So I’m taking my new-ish setter into the grouse woods this season. Tried last year but she was way too young and wild. I got tired of chasing her so she spent most of the time in the truck.
Any of you setter guys trim the dogs coat at the beginning of the season to minimize burrs and tangles? If so, do you use clippers? She hates getting groomed. My other dogs were short haired so I never had to think about it.
I had an American Water Spaniel with the marcel coat, so it constantly grew out and feathered. I trimmed him once at home with the help of a friend. ONCE. He needed to be groomed multiple times a year, and one was always scheduled about now to get him ready for the season.
Good luck in the grouse woods. I hope the numbers are up!
Get a quality pair of clippers, I think mine our Andis, have a long cord, stay cool, theyre a professional set of clippers, I think they were around $130 bucks but worth it. I groom mine on the tail gate of the truck its a good height for me. I trim down all the feathering on legs and butt and trim the feathering on the tail the first few inches at the base. I also try to trim up under from legs (arm pits). And get a good comb that the teeth are not too close together they work better for the inevitable brushing at the end of the days hunt.
Having a setter myself for the past 5 seasons a few "lessons" when dealing with the feathering.
1. A product you can buy at Fleet Farm or any place selling horse supplies is called ShowSheen - it will become your dogs best friend. Spray it on liberally, when you think you have enough on put some more on. When needing to comb out briars or burrs spray on the area liberally and wait just a few seconds then start combing. It really helps out.
2. Get a comb not a brush, your gonna need it still.
3. Musher wax is not just for the paws, use it on other spots you don't want snow or ice to build up.
