Hi all,

i am new to this site, 2day in fact! and i have an american cocker spaniel bitch.  I just wanted to chat to other american cocker owners really and also find out about showing them.  i cannot show my bitch i have now as although she is black, she has white bits on her chest and tip of her nose, which i know is a no-no in showing. however i have definately found the breed i love in this bitch and would definately be interested in getting another to potentially show. obviously this means learning a lot about showing, and i was wondering if anyone knew of any american cocker shows that the public can go and watch.  i live in hampshire. 

thanx (sorry its really long!!):rolleyes:

Hello Becky, I'm Dawn,welcome to Champdogs, I have six American Cockers.

Levi, black dog.
Duncan, black/tan dog.
Lily, black bitch.
Kitty, black/tan bitch.
Poppy, black bitch.
Jasmine, buff bitch.

There are several 'Yankee' owners here on Champdogs, so you have come to the right place.

Tell us all about your bitch. :)

Dawn R.

ps, look out for Gwen, Lea, Bishop and Carol_vet, they are all American Cocker owners too.

Hi Dawn, thanks for the welcome!!

my bitch is called slinky, her registered name is morning jewel but all my dogs have names from toy story!  i have always thought that american cockers are so beautiful and i set my heart on getting one, so last year in march i bought her, and im definately hooked!.  she is a cheeky little madam and bosses my other dogs round, especially my lab!! i bought her from a pet home, so wasnt intending on showing her anyway, but since having her i have become really interested in showing. i went to watch crufts last year and was mesmorised by the americans there, (going again this year, cant wait!).  i think she is quite well bred, her grandad was boduf pistols at dawn with afterglow, she is also related to many am:ch and sh:ch. Either way, if she is well bred or not, i love her and think she is the most beautiful bitch in the world.. but then im bias!!

becky

her grandad was boduf pistols at dawn with afterglow
Nursey will be able to tell you better but i believe that is one of Gwen's co owned dogs Dexter who unfortunatly is no longer with her.
Beano(My Am cocker) Is from After glow :) I got him at 2 years old and have had him 2 1/2 years. couldnt ask for a nicer natured dog :)
He is just a pet and i have clipped him off but he is a lovely dog :D And lovely nature :)
Lea :)
(and astounded i am put second to Gwen as a Yank owner LOL I wish i was even in Gwen's league :) :) )

hi lea,

slinky is only a pet too, but i keep her in full coat, coz i prefer her like that, however she is not really heavy coated, she is just about manageble if she wears her all in one trouser suit when she goes for walks, although i do get some strange looks for passers by when they see a big red blob going along the road, but then again, she loves the attention.  she has got a 'look at me im so beautiful' attitude, and thinks the whole world revolves around her!!.  her grandad on her mums side is starnight ivory warrior, who i have heard of before, dont know if anyone else has.  Her dad is ordessa son of a gun, dont know if anyone know of him or the breeder, i have written to her twice in the hope of finding out about him and getting a photo as unfortunately i did not see him, but have had no reply  anyway, i am looking forward to meeting other yankee owners on here!!

becky

she loves the attention.  she has got a 'look at me im so beautiful' attitude
Oh yes LOL Thats the yank :D :D
Beano has very very thick coat and tangles very easily. i have only just decided, after over 2 years of keeping him in a puppy trim to keep him clipped off every other time as he will be easier to keep denotted and clean when he runs around in the mud :D :D :D (Which he loves doing) I also work so the time I spend with my dogs i would rather be spending time with them then grooming them :) (I also have a Rottie cross )
People always fall in love with Beano as his attitude is LOOK AT ME I AM HERE :D :D LOL
Lea :)

omg slinky loves the mud too. when we are on a walk and she is off the lead if we are in woods or somewhere, she will spot a muddy puddle, run over to it and then turn back and look at me, and i will say to her 'dont you dare' and then she runs in and out of it!! then she has the nerve to run up to me and jump up at me as if to say 'look what i did mummy!'.  she did get the shock of her life once though when i was walking them back from work, (i work at a boarding kennels and take my dogs to work with me) and we went through the fields where my friend keeps her horse. it was quite hot, in the summer and she does get really thirsty so she ran over to the water trough to get a drink but as she jumped up, the momentum of gravity just took her sailing up and into the water, she went right under and she was just splashing around as if she was drowning!! bless her though she was only about 5 months old, she wont be doing that again!!

becky

Don't forget me, I've got my George, he's an American cocker although he hasn't got enough coat to show, he's always last when I do take him out! But he's a lovely boy, so good natured and easy going, and always ready for a long hill walk with my OH. I am inclined to say Cavaliers are the best dogs, but Yankees come a very close second. :-)

hi lucy nice to meet you.

becky

Sorry to miss you out Lucy, didn't mean anything by it :) I was bound to do that to somebody though, sorry.

