Annette47 (01-16-2017), Charlotte K. (01-12-2017)
Ok. So I made a comment in another thread about how I like Clumber Spaniels, but they just seem like couch taters.
I stand corrected.
Dog World Home
I say well done Rigg!!!!!!
Annette47 (01-16-2017), Charlotte K. (01-12-2017)
I was of the same opinion (couch potato ) until I had one in my obedience class. I really have thought that if I change breeds they would be on my list. I really liked the personality and the work of this dog. A great working curly coat is also of interest if I get out of field trialing as another possibility. But I do love my labs.
Think they are a good looking dog, just not my taste.
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Kissing Bandit
I actually never heard of them until fairly recently. I took one of those online test things to see what breeds would be a good match for me and this breed was on the list of 10 that they suggested. I've never seen them before, but I am guessing they are somewhat rare?
I've never seen one here in the US. I first saw them at shows in the UK when I lived there in the 80's. Even in the UK there aren't that many, as they are on the Kennel Club Vulnerable Breed List. Only 214 were registered in the UK in 2015, and 192 here in the US in 2012.
I've been to Cruft's in the UK 2 times in the past 4 years, and there may have been 20-25 entries, vs 550 Labs.
The only real detractor for me is the grooming that would be required. I've always appreciated the fact Labs are pretty much wash and wear. I think Sophie has had maybe 2 proper baths, and she's 5. When they get dirty, I hose them off and that's about it.
I really take my hat off to the breed-club people who have a passion to reclaim the performance standards that brought these breeds into being in the first place. I mean... there is a reason someone in the distant past shaped and developed these breeds. They served a real-life purpose. I hope the Clumber makes a come-back.
Having said that... it's not a task to be taken lightly. It takes $$$ and patience and more $$$. Anna... I train with one of the pre-eminent Curly Coat people in the US. God bless her, she has oodles of bench championships and is a breeder who knows what she's doing. She is trying to get Hunting Retriever titles on her dogs. From time to time we have the opportunity of training with another lady who is a very accomplished handler who has taken one of her Curly's to the Master National. He's a nice working dog.
But Anna... these dogs are dumb as stumps. Honestly. The one who has been to the MN has done it on the strength of many, many entries in a given season to reach the required 7 passes. It is very frustrating for the pro I know who is doing the basics on these dogs. They can do a super job on the land series... hit the water hard and swim right to the second bird in the water series... walk right past it... and just start sniffing around and pissing on tufts of grass. It's like their attention span gets to a certain point and they lose interest. The ones I've seen are not very birdie.
And they sorta smell. Lots of oil in that coat. Kinda like a Chessie.
I have NEVER heard of this breed, so I googled it. I absolutely love it!
They looks so hugable and squishy lol.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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A woman locally breeds them and is a very serious competitor. Last time I saw her she had SIX of them in tow at an obedience match. SIX! As puppies, OMG they are so cute! Definitely not a dog on my list of dogs to consider for myself but I don't dislike them.
Which are we talking about the Clumbers or the curly-coats. I think the curly-coats look like a Shropshire sheep. May not be looking for the brightest dog next as I am getting to my dotage. May have to have one of the small yappy breeds just to keep my pulse running.
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