Grooming the Brussels Griffon

There are two types of Brussels Griffon ? the Rough and the Smooth. Both are equally delightful companions. The rough coated Brussels Griffon is probably the most common. The smooth coated Brussels Griffon is easier to groom.

The rough coat should be wiry and dense, the harder and more wiry the better. The Brussels Griffon should never look or feel woolly. There should be no silky hair on the Brussels Griffon. The coat of a Brussels Griffon should not be long and shaggy. The rough coated Brussels Griffon should be distinctly different all over from the smooth coated Brussels Griffon. The Brussels Griffon is a rugged little dog that should look natural and not overly trimmed. The Brussels Griffon colors are red, black and black and tan.

The head of a Brussels Griffon should be covered with wiry hair slightly longer around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and chin, which forms a fringe. The smooth coated Brussels Griffon is similar to the Boston Terrier or Bulldog, with no trace of wire hair.

Of all the toy dogs, the Brussels Griffon is one of the most interesting and different. The modern version of the Brussels Griffon is a Belgian street dog crossed with the Affenpinshcer. Throughout the years various breeds were brought in for various features. The most successful crosses were maintained. Over time the terrier-like charm with almost a human expression is what we now know as the Brussels Griffon.

The Brussels Griffon is a rarity among dogs, however, he has faired very well in the show world. Some have become top winners in all-breed competition.

Equipment needed to groom the Brussels Griffon:

?Natural Bristle brush or hound glove
?Medium-toothed comb
?Fine-toothed comb
?Thinning scissors
?Tweezers

The Brussels Griffon needs brushing, bathing, drying, ear cleaning, nail trimming. The coat of a Brussels Griffon also requires hand stripping. Do not use clippers on a Brussels Griffon. The use of clippers will cause the coat of a Brussels Griffon to lose its natural texture and the color will fade.

For routine grooming use a natural bristle brush or hound glove. Regular brushing will reduce the need for frequent bathing. Regular brushing helps keep the coat free of dead hairs and the need for coming is lessened. Over-coming may take out too much live undercoat.

You should work through the coat with a bristle brush, then comb through with a medium-toothed comb. Leave a few hairs on the back between your finger and thumb and gently pull if the hair comes out easily, the coat is ready to strip.

Stripping Method for the body:

1.Start stripping the topcoat of the Brussels Griffon at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades down the back and side of the tail. Note: Always strip with the growth of the hair toward you.

2.Remove the long hairs from the Brussels Griffon thighs.

3.Remove the thick hair growing on the back of the hind legs, and the longest hairs from the front of the legs and feet. Do over strip in this area. The desired appearance of a Brussels Griffon feet are cat-like. Over stripping of the feet can detract from this cat-like look you want to achieve.

4.Strip the shoulders around to the chest. Remove long hairs from the leg.

5.Strip the long hair on the outside of each shoulder, down to the elbow. This will create a straight front which is desirable.

6.Strip the chest at the front to the lowest point.

7.The only place you may use clippers on the Brussels Griffon is under the stomach and around the genital area. You can also scissor this area clear.

8.Take a look at your Brussels Griffon as he stands on the grooming table. Remove all stray hairs that detracts from the smart, balanced look you want to achieve.

Stripping Method for the head of a Brussels Griffon:

1.Start behind the eyes. Strip only a few strands of hair at a time. Work back to each ear and over the top of the head. Leave some longer hairs over the eyes to form eyebrows.

2.Strip the back of the ears, down to the chest. Continue down the side of the neck toward the jawbone. This method of stripping gives a distinct beard that blends into the chest.

3.Comb the beard forward to enable you to pluck the ear and below the beard to the throat. You want a clean neckline and to accentuate the head.

4.Remove long hairs from the inside the ear. The edge of the ear can be closely trimmed with scissors for a neat finish.

5.The point between the eyes, just above the nose is called ?the stop.? This is a tender area of the Brussels Griffon. You will need to use tweezers to remove a small amount of hair in this area.

