in the hot sun this week i was talking to a chinese crested owner and something came up that we didnt know the answer to. On the basis that only water is allowed to remain in the coat for showing, what is she to do about her C.crested, as she likes to put sun cream all over him before showing outdoors in the hot sun......would it be against KC rules? Just wondering!

Think that unless it could be said to be enhancing the dogs appearance it would be allowed but you would need to ask the KC and no doubt wait for ever for an answer.

Even if it was against the rules I don't think it'd stop people doing it, unless of course all those hair spray can's I see just have water in it ;)

>On the basis that only water is allowed to remain in the coat for showing

The rules say nothing about the skin, only the coat. The crested doesn't have a coat ...

Frontline spray would come into the same category then :-)

> Even if it was against the rules I don't think it'd stop people doing it, unless of course all those hair spray can's I see just have water in it ;-) <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20 height=10>

Very true and all the chalk that no one bats an eyelid to.

I'm a longcoat breed and one of the only one's who's dog isn't doctored lol except for shamppers and condition in the bath.  guess that's how they know I'm fairly new to showing loool.

The rule seems to say that you can use anything you like on a coat as long as it does not remain in the coat once the dog is in the ring.

Chalk is a natural and well known product for dry cleaning and the problem lays in not removing it before entering the ring and I suppose that spraying lacquer to 'set the coat' and then brushing it out would also be acceptable. Coat tests are done and people are fined and stripped of their awards but it is only the high winners that are checked, or so it seems, so it is worth it for up and coming exhibits to take the risk.

Can't see most of these practices being harmful to the dog but it is cheating, however if new comers see it being done by winning dogs they are going to do it as well. I think that rules about practices that can't be policed and stopped probably should not be made unless the practice does harm the dog.

They use the chalk to puff up the coats in my breed and its in the ring.  The cloud if white give it away when the dog shakes.  one exhibiter takes a chalk cake in with her and brightens the dogs when they think no one is watching and yes they are top winners.

Chalk works by removing grease and loose dirt which is why it 'puffs' the coat, it should be removed before going into the ring but if the judges accept it and everyone does it I can't see the point in banning it. If the breed want to stop it then they must take a strong stand against it but if everyone is happy then live and let live.