CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Puppies => Topic started by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 02:53:18 PM

Title: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 02:53:18 PM
Have been looking at getting a cocker for a while now and am hopefully going to look at some on Saturday and it says hes got an excellent pedigree (32 FTCH)in his K.C pedigree.

Can someone explain this to me please.

Thanks

Lou ::)
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Crazy Cocker Gang on October 29, 2008, 02:56:10 PM
Ftch stands for field trial champion  ;)
It means it will be a working cocker and you really should research the difference between working and show cockers if you havn't allready.
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Coco on October 29, 2008, 02:58:03 PM
It meand that he has 32 Field trail champions in his ancesters. It means that he will have high working drive and is a working cocker. I'd suggest if you are not wanting to work him that he will be a real handfull, too much for a pet.
Also, where have you seen him advertised? They shouldn't need to put that in the ad.

ETA: Written at the ame time.
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 02:58:16 PM
Ooh thanks - I have done research into the 2 and have decided on a working cocker,  so is 32 ftch a good thing then.

Lou
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 02:59:29 PM
Coco

I have been going through the kennel club breeders list - he was on there

Lou
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Coco on October 29, 2008, 03:00:28 PM
Only if you are going to work the dog. Otherwise he will be too much IMO. Do you plan on working him, do you work full time? Do you live near lots of open spaces?
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Coco on October 29, 2008, 03:02:13 PM
Coco

I have been going through the kennel club breeders list - he was on there

Lou

That doesn't really mean too much TBH. It's not so much about the breeder really, more if the pup is right for you.
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 03:04:54 PM
How does one know if a puppy is right for them.  We had a working cocker to stay whilst his owners were on hols and he was a dream dog - did everything he was told etc.  Didnt like the dishwasher though lol.   in your opinion what should we be on the look out for.

Thanks

Lou
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Coco on October 29, 2008, 03:15:34 PM
The million dollar question!!  :D
No one know what dog is right for them when trying to pick it as a puppy, it's very difficult but looking at the pedigree gives a good idea of how the dog will turn out in term of drive.
A working cocker that comes from a long history of FTCHs i going to have a lot of inherient working drive. I guess some of those 32 will be the same dog on either side and it makes a difference how close they are to the pup or how far back in the pedigree thay are. Of course it's no gurantee but the chances are it will be very, very active and need A LOT of stimulation, without this it could become bored and create problems such as chewing n the house etc. Working cockers can make good pets but if that's the case I suggest getting one that has not been bread from such strong working lines. There are plenty of responsibly bread (ish) working cockers that have come from less FTCH oriented breeders. This pup has been bread to work or atleast it's parents were.

Also, take a working cocker and x20 for the stamina and activity of a working cocker puppy!!  :005:
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Crazy Cocker Gang on October 29, 2008, 03:19:28 PM
Him doing everything he was told probably took years of training.
If i was you I would sit down and write a realistic honest list about what you want from a dog, what time you can give and what training you can provide then look at what breeds fit what you want  
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 03:31:19 PM
I am at home all day and we live near loads of open countryside, I will start training the pup as soon as I can at home and then as soon as he has had jabs, I will take him to training classes.

Thanks all
Lou
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Coco on October 29, 2008, 03:56:10 PM
That sounds like a good start  :D You'll need to devote a lot of time to training and exercise as he get older, maybe 3 hr a day, much off lead. If you think that sounds do-able you may be ok. You'ld probably have to overcome a strong hunting type drive i.e. bogging off after birds and rabbits but that's similar with any dog, his stubborness may be stronger though.
See how the litter is and make sure you explain your lifestyle, expectations etc to the breeder, if they're worth their salt they won't let you go wrong. Be realistic though.

Has the litter come from healh tested parents?
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on October 29, 2008, 03:58:35 PM
I believe they are health tested - will know more at the weekend.  Its hard taking everything in and getting advice from all directions.

