Trimming
Learning how to trim a springer for the show ring takes time, and requires time, and knowledge about anatomy, race standards, and the advantages, and disadvanages the dog itself has. Let a cunning person take care of this at the beginning, but try to be there and look how it is done. Much is to be learned at the shows. Take a tour among the exhibitors with springers, who often looks over their dogs one final time before entering the ring. It is also good to see different ways of trimming a springer. No one has the same view on how a springer should be trimmed, and they all do it in their own way. Soon you will know what it all should look like. Of course should the dog be washed before trimming.
Suitable equipment to use when trimming a springer:
Comb, brusch, normal scissors, scissors with "tooths" on one side, and electrical clipper shown in the picture below. |
A springer before trimming. It has been two months since the last time it was trimmed. |
Start with the head. Pluck out the dead hair of the head, using the finger-and-thumb method so that the head looks flat and round. |
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One third of the hair on the ear, both inside and outside, is removed by electrical clipper, or the "tooth" scissor. Make sure that the passing between ear and head looks good. |
The hair on the bottom of the throat is removed by electrical clipper, or the "tooth" scissors down to the breastbone. |
Thin off the transitions carfully to gradually blend the hair from the clipped area into a smooth outline between the neck and shoulders. |
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Take away some of the hair at the side of the breast, and be extra careful where the frontlegs begin. |
The feet should be trimmed from below to take away the hair underneath the feet, and should be trimmed into a "cat paw". |
Finish with the "tooth" scissor, and take care of the nails. |
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The tail shouls be formed as a carrot with the "tooyh" scissor. The long tail shouls be formed as a sabre. When thinning round the tail and quarters, don't remove too much of the coat at the rearof the pelvis. Make sure that no wad can be seen when you look at the hind legs. |
The result. Model was Calvdale Moon and the Stars. |
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The body should be plocked free from disturbing wad. That goes for the front of the legs as the elbows. The sides of the dogs, as the legs should be flat. Pluck out the dead body coat using the finger-and-thumb method. Look at the dog in motion. Is the dog sway-backed in the back, leave little more coat behind the withers. Does the dog have a falling cross, and low tail, try to leave a little more coat where the tail begins, and a little over the cross.Let the dog move again. Does the coat look entangled after a lap, trim away unwanted fur. A good trimming shouls look natural, and not made for just standing.
You can always accept being beaten by a beautiful, well shown dos in the show ring. It is worse to be beaten because of you have not been good enough taking care of your dog's trimming and condition.
Stubborness, and self-criticism are the fuel that will achieve the final result.
Good luck! |
