Shih Tzu - Bichon Frise Hair... Help!!

[SPCABev]

Have any of you worked on ST-BF crosses with hair like quilt batting? I'm at my wit's end wit this little man's coat. It's thick and fluffy and soft and wooly and fuzzy and... and... shriek!

Normally we use ReFurbish diluted 5:1 as our finishing creme rinse but it makes his coat stringy and weighs it down. It is like polyester fleece, like a stuffed animal. And after a few weeks at home, he resembles a stuffed animal who has gone through a hot dryer.

What can we use instead? In addition? What can we suggest to Mom?

Thanks in advance, oh sage ones!

[D'tails]

Ew. Worst hair ever. I use a clarifying shampoo on dogs with hair like cotton candy, in an -attempt- to lend a tad of texture. Vinegar rinse too. I dont let a drop of conditioner touch it, it only turns it to mush...even more.

[olive]

I do a few, I use Results Rinse.. one has amazing fur for scissoring and this works great for it.

[Poodleluv]

Yes, I know what you mean. That coat type is very difficult. I had one that came every 2 weeks,and whose mom tried to brush at home as well. I felt so sorry for her,even on a 2 week rotation,and with a fluffy trim about 2-3" long all over,the por little girl was almost always borderline too matted to brush out. Twice it has been too much,and she has gotten a smoothie,the only reason I would even dematt her is that she has a good tolerance,and tough skin. Even so,it just wasn't working out,and I felt bad for her,I beleive that these really cottony combo coats can be kept up,but only if the client is totally commited to a complete thorough line brush and comb at least 2-3 times a week. I have some pics on my camera not downloaded yet of a very cute shihxbichon that I had to wetshave the other day too. Her mom was very upset about it,and she had the back brushed out,(kinda) the legs,tummy,chest,were a matted fuzz with some brushed hair on top,very strange. She has made at least an effort to brush,and she comes in every 8 weeks.The designer puppy producers have crossed 2 coats that just don't work out well in this case I guess.

[sittingpretty]

I have seen amny new designer dog, but not this one. I'm not sure what to tell you about conditioners. But I would suggest trying a Coat King on him and see if you can't pull some of that fuzz out of his coat. It would probably make the coat easier to handle.


sittingpretty

[pooh13]

Have you considered adding conditioner to the shampoo? for dogs I want to condition the coat but do not want the added weight I add the conditioner to the shampoo then let it sit for a few minutes then rinse.I get the conditioning effects without the added weigh down.for finishing conditioner I use quicker slicker by natures specialty.tip for mom do not wash the dog at home, do not towel dry if the dog gets wet or muddy let it air dry fully then brush out .mom can also use a leave on coat spray for home use something with essential oils like vit e and lanolin for brushing out.I groom a few dogs like this and brushing takes me the longest time to get through.sometimes the undercoat is so thick I have to use my matt splitter(long teeth not a coat king type) through the coat to reduce the polyester pelting effect so I can get a comb through it

[OntheBRINKofDisaster]

I would try a texturizing shampoo, like Nature's Specialty Almond Crisp. There are A TON of products out now to aid in texturizing and adding shape to hair that is like that. I have a few different combos I do on certain coats, and it's hard to tell without seeing it exactly. Les Pooch has a tearless texturizing too I think. I know there are a couple brands out there that have it. I like the Almond Crisp so I just stick with that.

Anywho, if the coat is really frizzy I'll follow it with Isle of Dogs #51. It's a very light conditioner that adds shine and moisture but not weight or grease. I love it! Also, I'll follow it with a spray. Usually either The Stuff or Isle of Dog's Stand. Make sure to rinse, rinse, rinse. I usually rinse twice on these guys to make absolutely SURE everything is out cuz that coat type absorbs product easily.

[Poodleluv]

An after bath product I have had good success with is Wahl D'Knot misted into the tangles before HV,and stand drying with Matt Zapper. The kind of coat Bev is reffering too is one of the least budgeable ,and least l;ikely to spiderweb,or get matts away from skin though.