We understand conformation and multi-venue dog people and goals. We want to promote their retrievers, not put them down. We can keep the coat in good condition by applying oils to prevent tangles and mats from forming, and easy removal of burrs from the coat without cutting or pulling coat out. Conformation bred retrievers left in our care are groomed on a frequent basis (number of times each week is dependent on the breed), and nails can be ground every other day. Mud when present is hosed off, but we actually bathe infrequently or the essential oils that protect the coat are washed out. We do this for our own Tollers. For the conformation dogs we put blankets or shag rugs in the "holes" (crates) on the truck in addition to the Dri Deck matting. We are happy to work with the owner or conformation handler to keep the coat in the best condition possible. However, some coat breakage is bound to happen, and we cannot keep the retriever in an air-conditioned area to grow coat. This is because the retriever will not be acclimated to the heat when it goes to train. For breeds like Poodles and possibility some Irish Water Spaniels that have long coats, we recommend that the coat be cut back, and not left in show length.
For a conformation retriever there are several periods that match well with retriever training. While many owners show their dogs as puppies, most are not seriously campaigned until a later date. The puppy or young dog stage is a great time to acquire the JH title. With an older conformation retriever when they blow coat, after weaning puppies in a bitch, or finish being campaigned works best. You cannot concentrate on field training while taking the retriever to conformation shows every weekend and on circuits that are common place now. However, if you show just one or two times each month locally and have a breed that does not have extensive coat requirements, you can do both. We do with our Tollers all the time.
