Did anyone go to the aussie grooming day run by Tricia Morley I wasn't able to go on that date and ended up with flue for 4 weeks anyway so if booked wouldn't have been able to go. did anyone see what they did to thin a very thick coat out and did they use clipper on any of them. A friend of mine said one that had a big coat looks like it has now has had the clippers on it as it is completely smooth from top to tow from a very long coat.

Years ago I went to a very useful aussie grooming day which was run by Jayne Holligan - it helped me no end with our Aussies - although I have to confess that this autumn we actually had Thor clipped out completely !

He's now 12, and isn't in the best of health, and for the three weeks we had been away his grooming had been somewhat neglected - and with his habit of rolling and lying on a NYLON (eek) carpet, his coat had lots of matts - and that, coupled with the fact that we no longer have a shower cubicle in which to shower him, we decided to take him to the local groomer - a lovely lady.    We discussed the state of him, and I said that I was happy for her to cut out the matts as I felt that they were too large to be teased out.    She started, and then gave me a call, saying that some of them were almost right down to the skin!   So we agreed that he would have a complete clip ....when I collected him a couple of hours later, he looked like a great big teddy bear! - a bit like an old english, I suppose.

His coat is now coming through beautifully - although I'm still debating whether its growing quick enough to keep him warm if the winter comes upon us too quickly.

Oh yes - and the nylon carpet is now no more - we've got that room decorated at last :).

You might be interested in this website about grooming Aussies - it is :- http://www.sealevelaussies.com/groom/grooming.htm

Margot

Hi Margot!  Reminds of the Aussie that was on Victoria Stillwell last week, did you see it?  Looked like it had been clipped all over, very neatly though, and he had no pants!  I will sometimes take coat out of Cody, as he can get a bit boffy looking!  I use a coat king for that, and it does a neat job (it takes out half undercoat, half topcoat).  Have used it on all of the dogs, except puppy!
Hilda

Thor certainly had no pants!!  His knickerbockers, as we've called them, seemed to be the most matted - and with his poor hips, it was very painful to try and tease them out - but they are growing quite nicely again now - as are his feathers & ruff!

I bet he felt a lot more comfortable when he'd been trimmed!  I've got a Colourpoint cat, he's 9, and always hated being groomed, scratching and biting, but he has got the thickest coat there can be, so twice a year I just trim him all over with the scissors (he doesn't mind that), and I always think he looks so much more comfortable afterwards!  If I don't do it, he just ends up a mass of knots.  Was thinking of trying one of those Furminators, will get one at next champ show, might just keep the coat thinned out enough without having to cut it all off.

Thanks for the link, Margot :) :) As you know I have problems grooming Tara :) But grooming her tummy etc has been a lot easier since my daughter gave me an old horse body brush :) :) She actually loves this :) Thank goodness that I don't have to groom her for shows etc :) :)

Daisy

Daisy - I'm sorry - didn't realise that I hadn't given you this before!

When Thor had his coat clipped, it looked as if there was another dog lying on the floor

I wouldn't be without the undercoat rake!

> I wouldn't be without the undercoat rake!

I think I've worn a couple of them out!!! ....mind you, Thor is 12 now :)

I'm not sure exactly what I've got :) - but my daughter and I bought a rake thingy with a blade in it when we were at Olympia last Xmas ??? But it makes such a mess - hair floating around everywhere like a snowstorm, that I have to use it in the garden :) :) Tara hates it :(

Daisy

Wished I had seen that program what was she trying to solve. What size coat king do you use.

Well, the owners had two dogs, the other was a little Pomeranian, and it was just really yappy all the time - the Aussie just started barking at other dogs really, as soon as he could see them out of the front door, and he'd go barking up to them, but he wasn't aggressive or anything - they just wanted to stop the barking.
Can't remember what size the coat king is, I just went to the stall that sold them at one of the shows and was told to ask for the one that removes half top coat/half undercoat, so they sorted me out with the right one.

