hi helen
thats wonderful i wouldnt no how it feels but i do hope to one day it must be magical it shows there are some judges out there that judge the dogs many congratulations
hay we have over 100 posts now!!

fiona

Yes its great, over 100 yankee posts!!! :D lets keep it up!! :D :D I am so happy to have my baby yankee Pippin, he is wonderful and even if I have only had him a few days, could not imagine my life without him, he is just so bright and very loving.........sorry for talking about him so much, but I am over the moon! Having him is a dream come true :)
Carol

Hiya
we all go on about are loved ones yanks just give you that bit more of love and cuddles

fiona

Hi Carol,

Yu got one then....may you have many happy years with him.  I,m considering having another puppy, i quite fancy a black and tan.  I,m sure my Alfie needs some doggie company apart from us lot.   Fiona he took best puppy again at Suffolk so i was well chuffed, Mary was thrilled for me even though he beat his own sister to get best puppy, and guess who handled him.....  Moi! lol.  What a nice day we had.

Hi Daisy and Fiona, yes having a yankee is even more wonderful than I even dreamed, he is sweet and always wants to be part of everything (especially gardening but he is not always the great help he think he is by chewing the plants :D :D  ). He is very good, and does not mind his bath and the blaster even if he looks so small on the table!!! I clipped his head but have left the rest for now, at what age shoud I start hand stripping? He is just 8 weeks bless him!!! :)
Daisy well done with Alfie!! you are both doing so well in the ring! A black and tan yankee would be so cute!! Just looking at my little guy I cant imagine a life without yankees!
Carol :)

Carol
I would personally leave the back coat well alone until a week before 6 months the longer you leave it the better the finish you will have i.e. laying a lot flatter they may look funny but its so worth it, some people don't and the backs are wavy as they have done it to soon. You may notice it starts to fall out from the rump and work forward in this time that's good, as the coat isn't been yanked out to soon. If you are confident however you can keep tipping the ends of the coat on the legs so it strengthens the coat.

Hettie at 6 months just had her neck and shoulders the rest was lovely and flat as it had fallen out on its own accord, and now i couldn't wish for a flatter back its been the same all her life :)

Fiona

big well done with alfie, thats wonderful are you going to norfolk and norwich i havent seen you for ages, hay looks like you have a good handler there lol

fiona

hi Fiona thanks for the advice, I was wondering about when to start and thanks for the tip on stopping a wavy coat, Hettie sounds lovely! :)
Carol

Hi Carol

That's ok im pleased to help anyone, I also no a good article on the plush puppy website i have just started to dry this way and it takes out the wave in the leg coat if your puppy ends up with it a bit, don't worry a wavy coat is accepted

Fiona

Hi

can anyone recommend products to use to prevent on the am cocker coat. I have a black and tan male in full coat who constantly gets matted under the arms, I wash him twice a week and still he gets huge matts in the same place. He's losing a lot of hair and I would like to stop this problem from continuing. Does anyone have any advice on what products to use etc.

thanks
BN

Hi bn

i recomend riviva coat and seabreeze oil from plush puppy
i will have to get back to you later on how to use it but have a look on www.plushpuppy.com.au

Fiona

BN123 i have pmed you with the info just now

Fiona

Hi Fi and Carol,

We have got an open show at Ely next week end then the Royal Norfolk two weeks later.  Carol dont ask me for any tips on grooming lol, alfies breeder still has him to hers once a fortnight for a quick tidy up, I dont know what i,d do without her. :o)  Hes now nearly 8 months and looking a lovely little dog.  His neck seems to keep growing lol, i,m sure hes part dinosaur <grins>

Hiiiiiii
hay see you at royal norfolk, thats brilliant that hes got a neck on him! if you find trouble with noting i have some good dtuf that helps lol

Fiona

Carol you never said what breeding the pup was, is his pedigree full of champions lol ?

Hi Daisy, my little guy is out of two Afterglows, his mummy is a daughter of Engelbert to name just one of his wonderful yankee 'relatives'!!
He is a very cute black boy and we love him to bits!! :)
Carol :)

so he goes back to the outstandng choice who i love so much and in that case is related to my two
and you saw ed in the ring at crufts as well hehe ill pm you asap carol

fiona

Hi Fiona, yes I love Choice so much, my friend has all the crufts videos and I was watching the one with Choice being shown and she is so stunning!!!! :)
Carol

o wow i would have loved to see videos from crufts, your soooooooo lucky i have a lovely head pic of her.

Fiona

:)

IS ANYONE GOING TO NEWMARKET SHOW TOMORROW WITH A TABLE!!, im getting a lift there as mum is there today and no one to look after the little ones as my sisters away so its the only way i can get there.

