I don't have a show dog, but when Fido had long silky beautiful floor length coat once I used Vellus products on him, he looked sooo gorgeus !
I reccomand Vellus
I but shampoo on the coat and rinse twice, and then I put the conditioner in (I mix the shampoo and conditioner with water), I just squeeze the conditioner out of the coat, I never rinse it, the coat becomes more glossy and looks better I think if I don't rinse the conditioner
It's completily OK to leave it in the coat.
Also, I just use a pinebrush (brush for humans made with pig hairs) and a steel comb, I also use combs made of hard plastic or even wood, but steel is the best I think.
Also, I use static spray to spray over the coat when I brush, if it is dry then, never brush dry coat.
When the dog is about 8 months, you have to start wrap
or when the coat is long enough.