Yes,Becky, as Lea said, Sh Ch Boduf Pistols at Dawn with Afterglow was the famous Dexter, and was co-owned by Gwen and Michael Gadsby. My Lily and Kitty are both Dexter granddaughters too. They are Afterglow Emmanuelle and Afterglow Whats New Pussycat. Both by Sh Ch Afterglow Ambrose, so are 3/4 sisters, sharing 3 common grandparents.

Three of mine are clipped off and the other three are in full coat. Keeping them groomed is a full time job, so I'm thinking of taking the coat off another one to cut down on the work.

Dawn R.

hay dawn dont forget about me lol!
i have five yankies at the moment, three adults, i show a black and tan dog and i have two babies i hope to show!
four of mine go back to afterglow, my two black and tan adults and my babies do! lol
Ohhhh i got 2nd in limit dog at crufts last year :)
Fiona

so are there any am cocker shows that the public can go and watch any time soon?

becky

There is the Home Counties champ show,its on March the 5th and its held in Slough, Berkshire. Im sure they wont mind you coming to have a look around, i personally think its brilliant that you are taking the time looking around the shows.
Fiona

oh thats not too far from me.  how do i find out for deffinate if i can go and watch?, its just it about an hour away from me, and i dont really want to have a wasted journey.  shows fascinate me, i went to an english cocker show recently to watch and thoroughly enjoyed it!

becky

Hi Becky, welcome to champdogs - lots of us Yankee fans on here, as you have discovered.  We do seem to have a collection of Dexter(Pistols at Dawn)  grandkid owners here!  I would be more than happy to let  you have pics of Dexter, and coudl certianly give you details and even possibly pics of the other Afterglows in your pedigree.  However, I don't think I rmemeber the ORdessa dog, so can't help you there.  I do remember the affix, but can't remember the owners, I am afraid!

Your will certainly be welcome as a visitor to the Home Counties Show, and will find lots of Yankee folk to talk to.  No entry fee, or anything, just walk on in - everyone is welcome!  I should have been present this year with our Rescue Fund Raising stand, but am expecting a litter, so my co-rescuer Beverley is taking the stall. 

Our own Dexter grandaughter (our very last one, as our last Dexter Daughter is now retired from being a brood bitch) comes out at her first show next weekend.  She is a buff (and very naughty)  she is the half sister to Dawn's Kitty.  IF you want to see her, you can go to the KCs Lookalike competition site, where she is entered for the "Lady & Tramp" lookalikes - you can tell her easily, she is the only one eating spaghetti( vote too, please, every vote helps :))  The url is:   www.mad4dogs/org.uk/lady

Looking forward to Crufts this year - come and say hellow, you will find me easily, I will be the mainc person twisiting peoples arms to buy raffle tickets for Rescue!
bye
Gwen

I wish I had a Dexter grandchild, he might have a coat! I stewarded the Yankees yesterday at an open show and had to stop myself cheering when BOB was a gorgeous buff with a head and expression identical to my Georgie boy! :-) I'm coming back to Crufts on gundog day to watch the Yankees and English springers - and shop!

Just voted for your girl as Lady Gwen - didn't realise Peggy was a Lhasa, I always thought she was a scruffy spaniel type rather than the aristocratic purebred type of Lady!

I had no idea she was meant to be a Lhasa either, shame no one has submitted an entry, though!  Thanks for the votes - Daisy and I are both keeping our fingers crossed :)
bye
Gwen

Hi gwen, i will go and vote 2 in a minute!.  i know thw breeders name and adress of ordessa and have written to her twice, but with no reply
i would love any picture or information on any dogs in her pedigree that you know. my email adress is woody_buzz_slinky@hotmail.co.uk if you need to get in contact with me as i dont know wot we are allowed to do on here, there are so many rules!!  i am definately going to do my best to get to the show, an adress would be greatly apprediated if anyone can give it to me, and time it starts etc.  i will definately attempt to come and buy raffle tickets from you at crufts!

thanks, becky

Hi Becky................i have 2 yanks a buff boy with a huge coat called Bentley [ the dog that is not just his coat!] and a bitch black/tan called Khia her coat is great really silky and jet jet black, no 'rusty' bits you sometimes see, i will be showing her at crufts in special junior bitch so probably after lunch.
we would be very pleased to chat to you
regards
Pauline
ps.................Odessa kennels is owned by Joan Dowdell

Hi pauline

i know mrs dowdells address its just ive written to her twice, but with no reply.  do you know any of the ordessa dogs?, slinkys dad is ordessa son of a gun.  I would love another yank, and would love to get into showing and i just want to learn as much as i can at the moment as i cant see myself being able to afford another yank until probably next year but i want to learn as much as i can about their breedeing and showing in this time.

becky

hi

just wondered if anyone has the adress for the show in berkshire on 5th march?

