Spaniels are a large group of breeds that include, for example, the King Charles Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, German Wachtelhund, Breton Espaniel and others.
But the most popular in this group are cocker spaniels.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful and elegant hunting dog, but in order for the pet to always look well-groomed, it is necessary to properly care for its coat.
In addition to brushing and bathing, which are mandatory for all dogs, the English Cocker needs, at a minimum, a hygienic haircut.
In addition, a show dog may require professional grooming, which includes a full haircut.
How to properly cut a cocker's hair and what types of hairstyles exist for these dogs?
Do I need to cut my hair?
An English Cocker needs to be groomed regardless of whether he is being shown or not . After all, in addition to the fact that a haircut gives dogs a beautiful and well-groomed appearance, it is also necessary for hygiene purposes.
Plant seeds, various debris and external parasites cling less to the shortened coat; it does not tangle and mat so much, forming tangles that cause discomfort to the spaniel.
Working cockers also need a haircut, since in the forest or in the field the too long hair of an uncut dog will constantly cling to the branches of bushes and collect dirt and various debris..
As for show dogs, only a beautifully and correctly trimmed cocker will be appreciated by experts and will be able to qualify for prizes, not to mention the championship title.
Grooming makes caring for an English Cocker much easier, since short and straight hair is easier to comb than long and constantly tangled hair.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“In addition to regular brushing and bathing, the English Cocker Spaniel also needs special coat care, namely a full or hygienic haircut. This procedure can be carried out both in the salon and independently, at home. However, if a dog is getting a haircut for the first time or if you need to bring its coat to perfect condition, for example, before a major exhibition, then it is still better to entrust the animal’s haircut to a professional.”
Features of the coat
The efforts of breeders have changed the external characteristics of the dog since the era of its passion for hunting. The coat of coat has become longer - the American Cocker Spaniel has become the star of dog shows and has become an object of admiration for dog breeders who have extensive experience working with this breed. If there are differences between the American Cocker Spaniel and the English one, then, accordingly, there are differences in the features of keeping and caring for them.
Based on the requirements of the standards, cocker coats should be of different lengths:
- the back and head have a short coat of wool, similar to a cape;
- the body is covered with moderately long hair with a thick undercoat.
Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?
You can carry out an incomplete, or, as it is also called, hygienic haircut of a cocker who does not participate in exhibitions, yourself, since this does not require professional skills: you just need to confidently hold scissors and a comb in your hands.
But if the pet is a show pet, then it is better to take it to a groomer or salon, since a non-professional can easily ruin the pet’s fur with a poor-quality haircut, sometimes even irrevocably.
It is also recommended to contact a professional if a grown-up puppy is going to have his hair cut for the first time.
After all, an inept haircut can not only ruin your pet’s fur, but also greatly frighten you during the procedure, which will subsequently complicate his care if the dog begins to be afraid of scissors and hairdressing clippers.
If the owner of a cocker spaniel wants to cut his pet in a special way, choosing an unusual haircut for him, then in this case, of course, you should also contact a professional groomer .
We train the puppy
The first haircut is done when the pet reaches the age of 1.5 - 2 months. Until six months, he is cut as often as possible, gradually accustoming him to the procedure. Further - as it grows. If this is not done, the first haircut for an adult animal will result in extreme stress.
It is advisable to groom your puppy for the first time at home by inviting a professional groomer. He is comfortable in a familiar environment, he is less nervous about new sensations and the sight of unfamiliar instruments.
It is better for the owners not to be nearby. The animal will try to get closer to them, avoiding contact with a stranger.
The first procedures should not be long. A hygienic haircut with scissors is sufficient. Long-term grooming is useless.
The master performing the work must have extensive experience and qualifications. This will allow him to find an approach to the animal, taking into account its individual character traits.
It is important that during the first procedure the groomer is as gentle and friendly as possible with the puppy. In most cases, his further attitude towards grooming depends on how the first procedure goes.
Main types of haircuts with photos and their descriptions
Hygienic
It consists of removing excess hair that bothers the animal and giving the dog a more neat and well-groomed appearance.
Usually includes:
- Shortening ear hair.
- Trimming the hair on the paws, and in particular between the pads.
- Removal of long hair in the groin area and around the anus.
- Final combing and removal of detected tangles.
Exhibition (full)
According to a number of requirements, this type of haircut includes the following manipulations:
- The coat is shortened as much as possible on the head, neck and top of the ears.
- The hair on the lower part of the ears remains long.
- The hair on the back and shoulders is left in its natural form, but the undercoat is completely removed.
- Beautiful feathering remains on the lower abdomen and limbs.
NOTE!
If for show dogs the preferred option is a haircut with maximum preservation of the natural length of the coat in the area of the “skirt” and fringes, then a pet-class pet can be cut shorter.
A fairly short haircut is also recommended for puppies whose fur has not yet reached the length and thickness of the hair of adult dogs.
English
The haircut involves smooth short hair without bangs on the head. The mustache, beard and bangs are cut with thinning scissors. Particularly short hair is left on the cheeks. The ears are trimmed with scissors to the required length. Milled if desired.
The chest is cut short with a clipper in the direction of hair growth. A trimming knife is used on the back. This way it will look even and smooth, with a slight bulge. The black cocker is filleted from the sides, the red cocker is trimmed. The pile on the croup is only trimmed. A quadrangle is trimmed in the anal area. Traces of trimming or cutting are smoothed out with scissors.
Types for boys and girls
If we are not talking about a show haircut, the requirements for which are the same for both males and females, then English Cocker boys and girls can be cut in different ways.
Thus, for active and energetic males, we can recommend shorter haircut options than for gentle and calm females.
