Our First dog show

[Guardian Angel's White lightning]

hello,
My mastiff Titan (6 mos) and I are going to our first show on Saturday the 12 of january.  Can anyone give us help or advise on things to bring? We are hiring a handler and shse said the grooming supplies are needed.  He has also developed a wavy coat by his tail, any suggestions on how to remove them from his coat? We did give him a tubbie and then put a towel over him, and pinned it to him, although that did not work very well.  Is there anything else that we an try? Perhaps straightening shampoo or something? please help u@ thank you very much@

Lauren and Titan

[Sillygoose]

Hello! i don't know anything about Mastiffs, but I gather other mature Mastiffs don't have wavy coats by the sound of this. Ask your breeder about it and you can also ask what grooming stuff you have to bring other than a brush. I'm sure someone on the board will have good advice for you.

[Leah...]

I would say all of your regular grooming supplies. A table if you have one, various brushes and combs, a spray bottle of water to keep his coat nice or a wet shammy (that would help with the waviness) also chairs, a crate, a sheet to cover the crate with, maybe a Kong or other toy/bone to keep him calm between times in the ring. Plenty of snacks for you (the days are long!) and lots of water for puppy. REALLY yummy treats are a must because everything they learned will go out the window as soon as they get to the show, especially being handled by someone they hardly know. That reminds me. Has the pup met the handler before? I handle my own dogs, because I'm a Junior, but if I were you I would make sure they are VERY comfortable with each other and know what to expect. Also bring: two or three leashes for the show ring because with a puppy that size in that type of environment they get broken easily.  Keep one on the dog, one in your pocket and one in your bag. Lots of potty bags, a comfy "walk leash". I will think of more, but for now, GOOD LUCK!
Leah

[Leah...]

Oh and for the waviness! I would take a little hair off with THINNING shears and that usually keeps it straighter. Or just keep it slightly damp. I know the Three C's sells some great straightening shampoo also.

[Leah...]

I'm sorry, at first I read it Tibetan Mastiff, not mastiff Titan. LOL. The AKC says this about their coats: "Outer coat straight, coarse, and of moderately short length. Undercoat dense, short, and close lying. Coat should not be so long as to produce "fringe" on the belly, tail, or hind legs. Fault Long or wavy coat." Keeping it wet may make it worse on this type of coat, but I'm not sure. Sorry I can't be of more help!

[Guardian Angel's White lightning]

i went to 3c's website and could not find anything that would help straighten. Could you type the type on here please? I can't find it!

[Mojo1269]

in the short term...
I would start trying variouse techniques at home.  Try hair gel, KY jelly or any other water soluble product that is not harmfull if ingested.  What ever you do it only needs to hold up for about thirty minutes.  You most likely willhave to reapply if you make it past the Mastiff Breed Round.  If you make it to best in group start over again shortly before hand. 

For the long term try grooming it our with a good brush or a Furminator.  Hair can be trained but it can be tough. 

I assume your handler knows all the ring tricks like altering your stance so the tail is not as prominate.  Stand towrds the aft of your dog so His/her chest is more prominant than the tail.  The proper color pants can also help with this.  WHen I show Bulter (dark brindle) I wear khaki pants but when I used to show my Bull Mastiff who was fawn it was blue or black pants.  This could be reversed though if you were trying to mimimize a bad back line etc...

[Leah...]

Have you tried Ice on Ice? That worked on my Beagle, but it may have been a fluke. LOL.

[Leah...]

Dito on the clothing choices and the handling tricks. Just make sure you got a GREAT handler!