Breed · Long coats that mat
Cocker Spaniel grooming: combing, ears and the right tools
AKC's Cocker Spaniel coat facts: thorough combing to the skin, picking snarls apart, thin ear edges, careful drying and when to use a groomer.
Also listed as Cocker
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Short answer
AKC tags the Cocker's long, well-feathered coat as Silky and Double, and rates its grooming needs 4 of 5. It needs regular, thorough grooming with a metal comb, which AKC calls a necessity, followed by a gentle slicker brush; missed sessions lead to tangles and mats. Core tools: metal comb, gentle slicker, clippers or a groomer. Be careful at the ears: AKC says the skin at the edges is thin and can be pierced by vigorous combing.
Key facts
- Coat type (AKC)
- Silky, Double[1]Breed standard: silky, flat or slightly wavy, with enough undercoat for protection.
- Coat length (AKC)
- Long[1]
- Shedding (AKC, 1-5)
- 3 of 5[1]
- Brushing (AKC guidance)
- Regular, thorough combing to the skin with a metal comb; a gentle slicker after[1]
- Seasonal shedding
- None noted by AKC[1]
- Clipping and shaving
- Trimming is part of upkeep; the standard calls electric clippers on the back coat undesirable for show[1]
- Professional grooming
- Learn the procedures yourself and/or use a groomer experienced with the breed (AKC)[1]
Watch out for
- Ear edges: AKC warns that the skin at the edges of the ears is thin and can be pierced by too-vigorous combing.
- Don't pull through snarls: AKC says to pick them apart starting at the tips of the coat, then comb through.
- Rinse and rinse again: AKC says soap residue can irritate the skin. Its Cocker page says to dry on a not-too-hot setting, and its drying guide says to choose a dryer made for dogs rather than a human hair dryer.
- Mats can hide skin trouble: AKC says thorough grooming helps prevent mats, which can lead to skin problems underneath, so check for inflamed spots at bath time.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Slicker brush
Self-cleaning slicker brush (PS1140)Choose the single brush; any color.
For the gentle slicker pass AKC suggests after combing; the comb stays the key tool.
Sold by Stone's Store
Clipper
Rechargeable pet hair clipperChoose the standard version.
For owners who learn to trim. AKC's breed standard calls electric clippers on the back coat undesirable for show dogs, so ask a groomer which areas to clip. The seller doesn't state blade lengths.
Sold by YiHong Kuchi Store
Paw trimmer
LED paw trimmer with nail-grinder headChoose the white trimmer, not the spare cutter head.
For hair between the pads; AKC notes that toe hair mats easily.
Sold by lazyishhouse Official Store
Nail clipper
Scissor-style pet nail clipper with LED lightChoose the gray clipper.
A clipper avoids the hair-snagging risk VCA notes for grinders on long-haired dogs.
Sold by Shop1105233629 Store
Every session: comb first, section by section, until you can see the skin everywhere, then use a gentle slicker (AKC). Bath day: a thorough shampoo, rinsing and re-rinsing, careful drying on a not-too-hot setting, and a skin check for inflamed spots.
AKC suggests learning the procedure for cleaning and drying the ear canals; Cornell advises cleaning only when you see dirt or debris, and never with cotton swabs.
No catalog pick yet for the metal comb AKC calls a necessity (fine and medium teeth) or for a dog dryer. See how to line brush a dog and can you use a human hair dryer on a dog?
Questions
What comb should I use on a Cocker Spaniel?
AKC calls a metal, professional-quality comb with fine and medium tooth spacing a necessity. You can follow combing with a gentle slicker brush, but the comb is the key tool.[1]
How do I get tangles out of a Cocker's coat?
Don't pull through them. AKC says to pick snarls apart starting at the tips of the coat and then comb through, and to be gentle at the ear edges, where the skin is thin.[1]
Should a Cocker Spaniel go to a groomer?
AKC says it's key to learn the grooming procedures yourself and/or use a professional groomer who likes and is experienced with the breed. Missed sessions are not easily made up and can leave tangles or mats.[1]