wiskers and removal for showing?

i am just reading a st bernard book and have come across the grooming section
it says some people remove wiskers to make the dogs face look better!
i have to say ive never noticed a "plucked" st bernard or have i just not been looking closely???
does anyone pluck? ( there saint i mean! )
cheri

looks like either no one plucks there dogs or this book is totally mad lol

cheri

LOL, in Europe they trim the whiskers back as it gives a 'cleaner' look to the face. One or two people here have done in the past, but its not seen much

i think its crazy lol

I trim my saints whiskers all the time for showing and I don't pluck or use a scissors

I know a lot of people that remove the whiskers on their show-dogs , I have done it too ! It looks much cleaner and nicer, than a "forest" of hair pointing in different directions. They grow back again in no time, and I just do it for shows. It doesn`t hurt cutting them off either. I first did it on a friends dog , he always pulled away when judges reached out to his face, so he never won ! He is a wonderful dog, but the judges always commented on his "fear" to be touched. So I suggested that we should remove his whiskers, maybe that would do the trick...And you know what ? It did ! He finally wins, because he does not pull away from the judge So it`s not only to clean up the face, it can help on other things as well !

lol i just think its so funny to remove something that is there for a reason - they say not to alter looks then cuttting off wiskers is allowed lol!
cheri

It is funny and I don`t think it is allowed ! But not a single judge has ever noticed or made a comment about it as far as I know. And that means a lot of judges from all over the world.... So it might be more common that you know....

i do keep a look out but yet to see any plucked!
cheri

It`s probably more common in scandinavia than in the U.K , I can`t remember the last time I saw a show-dog with whiskers.....I`m not sure if I have looked for it either :-)
What would you do if your dog (with whiskers) was the best dog in the ring, but another (without whiskers) won...? Would you complain ?

no not at all the winner is judges choice
BUT i would be desperate for a closer look!
cheri

I know :-) The judge decides ! But would it not be tempting to ask if removing a dogs whiskers is allowed...?

i wouldnt
ive seen several dogs at shows which i would call missmarked on there face - they got placed
ive seen some with REALLY shocking eyes- terrible entropion(sp?) infected but they got placed aswell!
i dont care if wiskers are removed -the dog didnt suffer but bad eyes etc really does annoy me
if you complain you just look like a bad loser which i am not!
cheri

You are so right ! There are worse things than missing wiskers :-( Much worse.... Entropion is bad... Halfmasked or other "wrong" markings is nothing compared to serious healthproblems. Once upon a time I believed that all breeders wanted to make healthy and strong dogs....I don`t believe that anymore I`m not a bad looser either , I respect the judges decision

Hi cheri
Yes we remove the whiskers before shows it gives a much cleaner look. We shave the muzzle with a equestion razor, which only removes the whisker no face hair.Most show jumpers in competion use them.

It's not something I would do to be honest, given we are meant to be an untrimmed breed lol

me and a razor would be fine - me a razor and a st bernard well i dont know esp as mine all like to paw at me when they can!
even though i have a steady hand and patience i dont think the dogs would stand still while i did it! suppose if its done from young they would be ok with it tho!
i say let them go all natural!!!

the great thing about the horse razor is there is no way it can cut them and as you raise a saint puppy to be mouthed and length of ears checked for the ring brushing your hand over the muzzle is just another way of getting them to stand still for the judge to do ths, we also trim under bellies and ears and shape up the back hocks. It gives the dog a much cleaner line in the best of group line especially if you are in between say a doberman and a boxer.

After reading your standard it doesnt state the you are a untrimed breed , i wouldnt ever consider showing my dogs under a American judge without the dogs being scultered, if you ever look at the New Foundlands that are all black and gloosy with beauitful defined lines it is because the are scultured and the look makes your head turn.

Hi Sue,Have you got a pic of a Saint sculptured for the ring we all couild see?
Regards
Tony&Bud.

Hi Tony and Bud
If you go to www.dogzonline.co.nz
You can see our dogs by bringing up breed pages .Lusanne Toss out M Toys is a rough coat as all our dogs are and she is trimmed back.
Lusanne Just Deal with it and Lusanne buy a skydancr are only puppies in the picture and are not trimmed back but Chewie is the dog in my site at 16 months. We have our National show in 3 weeks (like your Crufts) so we will post picture of the dogs scultured for thatif you like. Once they are done it is easy to maintain as most weekends we are away at shows, Having the hydo bath and a very strong dryer makes putting there coat were you want it very easy.
Sue

Thanks Sue Lovely dogs!! Good lick at the Nationals.
Tony&Bud.

I guess exhibiters in the States & possible Australia & NZ trim more than us
It doesn't state trimming in our breed standard, however, they are a working breed & way back when they were hoofing people down from mountains I'm sure no-one whipped clippers or scissors out to get their whiskers off!!
Whiskers are an important hunting and orientation tool for dogs - my dogs are just plain dogs 99% of their life - they chase rabbits etc & do dog stuff. They are in the show ring just 1% of their life if that.
Personally I wouldn't interfere with something on them that I think they need - but thats just my opinion.
Toby having whiskers didn't stop him getting the Res CC & I knwo several UK Ch that have never had theirs taken off

Heather

Mawreddog wrote:

I guess exhibiters in the States & possible Australia & NZ trim more than us
It doesn't state trimming in our breed standard, however, they are a working breed & way back when they were hoofing people down from mountains I'm sure no-one whipped clippers or scissors out to get their whiskers off!!
Whiskers are an important hunting and orientation tool for dogs - my dogs are just plain dogs 99% of their life - they chase rabbits etc & do dog stuff. They are in the show ring just 1% of their life if that.
Personally I wouldn't interfere with something on them that I think they need - but thats just my opinion.
Toby having whiskers didn't stop him getting the Res CC & I knwo several UK Ch that have never had theirs taken off

Heather

LOL, same here, ours usually roaming the garden or spreadeagled on the floor till its time for a bath for show day, all ours have their whiskers.

I have 2 dogs on 2 CC's now , several with Res CC & all qualified for a KC stud book number & for exhiubition at Crufts for life, & Rooney getting his Res CC yesterday (& in Ireland where we have alot of european & American judges having whiskers hasnt stopped them winning & its never mentioned) all have whiskers. Must say tho that presentation is paramount, we will trim the whispy bits, feet & tidy the hock, but thats it as far as trimming goes, its minimal.

I agree presentation is important. Bud is quite untidy underneath so I will tidy it up to improve his outline his hocks are ok will also tidy feet but I think I will leave his whiskers !!lol I am used to scissoring Standard Poodles and de -hairying Chinese cresteds so feel I have to do something to get them ready other than a bath and brush!!!!!!!!!!!!lol
Tony&Bud