Expert opinions needed

[spiked_poodle]

I can't tell what kind of coat Uma has. can anyone tell from these photo's? Also, her eyes are always orange in the dark, except the first mo. I had her....then they were sort of yellowish green. She is 9 mo. and in her first season now.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by spiked_poodle

I can't tell what kind of coat Uma has. can anyone tell from these photo's? Also, her eyes are always orange in the dark, except the first mo. I had her....then they were sort of yellowish green. She is 9 mo. and in her first season now.

Very difficult to tell from a photo. But, just looking at her head furnishings and her feet, as well as her body coloration, she appears to be silk.

[spiked_poodle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Very difficult to tell from a photo. But, just looking at her head furnishings and her feet, as well as her body coloration, she appears to be silk.

She does not matt easily, and her hair always falls back into place no matter how I mess it up. She can get a stringy look if not brushed. The hair on her abdomen is a much finer texture, but it seems to be changing. Becoming thicker and smoother stranded. She will get a tangle in her under arms... if someone,my DD, forgets to brush for 4 days when puppy sitting.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by spiked_poodle

She does not matt easily, and her hair always falls back into place no matter how I mess it up. She can get a stringy look if not brushed. The hair on her abdomen is a much finer texture, but it seems to be changing. Becoming thicker and smoother stranded. She will get a tangle in her under arms... if someone,my DD, forgets to brush for 4 days when puppy sitting.

Once again, texture is very difficult to tell from a photo. But, she does appear to be silk. Now every coat texture mattes at some point or another. I do not overly brush my show coates. As overworking them can cause breakage.

[spiked_poodle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Once again, texture is very difficult to tell from a photo. But, she does appear to be silk. Now every coat texture mattes at some point or another. I do not overly brush my show coates. As overworking them can cause breakage.

Thank-you for your input. Now I know what to tell people who ask. I only comb once daily, She doesn't need any more. The little booger is actually starting to enjoy the grooming, and will stand for me to do it. The feet are still ticklish and she gives me this look...like I'm only allowing you to do this because I love you. Again, Thank-you.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by spiked_poodle

Thank-you for your input. Now I know what to tell people who ask. I only comb once daily, She doesn't need any more. The little booger is actually starting to enjoy the grooming, and will stand for me to do it. The feet are still ticklish and she gives me this look...like I'm only allowing you to do this because I love you. Again, Thank-you.

Never brush a dry coat, never comb a wet coat. Never brush a dirty coat. If you are attempting to grow a show coat, the best thing for promoting growth is a clean coat. Bathe every 4 days, I usually brush after a bath while drying. Keep them off of grass, furniture and carpet. Now I know that is totally impossible, but do the best you can. I only let them sleep on satin beds. Make sure you clean eyes daily. As the eye boogers rot the coat and the hair there will become part of the facial furnishings

[tjdmom]

just noticed when you say brush you do mean not to use a comb? Only a brush? is there a special brush you recommend? Someone recommended a slicker brush but i'm wondering if that would cause too much breakage? Someone else recommended a boars brush? Also, when you say you don't overbrush the coat and that you usually brush after a bath, does that mean you only brush every 4 days? Thanks! Theresa

[spiked_poodle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Never brush a dry coat, never comb a wet coat. Never brush a dirty coat. If you are attempting to grow a show coat, the best thing for promoting growth is a clean coat. Bathe every 4 days, I usually brush after a bath while drying. Keep them off of grass, furniture and carpet. Now I know that is totally impossible, but do the best you can. I only let them sleep on satin beds. Make sure you clean eyes daily. As the eye boogers rot the coat and the hair there will become part of the facial furnishings

I do usually brush her coat as I dry it, and I always clean her face daily....she will not eat breakfast until she has been groomed. I have only been using a comb on her dry hair. It is a very fine toothed metal comb. I have started bathing every 4 days, ever since I read that it was better for the coat. I have been using the slicker brush as I dry. Little booger loves it! And yes I try to keep her ground contact minimal as everything gets in her coat!! I would love to see what she looks like in a full length coat!!!! I can hardly wait!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

just noticed when you say brush you do mean not to use a comb? Only a brush? is there a special brush you recommend? Someone recommended a slicker brush but i'm wondering if that would cause too much breakage? Someone else recommended a boars brush? Also, when you say you don't overbrush the coat and that you usually brush after a bath, does that mean you only brush every 4 days? Thanks! Theresa

Slicker brushes are only recommended as a dematting tool, only using the sides of the brush to break through the mat. Spray mat with a detangler and hold fingers between the skin and knot as not to allow the slicker brush to pull. Gently use the sides of the brush and work slowly. Slickers if not used properly can destroy a coat.

