Waiting for my springer to return from training, my thoughts have turned to splashing out on new beds for her. One for the kennel, the other for the house.

Up till now I've used a bit of vetbed in a basket, but thought I may splash out on a couple of those ones that look like cushions/duvet/beanbag things. Seen a few in Shooting Gazette - Winna, Barka Parka, Dognest & Kennelmate. All seem to have removable washable covers, smell resistant inners etc. Anyone got any experience with any of these?

And of course I'm a bloke, so I'm not about to run one up out of an old curtain, filled with filling from a spare down filled pillow, and with a bit of embroidery on the edge :) I just want to stick it in the washing machine as little as possible, and dry it in a short a time as I can, and not have it fall apart after a week.

ROTFL

And of course I'm a bloke, so I'm not about to run one up out of an old curtain, filled with filling from a spare down filled pillow, and with a bit of embroidery on the edge

Nor would I!!

:D

Melody

hi Dave,
how long has she been away for training? Where did you send her? - just being nosey:) anyway my horrible lot recently had ripfest of their beds and I asked a similar question as to what everyone was using. I had the sort of beds you are asking about, so it depends on whether your spaniel is a shredder or not! Mine apparently have recently decided they are! they had never chewed theirs up until a month ago, when they completely destroyed them in one foul swoop. The fabric was everywhere, but more worryingly the stuffing was all pulled apart and I daresay eaten too, I am now using the fleecy type blankets in plastic baskets for the spaniels and a couple in the cage for the monster, which he has claimed for his bed! They are like blankets but fleecy and are easy to hoover daily, if you stand on one end whilst hoovering the other ! and easy to put in the washing machine and tumble dry. Also the duvet/cushion beds I had before, although fitted in the washing machine never really retained their shape once they had been washed and were never as puffy as when I bought them new. The fleecy blankets were bought from a pet shop locally and you could get really nice ones with pictures on , wolves etc. I think mine are from lucky pet ,and I know they usually have a stall at crufts/discover dogs and must be online. I sure others will sing the praises of other kinds -I have always fancied the look of those metal framed off the floor ones that look like trampolines, but didn't want to fork out on those just yet, and keep having funny visions of the spaniels trampolining when they think no-ones about!:D I think it all comes down to whether your spaniel is a ripper or not!!:) julie:)

Now Dave, she's been away long enough, I'd have thought you could of knitted a lovely bed set by now!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I agree with t'other Julie, duvets are a pain, never wash up the same and with the Canac ones the covers fade and feel thin after about 2 washes.
i prefer the fleecy blankets as well, if you want a really thick one get a 'human'one as opposed to the dog ones, they're usually thicker and larger ,so if you fold it before putting it in the basket it will be lovely. Argos do some (page 577 !) and men are allowed in Argos so I've been told!!!!!!!!! :D
Jue

Thanks guys, I guess what you're telling me is an old cheapy blanket is as good as any fancy pancy bed :)

Julie, she's gone to Walter Harrison, down in Dorset. He takes them for 1 month initially, at usually between 8-12 months old, ie. before they've picked up too many bad habits! If they pass the first month, then he keeps them for a further 5 at least, and I call him monthly to see how it's going and to send him more money! After 6 months, he make keep them longer until he's happy, but you pay no more. Then when you pick them up he has to demo them to make sure you're happy. A month after you take themhome, you go back for a day to resolve any bad habits you've put back into them (that's what he says anyway).

thanks Dave, I have always wondered what was involved when you send a gundog away for training. Do you get to visit her during her stay, or does that interfer with the training. as horrible as Decoy is I would really miss him, although I am sorely tempted to send him away - for good! at the moment :D Julie:)

Cot duvets make good bedding for dogs (as long as she's not a chewer that is). Holly is always lying on Issys duvet and she always looks really comfy. It's covered in cotton so it's lovely and cool in the summer but can be scrunched up into all kinds of wierd shapes!! It's also easy to wash, and quick to dry.

They can be washed loads of times without suffering any damage (Issys has been washed every 3 days for the last 18mths and still looks perfect :) )

HTH,

Fiona
x x x

The Snoozy dog stuff is great. We have baskets and duvets. The whole lot goes in the wash - even the baskets go in a normal washing machine. And they dry in a couple of hours. If there's a Costco near you, they sell them in there for around £20 cheaper than petshops.

We also had an Orvis Snuggleball, which the dogs used to fight over. The new ones have a zip off washable cover - we had the old style one and it stank