Question pertaining to a thread in the show forum...
Submitted by Shannon and Winston on October 14, 2011 - 10:44amJust a question for those who show their dogs. Why is it that bullies need their whiskers clipped and facial hair trimmed/shaved before being shown?
I was reading one of the threads and saw the issue discussed and since I don't have permission to post in there I thought I'd ask over here. Is it a preference thing? Is it to better show off the head structure? Is it something else entirely? I get why poodles and schnauzers have particular cuts, but with a bully I never gave it much thought...so now I'm intrigued. :)
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Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
Grooming
While there is not alot you need to do with a bulldog as far as grooming goes there are the minimums and you could liken the face shaved, whiskers clipped...to a man with stubble. It is just not a clean look and you don't look like you have prepared the dog for the ring. IMO a judge would definitely consider you a newbie having not prepared to enter the ring, without a properly groomed dog.
There is alot you can do in grooming a bulldog for show and trust me it does make a difference. Some of the best grooming I have seen is done by the top breeders from Mexico. Their bulldogs are groomed to perfection for the ring.
A shaven face (the black gets shaved close with a razor or fine clipper blade and the white is typically not shaved, but the whiskers shoud be clipped close, I clip the scissor each close whisker.
I have not shown a breed that we didn't shave faces, muzzles, and clipped whiskers. It is just a lovely enhancement and when you add some shiner like Silverado Face Glo the black just glissens and the face stands out.
Ester Winning Her major (Pic)
(with me) beating the No 1 Bulldog and National Specialty Winner going Best Opposite Sex over 2 specials (champions). What a thrill this win was.
Nice girl!Harrys first show
Nice girl!
Harrys first show is tommorrow,,bulldog specialty..and I reallsy should spend more time with the grooming..
BUT if I wanted to spend hours grooming a dog I would have a poodle..
He is clean, whiskers clipped..nails dremmeled..and little bits of hair taken off his tail and hind.
thats all I am willing to do to show my "natural" dog.
Mind you, I am not as serious about this show stuff as most..
That is really all you need to do
You can do more and if I'm showing at nationals or a big specialty I will do more grooming (ie chalking, more scissoring, hair thinning, etc) then if I'm showing at a small all breed show. I usually chalk a little between the eyes and on the forehead/skull.
If I was specialing a dog then there would be more grooming for groups.
what a beauty!
She looks like she has a bit of sass to her as well! :)
Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
you learn something every day!
I just had never given it any thought (obviously). It all makes sense when you explain it. :)
When the local club hosts it's specialty show this spring I'm going to try to get up close (as possible) to the ring to check out the "groomed" bullies in person. ha!
Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
just gives the face a nice clean look.....
all my danes and rotties had their whiskers clipped....for show... and i do it to all my bullies even my rescues i keep whiskers off...i just like that clean look....just done for nice polished look....
It just looks cleaner and neater
The judge puts their hands all over the dogs face and I'm sure it feels better to them if it's clean shaven. Also, when the muzzle is shaved, the black pigment shows up much better. Remember, a conformation show is like a beauty pageant for dogs.
Trace at a show in Atlanta