English cocker spaniels are one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK, originally bred as gun dogs, they have become popular family pets, loved for their affectionate nature, playful energy, and beautiful coats. Cockers are very people-oriented dogs and love human company.
There are two main types of cocker spaniels: the show cocker and the working cocker. While the show cocker is known for its long, flowing feathering and plush coat, the working cocker has a slightly shorter, more practical coat suited for an active lifestyle. When it comes to grooming, both varieties are considered high maintenance. Their long, silky hair is prone to tangles and matting, requiring regular grooming sessions to keep their coats healthy and knot-free.
Whether you choose to take your dog to a professional groomer for a full trim or plan to groom yourself, this blog covers everything you need to know about bathing, brushing and even clipping your cocker spaniel at home.
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Grooming Needs of a Cocker Spaniel
English cocker spaniels have a thick, double-layered coat with a short undercoat and long silky top coat. Traditionally, carding and hand-stripping are used to maintain the coat’s natural texture and flow for a top show groom. However, for pet owners that dont intend to show their dogs and are looking for a more manageable option, a pet trim or puppy trim provides a practical and stylish solution. This trim keeps the coat at a tidy and manageable length while still preserving the breed’s distinctive appearance using a combination of clipping and trimming.
- Clipped Areas: The back, tail, face, and throat are typically clipped short, mimicking the appearance of a hand-stripped coat.
- Feathering: The ears, legs, chest, and undercarriage remain longer but are carefully trimmed and blended for a natural, well-groomed look.
A pet trim not only enhances your cocker spaniel’s appearance but also makes daily maintenance more convenient, helping to keep their coat clean and easier to brush. Whether you choose to groom at home or visit a professional, routine upkeep will keep your spaniel looking and feeling their best!
Taking your cocker spaniel to a professional groomer has many benefits, but regular visits can quickly become costly. Grooming at home is a great way to save money while keeping your dog’s coat in top condition—whether you’re maintaining their look between salon visits or taking on full coat management yourself.
Working Cocker Spaniels vs. Show Cocker Spaniels: Key Differences in Grooming
While both show and working cocker spaniels share the same lovable temperament, they have distinct differences in their actively levels, coat type and grooming needs:
- Show cocker spaniels have longer, thicker coats with abundant feathering on their legs, chest, and ears making up the skirt. Their coats require frequent brushing to prevent matting and are traditionally hand-stripped or carefully trimmed to maintain the breed’s signature flowing appearance. Regular bathing, conditioning, and meticulous brushing are needed to keep the coat silky and free of tangles.
- Working cocker spaniels have a shorter, more practical coat that is easier to maintain. Their hair is often slightly coarser and less dense than a show cocker’s, making it less prone to matting. Many owners opt for a clipped pet trim to keep their working cocker’s coat manageable, particularly for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Positive Grooming Training For Cocker Spaniel Puppies
Grooming plays a big role in your cocker spaniel’s lifetime care, so starting early is key to ensuring they feel comfortable with the process. By introducing a gentle grooming routine from a young age (8-10 weeks old), you can help your puppy develop positive associations with brushing, bathing, and handling.
Building a Stress-Free Grooming Routine:
- Start Slow – Let your puppy explore grooming tools before using them to build familiarity.
- Use Positive Reinforcement - Start with soft brushes before introducing a slicker brush and comb. Our Essentials Pet Grooming Set has everything you need to get started. Reward them with treats and praise to build a positive associations with grooming.
- Keep Sessions Short – Puppies have short attention spans, so begin with just a few minutes and gradually increase the duration.
- Introduce Handling – Gently touch their paws, ears, and face to get them used to being handled.
- Familiarise Them with Clippers – Turn the clippers on near your puppy so they can get used to the sound before their first trim. . Although your puppy won’t need clipping until around 6-8 months old when their adult coat comes in, getting them used to the sound and vibration of clippers early on will make future trims easier. Our cordless Showmate dog trimmer is the perfect introductory tool, as its low sound and vibration won’t startle sensitive pups and is ideal for trimming the head, paws, and ears when the time comes to groom them properly.
- Booking a puppy grooming appointment with a professional groomer is also beneficial. Even if you plan to groom your cocker spaniel yourself, these early experiences help with socialisation, exposing them to new people, sounds, and smells to build confidence in different environments. They'll also be much more at ease should you decide to take them for a professional groom in the future.
Want more puppy grooming advice? Read our puppy grooming blog here for additional tips.
Essential Grooming Tools For Cocker Spaniels
Brushing is the most important part of your cocker spaniels’s grooming routine. Aim to brush their coat at least three to four times a week to keep them knot free.
- Slicker Brush: A slicker brush is ideal for cocker spaniels, helping to remove tangles and dead hair before clipping and trimming to ensure a smooth, even cut.
