Dry cabin a good purchase?

[Claudia]

Hi,

A dry cabin is not cheep so I was wondering if it is well spend.
For example = my dogs are in show coats for now and I understand that they cannot dry completly
in the cabin because the should be brushed out completly. But is it possible to pre dry them?
Let say till they almost dry and then with brush and standing dryer the finishing touch?
Ofcourse the coats must be in good shape, not matted and lots of conditioner in it.

Thanks!

I have already a standing dryer and a waterblower (hard powerfull dryer with a hose).

[zefi]

Hi Claudia, I've never heard of a dry cabin, but I do know about cage drying dogs. I knew a lady who pre-dried her standard poodle in a cage then finished off with a brush and stand dryer. The main arguement you'll get about this method from the purists is that cage drying wont dry the coat totally straight and wont stretch each hair out to the maximum. It will cause the coat to curl.

This is what I found works best for me. There's no arguement I do a good job presenting my dogs and yet I do like to make life easier for myself. I did start off doing it the long, hard way. Then I discovered that a high powered hose dryer (a floor model) will blast the water out of the coat really fast and straighten it at the same time. I use that on my show dogs till they are almost entirely dry. Of course, the longer the hair, the harder it is to dry with a blaster, however you can dry all the legs, underbelly, sides and most of the back in this way. If you can do the ears and topknot, just to blast the water out, then great. Next I get the stand dryer and go over the areas I've blasted to make sure they are nice, fluffed and totally dry. Then I lay the dog down and do the topknot and ears which need longer and more care.

This cuts down the time by half at least when compared to my old method of only blasting out the water and using the stand dryer and a brush to dry the entire dog.

Hope this helps.

z

[Claudia]

Thanks for the info, I already have a high power hose dryer and I wonder that when I don't make them ready for show but only do an inbetween wash if a dry cage is easyer / faster than blow dry completly and brush after?

I have not much power in my arms and I would like to do a quick wash/dry between shows on 1 day and then 2 large poodles. Now it cost me almost 2 half days in 1 week (on 1 day its to much for me...). And it cost me 2,5 hours per dog. 

So my idea was 1 dog washing and a little bit pre blow dry and in the dry cage.
When one is in the dry cage then the other one washing and pre blow dry.
Then the second one in the cage dryer and the first one on the table with brush and standing dryer and when finished the second one one the table for brushing and standing dryer.

No problem when they are more curly but I am worried if they get more mats from the drying cage or you need to brush before washing because of matting extra?
 

[zefi]

The curlier the coat is the more it will mat, thats for sure. So drying them straight, even if its not for a show, makes more sense than letting them dry curly. However, if you are trying to save time... I've done this before. Clip both dogs. Wash one and put it in a cage with the dryer on it. Then do the other dog and while its in the cage, blow dry the one on the table. However... try this. I found it saves so much time. I clip everyone in a row. Then I'll wash and dry each dog, but I'll blast them almost entirely dry. I have 2 stand dryers, so when it comes to doing the brush/blow dry I use both dryers. Hehehe. Double power. One is a more powerful drier, the other is a hotter dryer. Together I get both warmth and power. I could dry Bonnard, a BIG standard poodle at 27in, in a full continental, in one hour. It used to take me 2.5 hours just to dry Montana who is only 23in.

[Claudia]

Ok, I have a double K standing dryer and a double K hose dryer.
For the standing dryer I have a peace to hang it on a cage so I can try to do that first.
The hose dryer is powerfull but only with one motor, there is also one with 2 motors
and maby a better investment then a cage dryer ;-).

This one below (most powerfull hose dryer I heard of) I would like to buy in the future:
http://www.jetty.nl/shop/10-drogers/30.html
Biggles X-press including hose holder, 2 motors 1000 watt each and a warming element 400 watt \
But ofcourse also the most expensive one I ever seen ;-).

Do you have experiance with the clippervac? http://www.specialgrooming.nl/winkel-clippervac.html
I think its a huge timesaver and no hairs flying arround. The largest clip is almost 4 cm.
So not suitble of the complete showcoat but for the rest I think perfect ;-)
This is also on my wishlist but ofcourse expensive...
 

[zefi]

I've seen clipper vacs in catalogues but never tried them. They sound wonderful though, as long as the vacuum hose isnt in the way! I just think it looks awkward.

The dryer looks great and has a stand too which is even better!

[Claudia]

The stand of the hose dryer is a must because I try this one without the stand by Jeannette (breeder Elvis) and its heavy for my arms. I can do 1 dog (just yet) and not 2 ;-). But thats me and Jeannette has no problems with it. She has a red one = Gizmo X2 with 2 motors 1000 watt each / no heating element = http://www.jetty.nl/shop/10-drogers/29.html

I understand from the clippervac (Jeannette try it and thinks of buying it later this year) that you have to get used to the vacuumhose, thats all. But ofcourse its in the way at first because your not used to it.
Maby you can try it the next time you are in Holland.

Because of problems with my energy and little power in the arms I always look for products that can make it easier,
thats way I am also in love with cowboy magic ;-).

[zefi]

Yeah, Cowboy Magic is great!!! If I didnt have that I think Romeo would have a shaved head right now!

[Claudia]

Hihi, the same for Elvis. I was in tears the last time before I bought it...
I called Jeannette and we saved the coat, but it was a nightmare!