Search found 76 matches

by FLocker
Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hot Sun and White Coat
Replies: 15
Views: 4434

Re: Hot Sun and White Coat

My dog has a softball-sized black patch one her (otherwise white) back. The area is significantly hotter to the touch in the sun than the rest of her back. Physics!
by FLocker
Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:46 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Look at this big rascal
Replies: 68
Views: 22971

Re: Look at this big rascal

Sorry, I am from the South. When you say "bird dog" you are usuallyreferring to EPs or an ES, not Chessies, spaniels, Goldens etc.
by FLocker
Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Look at this big rascal
Replies: 68
Views: 22971

Re: Look at this big rascal

I've always felt the world needed more 90 lb. bird dogs. The ones we are stuck with now live too long, move too fast, handle the heat too well, don't bloat enough, and are too "bleep" free of various displasias and heart ailments for my tastes.
by FLocker
Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:59 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: American cocker spaniels
Replies: 1
Views: 1087

Re: American cocker spaniels

There are a few people out there who are trying, yes. I think one earned a MH last year. But my guess is they are facing an uphill battle, and I don't know why they make the effort, honestly. Field-bred English Cockers have retained working traits all along. There is an active trial scene, and these...
by FLocker
Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking for breed suggestions
Replies: 28
Views: 10895

Re: Looking for breed suggestions

Not everything has to be moral relativsm. Sometimes it's ok to say "we are right and you are wrong". When you breed brain-fogged, inbred, examples of a dogs who could not possibly do the work they were designed to do (even if that work is to be a companion that can breathe freely and give birth with...
by FLocker
Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:54 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking for breed suggestions
Replies: 28
Views: 10895

Re: Looking for breed suggestions

Splits are terrible. Someone has hijacked a breed, and is stamping out "caricatures" bred against a physical standard, who are not required to do a single thing more than run in a circle, and not bite the judge. And when one of these dogs wins a show title, he covers two dozen bitches in over the ne...
by FLocker
Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking for breed suggestions
Replies: 28
Views: 10895

Re: Looking for breed suggestions

Pam, If that is true, it's heartbreaking. How do these people who are breeding non-workling working dogs have the slightest idea what is needed in a competent spaniel? I bet they are huge and dull. If you dont USE your brood stock, how do you know what is good or bad about them? There are nice, calm...
by FLocker
Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:00 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking for breed suggestions
Replies: 28
Views: 10895

Re: Looking for breed suggestions

Boykins are such a fascinating breed! From what i understand about breeding, genetic load, and the pressures of dog shows and trials on a breed, they should be be about the best choice out there for consistently good flush/retreive dogs. But they have a lot of issues in real life. Consider: Their st...
by FLocker
Mon May 24, 2010 10:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: flat coat retriever
Replies: 10
Views: 3499

Re: flat coat retriever

A time machine to go to Lord Tweedmouth's kennels, circa 1890?

Why a flatcoat? I think they are beautiful dogs (though some lines have the muzzle of a collie), but it was my impression that most a bred for the show ring.
by FLocker
Fri May 14, 2010 9:07 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Commands
Replies: 5
Views: 3598

Re: Force Fetch Commands

Thanks Crackered, my goal is to have a spaniel that will work similar to a non-slip retriever. Spending most of the days hunt at (or near) heel, and flushing on command birds pointed by steady bird dogs. The retrieve is also critical as well, obviously. She is coming along great, just displaying som...
by FLocker
Wed May 12, 2010 12:14 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Commands
Replies: 5
Views: 3598

Re: Force Fetch Commands

Crackered, I really appreciate your input, especially when it comes to spaniels. Your are correct, "back" had been the word i gave to release her to go get a marked fall. I havent really done blinds/hunt dead at all yet. I have stopped dummy tosses and retrieves since I put her on the table a few da...
by FLocker
Tue May 11, 2010 7:22 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Commands
Replies: 5
Views: 3598

Force Fetch Commands

I am in ther early stages of doing a force hold and force fetch program for my flushing dog. I am following the program detailed in Pam Kedlac's book, "Retriever training for Spaniels". The book recommends starting with an all positive hold course on the bench using dowels and treats. So far, my 1 y...
by FLocker
Thu May 06, 2010 9:18 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Heart worm
Replies: 45
Views: 12158

