Toohey

I was at a freind's grooming salon this morning and took this pic. She says she gets them like this all the time and it worries me that there must be so many more that never get taken for grooming. A groodle with matts all over it. Thought it best to remove pic in case I get someone in trouble.

Hey Luke. I am here to raid your supply of pics again. I need some new pics for the front page and your boy is such a good model. Permission please?

Great advice Ashanali, and I can vouch for her advice as she groomed my boy just prior to him going in the ring at the Royal and made him look 10 times better than I had him looking At eight months the pup would only just starting to have adult coat coming down, as Ashanali has said, and I have also seen previously clipped cockers returned to their former glory. Nah, nothing to cry about. The pup would not have needed clipping at that age, so I can understand your disappointment, but you can start from scratch now. Just a trim and tidy up once a week with thinners, a coat king, and foot trim with straight scissors. Their faces get pretty hairy, and clippers do that job best, but you can do a reasonable job yourself with a stripping stone and some thinners. We have a grooming page on our website and you may get some tips from here http://www.cockerspanielclubvic.org/?page=130 I'd recommend gradually building up your supplies of grooming gear and learning to do him yourself

You can try gently massaging the base of the ear (externally) to see if it firstly concerns him (looking for signs of pain which could indicate a foreign body), and secondly if you are able to massage it and can hear squelchy moisture sounds, he may have pus down there. You won't see anything by looking with the naked eye as dogs have very long L-shaped ear canals and anything in there is likely to be shaken right down to the bottom almost immediately. Do not flush or put any liquids into his ear, until he has been examined by a vet, as there may be eardrum damage. Grass seeds are rife at the moment, so try and get hold of a snood and get your dog into the habit of wearing it when he is outside.

Have you tried Thornit ear powder?

He'll need to go back to have them removed. You need a special tool, it's like a staple remover for paper staples, but narrower.

Luke can I steal the agility pic for the website? It's a beauty. Meanwhile, this is an Elspan baby I snapped last weekend. I adore this pic (despite the crap photography). Any Melbourne cocker admirers should come down to KCC on Sunday the 1st for our Champ Show. Heaps of entries, should be a good day (sorry to hijack Barkly's thread with advertising)

I would eliminate the richer meats (lamb and beef) and feed the chicken as raw minced frames and raw wings/necks. Don't cook his food, feed teh egg raw with the shell crushed in. Sardines every day is a bit too much as well. What percentage of his diet is the puppy food? Don't bath too often as you will remove the natural oils in his coat. You can try the Malaseb shampoo for immediate relief, but dry skin is usually a dietary issue. Might be worth adding some omega 3 supplements, plenty to choose from including Megaderm which is a supplement you get from the vet. POlyvite is also good for pups. BTW we call the breed just "Cocker Spaniels" in Australia.

What colour is he? Orange roans sometimes tend to have watery eyes but they seem to grow out of it. Also, teething may cause the eyes to be watery as well.

CB there is a list of cocker breeders who will groom cockers on our club website http://www.cockerspanielclubvic.org/?page=130

Thanks Luke, I have it on the front page and it looks wonderful

The one with 8 of me? No problem. I didn't shoot this so can you include a small credit to the original photographer: John Warkentin - yourdigitaleye.com Did he take the beach shot as well? I like that one the best, though would love to use them all at some stage if you are OK with that. Full credits of course to dog, owner and photographer

Luke Please please please can I have these pics for our website? Especially the first one? I am currently rotating different pics on the front page and I reckon yours would just blow people away! http://www.cockerspanielclubvic.org/

What colour is the puppy, how old is she (oops missed the bit where she was picked up at 6 weeks!!), what is the worming history (and vaccination hstory - you should have a vaccination card from the breeder's vet) and how much does she weigh? Also, did she come with a registered pedigree?

Not necessarily. A good website and plentiful puppies does not necessarily make a reputable breeder.

Hi there, sounds like you have bought from a less than reputable breeder. Pups should not leave the breeder and their littermates/Mum till they are at least 8 weeks old. As has been said, Cavs and Cockers are two very different breeds. You may have a cross between the two if the breeder has called them by the two names. You need to get the pup checked by a vet, ideally you should have had her vet checked as soon as you bought her home. A little blood may or may not be normal, but keep a very close eye on her stools and report to the vet whatever you observe. How old is she, what is the worming history (and vacc) and how much does she weigh?

