I have to write an assignment and one of the questions is a 'detailed description of the breed style' of a Westie, Sealyham, Scottie, Cairn, English cocker and Miniature poodle. The tutor sort of means the reasons why their hair is short on the back (eg) and long in the skirt etc etc. Apart from the poodle which I seem to recall was short for less water resistance and long for organ protection from the cold, I am very vague on why terriers are styled like they are. Something about the back hair being short for the tunnels or something?? Experts please!!

Wellllllll -- no expert here but...

Barring the poodle, all those breeds ought be stripped, thus leaving a tight waterproof coat in the stripped areas.

Presumably, the longer coat on legs and belly would both protect the dogs skin there, and encourage water to run off.

Em

Well, as the only person to have helped at all, thank you very much! :-)

aww Lucy, I would have been happy to help but I don't know anything about the above mentioned breeds.
But I could have talked all night about leonbergers ;)

There must be some guys out there with the above breeds? Anyone?

This site seems to give some decent info on Poodle clips:

http://www.poodlehistory.org/PGROOM.HTM

M.

That's a fascinating link, Marina! :)

Seemed to give a bit more than standard info. Can't find anything on any of the terriers or the Cocker though. If all else fails, I'd suggest Lucy contacts a breed club and asks if they can help.

M.

I don't profess to knowing anything about this subject but I do have an old set of books that we picked up at a book stall at a fete many years ago called 'The new book of the dog'  They were presented to someone for best in show and they are talking about dogs bred in early 1900s.  There are pictures of Westies with short coat all  over - and working spaniels with feathers but not really that excessive coat underneath.  On scanning through the text I can find no reference to coat although it gives the breed standard at that time.  Is it that as showing dogs has become more popular that dogs have been bred for the appearance rather than working.  Perhaps I have the wrong end of the stick.

Sorry for going off on a tangent but I have been reading about poodles in this old book.  There are pictures of a 'corded poodle' which has a very long straggly coat but still trimmed at the face and part way down the body - not a pretty sight.  Do these dogs still exist or did they get called something else - a water dog?  Apparently poodles in Europe were used as draught animals often pulling milk carts.  Anything I can look up that may be of use I will do but any facts that are put in a book this old my have been disputed by modern research.

Apparently the 'corded poodle' is exactly the same as any other poodle - it's coat is just treated in a different way to get it to form cords rather than being brushed out. I knew of someone who successfully corded her miniature poodle's coat a couple of years ago. :) I actually think the cording is rather attractive. :)

I've got a limited imagination - is this a bit like a 'Rasta' poodle ?? :D :D

Daisy

Like dreadlocks? My bro and I have curly hair.  I just leave mine curly but he worked his into dreadlocks.  

Very like a puli.
Pictures of corded poodles.

Looks a bit like a mop head :D :D

Not for me I'm afraid :D

Daisy

must be like a puli because the words you have all used are how people describe mine - rasta - dreadlocks with attitude - and use him to mop the floor!

Looks very cute at the moment because his cords are only about 3"/4" long but very very impractical...

Maxine 

If you could see the pictures in  my book you wouldn't think it attractive.  I wonder if I can scan it to somewhere!  Yes it mentions oiling the coat but for showing all the oil had to be removed. 

I think the white standard in the first link is very handsome!

Floormop :D :D :D

Daisy

I've heard of corded poodles but not seen one. As a groomer I would be highly tempted if I ever somehow found myself with a poodle, to try a different style every few months, letting the hair grow in between. :-) Thanks for the info people!

isaw a pic of a corded poodle not long ago in one of the dog newspapers, i know of a lady on the agility circuit that has one normal coated poodle and the other is corded
carolann