Grooming Your Bohemian Shepherd
Thankfully, Bohemian Shepherds are much easier to groom than many other breeds. Basically you need to bathe them about once a month. If showing in conformation, you will want to bathe the dog 1-3 days before the show and blow them dry completely.
You do not need to spend a lot of money on expensive grooming products unless you just want to. I learned a secret from a professional handler that I will pass on to you: TRESemme Moisture Rich and/or Smooth and Silky Shampoo and Conditioner work just as well as most dog products, and you can get them from any Walmart, Walgreens, or similar store.
Here's how I groom mine:
1. Wet them down thoroughly. Use a little bit of Dawn liquid soap on the ears and around the anus to make sure those areas are clean and not greasy.
2. Shampoo thoroughly and rinse. Then, add a generous amount of conditioner just along the topline (shoulders, back, and over the hips) and make the dog “marinate” in the conditioner for 10 minutes. This is KEY! Then rinse thoroughly. The coat should not feel slimy.
3. Blow them dry COMPLETELY, 100% to remove as many curls and waves as possible. And aim for a flat topline across the back. Even though our breed standard allows for wavy coats and “graceful curves” that is NOT what wins in AKC. Most judges will not know the breed standard so they will judge by what they do know – that flat (straight across) toplines across the back indicate good structure on a dog (generally speaking). Bohemian Shepherds tend to have a “dip” in their backs right around the top of the withers, where the “mane” stops. Try to puff that up a bit so that it looks smooth and straight across the back. If necessary, use a de-shedding comb to remove a little hair so it lays down and makes a flat, straight line.
4. Trim the nails as short as possible. Nails should be trimmed every two weeks anyway, but for conformation the purpose is to highlight nice oval-shaped feet.
5. Brush their teeth. This is a good health habit that should be done regularly, and especially before a show.
6. Trim whiskers (optional). I like a smooth muzzle but this is not required. Be careful not to cut the hair on the muzzle, just the long straggling whiskers.
7. Add a little shine. I have found that to keep the coat moist, using some kind of sheen product every few days helps. There are dog-specific ones. If you use a human sheen product (like Softee), make sure it only has oils that dogs can tolerate (like shea, olive, coconut, or avocado) and not a lot of extra ingredients. Not all human products are safe for dogs so be careful. I spray this on lightly after a bath and use my hands to work it through the coat. (See examples – there are many different options, the Softee is my current favorite but hard to find.) I also use a sheen product or leave-in conditioner between baths to freshen up the coat (I live where it’s really dry so I also make sure my dog is getting plenty of protein in her diet by using a combination of kibble, freeze-dried raw and salmon oil. This has been successful to manage any dryness of skin and coat.)
Day-of-Show Preparation
Dog Preparation
Handler Preparation
Handler Preparation
On the day of the show, use plain water to lightly wet down the dog and re-dry. This adds air and buoyancy to the coat. Lightly spray with sheen and use a metal comb to fully comb through the dog’s coat. Add a light show lead (martingale or light chain – bling is optional) and you’re ready to go!
Handler Preparation
Handler Preparation
Handler Preparation
Handlers tend to dress up a bit for dog shows and you will have a better chance of winning if you play along. It helps you look professional. Most women wear skirts or slacks. Men wear slacks with dress shirts, a nice collared knit shirt and/or jackets. For women and men, clothing with pockets helps because you need somewhere to store your bait (food bribery). Find out ahead of time what bait most motivates your dog. You do not have to use food, but most do. Find a special bait that you only use for conformation. Some handlers skip the meal before the show, so their dog is hungry and extra motivated, and then feed afterwards. Wear comfortable shoes that you can run in without tripping. Bohemian Shepherds need to move fairly quickly to show a stretched out stride (see photo).
Another helpful tip is to use mints (for the human only) to hide any nervousness in your breath. Dogs pick up on our nerves and don’t understand the cause. Some will get jittery themselves and others with shut down, assuming they’re doing something wrong. Try hard to “fake it till you make it” and avoid freaking out your dog by acting nervous, getting strangely quiet, pacing, or disengaging from your dog. Remember that no matter what happens, YOU HAVE THE BEST DOG! Keep it as lighthearted as possible. It is more important for you and your dog to have a good experience together than to win an individual show. If you give it enough time, you will learn how to show well together. Thankfully, FSS conformation is not too expensive (especially since you don’t have to pay a professional handler. (Note: The only professional handlers allowed in FSS must be listed owners of the dog. You will still encounter them, but not nearly as often as in regular conformation.)
Also, realize that many people in the “dog world” (other judges and dog fanciers) attend Open Shows to see the rare and upcoming breeds. People will stop you to ask about your dog. The judge may also ask you to clarify something about the breed standard, so it pays to know it fairly well. We have learned to have print materials available for judges if requested or to be given after the show if the judge indicates further interest. A major purpose for showing in conformation is to raise awareness of the breed, among the public and especially among judges.