Hi All,

How do you know if your dog is good enough to show? Is it just a case of trial and error?

I have a 6 mth old cocker spaniel, who currenlty goes to dog training and is doing OK, but not sure if he'll be good enough in the ring.

Any advice would be apprecaited!!

Claire

Join a local Ringcraft Club which will be full of experienced people to help you on your way.

As for the quality of your pup for showing...why not attend a dog show, they are advertised in Dog World and Our Dogs tabloids., that way you can compare your dog with those in the ring and talk to people with the same breed. If you are lucky you may find someone in the same breed who lives near you and you may be able to take puppy along for an assessment. Otherwise you could enter some shows and see how you get on!!

Hi Melton,

Thanks for your advice. I will take Homer to Ringcraft classes and see whether he has what it takes. I think his appearance is stunning, but realise that I may be being biased (aren't we all when it comes to our pups)

I will also try and attend some shows with him, I know his parents both show, so I might try and see if we can see them one day.

Thanks again

Claire

Hi Claire,
His breeder should be able to give you an honest assessment of him. (We all think our own are the bees-knees!)
Good luck!
:)

Hi jeangenie!

I haven't had any contact with the breeder since we got Homer. I've tried to get in touch several times without success. I will try her again though as I would love Homer to meet up with his parents again too!

Thanks for your help!

Also it isa a breed where correct coat trim and preperation count for a lot. If he has been clipped out then he won't do anything.

Contact your nearest coker breed club fort advise. Most will have publicztions of help to the novice exhibitor and groomer.

I think it's a Cocker? In which case coat trimming & presentation does count for a lot in the show ring. The Cocker Spaniel Club does do a small booklet on grooming (details from here) There is also a grooming video available by Jackie Marris-Bray, a well-known Cocker expert, produced by AMP Productions (Tel 01379 852670). You can also find plenty of grooming info & showing advice on this Cocker forum at http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/board/index.php

go to shows and ask people what they think, also enter some and see how you do against other cockers but remember not everyone likes the same dog so one day u might get nowhere and then next time win it!

Thanks for everyone's help.

We haven't had Homer's coat cut yet as I wouldn't know where to start. Are there places we can take him, as I'd feel nervous doing it myself. I know they're are dog groomers near where I live, but not sure of the standard there. He got a beautiful gold coat at the moment and I'd hate for it to be ruined!

Sorry for all the questions!

Please don't take Homer to a high street groomer unless you know that they can handstrip a Cocker correctly - many will clip a Cocker puppy automatically. The best thing to do would be to find a Cocker breeder/exhibitor who lives reasonably near to you who offers a grooming service - this is especially important if you have any ambitions to show your pup. Where do you live? I might be able to recommend someone who can help.

Hi Jane,

I live in Birmingham, so I can travel to most places pretty easy. I would prefer to go to a professional rather than someone who's going to get too carried away and spoil his beautiful fur. If you have any recommendations that would be great.

I'll also have to practice with him for his training class- he gets assesed tomorrow. Lets hope he's more intersted in it than the rabbit droppings for once!

I'm sending you a contact privately Claire :-)