Grooming a Chihuahua for a Show
- 1). Brush your chihuahua to remove any loose hair. Chihuahuas do not shed much, but any dead or dry hair must be removed in order to achieve a crisp, clean coat in the show ring. Brush your chi against the hair growth with a slicker or soft bristle brush. Regular brushing generally will prevent matting on a long-coated chihuahua, but if you find a mat, don't tug at the fur. Spray the mat with conditioner or detangler and gently work the mat out with a wide-tooth comb.
- 2). Bathe the dog with a shampoo designed for dogs. A mild, tearless dog shampoo is best for the chihuahua's small size. Rinse the dog thoroughly. A chihuahua coat does not need conditioner. Use an ear cleaner to remove any wax or dirt from the dog's ears.
- 3). Gently blow the dog dry with a hairdryer set on low, brushing the hair in the direction it grows.
- 4
You will need a comb, bristle brush, clippers and slicker to groom a chihuahua.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Place the chihuahua on a grooming table and trim any long hairs from around the ears and on the legs. Chihuahuas are not excessively trimmed for show, but removing long, straggly hair presents a neater appearance in the conformation ring. Trim any long strands of hair on the dog's pants and muzzle; trim hair under the tail. More trimming will be needed on a long-haired chihuahua; relatively little is needed on the smooth variety. - 5). Trim the feet and nails. Clip fur between the paw pads and around the edge of the foot, to present a rounded, cat's-paw appearance. Keep the chihuahua's nails short enough that they do not touch the floor with regular monthly trimming to avoid cutting the quick when you trim them for show.