Hi Colin, if you get yourself some natural Apple Cider Vinegar from the health food shop, and use it neat on a cotton wool ball to clean all around the mouth and in the lip folds, you should be able to fix the problem.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Breeder, exhibitor, owner. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? Spaniels have been around for several centuries but Cockers were first recognised as a separate breed in England in 1893, differentiated from other spaniels by size and named for their function of flushing Woodcock. 3. How common is it in Australia? Cockers are a very common and popular breed in Australia. 4. What is the average lifespan? 12- 14 years 5. What is the general temperament/personality? The temperament of a well bred cocker is typically delightful. They live up to their "merry' tag extremely well. They are generally full of love and life, very eager to please and very devoted to their owner/family. They thrive on companionship and need to be included in family activities. Even just a car ride to the shop will make their day! Cockers are renowned for the ability to wag from the waist down and some are also quite chatty and love to talk to you in their own special way. They are not typically barkers, but do give a warning bark if the doorbell rings or there are unusual noises outside. Some cockers do need a firm hand, and obedience training is highly recommended with this breed. A term which some may have heard - "cocker rage' is a very rare condition, that is sometimes wrongly attributed to cockers who have been poorly bred and/or badly raised. Cocker rage is a medical conditon characterised by a sudden, dramatic, and complete change of personality and associated aggression. There is more info to be found here. http://members.lycos.co.uk/ragesyndromeinfo/whatisrage.htm Rest assured that if you buy from an ethical and responsible breeder (as with any breed) you will have no problems. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Cockers thrive on a good off lead run of up to an hour a day. They love to swim, and any exercise involving water, trying to chase birds, and exploring exciting off lead areas, will keep the average cocker very content and happy. If that is not possible, a ball and a strong arm in the back yard should suffice. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? IF they get plenty of assistance with grooming from either their breeder or a professional groomer in the first year or two. Pups need to be started with grooming early to get them used to it, as it will be a life long and regular practice. Cockers can matt quickly and become uncomfortable if not groomed regularly and properly. Grass seeds can go un detected in heavy coats, so if you can't maintain the coat, consider having them clipped off every 8-10 weeks. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? No. They do best with company. 9. How much grooming is required? Regular grooming involving a brush and comb all over is needed at least once every two days. As the puppy coat comes down from about 7-8 months onwards, the coat will need stripping to remove the fluff and general tidying up. Feet should be trimmed to remove excess hair, especially from beneath the paw pads, and the foot should be trimmed around to look tidy and give the impression of a cat's paw. Ears need to be free from hair and fur around the base of the ear should be clipped with a number ten blade to allow air to circulate and prevent ears getting moist and mucky which is how ear infections begin. Once the adult coat comes in the dog will need regular clipping or stripping with a stripping tool such as the Coat King. Some coats can get quite woolly after the dog is desexed. Mouths need to have the fur clipped closely to prevent food trapping and possible lip fold infections. You will find if you brush your dog every day that they there will be no shedding, or very little. The coat being long and silky, is not one that is prone to much shedding. As with all dogs, nails need attention, including dew claws if they are left on. If you don't own clippers, perhaps consider investing in a set and learning to keep your cocker tidy yourself. You will save a lot of money in the long run. You will need at the very least, basic grooming tools such as a slicker brush, a metal comb, and scissors. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? It would depend on the child, and how well trained the dog is. Cockers can be very boisterous and excitable by nature, and love to jump up on people. They also have the tendency of being right where you are planning to put your foot down as you walk, and weave between your legs as you walk. One of my pups was placed specifically to grow up with the baby and they are great mates, partners in crime even! 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Most common is PRA - Progressive Retinal Atrophy, but this can be avoided with the use of DNA testing. Please ensure both parents were tested and at least one is clear. Carriers can only produce affected pups if both parents are carrier or one is affected and one is a carrier. There is no issue with buying a pup who may be a carrier. This will in no way affect the health of the pup, BUT if you intend to breed, you need to be sure the chosen mate is clear. PRA will generally have an onset at 4-7 years of age, the dog will develop night blindness and will progress eventually to total blindness. It is not painful, and most dogs usually cope well if kept in the same environment with the same routine. Familial Nephropathy otherwise known as FN or AHRN (Autosomal Hereditary Recessive Nephropathy ). This disease is rare, but there ARE carriers in Australia and responsible breeders will test parents for this. It is a deadly disease with no treatment where pups typically die in their first year, and up to two years of age. Then there are other forms of kidney disease such as Renal Dysplasia. This is a totally separate disease from FN but the effects are just as serious and the outcome the same. There is no test for this disease, but research is underway in Sweden using tissue from affected dogs to find the gene responsible. Do your research carefully and choose a responsible breeder as anyone who has seen this disease in their lines should NOT breed on with dogs who have produced it. Hip Dysplasia used to be seen frequently in Cockers, but is not often seen now thanks to careful breeding. Hip Dysplasia is thought to be polygenic - caused by factors other than genetics, including environment and diet. Epilepsy is considered hereditary in the breed, but not commonly seen. Eye conditions such as cherry eye and entropian is also seen occasionally in cockers. Always check the pups for nice tight rims and clear eyes when assessing a litter. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Ask the breeder if they have older dogs of the same lines and if you can meet them. Go with your gut instincts in regards to whether these dogs are happy, healthy, and typical examples of the breed. DNA testing - ask the breeder if the parents are tested. If the breeder says no or refuses to answer, find another breeder. As already stated, one carrier parent is acceptable. If parents are untested, or one is tested a carrier and the other untested, find another breeder. Be sure to ask the breeder about the temperaments of their dogs, and if there are any other health issues such as hip dysplasia in the lines. Ask your breeder what activities they participate in with their cockers. Those who show usually demonstrate an interest in improving the breed by learning amongst peers, and having their dogs assessed by judges against others of the breed, and by doing so they are ensuring their stock best meets the breed standard. Others may participate in other endeavours such as obedience, agility and tracking. They are definitely a highly versatile breed. Victorian Cocker people may find more info on our club site http://www.cockerspanielclubvic.org/ including how to source a quality registered pup.

