Equipment Tips

This site will direct you to places to start your search for the equipment you’re looking for. Please do searches for other sites that may provide merchandise at better prices.

Here is a list of places, and catalogs you can look under. If I find a particular item in one store/site only, I will mention that:

  Petco

                                                  PetSmart: http://www.petsmart.com/

                          J-B Wholesale: http://www.jbpet.com/

                                                  PetEdge: http://www.petedge.com/

                                                  Foster & Smith: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

                                                  Cherrybrook: http://www.cherrybrook.com/

                                                  Care-A-Lot: http://www.carealotpets.com/

                                                  World Pet Store: www.apetmall.com/index/html

Must Have

CRATES – wire crate – most Shilohs need a crate 33-36 inches high. Males usually need a 36 inch crate. Very tall Shilohs may need a Great Dane size crate, but, this is not a foldable crate. If you travel to shows, you want to look for a foldable crate that’s lightweight. Also look for crates that fold as flat as possible. I have a General Cage crate that is foldable, but is very heavy, and when it folds its still 8 inches thick! Some crates come with one, two and three doors. There are different door latches. Some of our Shilohs can open some of the doors. So, the harder to open the door, the better. Some crates come with divider panels for use when dog is a small puppy. It divides the crate, allowing the puppy only a portion of the crate space, encouraging it to avoid soiling the crate.

CRATES – plastic crate – Vari-kennel is the best known brand. It’s a must have crate if you plan on flying with your dog, as some plastic crates are the only ones approved by airlines. However, because it’s made of plastic, with small windows, be aware that the dog may get overly hot inside one of these. It’s very hard to find 36 inch high ones, but they’re out there. Check at a PetSmart store. If ordering from a catalog, ask for shipping costs. When I looked into buying one, the shipping cost was higher than the cost of the crate.

                                                                                                                                                           Found 35 inch Vari-kennels at:
                  PetSmart   

                                                      PetEdge: http://www.petedge.com/

                                                      Cherrybrook: http://www.cherrybrook.com/

CRATES – soft sided – These are crates made of mesh walls with canvas trim, and are lightweight and foldable. However, they’re not recommended for puppies, or dogs that dig. Shilohs are notorious for destroying these crates in no time!

X-PENS or exercise pens – They come in 8 and 12 panels, usually from 24 inches to 48 inches high. If your dog is a jumper, go for 48 inches. Small Shiloh puppies can go over the 24 inch ones. They also come with or without doors. It’s much easier to handle a dog in a tall pen, if it has a door. If you have more than one dog, and you want to keep them in the same pen, try the 12 panel.

X-PEN GROUND STAKES – Usually come in a set of eight 5 inch stakes to securely anchor the x-pen to the ground. Great to secure x-pen to ground, if dog likes to jump on it.

            Found at PetEdge: http://www.petedge.com/

CANOPIES – come in different sizes and styles, from inexpensive, to very expensive. They are a must for outside shows, especially in the summer, to protect the dogs from the heat and sun.

Plastic tarps – come in many pieces and need to be assembled together, connecting A to B to C, etc. They are not as expensive as canopies, come in a smaller, more compact sack, and can rip easier. But, because of the lower cost, can also be replaced at less cost.

EZ ups – the frame comes all connected. It takes 2 people to open it, although I’ve put one up by myself (it wasn’t easy). The canopy is made of a durable material that’s water proof. If you choose to buy one, open it and spray all moving parts, buttons, with a silicone spray. It makes it much easier to open and close. Some come with plastic walls to connect to the sides, for dryness and shade. Others come with screen sides that also connect to the frame, also to provide shade. Some are just the canopy alone.

Cabanas/Tents – are bigger and fancier. You can get really big rectangular or round tents that come with screen walls and zippers that close all sides keeping flies and other flying pests away.

To view some of these tents go to: http://www.acecanopy.com/ However, these are very expensive! You can find much cheaper EZ ups at Costco, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, etc. Shop around!

SHADE SCREENS – A must for outdoor shows. Provide shade for the dog, but allows air to breeze through. They have metal grommets every 2 feet to allow the screen to fasten with clamps or bungees to a crate, x-pen or canopy. Come in sizes 6’x8’ and 6’x12’. For hanging around canopies, get the 6’x12’ sizes

BUNGEE CORDS – are a must to tie shade screens to canopies. See: http://www.championcanopies.com/accessories.html

WATER DISHES – different varieties made of plastic, metal, ceramic.

Plastic dishes – not recommended for puppies and young dogs who like to chew them up.