See the yankie people there someone must be going lol!
Fiona

HIIIII
Well done at the show in the AV minor puppy class i think LOL hes a bundle of fun isan't he lol, you can show him really well considering you havent been showing long. Just one thing i noticed you kept pulling his back legs out and not paying atention to his front which was making him overstand he just about freestands himself he was telling you his legs were to far out by puting them back!.

Fiona

If any of you have cute Yankee pics please remember that we are needing photos for next years calendar, as long as you have copyright of the pics we like both relaxed and show poses.  We cant pay for the pics I am afraid, but will credit the dog, owner and photographers for any we use.  For those of you not familiar with the calendar, all profits from it go to American  Cocker rescue.

bye
Gwen

Hi Gwen nice to see you back, i would be very much intrested in putting some pictures in the calander how much does it cost?. i would also like to put a advert in the year book this year, i have got some lovely pics of my lot looking cute, and in show post whats the closing date for the pictures to be in for?

Thanks for the information
Fiona

Hi Gwen and Fiona, pics on the way this evening! Have been so busy with Pippin that am still waiting to get them on the computer but am setting a time to do it today after his little walk as he hopefully will be asleep for a while then!!! :D (hopefully..... :D )
Carol (absolutely love yankees!!) :) Ollie and Pippin :)

Hi Carol,i look foward to seeing the pics where are you sending mine? PM me when you have sent them!! hows he coming on?

Fiona

Hi Fiona & Carol,

We sell the finished calendars for Rescue,  and simply pick out favourite pics from those we take and which are submitted, we are greatful for contributions, and certianly dont cahrge!  All year book details will be in the Breed Notes this weekend, dont think I am allowed to post prices etc here, but closing date for ads is 7th August.  Order forms will be at Windsor, and all shows in July/August.
Looking forwrd to getting pics - then I jsut have to think of the captions!

bye
Gwen

Hi Gwen
Who is giving out the year book forms at windsor? Il get digging some pics out then and get this recent film developed!
can you PM me the price info at all? we wont get the papers until about a week late normally!
Fiona

Hi folks,

I'm looking for an American Cocker (from Aberdeen, Scotland) and I was wondering if anyone knew of any breeders in this neck of the woods. If not could anyone tell me which line/s I should be looking at for a good dog. Not intending to show just want one for a pet.

Also, if possible, any tips on best care practices? Any definitive books on the breed that are recommended.

I've been reading about dogs being imported, any advice or thoughts on this. Not sure if this route is good for the dogs welfare or not.

Any info would be great, thanks.

David

Hi David,
You have picked a great breed, thy make wonderful pets. 
i dont know of any litters in Scotland at the moment, but is you want to PM or mail me I can put you in touch with beautifully bred pups elsewhere.

There are lots of books on the breed, but the one I recomend as the best is The American Cocker Spaniel by Lloyd &  Gorodner (hope these detials are correct, as my copy is away on loan,, I know Carol has recently acquired it, so will be able to give full details.  This is a very big book, and pricey, but worth its weight in gold for anyone interested in the breed.

Whoever you buy from, m ake sure both parents (and grandparents where still available) have current clear eye status, and that the breeder is aware of any othr health implication in the lines, such as Epilepsy

As you are looking for a pet, I dont think that the  cost of importing would be justified -m the main reason is to bring new breeding lines into your lines,  which is not applicable if you want a pet, obviously.  Generally, looking at importing from the USA,  shipping, vets fees , pet passport etc will roughly at least triple the cost of th epup, and then there is the stress of shipping.  Your puppy will also be at least 7 months old before it can travel to you.

However, in the UK we have some of the best USA lines available,  one or two kennels have imported/used Ai to produce world class dogs, so you dont have to look too far from hommw to get a super pet, with a great temperamnet. 

'One thing to consider,  have you any fixed ideas on colour - I adore all Americna COckers, andn have had mmost colours, but something for a first timer to consider is that tempermentally the solid colours are very different from the partis!

Happy to answer any Yankee questions you have.

bye
Gwe n

Thanks very much for the info, Gwen, much appreciated. Don't think I'll be doing any importing! As for colours I was hoping to get a solid buff coloured one but as these dogs are so rare in this neck of the woods I don't think I can be too choosy.

You have me intrigued as to their different behaviours now!

As there is the probability that I will have to travel the length and breadth of UK to find a dog are there any particular breeders who you can recommend? Are the KC registered ones up to scratch?

Thanks again for your help, you seem to be a fountain of knowledge!

