Tibetan Mastiff
Expert Grooming Article
Expert Grooming Article
A romantic dog shrouded in the mists of time and legends by the limited access to the Himalayas, the Tibetan Mastiff reputedly travelled with the Romans, Greeks and others and even Genghis Khan. Isolated by geography and politics, he is primarily used to guard the home and family or monastery and monks. Tied to the front gates or post, if travelling with his nomadic owners, he guards the children, home and flocks. He often lives with a Lhasa Apso who guards the inner home and alerts him to strangers or predators.
The overall impression of the Tibetan Mastiff should always be one of substance. This dog must exhibit that powerful, well-built appearance with a good thick double coat featuring coarse guard hair and a heavy mane. It is a stunning dog to behold.
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Download ArticleA romantic dog shrouded in the mists of time and legends by the limited access to the Himalayas, the Tibetan Mastiff reputedly travelled with the Romans, Greeks and others and even Genghis Khan. Isolated by geography and politics, he is primarily used to guard the home and family or monastery and monks. Tied to the front gates or post, if travelling with his nomadic owners, he guards the children, home and flocks. He often lives with a Lhasa Apso who guards the inner home and alerts him to strangers or predators.
The overall impression of the Tibetan Mastiff should always be one of substance. This dog must exhibit that powerful, well-built appearance with a good thick double coat featuring coarse guard hair and a heavy mane. It is a stunning dog to behold.
His coat must retain texture so do not be tempted to condition this coat by conventional means. Use the shampoo targeted for the direct outcome you need as you will be required to alter your selection as the coat ages and blows once a year.
When the coat is in good condition and at full glamour, then maintain the shine with Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo diluted for ease and even dispersion at 1:5 (1 parts shampoo to 5 parts water). We call this the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna stalk extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. All Purpose Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources and also features Alpine and Lichen herbs. It is wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats.
If the coat is a little challenged in quantity or you wish to build a greater illusion of substance, then use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo at 1:5. This shampoo does have enormous lift and a bodifying effect to the coat without an artificial feel plus it is wonderful for the coat as it is primarily naturally derived and infused with beneficial plant extracts.
If the coat starts to acquire rusty tones as it fades throughout the year or is sun bleached, then switch to Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo which a toning shampoo, neutralising and minimizing unwanted warm tones without lightening. Dilute 1:3 and leave on the faded areas for 3 – 10 minutes for maximum benefit and then rinse. Herbal Whitening Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a concentrated and rich formula.
To maintain optimum depth of the colour for truly black coats use Plush Puppy Black Opal Shampoo. Dilute at 1:3 and leave for up to 10 minutes for the best effect. Prior to using Black Opal, thoroughly cleanse with Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo to remove any old products residue. Its rich formulation using organic sources with added Green Tea and Seaweed extracts to provide the deepest coat clean available. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, this product can be used on any colour coat for a thorough cleansing and clarifying when required.
You can try applying Black Opal shampoo undiluted onto badly sunburned areas when the coat is dry rather than wet for maximum coverage. Leave for up to 10 minutes and then rinse. Do wear rubber gloves when using this as it is likely to discolour your hands. This is a totally non-permanent tone and is not a dye. It will not dehydrate or alter the coat or colour. It simply deeply tones the coat colour by staining rather than chemically altering. The desire is to enhance an already correct coat that has sun bleached or faded rather than altering it. I hope that settles ethical debates for some of you.
For the face and head area use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, low foaming, no-fragrance, no-tear shampoo designed specifically for faces. Containing Blue Cypress extracts, Panthenol and Pro Vitamin B it will clean, sooth, add moisture, aid healing and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Apply a small golf ball sized amount directly to the face and eye area. Allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Safe to use in and around ears. Its low foaming design allows easy rinsing yet complete cleaning.
Do not use a regular type conditioner on this dog nor any double coated breeds where you want an impression of substance and thickness to the coat. We want that coat to look as if it is mega! So, as one still has to maintain hydration and protection to the coat, use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will 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 tablespoon 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. Wait until you see how this coat looks after regular usage each week. One week and it looks great, but after several weeks, just fabulous.
