How to groom an English cocker spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel was originally bred to be a working gundog, but their happy, patient and kind natures have made them an ideal family pet. There are two strains of Cocker Spaniel: Field and Show. The field strain tends to have a leaner build and the show dogs have a more heavy & sturdy build.

The Cocker Spaniel has long ears which lay close to the head. Their top-line should gently slope from shoulders to tail. The tail is held level to the body. Their coat should be silky and flat against the body and should never be wavy or wiry. The front and rear legs should be well feathered.

Some pet owners may prefer to keep feathering shorter as this area requires the most maintenance. Check with the owner how long/short to trim the feathering before grooming

Coat Type

Combination / Silky

Grooming Requirement

Card & Hand-Strip

Pet Grooming Option

Clipper Trim & Card

Grooming Notes

The body and head of a Cocker Spaniel can be carded and/or hand-stripped to encourage the coat to lay tight to the body. Many pet owners prefer for the coat to be clipped, but it is a good idea to card (remove dead undercoat) after clipping as this promotes better skin health and can help preserve the brilliant colours of the coat.

Cocker Spaniels do tend to shed a little, but not as much as breeds with thick double coats. It can be worthwhile providing a de-shedding treatment in Spring and Autumn when they tend to shed more profusely
Cocker Spaniels require daily grooming due to the length of their coats. It is recommended to do a thorough groom at least once a week

Grooming Guide

Cocker Spaniel (English) grooming lines/patterns

Prior To Bathing

Pluck hair from the ear canal as necessary
Use a blaster to loosen any skin dander, dirt, debris and loose/shedding coat
Use a rubber curry, undercoat rake, carding tool or bristle brush to remove loose coat
Brush out any tangles and/or matts from the longer coat or apply intensive conditioner
Hand-strip/Card the body so the coat lays flat against the body, always working in the direction of coat growth
Pluck or trim any long downy hair from the head and around the ears so the coat lays flat

After Bathing

Standard blade lengths for pet grooming include: #7F, #5F, #4F or Short Comb Guides (anything up to ¾ inch). Remember to card coat after clipping to promote skin and coat health.

Use a damp cloth to go over the muzzle after bathing, wiping away tear stains
Line brush using a firm slicker, when finished the coat should be tangle free and little/no hair should be being removed. Double check work with a wide-toothed comb
If the dog has a heavier coat, it is acceptable to clip the top skull and cheeks with a #4F – #7F blade
Clip the top ⅓ of the ear – or to the jawline – with a #10 or #15 blade, blend into longer hair
Neaten edges and the bottom of the ear with thinning/safety scissors
Clip the muzzle with a #10 or #15 blade if necessary
Clip edges of lips with a #15 blade
Trim the throat area with a #7F – #15 blade, skip this step if working on a light coated dog. Stop about 2-3 finger widths above the breastbone
Use thinning scissors to trim the cowlick to blend into the shorter areas of the throat
The front of the front legs should be separate from the chest area. The front of the front legs should be saddled out to be short and smooth, while the back side of the front legs are well feathered
The undercarriage should be well feathered, with only minor trimming to neaten the line
Thin the thigh area to accentuate muscle
The feathering on the back of the thighs/rear legs should be left long
The upper side of the tail should be groomed in the same manner as the body of the coat. The underside of the tail should be trimmed with thinning scissors or clipper trimmed
Shave paw pads with a #15 – #40 blade
Back brush any excess hair between toes and trim with thinning/safety scissors
Trim feet and hocks to appear neat with thinning/safety shears

Grooming Tool Recommendations

Other Health Recommendations

Clipper Blade Recommendations

Shampoo Recommendations

For everyday use, mild/hypoallergenic shampoos are recommended.

Conditioner Recommendations

A conditioner is always useful in the longer areas of the coat, to weigh it down and add strength and shine. It can also help protect the coat while brushing.