Speaking of haircuts-should I cut this fur?

This looks like a classic case of Sheltie butt to me; and with unsufficient guard hair over to smooth it down. Was your dog ever shaved that you know of?

Bacca's coat is somewhat like this. He had an unfortunate grooming about 2 years ago, where the groomer shaved his butt and his guard hair too. It's still trying to grow back.

In the meantime, everytime Bacca lays down, even after a brushing, he gets up looking "rumpled". I should also add that Bacca's fur is typically Sheltie - a harsher texture

In the meantime, I only suggest what I do, lots of conditioning when I brush. I use either Ice on Ice, Isle of Dogs or Naked Care.

On the butt, you need to think this down considerably.

Where to start?

1) First a brush, then a warm bath to help loosen the undercoat.

2) Then, if you have a high power dryer or even just a blow dryer, dry to just damp.

3) Then pull out all your brushes, combs, slicker etc. I like to start with a rake. Though sometimes, I find the slicker kinda de-knots things first, then I go back to the slicker, and end with the pin brush! I always use a line brush technique regardless of the tool I have in my hand. That means you don't just swipe the brush over the top of the coat. It takes practice, but can be done fairly quickly once you get the hang on it.

You need to part the hair, starting at the lowest part of the body and working upwards. part the hair and brush up. Ideally, each line would only be about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch apart, but I'm sure most of us cheat . I know I do.
 
BarbV said:
This looks like a classic case of Sheltie butt to me; and with unsufficient guard hair over to smooth it down. Was your dog ever shaved that you know of?

Bacca's coat is somewhat like this. He had an unfortunate grooming about 2 years ago, where the groomer shaved his butt and his guard hair too. It's still trying to grow back.

In the meantime, everytime Bacca lays down, even after a brushing, he gets up looking "rumpled". I should also add that Bacca's fur is typically Sheltie - a harsher texture

In the meantime, I only suggest what I do, lots of conditioning when I brush. I use either Ice on Ice, Isle of Dogs or Naked Care.

On the butt, you need to think this down considerably.

Where to start?

1) First a brush, then a warm bath to help loosen the undercoat.

2) Then, if you have a high power dryer or even just a blow dryer, dry to just damp.

3) Then pull out all your brushes, combs, slicker etc. I like to start with a rake. Though sometimes, I find the slicker kinda de-knots things first, then I go back to the slicker, and end with the pin brush! I always use a line brush technique regardless of the tool I have in my hand. That means you don't just swipe the brush over the top of the coat. It takes practice, but can be done fairly quickly once you get the hang on it.
You need to part the hair, starting at the lowest part of the body and working upwards. part the hair and brush up. Ideally, each line would only be about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch apart, but I'm sure most of us cheat . I know I do.
Click to expand...


Well, his butt isn't really the problem-it's his sides that are looking all split-endy. I brush him (was brushing him) up to 40 minutes a day. Now, he has no undercoat left-nada. I brushed him today and it yielded nothing. I think I over groomed. And as stated in the other post he's only 18 months old. I've had him since he was 10 weeks-definitely never shaved. I think the best way to handle this is to take him where a prifessional sheltie groomer can run their fingers through it and tell me what exactly is going on here. I've spent hours and hours and hours grooming my dogs and taking care of them to a fault (nails and fur on feet are are done every week) to have his coat look like such a shambles. I feel like I failed him at being a good sheltie mom because both his parents are just stunning.
 
What my first thoughts were when I saw the picture... was yes... some dry frizzy's but... as she panned the camera to the side... is genetics. And, the only to get this hair under control is daily missing with a heavy conditioner and combing the hair down in the direction it needs to go. And, when I'm talking this... I'm seriously talking experience. I want to share some photos with ya'll. As a breeder/exhibitor I'm not one to share awful photo's... but in this case..... through pictures, I'm going to share my several years of learning to groom the sheltie coat... by guidance from professionals.
When I first started in shelties... I generally would do a good brush out/line brush once a week.
This is my litter mates, brother/sister, at around six months of age. https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762026304659077138
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762026209967007746
You can tell these guys are brushed out, but look at the curls!
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762030489440025682
Here is Chance at eight months of age... this picture was taking with lots of gel and hairspray to tame his curls..https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Export#5762030895097355058
Here is Ellie around a year... this picture wasn't taken level.. so her legs look a little short I'm afraid. Bear in mind with these profile pictures a lot of grooming went into place to make sure the hair was smooth.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Shelties02#5762025655224118706