Just saw this. This groomer actually uses the Groomers range in her salon.

Highly unlikely to be caused by the products this groomer uses as I know for a fact they are top quality and as natural as possible. And she is very thorough, does a first class job. I think you have answered your own question when you mention you have changed his diet. I'd go back to what you were feeding, and add some fish oil, or better still, go natural and lose the chemicals. Also, have you looked for clues in the garden? Wandering jew perhap?

Ringwood dog-washers groomed to help fire victims news Local News 10 Feb 09 @ 01:19pm MAROONDAH residents can help bushfire victims by getting their dogs washed. Two pet grooming businesses at Ringwood and Ringwood East will team up to raise funds for the Red Cross bushfire appeal. Pet grooming business owners Andrea Chuadnut and Jacqui Skull will wash and groom dogs for donations between $30 and $50 on Sunday, February 22 and March 1. ``I felt I could something and I thought it would be great if people could get their dog washed and groomed and donate to the appeal as well,’’ Mrs Chuadnut said. ``I called Jacqui, who was only too happy to help.’’ Mrs Chuadnut said she had raised more than $500 with a similar fundraiser for victims of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. ``By teaming up together hopefully we can at least double the amount raised,’’ she said. The fundraisers will take place at Dog Grooming By Jacqui, 60 Mt Dandenong Rd, Ringwood East. More details: 88020773 or 98797888.

Name: Ambrose. Sex: male Born: 31/08/2008 Colour: black Breed: Cocker Spaniel Hobbies: furniture rearranging (moving his and his mates beds around the house), interior decorating (with toilet paper rolls), watering the garden (with the contents of his wading pool), and squishing his mother.

Sorry MEU, I did not mean that in a derogatory way. I know I have couple of spoilt princesses, as it is so hard to not love 'em to death. I really do think you need to get her assessed by somebody qualified, as her behaviour needs to be sorted. Good luck with it

Sadly, most vets have no idea of how a cocker should behave as they have met so few well bred ones. The fact is that a cocker will walk all over you if you do not raise them with a firm and consistent hand. The more you tell us, the more I think this girl has been allowed to become a spoilt little princess???? Would I be right You need to examine how you react to her when she is being clingy and demanding. Do you pander to her? Does she know the word NO? I'd be giving this girl some "ignore" treatment. She needs a timeout place for when she misbehaves - unacceptable behaviour, put her in the laundry or a crate for a short period. If she jumps on you up for attention, pretend she is not there and just go about your business until she settles and then praise her when she is quiet. I would also suggest it imperative, you seek some advice from a qualified dog behaviouralist.

MEU just wondering, do you have other dogs? Does your cocker have to compete for your attention on a regular basis? How much attention do you give her on a daily basis? I mean even little chats, or a pat on the head as you walk past her? Do you believe she is secure in the knowledge that you love her? A few years back when I was visiting our breeder with my two cockers, I was giving my boy a scratch behind the ear when my young girl came barrelling up to me and knocked him out the way! He sort of just shrugged and walked off. His breeder was astounded at his reaction. She is USED to her cockers fighting for attention and getting growly at other dogs who try to muscle in on their cuddle/attention time!!! My immediate response was "well, he knows I love him I guess, and is secure enough in that knowledge to not feel threatened or need to protect HIS resource from other dogs" .... your post reminded me of that incident.