Hello,

Newbie here.  I am the proud "owner" of two gorgeous Tibetan Terriers - Missy is now 11 and Tilly is just coming up to 2.  Before them we had Sootie - who sadly passed just before her 8th birthday.  I had managed to keep Sootie and Missy mat free by brushing them out each day and giving them a thorough comb (30-45 minutes worth) once or twice a week.  Of course, the odd knot had to be dealt with, but generally they were not too difficult.  My problem child is Tilly.  I have to comb her every day and even then she has a lot of mats in her undercoat.  Both girls get a bath (with special conditioner) about once every two months - more regularly if necessary.  Is it just that Tilly has a difficult coat or is there anything I can do to improve matters?  I don't resent having to comb her every day, but I think the poor girl regards it as some sort of punishment as of course we have regular battles with the knots under her chin/behind her ears/armpits/tummy etc.  Sorry for the long message and do hope someone can help.  Thanks very much in advance.

I have 3 beardies long coated but of a different texture to tibetan's , I would recommend cowboy magic available from hub just massage it into the knots and ease them out.

I would also recommend the rosewater conditioner .

http://www.hubintsecured.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ehubintsecured%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fCrazy_Dog_Grooming_Sprays%2ehtml&WD=magic%20cowboy&SHOP=%20&PN=Coat_Oils_%2d_Serums%2ehtml%23a5392#a5392

Thanks very much for the tip.  I wonder if Tibs change their coats once they reach adulthood (ie is there a chance that it will change for the better?)

I know my breed coats change they normally get thier full adult coat around 4yrs

I don't know much about Tibs I'm afraid but quite a few of the coated breeds do seem to change coats from puppy fluff to the adult coat and can matt a lot at this stage, so that might be part of it. Can her breeder offer any grooming advice? Perhaps an undercoat rake might help to keep things under control?

Many thanks for the replies! I called the breeder about Tilly's coat but she didn't think that there was much else I could do - I use a dematting comb for the really difficult matts.  The trouble is, I have to use it every day - and, if I skip combing her for just one day she gets into a terrible state of knots and matts.  As Tilly is nearly two, I imagine she has her full adult coat now, although I may be wrong.  It seems as though her undercoat is very prone to matting. 

Hi,

What colour is Tilly?  Blacks have an easier coat than the sables etc.  she's also at the age where she's probably changing her coat. 

Do you use a spray before brushing?  Never groom a TT without some form of conditioning spray.  If your dog will lie on her side it's easier to do layer by layer.  If she won't you'll need to buy some of those clips that hold the hair up so you can get right to the undercoat.  Use a brush first (I use a pin brush without the round pin heads iykwim)  then I use a wide tooth comb, then a smaller tooth comb.  If you can bear it, a spray oil would help with the matts. 

hth

feel free to pm me

Cheers MADDOG.  Tilly is black - with a tiny bit of white on her chest.  I use a detangling spray before brushing.  She lies on her side for most of it (Missy, our other TT is great and just lies there snoring away until I am done, but Tilly gets a bit fidgety, especially with the matts.)  I used to comb straight away, but indeed now find that brushing first with a pin brush seems to make it a bit easier.  Tilly seems to get a lot of matts in her "armpits", chin, chest and rump. 

It's interesting to hear that she may be changing her coat - let's just hope that that is the case and her new coat is less trouble.  As I said in my first post, I don't mind having to comb her every day, but she has started running away when she sees me get the combs and brushes out!

L

What spray does the breeder us on her dogs?  does she show?  I've never used detangling spray on dogs but I'm sure it does what it says on the tin ;-)

Definitely brush first.

One of my TTs starting changing coats at 2 and a half, a couple of months after I'd been given him (I used to handle him at shows & his owner gave him to me, best present I ever had :-D) Anyway, I thought I'd done some awful to him as he started matting etc.  but he was just changing his coat.  As you can see from the photo, he has a beautiful coat now ;-)

You know, I am not sure if the breeder uses a spray - I never asked.  She does indeed show her dogs - they have won quite a few medals over here in Holland.  I have two sprays - "Tangle Repair" from Jean Peau and "Coat Tonic" from Dog's Stuff.  I also have a pot of something called Kruidenzalf (herbal cream) which is like a sort of waxy goo that is supposed to protect the coat but it just seems to make it greasy.  Both dogs get regular baths with special shampoos (Missy is white and Tilly is black) and special conditioner.

Your boy looks gorgeous - if I can figure out how to do it I will attach a photo of my girls later.  I have to say that Tilly is an absolute tomboy.  Sootie (our first TT) and Missy are such ladies with such grace, whereas Tilly regularly rolls off the bed or falls off her chair.  We have a boat here and Tilly likes to do a Kate Winslett - perching on the front.  I am just waiting for her to fall in  . . .  (She can swim - we checked that when she was young, but she really doesn't like to!)

Again, thank you for your hints and tips.  How many TT's do you have?