For boys, we can recommend two most suitable options:
- Stripping with a short "skirt" . With this haircut, the hair on the body, neck and head is plucked by hand. Along the edges of the ears it is shortened almost to their edges, small feathers are left on the limbs, and the hair on the lower abdomen is cut quite short.
- Short haircut with poodle paws . The fur on the animal’s body is greatly shortened, but a “cap” remains on the head and lush fringes on the ears.
The following hairstyles are more suitable for English Cocker girls, although, of course, no one is stopping the owner from cutting his pet’s hair like a poodle or shortening its fur on its “skirt” as much as possible:.
- Trimming with a long "skirt" . Along the bottom of the body, the hair is left as long as possible; the neck, back and shoulders are trimmed in order to remove undercoat and protruding hairs that spoil the dog’s silhouette.
- Trimming with a “skirt” of medium length . It is similar to the previous one and is done in almost the same way, except that the hair along the belly line and on the paws is not just trimmed to give the desired line to the silhouette, but is shortened by about half the length. With this haircut option, the dog retains its main exterior features and looks neat and well-groomed.
Trimming with a long “skirt” is a show version of the English Cocker’s haircut, and therefore is equally suitable for both males and females.
Character of the Russian Spaniel
Strong, active, persistent dog. She is selflessly devoted to her owner and is ready to carry out any of his orders, although she is quite emotional and active. A Russian Spaniel swims and dives to retrieve a wounded duck. Hunts and tests for swamp, field and pine forest game; Previously, the breed was also tested by blood trail. Has good instincts and endurance. Can be a watchdog, although it is believed that the deliberate development of watchdog qualities harms the dog's hunting qualities. Needs long walks and physical activity. It can be trained very well, but without exercise it can become hyperactive. Some male dogs can be dominant, but with proper training this can be corrected. Calm, obedient, affectionate domestic dog, absolutely loyal to children and other pets.
Required Tools
To cut your hair at home you will need the following tools::
- Regular scissors
- Thinning scissors.
- Hair clipper.
- Trimming knife.
- Bath towel.
Many professional groomers believe that the best trimming is obtained by pinching the coat by hand, rather than using a trimming knife, which, while removing fluff, can damage the guard hairs.
How to cut your own hair?
- First of all, you need to comb the dog’s fur with a brush, and if there are tangles, take them apart or cut them off.
- The cocker is washed and combed with a wide-toothed comb, after which the pet is thoroughly dried with a towel, dried with a hairdryer and its coat is carefully combed again.
- The crest or protruding hairs on the scalp are plucked by hand.
- The ears, outside and inside, are cut as short as possible at the top by 2/3 of the length. To do this, you can use a clipper with attachment No. 10. At the bottom of the ears, the hair is trimmed with thinning scissors, and you need to trim it so as to give the animal’s ears a teardrop shape.
- The cheekbones and muzzle are also cut short with a clipper. In this case, you need to act especially carefully in the lip area so as not to injure your pet or cut off its whiskers. If you are not sure that you will be able to do this neatly and evenly using a machine, then you can use thinning scissors.
- The hair on the chin, throat and sides of the neck is cut downwards.
- The sides of the chest are cut short with a clipper according to the growth of the fur. In this case, a triangular area with long hair should be left in the upper part of the chest.
- On the sides of the body and on the stomach, the hair is trimmed with thinning scissors or shortened to the desired length.
- The undercoat on the back is plucked by hand or using a trimming knife.
- The croup is trimmed.
- The lower part of the limbs is processed using ordinary scissors. The hair between the toes and along the contour of the paws is trimmed.
- On the hind legs, the hair remains long from the hip to the hock; below it it should be shortened.
- On the front legs, the hair should be cut short on the front and sides. There are beautiful fringes at the back.
- The tail is short processed with a machine.
- In the area of the anus, a diamond-shaped area is cut off with thinning scissors and smoothing is done from the base of the tail to the ischial tuberosity.
IMPORTANT!
The transitions between short and long hair should be smooth, not abrupt.
It is also very important to remember that the hair on the back, back of the neck and sides of the Cocker cannot be cut or, especially, shaved. Ideally, you need to pluck it by hand, but if the pet does not participate in exhibitions, then you can treat it with a trimming knife.
How to properly care for your fur
The English Cocker Spaniel needs to be brushed 2-3 times a week. First, the dog needs to be combed with a brush, after which the body and sides are combed with a fine-toothed comb, and areas with long hair are treated with a wide-toothed comb.
An English Cocker is bathed no more than once a month and, usually, this procedure is combined with a full haircut and nail trimming..
When washing, use shampoos for long-haired dogs. Also, to improve the quality and appearance of the coat, you can use balms or conditioners also intended for dogs.
Care after grooming
After grooming, you need to maintain the condition of your pet’s hair so that it does not turn into a matted felt boot before the next haircut. Care is not that difficult, but requires regularity and some persistence on the part of the owner.
Bathing
When walking through mud, long and medium coats should be protected with waterproof overalls. A cocker is given a full bath no more than once every 1-1.5 months; many owners try to combine a “bath day” with nail trimming. Cockers are washed with special shampoos for long hair; it is advisable to select the product according to the color of the hair. After the bath, the furry friend is dried with a towel, dried with a hairdryer and combed, removing tangles if necessary.
Combing
They comb the cocker every other day, if the dog likes the procedure, then you can do it every day. Combing has a beneficial effect on the skin, improving blood circulation and preventing tangles from matting. First comb the dog with a brush, then go over the long part with a comb with sparse teeth. If tangles have formed somewhere (and this can happen even with frequent combing, especially in the season when you have to put overalls on your pet), then they need to be carefully disassembled. Sprays can help a little to make it easier to comb.
