Clipping the American Cocker Spaniel
By Manuel Villanueva, 2003, Updated 9/8/20

Photo: iStock
There's no denying American cocker spaniels have gorgeous long coats but they require frequent grooming. At the very least, a minimal amount of grooming is required for hygiene and safety. Insufficient grooming can lead to hair matting, soiling, skin irritation from feces and urine. Cockers can slip when foot pads are covered with hair. This is especially true for cockers with joint problems.
Pet owners can rely on trusted professional groomers or do their own grooming with proper instruction. Some groomers will let the owner observe and learn how to safely groom their own pet. There are instructional cocker spaniel grooming videos available online. Pet clippers, blades and grooming supplies are available from Amazon, PetEdge, Chewy and other sources.
Supplies
- Large pin brush
- Steel comb
- Pet grooming clippers
- #10 blade ⚠
- Slicker brush
- Ear powder (medicated)
- Lanolin coat conditioner
- #7 or 8½ blade ⚠
- Matting comb ⚠
- Nail clipper(guillotine type) ⚠
- Scissors ⚠
- Thinning shears ⚠
- Artificial tears eye drops
- ⚠
- Sharp instrument. Use with caution.
Item | Where |
---|---|
Large pin brush | Brushing the coat |
Steel comb | Entire coat |
#10 blade |
|
Slicker brush / Matting Comb | Removing mats |
Ear powder | Inside of ears |
Lanolin coat conditioner | Entire coat |
#10 or 8½ or 7 | Entire back & tail (from back neck to tail) |
Nail clipper | Nails |
Scissors |
|
Thinning shears |
|
Artificial tears eye drops | Use during and after clipping to remove any hair blown into the eyes |
References
- Kohl, S., & Goldstein, C. (1973). The all breed dog grooming guide. New York: Arco.
- Maris, K. (2016). The Dog Grooming Business Course: How to Set Up and Run Your Own Dog Grooming Business. at Home. Mobile. Salon.. United States: AuthorHouse UK.