At around ten months of age... I put Chance out with a handler. Now his handler... had to do something with that mess of curls quickly as Chance had to be in a show around a week later. The fast method of cure for a black dog. He was dyed. Not once, twice.
Through her... I was introduced to daily thorough groom outs... daily groom outs stimulates growth, distributes the hairs natural oils for a healthier coat, and guides the hair to grow in the proper directions. I was also introduced to Isle of Dog products.
Here is Chance coat now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Shelties03#5762033286464585682
And, here is Ellie his sister. His sister was not dyed. I just started following the strict grooming regime.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Ellie#5762026388370993122
These two had quite the coat history. I've never had a sheltie coat do like there's did, before and since. But, was thankful to be taught how to take care of it.
 
SheltieLuver said:
What my first thoughts were when I saw the picture... was yes... some dry frizzy's but... as she panned the camera to the side... is genetics. And, the only to get this hair under control is daily missing with a heavy conditioner and combing the hair down in the direction it needs to go. And, when I'm talking this... I'm seriously talking experience. I want to share some photos with ya'll. As a breeder/exhibitor I'm not one to share awful photo's... but in this case..... through pictures, I'm going to share my several years of learning to groom the sheltie coat... by guidance from professionals.
When I first started in shelties... I generally would do a good brush out/line brush once a week.
This is my litter mates, brother/sister, at around six months of age. https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762026304659077138
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762026209967007746
You can tell these guys are brushed out, but look at the curls!
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/AnniePups#5762030489440025682
Here is Chance at eight months of age... this picture was taking with lots of gel and hairspray to tame his curls..https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Export#5762030895097355058
Here is Ellie around a year... this picture wasn't taken level.. so her legs look a little short I'm afraid. Bear in mind with these profile pictures a lot of grooming went into place to make sure the hair was smooth.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Shelties02#5762025655224118706

At around ten months of age... I put Chance out with a handler. Now his handler... had to do something with that mess of curls quickly as Chance had to be in a show around a week later. The fast method of cure for a black dog. He was dyed. Not once, twice.
Through her... I was introduced to daily thorough groom outs... daily groom outs stimulates growth, distributes the hairs natural oils for a healthier coat, and guides the hair to grow in the proper directions. I was also introduced to Isle of Dog products.
Here is Chance coat now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Shelties03#5762033286464585682
And, here is Ellie his sister. His sister was not dyed. I just started following the strict grooming regime.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleyc053/Ellie#5762026388370993122
These two had quite the coat history. I've never had a sheltie coat do like there's did, before and since. But, was thankful to be taught how to take care of it.
Click to expand...

(this is the original poster-just have a new username) Thank you for the awesome post! The pictures look exactly like the problem I have. And I do know at least part of it is genetics. The breeder said his mother was nicknamed "Ruffles" because if her waves. Because there is no more undercoat in these areas, should I just use a comb so as not to scratch the skin? And what kind of hairspray is good for dogs (do they make nontoxic human spray?)
 
I would comb.... I'm a firm believer in a good comb. I rarely ever use a regular pin brush except for shows. I do use the wooden pin brush from CC for a quick once over and then I go back and comb through down to the skin.
These are my two everyday grooming tools... they get a lot of use and I generally go through a CC brush every year.
http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cf...vname/Chris_Christensen_Wood_Pin_Brushes_20mm
http://greyhoundcomb.com/cart/index..._id=21&zenid=01544511f126bf385c9ad61e6431c417

As far hair spray goes... I would use only if you want your sheltie to look good for company, or pictures... and give him a bath afterwards... any product like that isn't good for the coat. When sheltis are shown... they look pretty, but they go home and get a bath. As far as what type to use... just do a light squirt of what you use on yourself. When it comes to hairspray there isn't any reason to get fancy. I do find gel works better for super tough jobs, it doesn't make the hair feel stiff... and it is gentler on the coat.
http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cf...d_Setting_and_Styling_Gel_8_oz__1_All_Systems

Be patient, use lots of good conditioner and give you pup a good brush and comb out everyday... you will get the coat of your dreams in time. It may take a good blow/shedding session before you start to see really good results.
Oh, and one hint. I've heard from some sources that a good beer rinse will help straighten the curls. I'll look into that for you, if you wish.
 
