Taking my dog to his first show in December and trying to find the best stuff to use.  I have a ckcs and am looking for some finishing spray, eye cleaner as he gets tear stains and the best comb to use on him

Any advice appreciated

Hi Lydia, I'm not in CKCS but American Cockers, so I do as much grooming as anyone and more than some. You'll need a medium tooth comb, one that feels comfortable to hold. It won't be important whether its a handle type or a full length row of teeth.
By far the best treatment for tear stains is, in my opinion, a solution of bicarbonate of soda. I mix a level teaspoonful with 100ml of cold water and I keep it in a little plastic bottle. This solution should be used on a cotton wool ball every day. If a stain is allowed to form, it will take about a week of treatment for this solution to remove the stain. So keep on top of it.
Although people do use all manner of sprays on their dogs coats, it is worth mentioning that only water is allowed to remain on a coat on show days. Shine and condition are best achieved by the food you feed.

Enjoy your showing, and good luck in December.

Dawn R.

I show cavaliers & use only natural products, The shine on your dogs coat mainly comes from within ie what you feed your dogs on. They are bathed in the late evening before a show & I use Doreen Paige Peach Oil shampoo & a leave in conditioner made up for me by a herdalist friend(but any qualitiy left in conditioner will do I just prefer natural products) I have about 6 million combs etc-joking. I do have a lot tho' as my memory is bad so the more I have the less likely I am to lose them. I have Spratts combs a fine one & a coarser one I can't give you the numbers as they are in car & it is bucketing now.

After I have bathed them & pop them into a Canac dog bag which helps dry them off & stops them wriggling about when I dry their ears. I use a blaster & not a hairdryer as dryers tend to dry out the coats. When they are in the bags I clean their ear & eyes as well. i'm just about to try some american stuff(herbal version)which isn't yet being sold directly in the UK but you can get it over the net on their eyes(the ones who have tear stains & also on the leg feathers on the ones who have staining

I then trim the pad hair & check the nails & trim if needed.  As they are boys I also trim their male bit which can get a bit smelly if left untrimmed

I apply leave in conditioner as i dry the coat leaving the chest until last. When they are almost dry & pop them in their Drycoats which are brilliant & allows them to sleep & not end up with coat sticking out all over the place. I then put a bit of Doreen Paige Talc in their slippers & leg feathers

I don't put anything on their coats at shows except rainwater with a couple of drops of lavendar oil in it

Don't use cottom wool around a cavalier's eyes as they can get bits in their eyes. Tissues or eye wipes or non shedding pads are besy

I do have a very expensive Mason Pearson brush but they do last for years & a soft slicker brush for removing any last minute knots that they always seem to generate overnight

Thanks for that.  Also been looking for a show lead, there are so many!! What would you recommend for a ckcs pup ?

Thanks again

Try having a look at this link the half check with lead all in one are ok. I use a fine red lead & gold coloured choker on a dead link

hmm getting an email to say I have more replys but can't see any ????  Confused as usual !

Hi again Lydia, the 'right lead' varies between breeds so I couldn't say off the top of my head what to get. Why not take yourself along to a few shows as a spectator to watch the breed being judged and get a look at what people are using.

PS you won't be able to take the dog to spectate though.

Bye for now,

Dawn R.