Hi,

I have a 20 months old irish setter (rescue) and i am looking for someone in the spalding or surrounding area that may be able to trim him for me. I have taken a lot of the excess hair from his ears (enough to stuff a cushion) but need to tidy him up as I would like to show him in companion shows for a bit of fun (and it does get me out of the house).

Many thanks

Hi Muppytoes, (I bet you have another name) I'm an Irish Setter exhibitor but not in your area unfortunately.

There are a couple of breeder/exhibitors in your neck of the woods though, and I could let you have some contact details if you like, by private message. However, there isn't alot to trimming an Irish for the showring, but the groundwork needs to be done first. I'm sure you would get a great deal of satisfaction from preparing the dog yourself.

Dee Milligan-Bott of the Thendara Irish Setters has done a DVD on the grooming and preparation of Irish Seters for the showring. I don't have it, but Dee is world renowned for her grooming skill. I know it's available on ebay for just under £30.

You could also go along to some dog shows in your area and speak to the Irish exhibitors and see what they've done with their dogs.

Look on  www.bardonhill.com for a show calendar and also try on www.irishsetters.org.uk for other information.

I'll look up some contacts for you in the Lincs area and send by private message.

Dawn R.

Hi Dawn,

Many thanks for your email - I would be grateful for any info you have.  I have tried and as stated have got rid of a lot on his ears.  I have managed to do the feet and hocks (and they look quite good even if i say so myself).  It's the ears and neck that I need help with.  Once done I know I can keep on top of it.  I did ask an exhibitor at a companion show on Satuday about trimming who had Irish but she just said "I wouldn't bother if I were you, he's too big for a start amongst other things and you would just be wasting your money" - I know he's a bit big and only want to do companion shows but I still want him to look tidy.

Val (remembered to put my name this time)

ignore those comments Val ..some people just dont want competition!!! ( some sad people say things like that to you at Ch shows to try and put you off in the ring).

You go to companion shows and have a fun day out ...well done on getting this  far  in your grooming and taking in a rescue...I commend you ...Have fun

Roni

>but she just said "I wouldn't bother if I were you, he's too big for a start amongst other things and you would just be wasting your money" -

How rude!  Even if that were true it's your money to waste and your dog to decide.  It's that sort of attitude that gives show people a bad name, what a misery she was.

Sorry it's not my breed, or location, but I do hope you can find someone to help.  Do you happen to know his breeding?  I wonder if there is an established breeder in his line somewhere that might be happy to help.

Good luck with him Val - he sounds as if he may have landed on his gorgeous (and now tidy) paws with you :)

Rebecca

That was pretty rude! My Cav bitch is a little bigger than ideal and she does well at companion and open shows, so just ignore that woman! Good luck with the trimming and the showing. :-)

Thanks everyone for the support. 

I must admit by the time I got him home in my mind he was bigger than a dane but he has now shrunk down to just being a big boy again.  It's funny how a comment can affect you, luckily I don't kown what the "amongst other things" were!!  There is a show on my mum's birthday and I will be taking my Great Dane sorry I mean Irish Setter to it (along with mum of course as she loves going to shows).  I'll let you know how he does.  I have two weeks to tidy him up.  I am going to make a couple of calls (thanks Dawn) and if no joy I will have another go myself, perhaps one ear and side of neck one week, other ear & side of neck the next!!!!!

Val

Hi muppytoes

Why not join the Irish setter walk on May 2nd in matlock it helps raise money for IS rescue, you will get help and advise on trimming your dog from IS people, details on Bardonhill.com