Akita (en)

The Akita developed much of his modern appearance somewhere in the 17th Century as a versatile hunter. He is the typical arctic/snow country coat that is a double coat with a thick undercoat and straight harsh outer coat. Their appearance is one of strength and substance with heavy bone thus his presentation within the show ring should typify and enhance all those requirements, exemplifying his ability to work well in his native environment. His vast array of colours and colour combinations has tremendous appeal with the opportunity to present this coat in great health and condition.

Start your show grooming routine with Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo for maximum lift to the coat or even when out of coat, to enhance that strength and substance to his silhouette. For more shine, use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo. Use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo for toning the white areas and minimising any unwanted warm or yellow reflects. Dilute all shampoos at least 5 parts water to one-part shampoo 5:1 and up to as much as 10:1 for maintenance. I tend to recommend All Purpose Shampoo for the topline area and Body Building Shampoo for the main body of the coat and a 1/2 and 1/2 of Body Building Shampoo and Whitening Shampoo to the legs.

The Akita's head and face are very important so use Plush Puppy Let's Face It - an amazing product for faces using the very latest of technology combined with natural holistic properties. It's tearless formula with anti-inflammatory benefits is hypoallergenic. Key ingredients are Blue Cypress extracts, panthenol and Pro Vit B. Apply a golf ball sized amount directly to the face and eyes, massage in without causing any irritation. In addition, can be used on ears for the same benefits.

For extra whitening of whites use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok this product is one of our proudest achievements in helping to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but with the use of modern technology and high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/wet coat. Gently rub into the areas requiring allow time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.

Arctic coats look best when not flattened or softened with conditioner. When one is after lift and for a coat to stand "somewhat off the body", the last thing you want is to flatten it or alter texture, for the arctic coat should be somewhat water repellent. As we like to bath and blow dry each week during show season, the coat must be rehydrated each week. Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil diluted 1 tablespoon to 1 gal/4 lt. water for easier and even dispersion through this dense coat. Do not rinse out/leave in. At this dilution, you will not get a greasy coat but a well hydrated coat with healthy vigour to the hair. It really is quite special, and the results are instantaneous, and with continued use, the difference is outstanding. Your coats will be fabulous.

Any area that you wish to flatten such as maybe the topline perhaps or for when the coat is ready to shed and can get a bit cloddy & puffy looking, add 1 dessertspoon of Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream to 500 mls (16oz) of water, mix well and apply to that area and leave in/do not rinse. Any area that needs extra body, such as on a coat that is not fully renewed after shedding, add 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Volumising Cream to the full mix of Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil and water mix (prior to normal use application) and again leave in/do not rinse. The Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream will instantly flatten without making the coat fluffy and reduce any harshness or cloddiness and Plush Puppy Volumising Creamwill, without stickiness, add that "more coat" look to the hair by making 3 hairs look like 3,000!!! Whilst Volumising Cream of course does not grow hair, it is sometimes the difference between staying home and going to a show. Plush Puppy Volumising Spray is a 'Ready to Use' for quicker, easier and fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow-drying or used to 'fluff' up the coat at the show. A light even spray, brush in until dry or use a dryer. Produced for easy use and scientifically balanced for all coat types. This is a hair thickener to add volume - not a hair stiffener and not detectable as it leaves the coat with a natural thicker look and feel. Now the tweaking and finessing - If the legs are stained, use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo prior to using Whitening Shampoo for a good clarifying effect to the coat. Nice to get back that crisp clean look as these dogs are pretty active and not ones to loll about indoors. You can also use Plush Puppy Coat Rescue as an "in between shows" treatment should the coat need that bit extra. Dilute the Coat Rescue well into a squeeze bottle 500 ml (16oz) water to 2 heaped dessertspoons. Coat Rescue and apply with a large sponge to the dehydrated area and leave on for minimum 5 minutes and preferably as long as possible - we tend to leave on for hours whilst we do other dogs - and then rinse clear. Just helps to put some lost structure back into the hair.

So, now you have correct texture, the various areas of the dog flattened or lifted and plenty of substance to the overall silhouette. For dogs totally out of coat you can use Plush Puppy Puffy Dog+ a strong hold but totally water-soluble mousse on the legs, neck and head for extra oomph. Spritz the coat with Plush Puppy OMG with either the Ready to Use version or the Concentrate diluted at 25:1 (i.e.) 25 parts water to one-part OMG.This is a great grooming spray that is not sticky or tacky and gets through the coat quickly. (Can be diluted at 15:1 for heavier use at home when the coat is shedding or cloddy.) If you need extra lift to the coat on show day use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray, a light spray where needed and brush dry.

Drying use the revolutionary innovative Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray that combines the latest active ingredients together to dramatically reduce drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains a recently discovered ingredient from the Australian Native Flame Tree that makes dry or old coat feel and look perfect. It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. It contains a slight hold ingredient for better coat management and a special active ingredient that eliminates static electricity and stops the fly-away's. FAST is probably the most technically advanced formula in the Plush Puppy Range to date.

For brushing use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush for the pants. The dog will give a good shake and the coat will settle into the outline/silhouette. Finish off the ends of the coat with a light go over with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush

Using Plush Puppy Coverup Cream, a white makeup for dogs, dab a small amount onto a barely damp sponge and apply up and down the legs and any other areas that need coverage. Use this in light layers of application rather than one heavy application. For legs use Plush Puppy Chalkestral Apply evenly to areas before chalking. Either put a small amount into your hands and rub together to "warm up" and then rub into the area. Or swipe a small amount into a damp sponge and evenly rub/wipe into the area. Appy chalk or white powder with brush immediately. A unique product that conditions the coat to minimise chalk dry out plus adheres chalk to coat. Totally water soluble

Finish and dry with a light application of 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Powder Puff Terrier mixed into your chalk mix. There is no talc or chalk in this preparation and is all natural. A light spritz over the head and topline withPlush Puppy Shine and Comb for final sheen and a spray of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher to deodorise and leave a faint fragrance is all that is needed 5 minutes or so before ring time.

Keep on hand the Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular which is an all-natural dry-cleaning powder for last minute mishaps - just toss on and brush or blow dry off for instant clean and deodorising the longer areas of the coat.

For the feet you can use Plush Puppy Wonder Washwhich is a no rinse wet instant shampoo. Spray and foam up and towel off. I use this also to remove any cream and powder off the legs after the show so as to be clean and ready for the following day's show.

Your Akita is one stunning animal! With his brisk and powerful stride around the ring and his masterful presence, he cuts a dignified yet alert silhouette in any show line-up. His innate good nature to his owners and man in general, makes him an engaging breed to own and show.There is no reason why even as a strong working type dog he cannot still be a beautiful and glamorous breed too. The answer to that lies within your hands.

Plush Puppy Australia