6.Remove the hairs from the corner of the eye with tweezers or curved scissors. This will prevent the hairs from sticking into the eyes of your Brussels Griffon and/or accumulating debris.

7.Remove the hair of the beard that adjoins the ears in a direct line from the corner of each eye.

8.Tidy around the anus of your Brussels Griffon with scissors or thinning scissors for a neat finish.

9.Trim hair from under the feet and between the toes.

Now you are ready to bathe your Brussels Griffon. Try using a natural mild shampoo and always rinse well. Check the dog?s nails, ears and teeth. You may hand or cage dry your Brussels Griffon.

How often should your Brussels Griffon be stripped? This depends upon whether or not he is a pet or a show dog. For pets, a complete strip twice a year will be sufficient with tidying in between. For the show dog, stripping is ideally done in stages ? side of body and legs first, then back, then head, because they grow in different stages.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon, Toy Dog Fancier. Visit us at http://www.abouttoydogs.com and sign up for our newsletters. About Toy Dogs is a guide to the selection and care of toy dog breeds. We feature articles, dog books and a toy dog breeder directory. Purchase a full page ad with 3 pictures, a 12 picture video, advertising in our newsletters and article marketing. To my knowledge no other toy dog breeder directory offers this same package of advertising services to the toy dog breeder. Special thanks to KMC Kennels for their photograph in this article.

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How to Take Care of Flokati Area Rugs

Caring for Flokati Rugs



Flokati rugs are very popular style of rug, and many times when you get a shag rug you may not have even realized that you bought a flokati style shag rug. Flokati rugs are usually Greek, made with thick wool, and goes through a unique and rigorous creation process. So we at Plaza Area Rugs get the question quite a bit about best practices in caring for these types of rugs. Below are the three main things you'll encounter during your ownership of a flokati and what to do.



When you first get the rug

When you get the rug, it's likely that it came wrapped up in a roll. If it's a smaller rug, it's possible you'll get it folded up. Either way, once you get it, you'll the hair on the rug is going to be pretty flat. That is common, and all you'll need to do to get it looking in tip top shape is brush it out. I've heard stories about how people try to brush it out... a garden rake seems to work well. So will a really thick hair brush. Whatever you choose to use you want to give your flokati rug a good, strong brushing. Some of the wool will stay in the brush, and that's to be expected. Once you are done brushing your flokati rug will be thick and soft.



Day to Day Maintenance

There isn't much to do for a flokati rug to keep it in great shape. Once in a while take it outside and shake it out hard. That should get any loose items out of the rug that have gotten caught in the wool. If something has been sitting on top of the rug, say the legs of a coffee table or sofa, all you'll want to do is comb out the flattened section. This is really similar to when you first get the rug... the hairs are just pressed down and need a good brushing to get them to be thick and fluffy once again.



Spills on the Flokati Rug

Spilling something on your rug is not the end of the world and cleaning it doesn't require anything too special. If what you spill is dry, for example a cup of flower, simply vacuum it up. Be sure you keep the vacuum on low. If you have it on full suction you will risk sucking out some of the hairs (depending on how strong your vacumm is). If you're not getting any of the substance up, then turn up the setting of the vacuum slowly. Once the bulk of it is sucked up, take the rug outside and shake it out. If you spill something wet take a moment to clean it as soon as possible. Mild soap and warm water is really all you need to clean it up. You could also use a very mild cleaning material, but we don't recommend it unless it has specifically been sold with your rug. Harsh cleaners will take some color out of the rug, and once that happens it's not likely to ever gain that color back.



If you can handle those simple things you should be able to maintain your flokati rug for many, many years. Remember, these rugs have been around for hundreds of years and are built to last. So a little effort now will go a long way in this investment!
About the Author

Andrew Ketter, Partner of Plaza Rugs offers flokati rugs and numerous other styles of area rugs.

