What do you do in the way of grooming your Lab for the show ring? Do you groom differently for specialty shows as opposed to all breed shows?

I don't groom any differently for a specialty or an all breed. I check teeth the week before the show and scale if needed. I grind nails 3 days before the show. (this way if I grind too much any soreness is gone by show time.) I bath if needed 3 days before the show.(so the hair has time to settle and get a oil coating) We very rarely use shampoo mostly just a hosedown. I live by the ocean and find a swim in the ocean with a hosedown making sure not to rinse off all the salt works best. The salt water helps Harden the coat. When I get to the show brush the dog then I spray the dog down well with a 50/50 listerine and water mixture and wipe well with a dark colored towel. Then I spray again and let dry naturally. I love Labs not much grooming is needed.

Just a nail trim and some tooth-brushing here, coat brushing as needed. At handling class, I was told to trim Holly's belly hair. Trim her belly hair! I ignored that suggestion.
Can anyone tell me why people spray the dog? I see people doing it at specialties all of the time.

Krisinme, what kind of nail grinder do you use and recommend? Also, why do you spray, wipe down with a dark towel and then spray again and let dry? I also use Listerine since it is anti-bacterial and Mac is around lots of dogs in the ring.

PATEX, Mac spent time with a pro handler and they trimmed up his belly hair. I have a video about showing Labs and they do a lot of trimming. Like the belly, foot pads, chest, rear area and tail tip. Here in Japan (and it was mentioned on the video for all breed shows) we even trim all whiskers!

The only thing trimmed around her is any feathering on the tail. My girl has no feathering so it is not needed. I spray to cut down on the dandruff from stress and to make it feel good and harsh. I use a dark towel so I can see if anyone snags my towel and uses it on a yellow dog. My black girl collects stray yellow hairs as a hobby..lol. It also helps give the coat a shine that is not too shiny. Not to mention it makes her smell good. I have a cheap 20 dollar Dremel Minimite from walmart. I don't know if you can get those in Japan or not. It is rechargable and comes with all the sanding wheels. I am still a newbie myself but can't imagine trimming belly hair since we want a level bottomline.

I am intregued by the listerine spray-it hardens the coat, makes them smell better kills what kinds of germs? Does this work on other breeds of dogs?

We are new to the show thing and the kids show 4-H and are looking to show at some fun matches-Thanks!