Hi,
I noticed that there are a few Yankee owners on here and I would like some infomation. I've been to Discover dogs as I was unsure on a few breeds and came across the gorgeous American Cockers. I just thought that maybe someone could help me on some of these!? 
How often do they bark?
How often do they moult?
How often do they need to be bathed?
How often do they need to be clipped? (Also does anyone own a Buff boy who is clipped please? I've only ever seen them in full show coat)
When does the full coat stop coming through?

Sorry for all the questions it's just really hard!
Thank You,
Haz xxx :) ;)

Hiya, Haz.

Dawn R.

Hi Dawn, I reconise the username :D

I've got a Yankee, he only barks at thunder or fireworks, not at every passerby or anything. He does shed quite a bit, but I understand that's unusual and is probably why he doesn't grow a full show coat - he leaves it on our sofa instead! :-D I only bath him 3 or maybe 4 times a year tbh. I've been told you are not supposed to clip a buff cocker, but handstrip, but I don't suppose it matters hugely for a pet coat (sorry show people!!). George's coat was always pretty pathetic until we had him neutered at 3 1/2 years, at which point it has become much more thick and full, which in his case is an improvement. But if you're taking him to a groomer for a pet trim it would probably be about every 8 to 10 weeks. There are pics of my George on our website if you're interested, and you are welcome to pm me! He's a lovely boy - quite nosey and greedy, but very friendly and affectionate!

Thank You Lucy, Do you clip George?
Haz   :)

Hi, nice to meet another Yankee fan.  I have pics of Buffs in pet trims, if you would like me to email them, jsut let me know.  We advise our pet owner to have the dogs groomed every 6 - 8 weeks.  IF you are going for a pet/puppy trim, then as well as the usual show bits clipped (Face, throat, top of ears, under tail) then the neck, back and tummy are also clipped, and the legs scissored to the required length (suallly 1 to 2 inches).  It is very inmportant you find a groom who know the yankee trim, or you may find your pet trimmed like an English cocker, and losing his top-knot and front of legs!  Not a good look for our breed.  There is not a time when clipping will be unecessary, the hair grows constantly so the regualr groomin/clipping sessions are essential.  Lots of our retired dogs and brood bitches are clipped right off, apart from the top-knots, and still look very cute, but this may be a bit extreme for everyones taste! :)  The groomer will bathe the dogs at the grooming sessions.  With the show dogs we bath every 5-7 days, depending on colour and coat texture, but this is way more than necessary for pets.  In a pet trim, and with a good brush through a couple of times a week with a "slicker" brush, you will keep moulting to a minimum.

Barking is not too much of an issue wtht the breed, unless very excited (eg door bell rings), they certianly are not a yappy breed. Don't forget the excercis question, they are lively and need a reasonable amount of walks to keep happy and fit.

bye
Gwen

Hi Haz, I clip his head, neck and throat, but not his back as a show person once told me not to do that with a buff. I should handstrip the back really but as I don't show him I generally just run over it with the Coat King to keep it lying smooth. :-)

BTW Gwen, if scissoring the legs, which scissors should you use? I don't do George's legs as I like him long, but I have another Yankee in for grooming, and though at present he hasn't got enough on his legs to scissor (clipped all over in the summer, not by me!!) he may need to be in the future!

good choice of dog, my boy elvis only barks if someone comes to the door, as for moulting he gets groomed every day and bathed every 7 days so i do keep on top of coat [ he's blk/white] also i do show him, i think thats the beauty of these lovely dogs to see that lovely long coat on them, although i understand if he's a pet and you dont have the time to groom him everyday he needs to be in a pet trim.  good luck and let us all know when you get your new arrival.
debs.

Thanks Everyone, It's great hearing from Yankee fans as they are beautiful dogs It would be great if you could send me some pictures Gwen, I'll PM you :)

xx

Hi again Haz,  got you PM, will mail pics of Junior.

bye
Gwen

Hi Lucy,  I just use general grooming scissors - I tend to use 7" blades, as I don't like long scissors too much, and I prefer straight, but lots of folk use 8 or 9" ones, and some prefer curved bladws for legs - matter of personal choice!  Making generaliities about clipping coats depending on colour is hard,  as it is texture not colour which is the best guide for how it will grow - my Buff "pet" boy is almost 9, and has his back clipped right out everytime I do him (about every 6  - 8 weeks) It grows back as straight and smooth as you coud  wish - would hand strip no problem!   However, I have a Buff bitch who had a lovely coat on her back while showing (very brief career :) ) and since retiring and being clipped out it grows back almost as curly as a poodle!  Again with the blacks and partis, some grow back smooth, others a nightmare.    Of course, for pets, if they are being regularly clipped, then it does not matter how it grows back.  For show dogs, we consider clipping the backs a permanent "no-go" situation, as you cannot guess how it will grow again.   For the same reason we never, ever use coat kings, as they cut the hair, I have seen so many Yankees with appalling back coats thorugh use of these tools - ueeful for pets, too problematic for show dogs.

bye
Gwen