Hi
I can mention many afixes that stick out with the quality of dogs but the best have to be afterglow which Gwen is part of, and sundust. Gwen has a huge amount of information stored away!They are such a joy to live with and give you so much back, im sure you will love a yankie

Talking of that book, what cover does it have? not sure if i have it or not!.
Fiona

Hi again,

I can certainly point you in the d irection of several litters inn the North Of England, if you want to either PM or email me, and ammhappy to give you any advice you want.
bye
Gwen

Hi David,
you are going to love having a yankee (american cocker!), they are the most wonderful dogs, truly amazing! The book I have on yankees, reccommended by Gwen is called 'The world of the cocker spaniel' by Gorodner and Lloyd Alton published by TFH.
It has a parti yankee on the front, and a blue background and is a 'super' book with LOTS of yankee facts and pictures and by far my fave yankee book! (thank you Gwen!!)  :) I got mine through 'Our Dogs' so I am sure if you go to www.ourdogs.co.uk you will be able to order a copy!
Best of luck with your future baby yankee, and please let us know how you get on! I have just recently got a little yankee, and he is so great that I could not imagine the rest of life without yankees!
Carol :)

Sounds like your hocked carol, they are an amazing breed. Is it the book with a red and white on the front/ back and a black and wite on the front/back both head studies?

Fiona

daisy13110  i hope you still read this bord!!!! like you said the link is http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/board_show.pl?bid=10 then go to " my cookies have been disabled!" theres a link in there that will log you in and also explaine to you what happend.

Fiona

I can definitely recommend them too, I have a buff American cocker and he is so funny and always keeps us guessing! He's rather a fidget and a stomach on legs, but he's worth it! Going to embarrass ourselves at Clacton show with my coatless wonder for his outing for this year, keeping my Cavalier puppy company!!

My mums going to that show with my sister so if you see a min poodle pup that cant stop springing thats my sister and out standards going hes just been cut out so may be silly!.

Fiona

Today was Pippins first attempt at ring craft! and have to say it went really well and am so proud of him! :)
He did not mind the other dogs at all and was full of his own importance in the ring with his head held up thinking how wonderful he is :D :D He didnt mind being in company of dogs big and small and just wagged his tail and then went around the ring very well on the lead! He has kept the great movement he had as a baby!! :) and showing a yankee (even if this was just practice!) is better than anything I could have hoped for! He was good and did not mind his teeth being examined and stood too, even for just a few seconds at a time, :D but at least he did it! Am so proud of him!!!!!
Yankees are wonderful :) :)
Carol

Fantastic, Carol! What a good temperament your boy has - and it shows what good basic Training For Life ringcraft is.
:)

Well done Carole & Pippin
bye
Gwen

Well done carol and pippin :D :D thats wonderful, i have the fun to come in a couple of weeks taking a standard puppy of mums i will be partly showing, showing a yank makes me feel proud when it moves well, it must be the way they flow.
Fiona

yay well done carol :D are you doing the munster circuit with any of your dogs?

sarah xxxx

Thank you so much everyone! :)
Hi Sarah, yes I will be going to the circuit shows but wont be showing as Pippin is still too young, still will be great to watch and do some shopping!!! look foreward to seeing you and your puppies! :)
Carol :)

Hello! just looking for some yankee advice! which is the best type of show lead for a black yankee?
Carol :)

iv just brought a light weight slip lead black for black and buff for buff £4 quid each how good was that as far as a show lead goes some people use chains i have done in the past and think i may have to on a puppy if its going to be as bad as its mother!!
Fiona

For a young puppy (of a majority of breds) you want a soft slip lead.  I have them soft and quite thick aswell to cause minamle damage and have maximum control.  I then go for the lead that suits the dog best once they are older it's trial and error to find the lead the dog moves best on.  Have a colour that blends in with the dog so it doesn't "break" the dogs outline.  (unless of course your hidding a fault!!!! ;) )

I wouldn't put a chain on a dog till at least 6 months personally.  however I do find these the nicest leads to show on because they look good.  the ones I use on setters doesn't help control them!

BTW I have about 10 show leads for the red and whites and with all 4 they use the same lead! somethings not right! :D

just to clear this up i dont use chains on a dog under 6 months, our min bitch may go on one to see if it makes a diffrence shes 8 months, i no your not getting on at me lol :D when they are younge than 6 months u do use a thick slip lead sometimes i vary it, it all depends on your dog a few extra leads wont matter, i change eds still from time to time.
Fiona

Hi Carol, if I were you I would look for a black nylon lead that looks like a loop with a handle, on the loop end is a slider that reduces the size of the loop. Get one that is about 2 cms wide. I hope I have explained that OK. I think you'll know what I mean when you see one.

Regards, Dawn R.

Cool cant wait to see you on the circuit. Sometimes its nice not to show and just be able to shop (Something which i do really well :D)

sarah xxxx