After some advice on the best chalk for westies and getting it to stay in coat?

Some people use normal chalk ( Calcium Carbonate) that you can buy at the chemist,  corn flower or baby talc.

The real use of chalk or cleaning powder is just that for cleaning.

I bath and chalk my dogs up a week before a show then brush the chalk back out. 

Why do you want it to stay in the coat is it for showing?   there are various things that can hold chalk in but best to know why you want to keep it in the coat.

Chalk can also cause irritation to some dogs so that is worth baring in mind.

Don't forget that if you use chalk none of it must remain in the coat when he's in the ring if you're showing him (KC regulations).
:)

JG, is it not the no substance must be in the dogs coat at ANY time during the show?  This is how I read the rules.

I fail to see why you would want it to stay in the coat.  For showing all trace of it is meant to be brushed out,a dn for the normal day to day I can't see why you would want a chalky dog??  Chalk is meant for cleaning, to absorb the dirt and damp from the coat i white dogs, especialy those with beards that get saliva/food stained.

That is why I was also asking the question as can't see any reason to want to hold the chalk in the coat.

One of the problems with chalk also is although it is great for cleaning sometimes when it is left in the feet and furnishings it seems to have reaction so some moisture and that in itself can cause " pinking".

I put chalk in then brush it out.  In addition to brushing out I actually bath their legs and furnishings after a show.

Thankyou for the reply's, i should have explained more in my thread at the moment i use hatchwells chalk powder while stripping their coats i dip my fingers in before going through the coat also through their coats as cleaning tool when their legs and belly's are dirty from walking and once dry i brush out.
the staying question is my long suffering navy blue carpet that is sometimes more white than blue.  

Oh Marydoll :-))) well you have a problem there ;-)  

I am carpetless so not sure what to suggest except to brush out as much as you can.

thanks blue all i can say is thank god for my animal dyson