i have a border collie pup and i was wondering what age should i start trimming around his feet and trimming up his back hocks etc, also is there any where i can look on the net to see what it should look like when i have trimmed up, can you tell this is my first show bc,thanks in advance for any help
carol

You can't start too soon.  Even if there is not much hair, the action of the scissors against his feet will help him get used to it.

The trimming is a bit of an art until you know how to do it.  Are you close enough to his breeder for him/her to show you.  Or perhaps they could recommend someone close to you.

Failing that, get hold of the BCCof GB year book for 2003, they have a great article on trimming feet and ears. 

Sandra

:) One of the joys of owning a smooth coated BC no trimming-no wonder they are so popular with shepherds & farmers :D

oh god got to do ears as well, i think maybe a trip back to the breeder and say HELP.
Carol

i trimmed mine once! what a total diaster,too scared to try again,luckily flynn & tara have neat feet.....dont look at the ears though (or AT all at missus nellie)

Wow Carol, you are very brave(or crazy ;) ) to have got another pup :D I'm still coping, just, with the one I have....we have just been banished from the livingroom until he can control his bladder a bit better! Why did I get a dog agian, bitches make a nice neat puddle but dogs just tinkle all over which is a nightmare to clean up!
PM and tell me about your new addition, how is Dexter coping?

there is only 8 weeks between them but they are both a doddle at the moment, they are naughty and funny like puppies should be they get on great together, they are trained seperatly and they like to spend time with the older dogs and then have a mad play together and then crash out on one of the older dogs we all went camping the 5 dogs and us at a big agility show for two weeks and they where both brilliant we have had no accidents from either of them.
will email you emily when i can get your email to work keeps bouncing back to me.
carol

Try my other email addy, emilyrose0605@aol.com   
My yahoo account must be full up but that one will work ok :)

Think speaking to your breeder and getting them to show you is a good idea. The main area is the back legs. Get a good pair of thinning scissors for them. The idea is to keep the feathering cut back to the leg but for it to look natural and not hacked back. Remember your'e looking at presenting the back legs to show off the stifle and angulations.
In terms of the feet, the main priority is to keep the claws to a short level. If you just trim them regularly them it keeps the shape of the foot and keeps the quicks back. Then with a small pair of scissors trim around the base of the paw all the way round so that a neat outline is achieved. Sometimes a little trimming around the pads is needed.
In terms of the ears, generally they need little attention when they're young and again it depends of how long the coat gets. I have to admit apart from nipping off the odd straggly strand I leave the ears alone. It's never done me any harm in the ring. I have a book at home which the name escapes me but I will let you know as it has a good section on trimming etc. I still think the best thing though is to get someone to show you ie, your breeder of someone in the breed. I find that if your breeder shows they would be more than happy to help you as you are displaying her breeding in the ring and they'll want you to do the best you can. It's good for you and it's good for them.