Difficult Shih Coat

[D'tails]

I have a new Shih with a very unusual coat. I have never seen one like this since most tend to have those very cottony coats like mush.

First off this one is solid cream - I actually thought it was a maltese when they walked it carrying it. The dog was almost in full coat, and they wanted it taken short but still fuzzy. This dogs coat was a total dream. Nothing but coarse topcoat with not one drop of cotton anywhere on it's body. The type of coat that could be grown to to floor and barely needs brushed because of the texture.

The problem comes into play when trying to shorten this type of coat. The coarse hairs lay flay on the body and when I tried a 4 blade, the hairs want to hug the skin and slip through the teeth. Tried a 5 blade, same thing. Most hairs fall through the teeth and if more pressure is applied, the blade takes "holes" out of the coat.

Anyone have a good technique to use on these types of coats? The owners don't want it taken down shorter than a 4 or 5.

[tia2370]

Perhaps you could try a guard comb in reverse? I like to start high and work my way down so I don't go too short at first. I still find guard combs in reverse to be a bit tricky.

[Kindredkiss]

I would use a longer comb and then scissor or use thinning shears to blend and layer.

[Lucy in the Sky]

Typically withthis type of coat, the only solution I have found is the reverse snap on- I wuold go with a 3/4" comb. It will give you the best finish with the lease amount of grief. I do this on the body and thighs. Usually I can get the legs with the appropriate blade and clean up with thinners.

[Helly]

I use scissors on wet coat. Do a "barber roll"; section the hair, comb it up, cut it, make the next section, pull it up along with a bit of the first section so you can judge length, then cut. Continue down the back, then do the sides. Last of all do the legs by holding the leg straight out in front, comb the hair down and scissor cut. When you dry the coat, you should have a nice layered cut. Use blenders to tidy up any sticky-outies.

[pooh13]

try a #4 comb instead of the blade I also find this works best for goldens you may have more scissor work but the finish groom comes out much nicer IMO

[D'tails]

I thought about doing the reverse snap on but I have never used a snap on in reverse and didnt want to test it on a new client. The coat was so coarse and heavy I was imagining the coat wouldnt stand properly with a reverse snap to get a smooth enough finish.

I do use the hand scissoring "barber roll" pretty much every day and the thought crossed my mind, but using that method to get the "short buy fuzzy' look would be pretty time consuming when going over the entire body + legs. I guess I will just have to talk them into a longer style next time and hand scissor it.

[Particentral]

I use thinners all over the dog. It REALLY isnt that hard or time consuming. I use them over a comb and NOT over a comb, just depending. On those coats, I also use the Speed Feed snapons. They tend to cut better than regular combs and leave that type of coat laying naturally and looking realy fluffy and soft.