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Layered Haircuts

Many people are tired of having hair that is all one length opt for layered haircuts that give a more dramatic, stylish effect. True, hair that is all one length can easily be pulled back into a ponytail if it is long, or coaxed into a bob if it is short, but layered haircuts give the hair volume and can be fun for style experimentation. Layered haircuts can be confined to bangs, or can have fringes throughout. Some prefer spiky, funky layered haircuts, and others like classy French layers that accent the face. Whatever layered haircuts you choose, it is a good idea to look for styles you want in magazines before you make your decision, since it is hard to get alter layered haircuts once they have been created.

The most familiar layered haircuts include bangs. Many people with medium to long hair are faced with the decision to create bangs or to leave their hair all one length. The advantage to having bangs is that they tend to accentuate the eyes and can be quite stylish. However, once you have bangs, it is difficult to get rid of them, so many people think with care before choosing bangs. Once you have bangs, you can curl them under with them curling iron or straighten them with a flat iron. Bangs can be thick or wispy, depending on your mood and the look you want to create.

Popular short, layered haircuts have a shaggy look. Many people choose these stylish, short layered haircuts because they involve less maintenance than sleek do's. Judging from magazine covers and the hair models sport on the runway, the Just-got-out-of-bed look can be quite chic (at least if it is created intentionally). A good mousse is the secret ingredient to these dramatic styles. For a great shaggy do:

? Shampoo and condition hair. But the shaggy do is created more easily on hair that is not freshly washed. Go easy on the conditioner, and try washing your hair the day before a big event

? Use a mousse that has a strong hold or a sculpting gel. Shape hair any way you wish, and you might want to use a pick for a more spiky look.

? Blow dry and shape your hair using your fingers rather than a brush

? Hold your shaggy style with a good quality hair spray

Many people opt for layered haircuts as a way of making frosted or highlighted looks more dramatic. The top of the layers are given blond effects, while the lower areas are allowed to remain their natural color. Some prefer a rather bold look using layers for a spiky look and dyeing the edges in colors like purple or blue. This look isn't for everyone, but if you like to stand out from the crowd, start with layers and lay on the dye (of course, there are always temporary dyes you can wash out if you want a wild look for one night).

Although many layered haircuts can look quite spiky and bold, other layered haircuts create the opposite effect, and can be rather feminine. If you prefer a softer look that brings out the eyes and the curves of the face, try a French layered look, with soft bangs of medium thickness and layers that curve toward the face. Important tools needed for soft, layered haircuts include:

?A curling iron, wide or narrow barrelled, depending on the look you want

?Mousse

?A soft, round brush

?A gentle conditioner

?A good hairspray

Use a good mousse before you blow dry your hair, and coax your hair into the shape you want with a round brush. Follow by creating soft curls with a curling iron, or allow the mousse and the round brush to create your style before spraying it. Try coaxing your hair in different directions for an extra wavy look.

About the Author:

Author: June Mala
? 2006 www.Lktd.com

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The Tibetan Terrier And Willy Crufts Best Of Show 2007

Since the Tibetan Terrier 'Willy' (full name Fabulous Willy) won the trophy for Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show 2007, many people may now be considering choosing the Tibetan Terrier as a family pet. If you are, you will be pleased to hear that the temperament of this breed has been one of the most attractive aspects of the breed since it was first established in the 1920's. As would be expected from a dog previously used as a watch dog, they tend to be reserved around strangers, but should never be aggressive or shy with them.

One of the features for which the Tibetan Terrier is known is their broad, flat feet. We don't think that such feet can be found in any other dog breed. The eyes are large, and dark. The Tibetan Terrier is one of the most ancient of all dog breeds, as has been established by recent DNA analysis. The feet have developed for mobility in snow. It has been said that the Tibetan terrier, is more of a herding dog, than a terrier.

It makes an excellent guard dog and has a powerful, siren-like bark which is surprising in a dog this size. It is also a loyal and affectionate pet, though it has a mind of its own and needs firm training. Although its coat requires regular grooming, it does not need a great deal of exercise. This is a playful breed and will enjoy human company in the garden or on the occasional foray into the countryside.

The eyes are large, dark, and set fairly far apart. Long and thick, but should not be so long as to touch the floor, as is typical in breeds such as the Lhasa Apso, or the Maltese.

