Hi all, can anyone tell me wether its possible to show a spade bitch?

I have a pedigree retriever bitch(KC registered), 1yr 3 months old whos got the loveliest personality/looks, i would like to make the most of this and start showing her. I've read somewhere that castrated dogs are required to inform KC of this before they canbe shown, is that the case for spade bitches?

Best Regards

Tim

KC form regarding Neutered dogs

thanks moonmaiden, ive just spent the best part of an hour googling the subject to no avail, thankyou

ooops all you do is download & get it completed & sent to the KC

Spayed bitches (and castrated dogs) have been allowed to be shown without restriction for about 20 years now, you only need to inform the Kennel club.  Prior to that neutered dogs could only be shown if they had produced registered pups.

thanks guys

Am I right in saying that i need to get an ATC number from KC, plus various other injections done before i can show her?

Ive had a look on the KC site but it seems unclear as to wether this applies to foreign dogs only? might be me being daft

Shes had her usual injections from being a pup plus off the shelf worming..... also mentions on KC that this needs to be carried out by a vet also?

Regards

Tim

ATC is for dogs from abroad only, and there are no rules about dogs having to be vaccinated or wormed as they are not vet checked at shows.(Although obviously they have to be healthy! :) ) What you do need to make sure is that her registration has been transferred into your name from the breeder's name.

Just to add so you know, spaying a Golden bitch usually changes her coat quality which may make a difference when showing, and will probably mean she will need more trimming before a show.

Thanks, Goldmali, she is registered in my name, i just need to send off the form to KC r.e her being spade.

Didnt realise there would be a difference in coat, thanks for that....so it tends to grow quicker?, i presumed she'd need more execise after being 'done'. Looking to take her for her first hair cut as its getin a bit long under the ears, unsure about what to look for r.e dog trimmers, so gonna visit a couple of shops and judge by appearence i think. How often do you think i should have her hair cut in the future? or is it down to her individual circumstances

Best Regards

Tim

The coat tends to grow thicker and woollier - not so sleek. Some breeds can end up looking like an explosion in a sofa factory especially if they've been clipped! But at least goldens aren't clipped, so at least that's one worry less. :)

You need to learn how to trim your Golden for shows -it's a bit of an art form. :) You use thinning scissors and nothing else, well apart from normal scissors on just feet and tail. Your dog's breeders should be able to show you how. Not all groomers are capable of doing it correctly for showing.
The coat often gets a lot thicker and of a slightly different texture as well in spayed bitches.

unfortunately my breeder lives a good few miles away from me, ive found a shop in sheffield, part of the posh paws chain, i think it might be a good idea to have her done here a few times and see how they do it, aswell as attending some shows. What do you think?

Her coat doesnt seem to have gone very wirey like other retrievers ive seen of a similar age, her ears are still baby fluffy and her coat is golden/white, not quite soft but not far off

Regards

Tim

Very few grooming parlours know how to prepare a dog for the show ring unless they show themselves.  I would contact your nearest breed club and find out if there is a breeder/groomer near you who can do a show trim for your breed.  If someone botches it then you will have to wait for the coat to regrow.

Very good advice Brainless.  Very few groomers have any idea what a show dog should look like and a bad job could keep you out of the ring for 12 months. :(  Do contact someone who shows, preferably your breed.

Even if your breeder lives some miles away (that may become relatively near once you start to show! ;) ) it would still be worth a trip so that she can honestly assess your dog for you and explain the basic of showing and show trimming to you. :)

Thanks again for your replies, felt a bit daft asking but glad i did now

Will google for clubs in my area....... unless anyone has any pointers around the Sheffield area

Kindest Regards

Tim

Why don't you buy the DVD or Video from Jenny Frankland-Mace (Purbarn Golden Retrievers) she really shows you in depth how to trim your Golden and she does demonstrations for some of the breed clubs.  It is brilliant and of course you can keep rewinding to look at it again and again. It really is the best around.

Alison, that is a wonderful idea, didnt think they'd bring something like that out, just nippin to amazon:o)

Look on her website, you will find out her contact number from there.

just googled alison but not found her website, have you got a link please

Try     <a class='url' href='http://www.purbarn.co.uk/Goldens.htm'>http://www.purbarn.co.uk/Goldens.htm</a>
and then go into merchandise.

My little Cavie had to be spayed end of last year as she had Pyo, very traumatic.  She is very well now but her coat looks like a lion.  I have brushed her lots but it is so full, i don't want to have her clippered so any advice, i got a coat king to use as recommended by her breeder.  How often should i use this?  Is it all over or just the top part...She is such a little beauty may consider showing her in the future if she will have it...She didn't like it last time we tried but she is more relaxed now.  
Yvonne