help and advice needed please

[kellym]

Hi 
I don't know if I'm mad but I'm really wanting to start showing! Hopefully my dog will be good enough he is ten months old now so I'm thinkin this is a good age to start.  HE is bitcon breeding.  My only problem is I don't know where to start what shows to go to etc etc the only progress I have made is booking him into a dog groomers that hand strip for the show ring and I have also invested in a coat king. I am based in cumbria near the lake district so any help or advice would help me out a lot

[Liz F]

Hi & welcome to COL

Im Liz and Im owned by 2 show cockers, Diesel - 4 year old blue roan and Olli - 3 year old blue roan & tan.

Sorry, Ive no advise on showing as I dont show my two.  Did you get your dog from Moray Armstrong (Bitcon)   Moray breeds, judges and grooms, are you taking him to Moray for grooming.  Im sure Moray would be only to willing to advise you and your close hes in Carlisle.   

Morays daughter Joanne is my Ollis breeder and I have become good friends with her.

Have a look in Genetics and Breeding for my Diesel and Ollis pedigrees, we may be related 

[Ninasmum]

I would look for a ringcraft class in your area....these are for practice sessions for showing your dog.
You would need to buy a show lead too.
If you contact your breeder they may be able to advise some more with the showing.
This is a list of breed specific shows http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/showdates11.htm
You can also enter other open shows too. 

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

If you are near your breeder he is your best bet as is local ringcraft.
 Be sure the groomer can handstrip and step away from the Coat King! It will cut the fur so stripping is much better.

[Eve]

I show golden retrievers but if you google fosse data it lists shows all over the country. You can check with the schedule if they have cocker classes and just go and watch and perhaps chat with the exhibitors but only after they have finished. Or go and watch a breed show in your area.

Good luck

Eve

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

On the 17th of March there is a cocker champ show at Lancaster which may well be worth a vist.
judging starts 10.am
Salt Ayre sports centre
doris henderson way
Lancaster
la1 5js

[kellym]

Thanks everyone that's all really helpful I will go to that show on the 17th  as that will help me a lot.
I am a bit confused though as I have been using a coat king on his back as I thought this was the next best thing to hand stripping? But we do have a appointment with a groomers in February who hand  strips cockers for the show ring so I'm hoping she will be a big help.
Also my boy-freddie is Mr armstrong's breeding but I didn't buy from him directly although I think I'm right in saying he still owns freddie's dad bitcon let's dance, andfreddie's mum is bitcon

[kellym]

Freddie's mum is bitcon tails of joy,
Sorry pressed the post button to early on my last post

[sueneil]

If you visit the show at Salt Ayres, Lancaster, you will find quite a few COLs entered, myself included. Dont be shy, come and say hello and ask as many questions as you want. Most exhibitors will be pleased to advise you. On grooming- leave the Coat King alone- you could spoil a good coat and handstripping-whilst hard work, will give the coat the finish required ( and the coat that most worthy judges expect to find when going over our lovely breed!).

[caznice]

Hi
We will be going to that show and VERY new to showing (5 shows) so I am not great with advice as I am taking all the advice and tips I can  Come over and say hi though and I can offer moral support if little else  Good luck with everything!! I hand stripped my blue roan (1st time I've done any grooming) and it is really hard work, blisters on fingers and hours of work but so very worth it in the end 

[loppylugs]

Hi,you do need to book into your local ringcraft,as this teaches the dog (and you)how to stack,show on the lead,stand on the mat etc.,i all ways start stacking mine on the table very early,and if i buy a pup in as soon as it has had the last vacination at 11 weeks,its at ringcraft,just to get it socialised at first,then quetly joining in by 14 weeks,by 16 weeks its doing triangles and being stacked on the table.if you havent been to ringcraft at all,he may be abit fazed with all the noise at first,he will have alot to catch up on if he is 10months,but it is possible.

[LynneB]

Thanks everyone that's all really helpful I will go to that show on the 17th  as that will help me a lot.
I am a bit confused though as I have been using a coat king on his back as I thought this was the next best thing to hand stripping? But we do have a appointment with a groomers in February who hand  strips cockers for the show ring so I'm hoping she will be a big help.
Also my boy-freddie is Mr armstrong's breeding but I didn't buy from him directly although I think I'm right in saying he still owns freddie's dad bitcon let's dance, andfreddie's mum is bitcon

Phoebe's grandfather is Bitcon Lets Dance, they are related

[spanielcrazy]

Also my boy-freddie is Mr armstrong's breeding but I didn't buy from him directly although I think I'm right in saying he still owns freddie's dad bitcon let's dance, andfreddie's mum is bitcon

Phoebe's grandfather is Bitcon Lets Dance, they are related

Bitcon Let's Dance is now here in the US, I believe he has finished his championship here and has sired some lovely puppies 

If I were you I would contact Mr. Armstrong anyway, I'm sure he will be interested and will be able to assess Freddie for you 

[Jane S]

Bitcon Let's Dance is now here in the US, I believe he has finished his championship here and has sired some lovely puppies 

If I were you I would contact Mr. Armstrong anyway, I'm sure he will be interested and will be able to assess Freddie for you 

Yes that's right - he was in the States on loan but is back in the UK at Bitcon again now.

I agree though - I'd get in touch with Moray for his opinion