Choosing the Right Cut:

There are many diffent cut styles you can choose for your cocker which would depend upon the dog's lifestyle. Will he or she be a show dog - a field dog - or a family pet? While your dog's lifestyle may determine the type of cut you choose for him or her, regardless, whether or not you plan to show your dog, your cocker will require regular grooming. While some owners (including myself) prefer a long lushy coat, brushing daily and shampooing frequently with quarterly scissoring and clipping, others prefer a more functional length. Cockers have long, silky hair and are average shedders.

Cockers are usually groomed with a long flowing coat, bushy feet, heavy ears, and heavy feathering on the legs. This type of grooming is beautiful in a show dog but is not practical for the average pet. Maintenance of a this type of coat requires a thorough brushing every few days. Bathing and drying requires several hours. Although this type of coat is appropriate for show dogs, it is difficult to maintain in the field. The Canadian Standard for a cocker coat calls for a moderate coat with correct coat texture. This coat style is perfect for my dogs who compete in everything from the confirmation ring to the agility field.

Additional tips and info for grooming field dogs can be found at: http://www.efn.org/~mperry/healthy.htm#health grooming

Why Regular Grooming is Important for the dog's Health:

Eyes and Ears:

For the sake of the dog's health alone, areas that will need particular attention are the eyes and ears, which need regular cleaning. The ears may be prone to infection and require regular inspections and cleaning. You can purchase a good ear cleaner from your veterinarian.

Parasites:

Regular grooming can aid you in finding any parasites your dog may come in contact with. Several sources are available on line. Check out: http://www.avma.org/care4pets/anparas.htm

Food:

The brand of food you choose to feed your dog will also affect his or her grooming. I recommend premium foods such as Nutro Premium foods are less likely to contain as many by-products, preservatives and fillers. Low-quality dog food can actually cause allergic reactions in some dogs...hotspots etc...

More info can be found at: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americancocker.htm

Matting:

If your dog gets wet or damp, the affected areas should be brushed, combed and dried as soon as possible to prevent tangles and matts which begin to form upon exposure to moisture. Owners notskilled in brushing and combing both the under coat and outer coat should seek training from their breeder or groomer. They tend to brush and comb only the outer coat, leaving the under coat subject to potential matting problems. Moderate to severe matting can cause discomfort for the dog and poor skin health. Very severe matting may require the hair coat to be removed by clippers and appropriate blades in the hands of a grooming professional when the de-matting process overly risks the comfort, safety and health of the dog. The solution is to prevent matts in the first place with regular maintenance grooming.

Learning to do your own Clipping:If you are interested in learning to groom your cocker spaniel, useful tips and product info can be found at: http://www.petgroomer.com/