The appearance of the Tibetan Terrier is that of a powerful, medium sized dog of square proportions, with a shaggy coat. A fall of hair covers the face and eyes, but long eyelashes generally prevent hair from getting in the Tibetan Terrier's eyes, and the breed has very good eyesight. As such, the early history of the breed is linked to only a handful of foundation dogs.

No particular colours are preferred, as with terriers generally a wide range of colours are permissible, however, liver and chocolate are not allowed. Although waves are acceptable the coat should not be silky or curled.

Breed health problems have been seen and because of that, Tibetan Terrier clubs recommend purchasing from breeders who participate in eye and hip testing.

The Tibetan or Lhasa Terrier, being such an ancient breed, is probably the ancestor of the Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu. The most plausible version of its history is that it was bred as a herder, working in tandem with the much larger Tibetan Mastiff which guarded the herds. Less hardy individuals were given to the Tibetan monks, who in turn may have given them to nomadic tribes to protect them on their travels; it is also possible that the nomads stole the dogs. Another account claims that the Tibetan Terrier originally came from Japan and was brought to Tibet by nomadic traders.

Like the other Tibetan dogs now popular in the West, the Tibetan Terrier has a long and luxurious coat. Typically it has a fringe falling forward over the eyes, a small beard and a jaunty kink to its tail.

It makes an excellent guard and has a powerful, siren-like bark surprising in a dog this size. It is also a loyal and affectionate pet, though it has a mind of its own and needs firm training. Although its coat requires regular grooming, it does not need a great deal of exercise. This is a playful breed and will enjoy human company in the garden or the occasional foray into the countryside.

More information at http://www.dog-breeds.me.uk/html/tibetan-terrier.php . A 'must-visit' web site for all Dog Lovers.

About the Author:

Steve Evans is web master of the the Dog Breeds Compendium Web Site.

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Hairstyle Trends For 2007

Selecting a hairstyle in 2007 will be pretty easy. The major trend this year will be to update retro looks from the 20th century. To find a trendy hairstyle that will look good on you select an era look that you enjoy and have fun with it.

Long hair style trends for 2007 will focus on long curls. You can go soft and wavy or tight and crimped. Long hair styles work best for people who have the time to style their hair in the morning or for special events. To keep your long hair healthy make sure that you use the right products and make sure that you keep the ends trimmed. You may also want to use anti-frizz hair care products and curl enhancer products offered by quality salons. These products will make your long hair products look great all day long.

If you are a person who doesn?t have a lot of time in the morning to style their hair then this really is your year to be trendy. Short hair is definitely in this season. You can select from dozens of updated styles from the 20s, 60s. 70s and 80s. Some of the popular styles that you can select from include: page boy cut, pixie cut and shag. To care for your short haircut keep things simple. Use salon quality shampoos, conditions and styling products. If you have naturally curly hair then you will want to add products specifically formulated to work with your curly hair to your daily routine.

Looking to find a hair salon in Utah? Landis Salon located in Sugarhouse is a full service Aveda salon. Find the best selection on unique clothing, accessories and apparel at the Black Chandelier online store. Treat your body right with herbal soaps with our organic soap recipes and natural body products at Pure and Natural Soaps.

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Trendy Shag Haircuts

Hair is the sexiest visible part of human body. Hairstylists are always inventing cool, hip and ultramodern haircuts for ladies and gentlemen. Hairstyling is not a child's play; there are different hair cuts which suit people according to the shapes of their face, types and colours of hair and skull. I met a lady in a hip hair saloon of NYC, her hair was trimmed, properly cut and coloured but she was not happy with it. She told me that she wanted to be messy chic as this is the fashion of day. Messy chic is low maintenance; fuzz free looks very popular in Parisian and Londoner neighbourhood. This messy look comes from the word Sprezzatura a term originated from Castiglione's The book of courtier, mean a certain nonchalance in looks, deeds or saying. Shaggy haircuts help in this kind of messy looks. Most of the shaggy haircuts have different layers which give them a permanent style. Unrestricted flow and hiding various flaws of the face can be easily done through shaggy haircuts, like on wearing a high volume shaggy haircut gives you a height or wild scissor work on the hair on forehead will help in enhancing cheekbones or a strong jaw if a person on haircutting chair is male. Shaggy haircuts sometimes relate themselves with the out-of-bedroom look. It is like pronouncing their sexuality for women. Just-I've-a-good-quickie hair style tends to look confused, chaotic and careless but it is not a carelessness of a dirty and slipshod person.

