Hi!

We've got an Aussie and the breeder has suggested we join her and have a go at a show in December (eek!). Unfortunately the breeder lives way too far away for me to visit and get help before I meet her at the show. Today I've started to teach our puppy to stand (difficult as she sees a treat and instantly sits! :) ), she's had loads of socialisation/puppy classes and she'll let anyone examine her all over. I've found some ringcraft classes but I'm not sure if I can get to them before December (I'm going to try though!).

I've read quite a few of the threads on baiting etc ... but any REALLY basic tips for the complete showing novice would be great (like what should I wear to complement a red merle?). And, most importantly, could anyone help me on how I would specifically prepare/groom an Aussie and tips for the ring? :)

Thanks very much!

I had found a wonderful website, showing you how to groom an aussie, and kept it in favourites.  However, when I went to to, to cut & paste link for you, I find it has gone :(

Ice_queen should be the one to put you on the right track - mine look "alright", but I always feel that they could look better :D

Really, though I bath mine about 2 days before a show, use blaster to dry & boost coat, trim feet tight, make sure "tail" is straight cut and comb out "bloomers" and feathers.

Margot

Good site to show "good" aussies is http://lonestar.texas.net/~shalako/BreedStandard_Main.html

;)

Margot,

It wasn't this one was it?

Grooming your Aussie

The frame on the left takes you through each individual step :)

Yes!!!!  That's the one!   It's obviously moved (I've had it for years), but as I've printed the whole lot off, I only use it for referring others to!Thanks very much - I've put it back on Favourites again :D

Margot

:p No problem. I came across it a little while ago and bookmarked it. It gives a good, thorough description :)

Thanks very very much :) :) :) :) ... I'm still trying to decide if I should go for it ... she's ever so gangly ... and at the moment her ears are WAY too big for her (in my eyes she's perfect but I'm pretty sure the judge won't think that way!) :) :)

Don't forget that all other "teenage" aussies will also be gangly -its a case of who's less gangly on the day :D

Margot

Hiya.

The sea level website is brillient and learnt alot of my grooming skills for aussies on there (and watching Jayne's Grooming demo and have sarah green give me afew tips (went YKC runner up groomer of the year with my aussie this year at crufts!!!!!!!)  Just spent today grooming aussies for the club show on sunday.  where 3 dogs bathed today and one yesterday (that's how in advance I have to think!) 

If you want there's abit about showing the australain shepherd  which will be expanded into more soon and one day the promised grooming article might arrive in my inbox (janye!!!) :D at http://www.ascuk.co.uk

Most of all remember to have fun, winning is only an added bonus :)

If you want to e-mail me or PM me feel free to do so :)

Aussiesrock where in the country are you ?

If you are in the Midlands area can always meet up with you and give you some grooming tips ....

I always bath night before blast the coat and then blow dry I trim ears, whiskers( optional) Underneath of pads in between toes front pasterns rear hocks, tail and if they have excessive bum hair strip out the topline ... 

On the day of the show at the show I lightly spray the coat brush through feathers and lay a coat/towel over the topline to keep it nice and flat...

I think the show you may be talking about is Ladies Kennel Association at the NEC ?  Is that the show if it is you will find most of us aussie people there !

Anyway hope this info helps you but if you need any further help just ask away .. or you can email me privately

Jayne   ( Applethorn Aussies )

Jayne - good to see you posting!!:D

How's things?   Are we still talking 3 peaks????

Margot xx

hey I am up for it if you are !!!

And thanks am here you know me Lurk around and only come out of the wood work when we talk aussies lol

Hugs
Jayne

Hi Jayne

Long time no see!

Can you recomend any thinning scissors to do ears/pasterns with? Think I know what I want for the flatcoats but any suggestions for aussies - so I dont end up with endless pairs of them which I then cant find!!!!

Think mine are finally ready for replacing - so am planning on looking for some new ones at Midland Counties - as I want to get them sooner rather than later mine are at the end of their life and I can only stand hairy dogs for so long! plus want to have worked out the mistakes on my practise dogs before it starts to matter again!!

Heather

Hey Heather !!

I use double edged thinning scissors always think the cut is much softer than half and half thinning scissors I like the look to be as natural as possible .

