Hi guys - Have joined today as i have bought my first show dog!! I have had dogs a long time and this has been something i have been working towards. I have an American Cocker spaniel boy - black and white out of fantastic sire and dam. He's called Alfie - hence the username! ;) So a couple of questions.....

Does anyone know of ring craft classes around huddersfield. We are members of huddersfield and district but it's once a month and i really need to take my boy more than this. I heard there was one in bradford but then someone at ringcraft said it had closed?

Also does anyone else have american cocker spaniels or other gundogs that would mind me chatting to them - My hubby is very fed up with dog show talk!! I am also looking for a gundog show buddy who fancies car sharing to some shows. I am new to dog showing so am very grateful for all your help!!!! :)

I look forward to getting to know you all!

Helen x

Welcome to the forum, with regards to the ring craft have you tried phoning around the vets or loacal trainers they usually know where the ring craft is and can give you the contact numbers,thats how we found ours a few years back.

Sorry cant help with the gundog side, I sure somebody will pop along later, we made friends with a woman showing another bullie at our very first show and we still travel along with her to the shows.

Triona

I've got an American cocker but it's mainly the Cavaliers I show. I do keep him in as near a full show coat as I can manage. Hope your breeder is going to give you help with show preparation, that coat is not for the faint hearted! And whatever you do don't let a pet groomer get hold of him, most of them don't know how to do an American (that's how I became a groomer, got sick of having him come back trimmed like an English) and don't let anyone touch his back coat with clippers. But your breeder has probably told you all this already. They are a great breed!

There is the White Rose Canine Society Ringcraft in Birkenshaw, every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.  If you want contact number please PM me.

Ruth

Forgot to add one of the trainers has American Cockers!!

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I ma afraid I can't help you with the ringcraft question, but I have owned and bred Yankees for over 20 years, so happy to chat about them and try to give any help and advice you need.

Hi alfiesmum, how exciting for you! I am new-ish to showing, which means I've been to a few open and champ shows over the past year, starting going to ringcraft regularly but am still capable inventing new depths of DON'TS in the ring :(. However my youngest dog has qualified for Crufts in spite of me so am trying to work hard at being a better handler.

I can't discuss this at all with family or friends, who largely take the view that I've lost my senses, am being irresponsible with the family budget, have become obsessed, etc.

I don't know whether this would be too far for you, but we go to ringcraft classes at Menston. I can forward contact details to you if you'd like to pm me.

Good luck with your boy!