becky

Hi Becky
It is at Langley Community HAll, Langley, Nr Slough, Berkshire.  Judging starts at 10 am.
bye
Gwen

thatnks a lot gwen. hoping to get there

becky

hi gwen, i went to the home counties show and it was brilliant. i really enjoyed it. i think i spoke to your partner in the rescue, as i bought a couple of blankets from her. there were so many gorgeous yanks there and i learned quite a bit in a few hours! any idea when and where the next show is or is there anyway i can find out for myself a list of shows for this year?

becky

Hi Becky,  Glad you enjoyed.  My resucing co-worker Beverley was persuaded to travel all the way down and take our fund raising stand - glad youlike the things enough to buy!  Mike, my partner, was there with the dogs, and we had a great day!  First CC for "Kinky Boots", a stunning Black & Tan gilrs, and great results all round!  The next show on the claenda is Crufts, of course, and the next Yankee Ch Show is ours, that is The Northern Club, which may be a bit far for you to travel - it is near Goole (A1/M62 junction) that is, north of Doncaster.  There are classes at most of the General Ch shows through the year.  Wherabout in the South are you?
bye
Gwen

hi gwen. i saw mike and "kinky Boots" and yes she is stunning! i didnt get to stay the whole day as had to travel back to sort out horses and dogs etc, but thoroughly enjoyed what i did see.yes the next show is a bit too far for me. i am in portsmouth, but dont mind travelling a little bit. how do i find out when the general ch shows are?

becky

Hi Becky! welcome to CD! I am a fellow yankee owner too! :) I have a 10 month old (doesnt time fly!!! ) solid black yankee called Pippin! :)  He is a very sweet and lively pup! Cannot believe in two months he will be celebrating his first Birthday!!!! dont know where the year went, they grow up sooooo fast! Cant wait for Crufts so I can get him lots of early Birthday presents!!! :D
Always happy to talk about yankees,
Carol & Pippin :)

Hi Carol........try and find me to say hello at Crufts  my dogs number is 20704 , it seems a long time since i have 'seen' you on the forum, hope Pippin is being a good boy, have you done any showing withhim yet?
look forward to seeing you at Crufts hopefully
regards
Pauline

Hi Pauline! its true I havent been around here much lately! (with college and stuff!) but hopefully I will see you at Crufts!! and best of luck with little Khia!!! :) Pippin is doing great!just 10 months now and cant believe he is growing up so fast and will be a year old soon!!!
And Fiona, I didnt know you had little yankee babies!!! Congratulations!!!! :) What are they called? best of luck with them!!
Carol :)

Hi carol
time does fly bye, my yank is nearly 14months and it doesnt seem that long ago since i brought her home! she has grown up so fast! cant wait for crufts either. are you going to the show on 5th march?, im hoping to go and watch and also meet a few people.

becky

I no what you mean becky it dosent seem 13 weeks ago we where fighting to keep a pup going but now i have two lovely pups i hope to show soon :)
Fiona

i would love to get into showing (would need another yank for that tho!!). im hoping to go and watch a few shows this year and try and learn as much as poss. its a lot to get your head round!!

becky

hi all

one thing that i have been meaning to ask but keep forgetting:rolleyes:  at what age should a yank have its full coat? my bitch is nearly 14months and i have noticed that it has grown a lot in the past 3 months or so, her ears have got longer and her 'tummy line' is longer but its not quite near the ground yet. is it likely to grow longer or is that just wishfull thinking!

becky

Hi Becky, by the age of 14 months the coat is pretty much as full as it's going to get. As far as length is concerned, the coat continues to grow pretty much for ever. I have always found the bitches lose quite a bit of volume at the age of 18 months to 2 years old. It doesn't seem to matter what colour the dog is in that respect, although blacks tend to have fuller coats in general compared to buffs and parti's

How are you getting along with the grooming and trimming? Are you intending to keep the coat full length? Some of mine are trimmed down, and I have just bought a 3F Oster blade, this leaves a lovely fuzzy teddybear length on the legs.

Dawn R.

hi dawn,

i think i just have got a bitch that isnt going to have a very heavy coat, due to her breeding i presume.  she goes to a groomer evry six weeks (obviously i brush her myself everyday!) and she is clipped along her back as i do not show her and handstripping is more expensive! i do want to keep her coat full length as i prefer it this way and as i said, she is not very heaby coated.  when i bought her i had no intention of showing her, but now im really wanting to get into showing yanks.  i know if i want to do this then i will have to buy another pup and do a lot of research into breeders as i am aware the coat is very important in showing! however, this probably wont be until next year, and now im rambling so i had better get back to the subject in hand.  i didnt think she would have a very full coat because as a puppy, she didnt look like any of the yanks i have seen in photos and on websites. she had a very curly coat as a pup. as i got her from a pet home, i assume they were more concerned about breeding for temperament reather than potential show pups. shame really because she is a gorgeous girl but has got white bits on her chest and nose, so wouldnt be any good for showing even if she had a nice coat!!

becky

Ooh, Yankee babies - pics please!! :-)

oh i will send you some later!
Fiona