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pdsingleton User is Offline

Posts:1

02/24/2012 6:03 AM
I'm preparing my first GSP for her first show, and I am not sure what lead and collar to use. Does anyone have a recommendation, preferably on a website where I can order it directly? Thanks!

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7856

02/24/2012 7:51 AM
I have used kangaroo leads almost from the first time I showed. I tried the chain collars, but my dogs didn't like them because their shorthair would catch in the chain and pull. I switched to a kangaroo slip collar and a matching kangaroo lead. This year I wanted to do away with the clip so I had Bob Bertram make me a lead with a slip on the end and I love it. He made to my exact specifications. This one is similar, but instead of the clip at the end mine ends in a slip collar. Also mine is dark brown to match my dog. www.bertramgallery.com/www.bertramgallery.com/Hand_Braided_leather_Items/Pages/Leather_Work.html#19 Bob's price is pretty comparable to everywhere else for kangaroo leads too. I also do not do the beads. I personally do not like them as I think they detract from the dog. I have a friend who is an AKC judge in another breed and he told me he hated the beads because when he looked around at a dog his eye got drawn first to the beads. This made sense to me and since I want my dog to be showcased and not the beads, I do not have a lead with beads. This is my preference, others hopefully will post too with their preference.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

singltrak

Las Cruces, NM

MH
Posts:1149

02/24/2012 9:11 AM
I would start with a simple nylon choke collar...soft but without a lot of control or pull on the dog...so if you have a puller I'd suggest handling classes too. I also have been happy with either kangaroo or buffalo leads...soft and strong. They can pretty much be balled up in your hand and not left hanging. (the old school of dog showing-LOL-suggests clean lines without a lot of distraction). Clean up the throat by pulling the skin below the collar, a bit of trimming on the tuckup/butt area. I also trim the neck but that is personal preference. As far as the bling on show leads...well, if it is your first dog and you are not quite sure what to do with everything all at once then no doubt you don't want the beading and other designs there too....once you become more accomplished at what you are doing, you may want to pick up a beaded, blingy lead. I remember my handler having a fit when I bought my first one and saying she didn't like them...too thin, etc...two weeks ago I noticed she now has an entire collection... So, walk around through the vendors at the show and take a look. As far as where to purchase show leads and collars...Cherrybrooke has a good selection of both nylon, chain, parachute cord as well as kangaroo collars and leads...Here is the link to them. Very professional company http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cfm/iorb/4764/a/catalog.catshow/rst/1/cname/Show_Leads_and_Collars/utm_campaign/BROI/utm_source/sponsored/catid/132/utm_medium/ Good luck to you and remember, we are HAVING FUN....if you aren't, then there's a problem.

Look to the Past, Breed for the Future

juliej

Kentucky

MH
Posts:113

02/24/2012 9:29 AM
Hello and welcome! I started with a resco loop lead because it was strong and practical to practice with. I could wad it up in my hand pretty easily. You can get one here http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/344646/catid/506/vname/Resco_Loop_Leads__threesixteenths I don't think I know how to make a link. The resco was easy to keep in the proper place on the neck, and inexpensive enough to practice with without worrying about ruining it. I was concerned about kinking or breaking my snake chain collar. I also had a kangaroo lead with a clip. I thought the clip was too much of a distraction from my dog's neck so I sold it to get one without a clip. Both of my kangaroo leads I ordered at shows so I could design it myself. Both of my kangaroo leads have a small bead grouping. I wanted beads but not flash. Both of my kangaroo leads cost about $60 including shipping. If you want beads I recommend getting one made at a show so you can see the beads in person. If you don't want beads you can order from the site Bev recommended. I recommend at least 36 inches long so you can let your dog gait somewhat away from you. I will take a pic of my current lead and post it.

Julie Aldo von der Raucherei

juliej

Kentucky

MH
Posts:113

02/24/2012 9:55 AM
Here is my current show lead. The small loop near the beads is for puttting it on the snake chain collar. The loop at the other end is for my thumb. Here is a close up of the beads. For a collar I use a snake chain collar. I haven't noticed it pulling my dog's hair.

Julie Aldo von der Raucherei

Aurora Lights User is Offline

Posts:1

02/24/2012 12:31 PM
This is the original poster. I changed my username from mine to my dog's, Aurora Lights Up The Past. Thanks for the replies! And the warm welcome! The kangaroo leads with the loop - instead of the clip - are sold out on Cherrybrook, so I'll start with the Resco loop and go from there.

singltrak

Las Cruces, NM

MH
Posts:1149

02/24/2012 5:01 PM
One thing I do like about having the snap on the lead is that you can put them easily back into their crate without having to remove all their "clothes". I really dislike having to worry about leaving a lead on as well as not having any kind of a collar on the dog if I go back to take them out to exercise...that always has freaked me out... A Resco? Like with Min Pins and IG's and the like? Too easy to back out of... and no control (at least for my dingbats). JulieJ, I like your beaded lead tho...awesome without too much! Phyllis and the Singltrak Furtribe

Look to the Past, Breed for the Future

juliej

Kentucky

MH
Posts:113

02/25/2012 10:07 AM
Thanks, Phyllis! I really like it, and I think the silver beads pick up in Aldo's hot ticking. The resco I use for practice(and my first time in the ring) is the slip lead type, not the one with the slider on it. I am not lead wise enough to use the slider type, I am sure that I would pull it right off.

Julie Aldo von der Raucherei

singltrak

Las Cruces, NM

MH
Posts:1149

02/25/2012 10:46 AM
LOL...trust me...they do! And get so twisted and tangled...Let me see...I have almost lost...a Lhasa, no make that two Lhasas, a Min-Pin and a Schipperke. Any time I see someone heading my way (even to just hold a dog) with a Resco I shut my eyes and grit my teeth! Then, with the Min-Pin, it took me another hour to untangle the entire thing. Surprised that I didn't wind up in a ball on the floor with it wrapped around my feet! Phyllis

Look to the Past, Breed for the Future

juliej

Kentucky

MH
Posts:113

02/25/2012 12:54 PM
Haha! I am picturing a plate of spaghetti

Julie Aldo von der Raucherei

Willowglen User is Offline

Fort Collins, CO

MH
Posts:216

02/29/2012 9:08 AM
I started with a nylon slip collar, but eventually switched to a fine snake chain. I've never had one break (knock on wood) and have been using the same one for around 5 years. With the nylon collar I felt like I had less control over my male who is a puller and has helped keep puppy hi-jinx under control! I have also found that the finer chain tends to not move around their neck as much as the thicker chain does. As far as leads, I started with a basic leather lead but have since switched to kangaroo. I personally like the beads and have one with 3 clusters and one with a single bead. It's all personal preference. There are several GSP people that make show leads and do an awesome job. PM if you'd like their names

Christine Willow Glen GSPs & Weimaraners www.willowglengsp.com

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