- Combination Comb: These double ended combs are ideal for detangling stubborn knots and checking the entire coat is free from tangles after brushing with the slicker. The narrow spaced teeth are perfect for grooming the feathering of the cocker spaniel and brushing out the more delicate areas of finer hair, such as the face and ears, whereas the wider spaced teeth are best suited for grooming the thicker hair on the body, chest and neck.
- Bristle Brush: For cocker's with shorter coats, avoid over-brushing with a slicker brush, as the wire bristles can be harsh on their skin. Instead, use a bristle brush and alternate between the two. A soft-bristled brush helps to smooth the coat and distribute the natural oils from the skin to add shine, keeping the coat glossy and healthy.
- Undercoat Rake: Coat rakes are the perfect tool to gently remove the dead, loose undercoat during shedding. The curved metal teeth reach deep into the coat to remove loose hair whilst leaving the top layer of guard hairs in tact.
Brushing Technique: If you feel any snags in the coat, gently detangle any knots with your fingers or a comb before using a slicker brush. Brush in the direction of hair growth, working in sections and go over the entire coat. When brushing the legs, start at the foot and work your way up each leg.
Dealing with Mats: If you find any matted areas, gently tease them apart with your fingers or use a de-matting comb. Bear in mind mats can pull on your dogs skin. Don't be tempted to cut them out with scissors, as it's easy to accidentally catch the skin and injure your dog. Instead, you can use a dog trimmer or A5 clipper with a close cutting No. 10F blade to nibble away underneath the mat, close to the skin. If your dog has quite a few mats in their coat, it's best to seek help from a professional groomer.
Grooming Kit Must Haves
- Nail Clipper: Keep nails in good shape and health with our scissor style nail clippers. Nail clipping should be done every 2-3 months to avoid overgrowth and discomfort. Find out how to clip your dog's nails here.
- Shampoo: Always bath your cocker spaniel before you clip them to ensure a smooth finish and to keep your clipper blades sharper for longer.
- Grooming Scissors: Grooming scissors are perfect for creating a rounded shape to the ends of the ears, trimming the furnishings on the legs and tummy, around the foot, pads and tail for a polished finish. A pair of thinning, finishing and curved scissors are must haves for cocker spaniel grooming. For working cockers, thinning scissors are the ideal choice for trimming the feathering on the legs to leave a shorter but natural looking finish whilst accumulating less dirt for busy, active dogs.
- Dog Clipper and Combs: An A5 dog clipper with a set of combs is the ideal choice for clipping your cocker spaniel and are the clipper of choice for professional dog groomers. A5 clippers can be used with a range of clipper blades and combs to give you a vast choice of clip lengths.
- Dog Trimmer: A small, quiet, cordless trimmer is handy for trimming delicate features such as the hair around the pads, muzzle, face, ears and sanitary areas.
Bathing Your Cocker Spaniel
It's generally recommended to bath a cocker spaniel every couple of weeks to keep them clean and smelling fresh and help to moisturise their coat.
Before clipping or trimming, it’s essential to bath and dry your cocker spaniel properly to ensure the hair is prepped to give the most comfortable groom and best overall finish.
Brush before bathing: This helps remove loose hair and tangles.
Best shampoo to use: Choose a mild, dog-friendly shampoo that’s free from harsh chemicals. A sensitive skin formula can be beneficial for puppies and dogs with allergies or dry skin. We love these all natural formulations by Wildwash.
How to bath your cocker spaniel: Use lukewarm water and ensure you wet the coat thoroughly before applying shampoo. Lather gently, paying attention to the paws, underbelly, and behind the ears.
- Rinse thoroughly: Ensure no shampoo residue is left on the coat, as this can cause irritation and leave a film on the clipper blades making them dull faster.
- Towel dry first: Pat your dog down with a towel to remove excess water.
- Blow dry whilst brushing: You can use a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the drying process. Brush the hair whilst drying to prevent tangles from forming.
Find out why Wildwash is cocker spaniel's Tyler & Maya's first choice below.
Clipping Your Cocker Spaniel
Clipping your cocker spaniel's coat every 6-8 weeks will help to keep it at a manageable length. Here's our guide for a simple home pet trim.
- Best clippers to use: Our professional A5 Cocker Spaniel Grooming Sets come with a range of comb attachments to give you a choice of clip lengths. If you're unsure which combs to choose, try the longest comb first. You can always go shorter if needed! The short cutting 10F clipper blade is ideal for neat, detailed clipping without the comb guards for clipping the head, muzzle, top of the ears, paws, and sanitary areas.
