Although I’ve owned and groomed my own cockers for nearly 30 years, this will be my first foray into showing.
I’ve looked at quite a lot of videos on YouTube and on breeders websites, but I can’t find one that gives clear enough instructions for preparing a puppy.
Anise is 9 months old, has had her first season and whilst I’ve got a lot of fluff off her using the comb and elastic band method, there are still quite a few stubborn areas on her her front legs and back legs. I’ve used chalk and finger cots, but it’s still quite stubborn. I also attended a course several years back on hand stripping so I’m happy with the technique, it’s just what she should look like. For the show ring is some scissoring acceptable on the front neck and leg feathers.
My request is, could any show person give me any tips and photos of what a puppy show coat should look like, please. At the moment she looks like a busted mattress.
Unfortunately here in Kent I don’t know of anyone who shows. My Ringcraft group has Clumbers, Brittany and Sussex spaniels but not Cockers. I was going to enter her into the South of England Gundog Club Open Show, but I didn’t feel confident enough to enter. Perhaps I should have done for the experience, but it could also have knocked my confidence in preparing her.
She’s also Black and Tan and I would like some advice in due course please, as the tan on the inside of her hock is giving the illusion of being bow legged.
Thanks in advance