How many blades has it got and what make. My aussie loves little dogs he is so gently if they run he will chase  but as soon as they stop he stops he loves to play.

ask for the one that removes half top coat/half undercoat,
I've just checked the website and they've changed the wording.  It now doesn't say that it only removed the undercoat! ;) :)

It has got 12 blades, and it's a Mars coat king.  It's the Standard Rake - Fine, with 2.5mm gap between each of 12 blades.  I have got another one with 10 blades, but they said that one removes top coat only.

Christine, are you not booked on the ASCUK Grooming Day with Patty Wirries from the USA in March? If not, I highly recommend coming along... I didn't attend the other one because I don't think an aussie should be trimmed to within an inch of its life, it is a working dog and trimming ears, feet and tail should be enough.
The coat king will take out coat if you feel your boy has too much,

Gabrielle

Yes, I wouldn't use the coat king all over, use it on the top rear end area where the hair does get thick, which can make them look like they don't have a level topline - I couldn't imagine having to trim an Aussie all over really! I don't even trim tail either, if the Aussie has to have a tail, let it be as feathery as possible I reckon!  I think Christine's dog does have a very thick coat all over though, so maybe there are areas that need thinning out, the way I was shown to do Jazz's ruff if you remember, or he would look like he had no neck, it is that thick!  I think if preferable, then as little trimming as possible though, as you say, they're a working dog, no need to sculpture them into shape!

> I don't think an aussie should be trimmed to within an inch of its life

I agree Julie ...the only reason that Thor needed it was because he had matted up so badly - and that was because for 3 weeks he had been rolling on a nylon carpet and not been combed through - and an Aussie without a coat is a very odd sight indeed - and not a sight I hope to inflict upon Thor again

Hi Gabriella (Julie)
I agree to a certain extent but if a dog has a very thick coat it can spoil his outline and as mine dose not have a flat coat can make him look fat. My friend and i are just curious that a dog that had been in the ring with a coat similar to his was like a smooth collie at the club show and my friend thinks clipper have been used if not interested to know what was used to get such a smooth coated look especially as now it is beating me in the ring where before it was the other way round. Yes I am book on the one the day after Crufts I was one of the first to book but in some ways wish I had gone to the other one to get some ideas for Crufts. Its alright if you have a dog with a naturally flat coat.

Hi Gabriella (Julie)
I agree to a certain extent but if a dog has a very thick coat it can spoil his outline and as mine dose not have a flat coat can make him look fat. My friend and i are just curious that a dog that had been in the ring with a coat similar to his was like a smooth collie at the club show and my friend thinks clipper have been used if not interested to know what was used to get such a smooth coated look especially as she is now beating me in the ring when it was the other way. Yes, I am book on the one the day after Crufts I was one of the first to book but in some ways wish I had gone to the other one to get some ideas for Crufts. Its alright if you have a dog with a naturally flat coat.

That is the problem with a thick coat, I have the same with our Cody, when he is in full coat, always get the comment, oh he's put weight on, he likes his food, etc - and he must look fat to people - yet I always make sure we can feel his ribs, so he definitely isn't overweight.  But I wouldn't thin his coat out, after all, if you go in the ring, the judge goes over your dog with his/her hands, so will soon know that your dog is or isn't overweight and whether it has good muscle, which to me has to be more important than does it have a thick coat or not.  What you could try is one of those netting coats - I tried one on Brady, he has quite a wavy coat, but because his hair isn't really thick, it made him look too thin - but his coat was amazingly beautifully smooth - and it will definitely make a dog look slimmer!  They cost about £25 and worth trying. (have sent you the link in email).
Hilda

You have hit the nail on the head. The last show I went to the judge said he looked fat but when going over him he could feel his ribs and muscle but knocked him because it was what he looked like when standing back. When I judge yes outline is important but to me construction and movement is very much a deciding factor not who's on the end of the lead. Just missed out a a chance to judge in Spain as I am too honest and do not give tickets in my other breeds so it has taken me a long time to get where I am, the way things are going probably never will.