Thanks

Lou
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: SkyeSue on October 29, 2008, 04:08:07 PM
Yes, its incredibly hard taking everything in. Before I got Chloe, I did SOOO much research and read loads of books and felt I was going crazy with so much conflicting advice out there! Wish I'd have known about the COL forum at that time! Chloe comes from a long line of working dogs, no champions though, and she is a real handful. If I had an OH, or kids, or a job, I'm not at all sure that I would be able to handle her. Anyway, you won't go far wrong if you take on board the advice of all the experienced folk on this forum

Sue
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: sabrino on October 29, 2008, 04:14:11 PM
I agree, there seems to be so much to do/know/ask when you are getting a puppy! I have a working cocker, I don't work him but we do flyball to use up some of his energy and give him something fun to do. I would say he gets about 2 hours walk a day. Hes a perfect pet really (except for the bogging off after scents, which to be fair he has improved LOADS on), couldn't fault him.  :luv:
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Angels of Fur on October 29, 2008, 04:31:02 PM
Just wanted to add to this, That when i bought Alfie, i knew he was a working cocker, we assessed everything and prepared ourselves for having a worker, and a half worker/Show and after alot of planning and searching we purchased him. It was only 2/3 months down the line i actually looked at his pedigree and counted 37 FTCH in his lines!!!!
We live near fields, he has long regular walks/runs and brain training. And once he is 12months we going to look into taking him to a local gun dog club, basically myu OH wants to take him beating in time, and want to have a bit of fun in scurries etc. Ill be honest, Alfie is very energetic and takes alot of walking to get his energy out, but he is no problem whilst he is getting the time he needs. We dedicate our lives and they revolve around the dogs so much and we were purely committed to them from the day go.
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Cotswold Girl on October 31, 2008, 07:38:55 PM
Ooh thanks - I have done research into the 2 and have decided on a working cocker,  so is 32 ftch a good thing then.

Lou

I know I have had a springer in rescue who had alot of RED in his pedigree or FTCH ... boy was he a handful, lovely dog but very bold, very confident and a high drive, very energetic and needed a very experienced home he'd been sold to an inexperienced family who'd had a first time springer home and it was a disaster.

Think very carefully before taking on a dog from strong working lines if you are not going to train them to work because they might be too hot for you to handle and a family pet. I've just taken on Wellie I am told he has strong working lines in him and I can tell, he is a livewire but intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please which means I should be okay but I also have on hand some experienced people to help me train him and not make the mistakes I made with my Sprocker who has more show in him and is alittle bit slow on the uptake and rather stupid at times  :005: :005: :005: If all goes well he will be joining me in the beating line properly next season.
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Henshallboys on October 31, 2008, 10:37:34 PM

Hi, we have two working cocker brothers now 13 months old . We previously had two show type cocker's.  I think there is a big difference but we were aware of this before we got them. They are pets and have a fair amount of Ft ch in their pedigree and you can tell their instinct and eagerness to fetch and carry etc.  They are energetic boys but we have had no problems with them at all but this could just be good luck !!!
They get lots of exercise and my husband takes them to work with him every week day.
They have been quite easy to train because they are eager to learn......but they will never be just snooze by the fire dogs..... :luv:
Be prepared for the energy required.   
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: Tasha on November 07, 2008, 10:06:42 AM
I'd be more interested in the health and temperment of the sire and dam, the tests that have been carried out for example DNA testing for PRA (Optigen test) etc than the number of ch of any kind in a pedigree.  Really the only thing is shows is that previous generations have been trialled in this case with success but if you were looking for a dog to trial you'd want the sire and dam to be qualified not just dogs further up the pedigree and if your looking for a pet I'd go and see some workers first before I made the decision.

I have a working bitch and she is a star but she's had a lot of training, socialising and is a big committment, wouldn't change her for the world though ;)
Title: Re: Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean
Post by: loublou1 on November 07, 2008, 10:32:05 AM
Well huys we have found a beautiful black cocker boy - he is lovely - cant wait to collect him next weekend.  I am lucky that I work from home, so am really looking forward to this little chap coming into our lives.  I have grown up with springers so know how much energy they have.

Good luck to all those still looking

Lou