The size is down to personal preference because i have small hands I use 6" thinning scissors but i know other groomers prefer much larger lengths ...

If you are there the same day as me Heather will show you my set and will come and have a look with you if you like.

Hugs
Jayne

Janye I've kept meaning to ask if you use double or single because I'm looking at buying new scissors and wasn't sure what to get (need single for setters I have been told) so looks like I'm going on an expensive shopping trip at the next champ show... any advice on makes?

Thanks for that!
Im hoping to get to Midland Counties on Thursday and Saturday - trying to make up for not having been to many shows this year! Thursday I had earmarked for shopping as will likley have my Mum with me on the Sat and she will just complain plus there wont be too much time to get away from the breed rings even if we arent showing!!

Will try and have a go with one of the Flatcoats breeders scissors if I get a chance to stop round there in a couple weeks ! At the moment we have both types of thinning scissors although prefer the ones with a straight edge as generally as more ruthless with over hairy ears rather than needing to be neat!

Heather

Hello there!

Sorry for not replying sooner ... it's been a really hectic weekend which included having a go at grooming my puppy 'properly'! :) :) :) We had  loads of comments by people in the village saying how lovely she looked. So that's a start I guess!

ApplethornDJC - I'm down near Bath ... and thanks very much for the tips. To be honest I don't own a blow drier ( :( ) ... weird for a bird I know :). Yes, It's the LKA at the NEC ... I'm still trying to decide if we should go. The Aussies are on the Friday and that makes it a bit of a pain. My puppy is a working-type Aussie and she's maturing really slowly - VERY VERY VERY gangly, no coat to speak of, massive ears! Although she's got a really fantastic temperament, lovely movement, and she'll be great when she's finished growing :). I love her to bits! If I decide not to bring my puppy I think I may come along on my own and take the time to watch and learn lots before trying it myself. And talk Aussies with lots of people!

Thanks again for all the links and help!

Hi Aussies Rock

Come along to LKA you will have fun its the christmas show so everyone is usually in good spirits !!!

Make sure you come over to say Hi .. I am the dizzy blonde !! 

I will have 2 of our new imports out there so should be good fun !! 

Come over I can show you some of the trims I do etc ... and if you have any questions which no doubt you will have 1000s ask away

Hugs
Jayne

My lil bro say's Jaynes the short dizzy blond... :D  Jayne would you like me to take some height off of him...His taller then me now if you've noticed....

Hi Rox

Tell the "Cheeky Chappie "  He may be taller than me but BLONDE's Definately have more FUN !!! lol

Dont you worry Rox I will have my revenge ... hee hee ...

Hugs
Jayne

Hello

I entered the LKA this morning! :) :) ... the breeder has agreed to take her round for me if I fall apart on the day (which is quite likely) :) Look out for me - I'll be the clueless brunette with the badly groomed but very enthusiastic and friendly red merle bitch puppy!

I'm a born worrier sometimes ... but I'm already a little excited ( :) ) and it'll be lovely to meet fellow Aussie owners and chat dog all day :)
Oh - and looking forwards to spending too much money at the trade stands (my OH won't be with me - WAHEY!).

Looking forwards to meeting you all in December ... any trimming/grooming/ringcraft help between now and then (or on the day) gratefully received!

Hey thats great you have entered !!!!!

Look forward to meeting you !! 

And if you have any questions in between time just ask away we dont bite do we Margot ???

Jayne

No Jayne - not unless someone really, really really needs a nip :D (and Aussie people dont :D )

Margot

Ill agree they dont bite! Ive been turning up where possible round the aussie rings for a while now - and still keep going and I dont even have an aussie yet!

Last couple of years been at more shows on Pastoral days than the breed I own and supposedly show!

And Jayne Ill probably have some stupid questions next time I see you - thats if I can still remember them!!!!!

As long as they don't come near me!!!! :D ;) 

Jayne while I have you attention keep meaning to e-mail you...do you still have piccies of me at Malik from crufts I could have!? :D pretty please....

Hi Rox

Will check my archives but I have had a couple of computer re formats since then if I have them will send them to you no problem !!

I know I sent them to veronica at the time I got them sent to me .. so just double check she hasnt got them somewhere too ...

Hugs
Jayne