Re: Heart worm

dog dr.: I like my Vet. I think she is honest. I gave her $370 for a spay last week. But reading Burns, who specializes in Govt. and (human) medical fraud has opened my eyes to a lot of aspects of modern Vet practices that are designed to scare me in to spending money that does not make my dogs any ...
by FLocker
Thu May 06, 2010 8:40 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Heart worm
Replies: 45
Views: 12158

Re: Heart worm

Ezzy, He's not my friend. He's a total d*ck, judging by a lot of his writings. But to me, his point of view sounds a lot more sourced than your anecdotes. I honestly have no agenda. I give Heartgard, because my wife buys it and remembers to tell me to give it to the dogs. If he is full of it, i woul...
by FLocker
Thu May 06, 2010 7:42 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Heart worm
Replies: 45
Views: 12158

Re: Heart worm

Check this out. It only takes a second and is really well sourced:

http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/
by FLocker
Thu May 06, 2010 6:23 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Heart worm
Replies: 45
Views: 12158

Re: Heart worm

Just so we see the forest for the trees: Canine heartworm is very rare, simple to treat, and only seasonal prevention is needed outside of FL and So. TX. I hate that vets out west and in new england make so much money from selling heartgard during the cooler months. If the air temp reaches 55 degree...
by FLocker
Thu May 06, 2010 12:09 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Still sick 5 days after spay
Replies: 6
Views: 1472

Re: Still sick 5 days after spay

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I got her on some antibiotics and she seems a whole lot better. She's still urinating at twice the frequency as before the surgery, but the vet says it may still be uncomfortable for her to empty her bladder completely. I hope she gets back to normal soon, but other ...
by FLocker
Mon May 03, 2010 11:49 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Still sick 5 days after spay
Replies: 6
Views: 1472

Still sick 5 days after spay

Thanks in advance for your thoughs on this: My 1 y/old english cocker was spayed last thursday. Starting on about Saturday, she has become somewhat lethargic, has eaten very little food (but drinks lots of water), and has been urinating at least every hour and urinating in her crate overnight for th...
by FLocker
Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: So I guess she's done growing...
Replies: 3
Views: 1460

So I guess she's done growing...

23 lbs. Smallest dog here? My only regret is not building my FF table a little taller. :)
Hat4.jpg
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by FLocker
Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:22 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?
Replies: 39
Views: 18438

Re: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?

Is there any evidence that either the trial or NAVHDA dogs are any less healthy or have shorter lifespans than they did 30-40 years ago, before the dogs got really popular here? Most people agree that that from a performance standpoint, the dogs have gotten better since then, but I wonder if reasona...
by FLocker
Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:55 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?
Replies: 39
Views: 18438

Re: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?

In general, are coefficients of inbreedeing higher among top trial GSPs than top trial EPs? i think of them both as healthy, long-lived breeds. I guess its an impossible problem, because people want the very best dogs avialable at any given time, but that mindset is probalby bad for the breed's heal...
by FLocker
Thu Apr 29, 2010 6:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?
Replies: 39
Views: 18438

Re: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?

I really don't have a strong opinion. My spaniels don't have a huge amount of genetic diversity themselves. I just wonder if thinking long term, should a lot more individual dogs within a given breed sire litters, even if they are not the absoulute best examples, from a working standpoint. People vi...
by FLocker
Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:55 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?
Replies: 39
Views: 18438

Re: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?

This is an article about Yogi the Vizsla who sired 525 pups, or 10% of all litters born during his career:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/how-ma ... 5848263831

That has to be too much, right?
by FLocker
Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:33 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?
Replies: 39
Views: 18438

over-used sires causing a genetic bottleneck?

