grooming for shows?

[Jader]

Hi, we are going to show our Napoleon tomorrow, nothing like waiting til the last minute. We showed him once at 6 mths old and was told we should cut his whiskers off. Is this usually done? or can I leave them there? We do show mastiffs and other then bathing, brushing and making sure they are clean we dont clip anything. So anything we should be doing other than making sure they are clean?
Came home from work and no water so hopefully its on before to long as I have 1 french and 2 mastiffs to bath for tomorrow.

[franp]

Most people clip whiskers,shave the inside of the ears and trim the tail so that the hair is even. The nails are ground so that they are short and neat.

Many people I know also trim the cowlicks on the body as well.

Yes there is allot of grooming to do on our dogs; I was surprised.

[franp]

Well, first off ,pups are registered when they are born..The breeder registers the litter and then the owner registers the pup..

One of the purposes of registration is to prove the pedigree; that your dog is indeed what it really is. That the parents are Frenchbulldogs and thier parents before them and so forth.

As for registering and neutering; who knows which dogs will be show dogs? So all dogs are registered as well.

Initially IMO the AKC was not just a money machine.Things change.But to keep breeders in line? Nope. the AKC has little or no power.

When I spend this kind of money on a dog, I want to know that the pedigree is pure and that the Ch. are indeed legitamate..That is what the AKC stands for , for me.

[Linnysmommy]

I have shown my Lenny a few times. As a matter of fact, we will be showing him this weekend. Yes, you are supposed to cut off all of those wonderful whiskers. I actually cried the first time we did this. He looks so sweet with his whiskers, but he looks sweet without them too.

[miserlou]

:( No WAY am I going to cut off Elsi's whiskers! :eek: I hope this is one of those American things only... The breeder of my Amstaff told me to cut off Iida's whiskers for an American judge. Haven't had one yet, but wouldn't cut a hair off her. Well, let's see what happens with Elsi - we are going to have an American judge the first weekend I'm showing her... :eek: :) Hope Elsi's extra hairs in her ears plus the whiskars is not going to shock her too much. :D

All of you from Europe, who are showing your dogs, do you cut off the whiskars? Are there many who do? :confused:

[BullBerna]

I have shown my frenchie several times but I never cut off the whiskars. Before the show I just wash her and that´s all.

[miserlou]

I raised this grooming question in a Finnish forum, and they were quite terrified of the idea of Frenchies needing any grooming done. Exactly as BullBerna says, wash the dog if he's dirty, but that's it. Finnish people are quite big on showing (meaning that many people attend shows, and not just in Finland but all over the Europe), so I'm assuming this applies to the whole of Europe..? :confused: Well, whatever the case, mine are perfect with their hairs and all, and that's how they'll be shown. :p

[franp]

Well, things are different from country to country..

I don't show my dog, but many of my friends here do.

Personally , I think taking whiskers off is silly. But, then again, I am not showing and I am not a judge..

fran

[Linnysmommy]

I really didn't want to shave Lenny's whiskers off, but I didn't want it to count against him in the ring.

[Bono]

Here in Croatia (Europe) french bulldog need minimal grooming; what I want to say is that they have to be clean, nails should be trimed, ears clean and wrinkles dry and also clean, and this is it. And they have to appear healthy.
I attend dog shows and never did cut Bono's whiskers and I think I never will while it is not necesary in the ring here in Europe :)

[Bono]

Hm...black colour, in our FCI standard black is also not allowed and in one of our forums we had a discussion on this subject and didn't find logical answer because black frenchies can attend our dog shows, Bono is all black with very very little tracks of brindle and was several times Best Of Breed so I also don't understand the standard.
Some judges wrote on judging lists that he should be more brindle but this is not disqualification.

[miserlou]

I believe "Black" is described as having no trace of other coloured hairs mixed with the black hairs, so your dog is actually a brindle. IMO
Devon and Lily

Exactly like this. Solid (seal) black is not acceptable color for Frenchies. Not in any country.

[P.Amber]

So in the USA you should cut all the wiskers? Donut and I have our first show on March 3 and I was wondering which Wiskers need to get cut and which could stay.

[franp]

Yes, all the whiskers; the insides of the ears get shaved..And the "cowlicks" of hair that stand up anywhere.The tail gets evened off as well..That is all I remember,call the breeder and ask for the rest..

Also, you might ask in Handling class, if there is a handler..Or call the Frenchbulldogclub nearest you to find out..And don't forget the nails!:)

[Carolyn]

Was curious about dewclaws and showing. I was watching the Eukanuba show and noticed many had them. Is dewclaw removal optional in this country for show dogs?

[franp]

Was curious about dewclaws and showing. I was watching the Eukanuba show and noticed many had them. Is dewclaw removal optional in this country for show dogs?


It really depends on the Breed and to some extent on the breeder..
FBD standard (AKC) says no surgical alteration..Removal of dewclaws is not considered a surgical alteration..

The CKC (Canadian Kennel Club NOT to be confused with the bogus Continental Kennel Club ; a pet shop registry) does not allow the removal of dewclaws..so Canadian dogs do have them.But Canandian judges will not disqualify an American dog for this..

And there are some breeds that require the dewclaws to remain..I think mostly in the working/herding groups.

[Carolyn]

Yes...I noticed them only on the larger dogs. Wonder why?

[P.Amber]

Yes, all the whiskers; the insides of the ears get shaved..And the "cowlicks" of hair that stand up anywhere.The tail gets evened off as well..That is all I remember,call the breeder and ask for the rest..

Also, you might ask in Handling class, if there is a handler..Or call the Frenchbulldogclub nearest you to find out..And don't forget the nails!:)

Thanks! That is what I thought too. I'm actually lucky enough to have a breeder who has a handler that is going to go over things with me sometime before the show too.

Also Donut and I start confirmation classes together too so we can learn more.

I'm so excite to start showing.