SheltieLuver said:
I would comb.... I'm a firm believer in a good comb. I rarely ever use a regular pin brush except for shows. I do use the wooden pin brush from CC for a quick once over and then I go back and comb through down to the skin.
These are my two everyday grooming tools... they get a lot of use and I generally go through a CC brush every year.
http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cf...vname/Chris_Christensen_Wood_Pin_Brushes_20mm
http://greyhoundcomb.com/cart/index..._id=21&zenid=01544511f126bf385c9ad61e6431c417

As far hair spray goes... I would use only if you want your sheltie to look good for company, or pictures... and give him a bath afterwards... any product like that isn't good for the coat. When sheltis are shown... they look pretty, but they go home and get a bath. As far as what type to use... just do a light squirt of what you use on yourself. When it comes to hairspray there isn't any reason to get fancy. I do find gel works better for super tough jobs, it doesn't make the hair feel stiff... and it is gentler on the coat.
http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cf...d_Setting_and_Styling_Gel_8_oz__1_All_Systems

Be patient, use lots of good conditioner and give you pup a good brush and comb out everyday... you will get the coat of your dreams in time. It may take a good blow/shedding session before you start to see really good results.
Oh, and one hint. I've heard from some sources that a good beer rinse will help straighten the curls. I'll look into that for you, if you wish.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I bought a buttercomb (why do they call it that? Lol) from Petco for like $10...I guess I figured a comb is a comb. The teeth arent sharp. But I'm considering chucking my AS 27mm pin because his coat always seems to look worse after I use it-the cheap slicker I have also. The comb I have better results with but you think I should upgrade to a better comb? I almost ordered the "Master Groomer" brand but it seemed no different than the other cheap ones..
 
Lysette85 said:
Thank you, I bought a buttercomb (why do they call it that? Lol) from Petco for like $10...I guess I figured a comb is a comb. The teeth arent sharp. But I'm considering chucking my AS 27mm pin because his coat always seems to look worse after I use it-the cheap slicker I have also. The comb I have better results with but you think I should upgrade to a better comb? I almost ordered the "Master Groomer" brand but it seemed no different than the other cheap ones..
Click to expand...

An Ashley Craig Greyhound comb is an investment. I have had mine for over two years, using it everyday on multiple dogs... it's teeth are still as perfectly straight as the day I bought it. It is painted with an anti static coating, so it probably doesn't break hair near as easily. And, it's extremely light weight.... which is nice when you are doing a lot of grooming at one time. As far as holding up to wear and tear... it is probably the best grooming tool I have ever bought.
The Master Groomer comb, probably is the same quality, or worse, than the one you have. Master Groomer is a PetEdge brand. It was my first comb. And, it was rather heavy and the teeth bent easily.
With just one dog... you probably are fine with what you have. Unless, you just want a better quality... it's your personal choice.
As far as slicker brushes go... seriously... I don't really see how one can be that much better than the other. They all just have wire sticking out of there heads... and really I haven't noticed the wire looking that much different. The CC's wire maybe be a little less stiff... but you can find less stiff wire in cheap slickers too. The handles and perhaps the bed cushion may be of better quality, and the brush may last a bit longer because of that, but as for the gentleness on coat... I just don't see that there can be much difference.
I've never used an All System brush before... but I do know it is widely used by pro handlers... I really don't see that anything would give you that much better results there.
You may get good results from using a Boar/nylon brush once over after you are done grooming out the undercoat. These brushes will not get out the undercoat, unless you line brush very well. It should help you flatten down the top coat and will stimulate the oils and help make his coat healthier.
 
Very interesting stuff you all...when i first began grooming Sally I was not aware of this website and Sally was a rescue and so I had no real grooming coaching,and so i found myself using an old pocket comb :hide b/c it worked so well with line grooming and got out undercoat without a lot of pulling and was easy on my old arthritic hand. I still find this "tool" to work well for us-we don't show or compete but i still want her to look good and have a healthy coat. Sally does have a wavy coat and a dry a rumpled looking rump at times so i find Sheltieluver's pictures very informative. Thanks for the Q/A.
 
hair

Hello I have the same concern and I cut the coat before I read this post and nooooo!!!! Do not cut or trim will get worse I'm going to try the isle too
 
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