Blues and Blacks

[KathrynH]

I wasn't sure where to post this, since it's not necessarily a grooming question or anything else. SO...I noticed a lot of the black chows get a little lighter, kind of reddish, rusty color around their "manes". Is this because of the sun? Do both Blue's and Black chows get that lighter color?

[Layla]

Yup, it's the chow version of sunburn I only have a black but I believe blues get it as well..... I have a sunscreen spray for Alf

Is your new girl going to be blue?

[KathrynH]

Yep! She's a blue! We are SO excited! We are still trying to pick a name for her, the owner of the parents said she was super happy, playful little girl.
So sunscreen is ok to use and it works to prevent that?

[WildThings]

A strange thing about the sunburned fur. Since my family has had Tess, every summer, she would get the sunburnt halo around her head. It would take half the winter to grow out. Well, last summer, Tess spent more time than normal out in the sun. It was sunnier, my sister and I were home more so she could be outside more...just many different things, but she would spend hours sitting in the sun, would only come in when we would worry about her overheating and make her come inside. Oddly enough, no reddish fur at all. The only change was better food than she had eaten in the past. I hadn't noticed until the end of summer I was going through some current pictures and some pictures from past summers and noticed how much darker her fur was.

[Layla]

Wildthings has a very good point about the food. I've heard that before.

I use a pet grooming spray that contains a sunscreen. I've also heard other people use an other types of human hair products with sunscreen in but I don't know more than that.

I use this http://www.chrissystems.com/iceonice1.htm on both of mine.

You know we need pictures of the blue baby, yes

[KathrynH]

Of course! But you'll have to wait a few weeks, until we get her...we're so excited!

[Layla]

I bet you are! I couldn't sleep the night before Millie came home. i also couldn't slepp the night before Milo came home... that was more to do with Millie barking all night at the door of the Motel 6 though

[kiwani]

I wasn't sure where to post this, since it's not necessarily a grooming question or anything else. SO...I noticed a lot of the black chows get a little lighter, kind of reddish, rusty color around their "manes". Is this because of the sun? Do both Blue's and Black chows get that lighter color?

It it both a nutritional and environmental factor, and we've had several threads on the topic including research excerpts if you care to browse. An optimal quality diet helps build a strong keratin layer to the hair, giving it a hard sheen which offers better protection from environmental factors such as pollution, certain UV rays, abrasion, chemicals, etc. That hard sheen often looks like a prism on the tips of the fur, in the right light. An optimal diet also contributes to melanin pigment production, and melanin plays an important role in several parts of the body including the brain.

The extra long hairs on a Chow are usually the ones with the most keratin layer damage. Color-intensifying shampoos/conditioners/coat polishes made for dogs, seal and polish the damaged keratin layer, and in effect intensify the pigment. The example given is to imagine a dried out pine cone with petals open - that is similar to what the damaged/frayed hair shaft looks like on a microscopic view. Then imagine a fresh pine cone, still tightly
sealed. That tight pine cone is like a strong and healthy hair strand, with
its keratin layer tightly sealed and polished. Such hair doesn't tangle as easily because the hard polished layer glides against others rather than snags like velcro.

[Layla]

I like the analogies Kiwani

I also use the shampoos etc Kiwani mentioned Kathryn every so often & very gentle products in between. Alf's baby fur always had a reddish tinge, but his adult fur is looking much darker & shinier

[KathrynH]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I was wondering how to prevent that. I feel a little more prepared LOL

[kiwani]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I was wondering how to prevent that. I feel a little more prepared LOL

It's also important to use the better quality grooming tools with
polished tips to prevent fraying, and always mist the coat before combing to help strengthen the hair. These are often mentioned in the grooming forum. Avoid slicker-type raspy brushes.


As for names, how about Twyla (twilight)

[peidaan11]

kiwani, what do you mist the coat with?

[kiwani]

kiwani, what do you mist the coat with?

You might try a diluted vinegar/water solution in a pump spray bottle (about 30% vinegar). Lightly mist the coat a few minutes before brushing to allow the hair to plump-up and become more elastic. That helps make grooming easier.

There also are several brand names of a 'waterless bath' (a spot-cleaning shampoo that doesn't need to be rinsed out). You can dilute that too and use the same way as the vinegar. The 'waterless bath' contains lanolin and is good for dry skin/coats too.

There also are a variety of leave-in (no rinsing necessary) conditioners and detanglers. You can dilute those too, and use in the same as the vinegar 'mist'.

What's important is that misting helps protect the fur during grooming and can have the added benefit of helping to moisturize skin (lanolin type products, etc.) If you do choose a leave-in conditioner as a grooming mist, try to avoid the ones containing alcohol.

[KathrynH]

With Buddha, I didn't know what I was getting into, and sadly, grooming took a backseat to other things, so now I am having to take him to a groomer every few weeks, since I can't get him to be still for me, so that's one of the big things I'll be working on the little blue girl with...so expect many questions! I'm glad I'm finding out about the coats though, it's all stuff I never really knew about. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's help on here!