"I bought these clippers when my groomer went on maternity leave as my cocker spaniel is quite reactive and difficult to trim, so thought I’d give it a go myself. I am so pleased with the results and they work really well compared to others I’ve tried in the past. Very smooth clip, not too loud and battery lasted for well over 2 hours full time clipping.... Cordless is definitely a plus with a wriggly dog! I have done both of my dogs with them and whilst they are top end I think you get what you pay for and they have paid for themselves in two clips!"
- Clipping prep: Gather all the tools you'll need to groom and set up the grooming space in a quiet spot, when your dog is feeling calm and relaxed.
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How to clip:
- After bathing and drying, brush out the coat thoroughly before clipping to ensure an even cut.
- Starting with the body, choose a short comb attachment and place this over the clipper blade to achieve your desired clip length. Alternatively you can use a short body blade such as 7F (3mm) of 5F (6mm).
- Holding the clipper like a large pencil, keep the blade level with the skin and clip in the direction of hair growth to create a natural, even finish.
- Clip along the back of the neck and along the back to around midway down the sides. The clip under the neck and chest. You can then swap to a longer comb to blend the hair into the skirts if you want to retain the skirt and keep the legs fluffy.
- Alternatively, continue using the clipper with the combs to trim the hair on the legs and tummy for a sleek all over clip.
- Using the No. 10F blade, trim the top of head, muzzle and the very tops of the ears. Then clip the hair under the paws level with the pads to prevent dirt from accumulating.
- You can also use the clipper and No. 10F blade to clip the lower tummy and anal areas to maintain hygiene.
TOPTIP: Frequently apply clipper oil to your clipper blades during clipping (every 3-5 minutes) to reduce friction and heat generation and keep your clipper working smoothly.
Watch @Lauren Emily Dog Grooming complete a sleek spaniel clip for lovely cocker spaniel Ruby below.
Using Grooming Scissors for a Polished Look
- Ears & Tail: Trim the ends of the ears to keep them neat using curved scissors to create a nice rounded shape. Similarly, comb the tail and trim the ends with straight scissors to keep it tidy.
- Paws & Feet: Round off the excess hair around the paws using curved scissors, ensuring a neat finish. Gently pull out excess hair from between the toes and trim it level with the top of the foot for a natural shape.
- Bull nose scissors are great for trimming the hair beneath the pads if you prefer to use scissors rather than your clippers for the feet. Take care not to dig between the toes, as you may catch the thin membrane of skin there. Instead, gently pull out the excess hair from the toes and trim them level with the foot. This will help to prevent dirt from collecting between the pads and mats forming. Watch our YouTube guide here.
Grooming Tips For Cocker Spaniels
Positive groom training from an early age ensures a stress-free grooming experience for both you and your dog.
Regular brushing with the right tools is essential to prevent matting and maintain a healthy coat.
Clipping and trimming every 6-8 weeks keeps their coat manageable and your dog comfortable.
If in any doubt, seek advice from a professional groomer to ensure your cocker spaniel's coat is kept in the best condition.
By following these steps, you can keep your cocker spaniel looking and feeling great all year round. Home grooming not only saves money but also strengthens your bond with your pet.
Grooming is an art form but with practice, you'll get better at achieving the look you want for your dog. The beauty of grooming at home is the flexibility—it can be done at your dog's pace, without rushing through a full session in one go. If you need personalised advice for grooming your cocker spaniel, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to help!
How much does grooming a cocker spaniel cost?
For a professional cocker spaniel groom including a wash, clip and styling, the average cost is around £40-60 in the UK and needs to be carried out every 6-8 weeks to keep on top of your dog's coat. This is a very reasonable cost given the groomers expertise, time and running costs in a busy salon. However, over the lifetime of your pet, this cost can soon add up. In contrast, grooming your cocker spaniel yourself is much less. The cost of a Masterclip clipper set with 4 comb attachments starts at just £129.99 and with correct use and care can last for many years. Our A5 clipper blades are made from high quality steel and are readily re-sharpenable too! So why not give home grooming a try?
What age should I start grooming my cocker spaniel?
You should start grooming your puppy as soon as they are settled in their new home, usually when they are around 8-12 weeks old. Start by introducing basic grooming practices like brushing to get them accustomed to handling and make the process positive from the start. This early experience is crucial for setting a good foundation for them to enjoy being groomed over their lifetime. They can have their first puppy groom at the groomers once they have had their second vaccinations between 10-12 weeks of age.
How much does a cocker spaniel need to be groomed?
For the first six months, a cocker spaniel puppy only needs brushing for about 10 minutes, 4–5 times a week, using a basic grooming kit (comb, soft brush and slicker brush). Treats and praise them will help make grooming a positive experience. From around 4-6 months old, they will lose their baby coat as the adult coat comes in. A thorough brush 2–3 times a week will help to keep knots and tangles at bay. Clipping is recommended every 6-8 weeks with bathing beforehand. Nails should be trimmed every 2-3 months to keep them short and in good condition.