Metal pans or buckets - Buckets are great for hanging from wire crates or x-pens; they also make it harder for the dog to spill water. Beware of metal buckets or pans outside in hot weather, they get hot! I prefer the 2 quart size for hanging from crates. The 6 quart size may be too big for dogs who like to play in their water. Found buckets with flat backs and back clips for hanging in the Cherrybrook catalog:http://www.cherrybrook.com/

Ceramic – heavy duty ceramic make great water dishes for outdoors when hot. Must be careful with them as they are breakable. Not for dogs who like to pick up their dishes and carry them around (or throw them)

Buddy bowls – made of plastic, but the dog can turn them over with no water spillage. Perfect for dogs who like to play in their water. Found at PetSmart and other pet stores. Also:

            http://www.petsmart.com/

            http://www.apetmall.com/orbudbow.html

         http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.aspSC=XNET8005&ProdGroupID=18086&DeptPGID=17768&lstCategory=18068

Port-A-Bowl – collapsible travel bowls, will hold food or water. Didn’t work for my dog, he kept stepping on the sides, collapsing the bowl.

FOOD DISHES – different varieties found, plastic, metal, ceramic.

Plastic dishes – not recommended for puppies or young dogs who like to chew them up

Metal pans – stainless steel pans don’t rust, last a very long time. Not for outside use when it’s hot, they can get very hot.

Ceramic dishes/Crocks – breakable, nice for outside use when hot, if dog doesn’t like to pick them up, throw them.

LEASHES/LEADS – there are several length leashes, depending on the use intended. They can be found anywhere from 2 feet to 50 feet in length, and 3/16 inch to 1 inch in thickness. Leashes also come in regular loop size (where the handler places hand to hold leash) or thumb size loop. Thumb leads loop size is small, allowing only space for the thumb to fit through the loop. The thumb leads are preferred and recommended by Tina & Lisa Barber. To see these thumb leads go to: http://shepherdsridge.com/thumb_leads.htm

Courtesy of Debbie Knatz. Ordering information through Debbie’s website. Thumb leads are hand made and special ordered - delivery takes 6-8 weeks.

Show leads – usually 2-4 feet in length. Two feet braded thumb leads are a favorite of Lisa Barber’s for use with tall Shilohs. Show leads should be thin, about ¼ thick. Avoid nylon leads; they can tear up your hand. Leather leads are recommended. Several well known dog handlers recommend Resco leads, made of cordo-hyde. The Resco leads fold neatly in your hand, helping achieve a professional appearance. Most leads come with bolt snap style, martingale style, or loop style. With the bolt snap, you snap the lead to the dog’s collar. The martingale lead combines a lead with a choke, all in one, all the same material. The loop style has no snap; you loop the lead through the dog’s collar ring. Many professionals prefer this kind, as there is no chance of the dog becoming loose during a show.

Walking leads – usually 6-8 feet long. Avoid nylon leads; they can tear up your hand. Leather leads are the best. The thumb leads leather is soft and stretches a little as you use it. Walking leads should be ½ to 1 inch thick, depending on the size of your hand. Try different widths for comfort in use.

Exercise leads – these can be 10 to 50 feet in length. They are made out of cotton web, or the Mendota Check cords are made out of polypropylene. Check these cords for tears periodically, specially the cotton web ones which tend to fray with time and use. I once saw a long exercise lead made of leather, but I couldn’t find the site.

Flexi-leads – not recommended for Shilohs. The lead is very thin and can cut into legs, both human and canine. It can also do serious damage to hands or fingers, if caught in the line, or not used properly.

Gentle leader/Halti – not recommended for Shilohs. If used, must start at a very young age for dog to adapt to it.

COLLARS – collars come in many shapes and kinds, from flat collars to prongs. They can be made of nylon, cotton, leather, metal.

Flat collars – usually made of cotton or nylon webbing, and leather.  They usually have either a buckle or a quick release snap. For plush Shilohs a round leather collar is recommended, it starts flat, but the leather is rounded, to avoid fur pulling. The cotton and nylon collars come in many colors and designs.