No, I don't use a comb, only for parting the coat. And a small facial comb for the face furnishings and parting to put up a topknot. Oh! I do use it for teasing in making the poof.

I use a Isinis brush for drying the coat. I hold them on my lap, back against my chest and start from underneath, tummy first, legs and then put them on their back and dry layer by layer. Then put them on their tummy and work at the facial furnishings. I only use a natural boar bristle brush (Mason-Pearson) for finishing the grooming process, usually at show time.

Best to wash the face after breakfast, and once the facial furnishings are long enough I begin banding them.

[spiked_poodle]

I have been combing from the bottom up. Feet, then legs, and on up. I have been combing from the ends of the hair to the root...is this correct? She only eats dry so I have been grooming befor breakfast....perhaps I should also wash her face afterwards? I rarely ever find hair on the counter or in the comb. Mostly the little booger is on linoleum...she is a bit stubborn on the potty training issue....but she is oh so cute and sweet about it!!!! The whole grooming process takes maybe 10-15 min.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by spiked_poodle

I have been combing from the bottom up. Feet, then legs, and on up. I have been combing from the ends of the hair to the root...is this correct? She only eats dry so I have been grooming befor breakfast....perhaps I should also wash her face afterwards? I rarely ever find hair on the counter or in the comb. Mostly the little booger is on linoleum...she is a bit stubborn on the potty training issue....but she is oh so cute and sweet about it!!!! The whole grooming process takes maybe 10-15 min.

I don't use a comb for the grooming process and only brush after bath, for drying. I start at the root and work down with one stroke, no choppyness. I don't do anything inbetween baths unless there is a matt and only groom the face and head, putting up the topknot daily. Usually keep my show puppies in oil until their coat is long enough to wrap.

[spiked_poodle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I don't use a comb for the grooming process and only brush after bath, for drying. I start at the root and work down with one stroke, no choppyness. I don't do anything inbetween baths unless there is a matt and only groom the face and head, putting up the topknot daily. Usually keep my show puppies in oil until their coat is long enough to wrap.

I think I like your way better! May I ask what kind of oil? I have thought of putting oil on her but did not know what kind. That would definitly help! I have never used a detangler as it has not been necessary yet, but it might be if I do not brush for 4 days. I would like to try this and see how her coat looks. Is the coat saturated in oil, or just put in lightly? Combed or brushed in?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by spiked_poodle

I think I like your way better! May I ask what kind of oil? I have thought of putting oil on her but did not know what kind. That would definitly help! I have never used a detangler as it has not been necessary yet, but it might be if I do not brush for 4 days. I would like to try this and see how her coat looks. Is the coat saturated in oil, or just put in lightly? Combed or brushed in?

I use Emu Oil or Almond Oil, purchased at a health food store. There are 2 ways of applying it. After the bath and to the ends then brushed through or a capful in a cup of warm water and used as a final rinse. I use after 2 bathing sessions and let rest 1 session.

[spiked_poodle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I use Emu Oil or Almond Oil, purchased at a health food store. There are 2 ways of applying it. After the bath and to the ends then brushed through or a capful in a cup of warm water and used as a final rinse. I use after 2 bathing sessions and let rest 1 session.

No wrapping or any thing? Just the oil at this stage? I know the oil has got to be good for their hair...maybe similiar to our hot oil treatments? I have been washing her with........Suave, and pantene pro V conditioner, seems to be working o.k. I like the smell of the shampoo!!

[ironside888]

It is such a Yorkie educational treat to read your replies Mary. Truly, you are a great resource!
Thank you very much .

Hugs,
Lita