It is a studied carelessness. Every fashion enthusiast since the birth of fashion is trying to achieve this supreme style. If you want to have trendy shaggy haircuts then don't take scissor and start working on your hair but call for an appointment to some good hair saloon at your place. However shaggy we call it; at last it is a tailored cut. There are layers-short and long, cuts at different angles and other hair works involved in it. Now days are not far when everybody will look as cool as cucumber and at last how so ever beautiful something is but if it does not say anything, whether it is a fashion eccentricity or a philosophy book, it's useless. By Jennie Amit Gandhi

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Celebrity Hairstyles - The Shag Hairstyle

The fashionable layered haircut called the shag hair style has been embraced by many stars and people have followed by the masses. The shag takes many forms and is basically a messy layered cut. Layers are more prominent towards and around the face with hair length ranging from short, medium and long. Shags can be curly, wavy or straight. The look is crisp, carefree yet still professional. This hairstyle is so versatile that and potentially looks fantastic on anyone regardless of their age, hair length, texture or color. The short style gives elder women more flamboyancy and youthfulness in their appearance. Doesn't Lisa Rinna always look exceptional? Her short multi layered cut gives her a sophisticated yet I'm ready to play persona. The chocolate brown with blond highlights admiringly complements her facial features and is suitable for any occasion. Paula Deen's Layered Shag What about the beloved restauranteur Paula Deen? Paula's layered shag haircut speaks for itself - she doesn't even need to color her hair! Paula Deen has adopted a medium shag varying her layers from softly angled, straight and to beautiful waves always giving her that graceful radiant quality. And of course who could forget the classic blond Meg Ryan shag, giving her that irresistible innocent charm. Other celebs with shags include Jodie Foster, Kate Micucci, Sharon Stone, Reese Witherspoon, HalleBerry, Jessica Biel and Sharon Osbourne. Male celebrities Famous men have also jumped on board the shag craze.

Brad Pitt's just got out of bed look makes any woman go wild. Other shagsters include chef Gordon Ramsay, David Duchovny and Owen Wilson. Stars with a shag radiate youth and trendiness. But what more do these styles say about the celebrities or more importantly what are they trying to convey? No matter whether she's in the kitchen or the garden, Paula Deen always looks presentable. Being in an advisory position, if you will, Paula has gained our trust and our love for her. How did she do it? Not only through her priceless knowledge and charisma, but also with a hairstyle that says "with age comes wisdom and I still know how to be hip". We know sadly David Duchovny has been trounced by his sex addiction but to his credit has sought rehabilitation assistance. His ever sexy shag haircut gives him a boyish innocent charm. Who would have guessed that such a stylish and poised Fox Moulder would encounter any such dilemma? Ashlee Simpson-Wentz's long burgundy cut with shaggy side bang has given her a boost of freshness, perhaps a Bittersweet edge. Owen Wilson's medium wavy layered cut is rather unique. It's still suitable for professional outings and for his age yet no woman can resist the young blond surfy guy look he presents. He says he's a trouble maker and his rugged sexy cut confirms that. A celebrity that just exudes fun and enthusiasm, Lisa Rina's multi layered cut says I'm wild and ready for action, quite appropriate for her Chicago musical. As you can see, the shag hairstyle is so versatile in terms of both the look and the persona that it can portray. Stylists of the above celebrities are miracle makers, capturing each of their personalities and presenting them in sophisticated fun loving shag styles. Hopefully we'll see more and more celebrities take our breath away with their gorgeous shags. By Jakub Bednar

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