I was reading a retriever/dog blog (retrieverman.com) the other day. He spends a some of his time criticizing the AKC's closed registry, and the high inbreeding coefficients of many purebred dogs. I generally feel better about dogs bred for ability as opposed to conformation. But he brings up a very...
by FLocker
Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:58 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cavalier Spaniel and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Replies: 9
Views: 2607

Re: Cavalier Spaniel and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

that is going to be a very interesting looking brace!
by FLocker
Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Submissive Peeing
Replies: 9
Views: 4575

Re: Submissive Peeing

I know from experience it can certainly be worrisome, as you're getting geared up to put a lot of time and money into a dog, but try, try, try to ignore it. And know that the odds (good odds are all you can ask for in choosing/training a dog) are on your side that it will be a distant memory by her ...
by FLocker
Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:57 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: looking for a cocker
Replies: 4
Views: 1354

Re: looking for a cocker

In your part of the country, there are a lot of well known field cocker breeders. But one place you might want to start is Tony Roettiger (i think his kennel is called roettiger ridge). He wrote the spaniel training book, Urban Gun Dogs. Mine came from S. Georgia, where a lot of good cockers are bei...
by FLocker
Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:46 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Check out our basset hound, Gus!
Replies: 9
Views: 3667

Re: Check out our basset hound, Gus!

Actually a really funny site. I laughed a lot. Especially at Gus building a bookshelf (poorly).
by FLocker
Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:12 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Closest working EPs
Replies: 65
Views: 17864

Re: Closest working EPs

I think i got his point from reading between the lines that his DD is a perfect dog, but it keeps biting his buddies and growling at the mail man. :wink:
by FLocker
Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Crunching Birds
Replies: 18
Views: 5582

Re: Crunching Birds

Crunching birds is the second-fastest route to retirement for a competitive retriever. Sticking on birds is the fastest--and sticking is never cured, but as GH implied, only managed. MG I just searched the forum for "sticking" and "sticking on birds" This has never been brought up in that context. ...
by FLocker
Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:14 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Crunching Birds
Replies: 18
Views: 5582

Re: Crunching Birds

I guess I am sort of surprised to see the level of hopelessness from you really experienced guys. Do serious retriever trainers quit on a dog when it shows a tendency to munch birds? In my experience, folks here are a little over-hysterical about preventing gunshyness, but if this is just as critica...
by FLocker
Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:53 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Retrieving question
Replies: 7
Views: 2736

Re: Retrieving question

Your wachtelhund is approaching a level of finish that i've never heard of from a 5 month old dog. Congrats!
by FLocker
Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:15 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arkansas bird hunting
Replies: 2
Views: 1273

Re: Arkansas bird hunting

Arkansas is ground zero for retriever folks, but if you have a good gun dog of any type, my guess is that you'll make friends fast.
by FLocker
Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:20 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Newbie Help: DT Systems: Micro-iDT Collars or others?
Replies: 1
Views: 865

Re: Newbie Help: DT Systems: Micro-iDT Collars or others?

I just bought a micro IDT for my English Cocker (25-30 lbs). It was on the advice of a full-time spaniel trainer. Works flawlessly so far. Only other advice he gave me was to not buy the non-expandable unit, even if you are a one-dog guy, as it makes repairs/service much easier if you have the expan...
by FLocker
Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Nashville, TN
Replies: 10
Views: 2405

Re: Nashville, TN

Born & raised in Nashville. Would only add Vanderbilt's campus to your list. There is a British shooting store called Game Fair Ltd. that a lot of guys here would think is really cool. Judging by your sig, my bet is that you will stop at the armor school at Ft. Knox, and blow your schedule after spe...
by FLocker
Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:59 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?
Replies: 21
Views: 9291

Re: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?

Fair disclosure: 2 of my 3 spaniels have eventually been force fetched.
by FLocker
Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:51 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?
Replies: 21
Views: 9291

Re: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?

I just said it was a lot harder, but point taken. The weims and GSPs in my dove shoot are by far the most handsome dogs there, esp. compared to my little field cocker with shaggy ears and a skinny muzzle. To put me in my place once and for all, I'd love to get an informed estimate on what % of worki...
by FLocker
Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:28 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?
Replies: 21
Views: 9291

Re: Puppy ate a dove, what should I do about?