I like to at this point get the hard work over and done with and leave show day for as little work as possible. So, to that end, add 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Volumising Cream into the Seabreeze Oil mix to save double handling. This will bodify the coat even more without any stickiness or foreign feeling residue once dry. You are after substance all the way and this is a nice way to get it. Volumising is also available in a “ready to use” formula Plush Puppy Volumising Spray. An even spray on either a damp or dry coat, brush in and then dry.
Dry the coat thoroughly, by using a force drier. To aid drying and reduce the drying time plus adding protection to the coat use 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.
For brushing use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush which works well on this type of coat. The Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush is also great on this type of coat for that through brushing and a finish on the coat when drying.
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.
There are times that over the rump or topline when the coat can become too full and distorts the silhouette. To flatten the coat in this area, try Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream. 2-3 tablespoons broken down into 500mls of water in a spray bottle. Apply to the area needing flattening, brush in and then dry. This product allows the coat to settle, flatten and straighten. Therefore, allowing a cleaner shape and silhouette.
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 protects the coat with a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat.
For grooming and refreshing the coat at the show, use a spray mix of Plush Puppy O.M.G Concentrate diluted to approx. 25:1 (25 parts water to 1 part OMG). This is a terrific grooming spray. Not called O.M.G for nothing. We get rave reviews with this one! Great anti-static and the comb or brush just eases through the worst tangles and matts. O.M.G also comes in a ready to use spray.
For a treatment on an old or tired coat use Plush Puppy Coat Rescue. This is an amazing product that helps rebuild the cuticle, adding strength and elasticity to the coat. Use 2-3 tablespoons to 250mls of water and make into a slurry. Apply using a sponge to the coat and leave in for at least 10 minutes. Longer is better, even just leave in. This will rejuvenate the coat but does not soften the coat. The prefect mid-week treatment to keep your coats in top condition.
Show day a light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust sifted down onto the topline, tail and pants for a glint of shine and interest without turning the dog into a Vegas chorus line number. These little subtle hints of grooming can turn heads without them realizing why. It is all about tweaking and subtle art and of course, let’s not forget the good dog to go with it. These things are not difficult to learn.
Keep in the tack box a tub of Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular which is a dry-cleaning powder for those unfortunate mishaps. Sloppy chops, salivating on hot days, peeing unceremoniously onto that pristine leg, all compound the nerves and agitation that doesn’t need to be. Just a quick toss onto the area and work in well before brushing or blow drying back out. Instant clean and deodorised as well!
There is also a wet, no rinse cleanser Plush Puppy Wonder Wash. This is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for “those show day” last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. In moments when regular shampooing is not an option, Wonder Wash will clean, whiten and brighten problem areas on all coat kinds. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone.
Don’t forget the final things such as Plush Puppy Odour Muncher a unique deodoriser and light fragrance. Just air freshens the coat and great after the dog has been crated for several hours. Hate the musty smell that several dogs crated near each other tend to acquire in transport.
There are many things one can use and do for this breed, but this is your basic underlying routine. Do use a Plush Puppy Coat Saver Collar in between shows. The mane area is of major importance to the overall silhouette of the Tibetan Mastiff and this special collar not only is a semi choker for control but will not cut the coat. You can leave this on 24/7. Good welded ring for safety and won’t hold water if it gets wet.
The Tibetan Mastiff is fast gaining favour amongst the show diehards and truly cuts a picture out there in the ring. I can see the top pro’s catching onto this breed as it has such admirable qualities. That picture of controlled power with high intelligence, that beautiful balance between that massive head and single curled tail falling over the loin and the wonderfully strong but light-footed gait is quite an impressive act. If, as the Tibetans believe, that the Tibetan Mastiffs have the souls of monks and nuns who didn’t make it to people reincarnation, then surely the prayers of those old souls go with you each time too.
Styling & Finishing
Conditioner
Shampoo
Bathing Alternatives
Shampoo
Styling & Finishing
Styling & Finishing
Styling & Finishing