at the dog show yesterday
he is a black and tan 18 months old and he is called ticky
so cute his owner took him out so i could take photos so adorable
i am definetly getting an american cocker spaniel and i think i will get a black and tan bitch puppy and call her ebony

his owner  said she was a member here so hello .....

gwen is it true that parti dogs are a bit skitzy i think that is the word someone told me not to get a parti i want a solid puppy anyway
also is their coat inclined to crimp

georgina

Hi Georgina, I'm sure Gwen will be along shortly, but can I say that I also have American Cockers. I have two Black and Tans one of which is owned in partnership with Gwen. I also have three blacks and a buff. The parti coloured Americans do have a reputation for being rather dizzy and highly strung. They are all very forward curious and cheeky though. Bright as little buttons. You will love them, they are full of character, but very high maintainence, all that coat needs lots and lots of attention.

Keep in touch with Gwen, she'll give you loads of useful advice.

Dawn R.

I also have an American, a buff called Charlie-and I have to say, out of all my brood, he's the one that you look at and just go "awwww" :D - unfortunately, he knows it now too.... :)

Hi Gina,

To give a generalisation, the Partis are more "High maintenance" than the solids.  This helps make them superb show dogs of course, but can be a little hard  to live with.  Dexter, my old boy, is now 9 and still cannot become a house pet - he is very happy in his run with "his" girls, has loads of toys, slides etc to play on and with, but is impossible in the house!  His mother was apparently the same, and all her retirement still could not become a house pet, they sort of do the "wall of death" around the house, and never settle at all :) .  Having said that, one of my most laid back girls was a parti, so this is a a guide not an absolute. 

We have been very lucky with our black and tans, getting some very well marked ones, as lack of tan is a fault in the ring.  I have the most adorable B&T baby at the moment (not advertising, there is a waiting list of people just for her in case anyone drops out) who is half sister to Dawns B & T, Kitty.  Keep an eye out over in Ireland fro one of our B & T boys, who just came over in July to show, his litter borther went RBPIS at Bournemouth last week, and another litter brother was Winner Dog in the black variety at the Summer national in Indianapolis!

The quesiton of coat texture is not dependent on colour.  Partis are more high maintanence because of staining, but regardless of colour some Yankees have glorious, correct,  silky coats, and some have that wavy, almsot wirey texture which is so hard to deal with.

bye
Gwen

thank you every1 i am totally in love as you have probably seen i was originally getting a parson but i have been converted i am totally in love with the breed

gwen there were a few of your dogs there yesterday but i only saw them at a glance as the owner was leaving which is a pity ......

i love the black and tan dogs so i think that is what i will get

georgina

hi gwen would love to see a picture of b+t puppy i just love that colour

the boy i saw yesterday was so so friendly i feel in love so friendly and i took lots of pics to show my dad as it is thanks to his trip to chicago that i knew about them
i am also going to order the world of american cockers what is the authors name again gwen
i think i have twisted his arm .......

also there were only a few entries at the show yesterday which is such a pity

thanks again
georgina

Hi Georgina,

The authors are Bill Gorodner and Lloyd Alton - it is a VERY BIG book, but one of the best dog books I have ever read!  If you think you are hooked now, wait till you have seen this book!

Will mail you some puppy pics.

bye
Gwen

Gwen

Is that THE Dexter (Pistols at Dawn)....I admired his photos as a show dog and his character shone through. Its nice to know he is still active. I called my old dog Dexter after him, he was a Manchester Terrier (totally different, I know) and he too did a wall of death round the house.

I love the American cockers and their coats, but I will admire from afar as I am too lazy to spend hours grooming - Miniature Schauzers are high maintenance enough for me!

Hi Malwhit,
Yes, that is my Dexter (Sh Ch Boduf Pistols at Dawn with Afterglow) glad to know he is still remembered, although he will always be a superstar to me ;)  He is now 9 years old, and has been retired from the ring since he was 3.  He has a happy, active life, with all his girls around him, goes swimming regularly (he had a back op a few years back)  and still has that wonderful "look at me" character.  I will tell hinm tomorrow that he has a name sake :)  The wonderful flowing coat is now a thing of the past - he is clipped off in a pet trim, much more practical for  the realxed life!
bye
Gwen