You could have had a spaniel. In my experience, it's hard enough to train a dog to use his natural instincts to work for you, much less train a dog to do another type of dog's job.
by FLocker
Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:37 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Retriever training in the city
Replies: 8
Views: 4471

Re: Retriever training in the city

In my experience, retrievers are much easier to train primarily in the city than pointers.
by FLocker
Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:42 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: tell me where i am wrong about dog "rescue"
Replies: 2
Views: 1149

tell me where i am wrong about dog "rescue"

I was reading the blog Terrierman, about working earth dogs, the other day. (http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com really awesome site, btw, along with Retreiverman). And he has these impassioned posts about the staggering number of Pit Bulls euthanized every year (1 million) in shelters. I place dog...
by FLocker
Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP/Labrador Retriever Mix
Replies: 4
Views: 1732

Re: GSP/Labrador Retriever Mix

Very very cute, I am sure it would make a really wonderful pet, and may be a better gun dog than 90% of dogs in the field. One quick thought. I was bitten by the dog training/bird hunting bug after i bught a show bred springer pup out of the paper. Wonderful dog and companion in the field, but i had...
by FLocker
Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:52 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hunting gloves
Replies: 22
Views: 10805

Re: Hunting gloves

I really like Gun Gloves. www.thegunglove.com. They have summer, regular, and winter models. I wear them a lot, while doing a lot of things.
by FLocker
Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:42 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Need some help-What do I do next?
Replies: 10
Views: 2961

Re: Need some help-What do I do next?

If you want a pep talk, call your dad. These folks are giving you good advice. You don't need tips. You need a program to get your puppy to come when called, no matter what is in her mouth.
by FLocker
Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:15 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: cocker spaniel can they be good hunting dogs/ retrievers?
Replies: 17
Views: 6412

Re: cocker spaniel can they be good hunting dogs/ retrievers?

Kyle Wintersteen wrote:Itemid=58 Still, the springers tend to bring home the majority of the ribbons in head-to-head trials and have won 42 of 43 Canadian nationals.
Is that because there are many more Springers entered in the field, or are cockers well represented at the nationals?
by FLocker
Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: lankas labs?
Replies: 7
Views: 3429

Re: lankas labs?

I have flushing dogs, so forgive my ignorance. A pointing lab sounds like the ultimate gun dog, so whats the catch? I mean if i can take this dog to the duck blind in January, chase quail in March and have a Lab personality the rest of the year, why in the world would you all not be falling over you...
by FLocker
Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:47 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: cocker spaniel can they be good hunting dogs/ retrievers?
Replies: 17
Views: 6412

Re: cocker spaniel can they be good hunting dogs/ retrievers?

I have both a field-bred english cocker from working lines, and incedentally, a cavalier king charles spaniel. While both are spaniels, they couldn't be further apart in terms of personality. The cavalier is a house dog, and an outstanding one at that. Calm, clean, and trusting of everyone. The engl...
by FLocker
Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:03 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: THought to help the sport grow
Replies: 13
Views: 4961

Re: THought to help the sport grow

I was a pretty terrible dog owner at 12-14, so i'd have some reservations about putiing a gun dog with a lot of "go" in really ineperienced hands. Plus the costs involved in keeping a dog healthy and happy can get really out of hand. Here is an idea. Find trainers who would be willing to host "inter...
by FLocker
Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:33 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Burning issues
Replies: 23
Views: 3853

Re: Burning issues

Gun dog breeds bred for the show ring.
by FLocker
Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:54 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: We are Blessed to Know Dogs
Replies: 9
Views: 2506

Re: We are Blessed to Know Dogs

Unfortunately, I doubt that he could raise money for such a great cause by picking up a mouthful of twitching feathers (esp. In SoCal). It's good for me to remember sometimes that I am not exactly curing cancer here.
by FLocker
Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cold water Boykins
Replies: 5
Views: 4517

Re: Cold water Boykins

Find Pamela Kedlac at Just Ducky kennels. She will give you all the Boykin info you need. But, I don't think a lot of people will tell you that a 35 lb spaniel is a good choice for icy, fast moving water and single digit air temps, Neoprene or not. The Boykin is a real duck dog, but one developed in...