DON't take your dog to a GROOMER before a show! Take a brush to the dog, and a wet towel . OR you are wasting your time and money on going ! Obviously the dog's undercoat or what as left of it , was stripped out, washed out, and blown out. You could have held onto that another week , untill after the show. At least you would have been competive then. Learn to care for that coat yourself, and present the dog , the way they are intended, NATURAL.

Couldn't agree more with breeder. I am a groomer too! Don't mess with coats right before a show.

Agreed. Sounds like groomer was use to doing Goldens or a dog they stripe or thin the hair. We all learn as we go along. You will never let this be done again am sure. Entering shows, travel and motels all cost to much to have this happen.

Yeah, but if the breeder was the groomer you would think she would know better.

Ya have a couple or even one litter, and yur the breeder and self-proclaimed expert. Maybe the breeder didn't know better. She might now! OP does.

No closer than 2 weeks prior to a show should you bathe them...and only if they are grimy, or skunked; otherwise just rinse them(can spray them with waterless shampoo) with water and towel. I time my baths when they are on the blow and hair is tufting out of their pantaloons.