Martingale collars – half flat collar, half choke collar. You’re able to pull the leash to close the collar around the dog’s neck, but only to a certain point. They’re also called Lupine or Greyhound collars. For picture see: http://www.jbpet.com/Shopping/category.asp?catalog_name=JBWholesale&category_name=CollarsLupine&page=1

Choke collars – choke collars should fit so that they barely go over the dog’s head. They should sit right below the dog’s ears and jaw, not slip down their neck.  They can be made of nylon or metal chain. Tina and Lisa Barber recommend the Herm Sprenger chain collars for their sturdiness. Although the chain collars come in fine link to extra heavy link, the Barbers recommend a fine to medium size link. The metal chain collars with the fancier cuts are preferred in the show ring. They come in different styles such as flat link, hexagon or snake link, and fur saver (very large links) and different finishes such as chrome plated and gold plated. Golden, brown, or red sables look better in a gold plated choke collar. Silver, grey, or black sables or duals, in a chrome plated finish. The Herm Sprenger collars can be ordered through catalogs, or through Debbie Knatz’s website: http://shepherdsridge.com/training_collars.htm. She also explains how to measure your dog for a perfect fit. (Courtesy of Debbie Knatz)

Prong collars – not recommended by Tina and Lisa Barber, but preferred to Gentle Leaders or Haltis. Again, the Herm Sprenger collars are recommended. They now also come in snap on styles, easier to put on and take off the dog. A medium weight collar should be used.

GROOMING SUPPLIES

BRUSHES – they come with plastic or wooden handles per customer preference. Pin brushes are best for plush Shilohs. Bristle brushes may be used on smooths. The pins come in different lengths. Too long pins can scratch your dog’s skin, so not recommended unless the dog has a very heavy coat. Hint: avoid brushing your dog’s coat when dry. Spray water or conditioner on it, prior to brushing, to avoid breaking hair.

SLICKER BRUSHES – also in different kinds of handles, per preference, and length of pins. Slicker brushes are a must to take care of the hair around the ears, behind the front legs and the hocks.

COMBS – come in fine, medium and coarse with different handles and made of different materials. Which kind will depend on your dog’s coat. Some combs come with rotating teeth, to get through tangles easier. The rotating teeth combs are easier to use.

RAKES - used for removing excessive undercoat. They come with different handles, per preference. Also come with rotating and non rotating teeth.

NAIL CLIPPERS – surgical stainless steel blades are preferred to the guillotine style clippers. The guillotine style tends to split the nail.

NAIL FILES – some owners prefer to file their dogs’ nails, to cutting them.

DREMMEL – battery charged file used to trim and smooth dog’s nails. Preferred by many to cutting with clippers, as the chance of cutting the quick is minimal.

SHAMPOO – many styles available. There are special ones to enhance color of dog, white, black, etc. A very large selection is found in Cherrybrook’s website.

CONDITIONER – optional to use on dogs. My preferred method is to dilute Suave Humectant conditioner in a spray bottle, with warm water. Then, spray it on the dog prior to brushing him.

TOOTHBRUSH – there are several on the market, from finger massager, to toothbrush. Teeth should be brushed daily.

TOOTHPASTE – different flavors, Petrodex is one of the better known brands. Ask your vet for preference.

SCISSORS – many sizes available. Shilohs don’t need heavy trimming as some other breeds. I prefer short scissors with rounded tips for working around the dog’s feet. There’s less chance of accidentally stabbing the dog.

THINNING SHEARS – best to use shears around feet, ears and leg fringes. It gives a more natural look to the trim. For beginners, the closer the shearing teeth the better. Look for 42-44 count versus a 30 count which has more space between the teeth and is used by more professional groomers.

OPTIONAL ITEMS 

X-PEN GROUND COVER – spreads under your x-pen, to keep dog clean for show. Keeps dog from digging in dirt. Comes is sizes 4’x 7’, 6’x 8’ and 9’x9’

BODY COOLER RADIANT REFLECTOR – protects dog from sun and heat. Made of fire resistant material specially made for NASA. Various sizes. See: http://www.cherrybrook.com/

CRATE PADS – many types can be used. Even bath mats and carpet remnant pieces can be placed inside crates. Don’t use bath mats or carpet with puppies, and dogs that are still chewing things.

Steri-Lon pads – trevira polyester imitation sheep skin. Come cut or in rolls you can cut yourself to fit your needs. Also used in whelping boxes. Has a rubberized non-slip backing. Moisture passes through so the dog stays dry. Is non-allergenic and anti-bacterial. Machine wash and dry.

Nylon crate cushions – imitation lambskin fleece on top, bottom is tough moisture-resistant nylon. The covers remove for washing. Inside is heavy urethane foam that keeps its shape.

Self-Adjusting crate pads – Thick bolsters on the back and sides conform to make an exact fit. Center pad has a fleece top and waterproof base. Zippered for removal of the inner bonded polyester pad. Base with bolsters is machine washable and dryable.