwards and full using the Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush until almost dry, then apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer.  Then pack full of loose chalk or even better, Plush Puppy Fairy Frost Regular. This is an ultra white non talc whitening chalk with slight cling. This gives nice white, full legs. Spray with hairspray Plush Puppy Hold.

For the body when blow drying, apply Plush Puppy Ruffy Tuffy Coat Spray to keep the harshness to the coat.  Keep reapplying as you dry until the required texture is achieved.

Ruffy Tuffy will create texture and settle a fluffy, soft or freshly bathed coat and is designed specifically for harsh and short coated breeds where a harsh wire texture is essential. It effectively firms and coarsens the coat by separating and individualising the hairs of the coat, for that unwashed, wired, texturised terrier look. Ruffy Tuffy Coat Spray will not leave the coat sticky.

Don’t forget to whiten on the faces of P&S or B&S with the Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream. Then finish it off with a dusting of loose chalk or chalk block which is easier to apply to the face than the loose stuff.

So, you now have a perfectly turned out Schnauzer. All you need to do now is spray him with the Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit etc. Leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little.

A light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust onto your cushion brush and worked lightly through his rear area, topline and front.

Your Schnauzer is a smart and stylish little person. His free, balanced little gait striding out with good reach and drive combined with your input for snappy grooming for him makes him a formidable opponent in any ring. He is one good looking little dog.

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