cocker spaniel owners please!

moneylover

I am thinking of getting a cocker spaniel and have asked some questions but bear with me - have just a few more

Do they smell more than the average dog if their ears are clean, they are groomed regularly and and fed a high quality diet (I know they can have probs with anal glands, but leaving that aside...)

I do like them when they have some longer hair (not like a skirt!) left underneath and on their legs so they look feathered. A bit like yousee a show dog but perhaps not as perfect! However have been looking at local groomers websites and all the piccies of spaniels they looke almost as though they have been shaved! Dont say do the clipping yourself - I wuld have a nervous breakdown and the dog would never forgive me......

Last question - well groomed, do they shed much more than most breeds eg golden retriever, lab, king charles spaniel.

Many thanks - answers to any of these questions gratefully received , I think its important when getting a dog that you know exactly what you are getting into! I have read enough to know cockers have a lovely temperament and love their owners very much.

rhoobarbcrumble

I have a working cocker spaniel (or field dog). I thought I was buying a show dog, was even shown the parents(who were both show dogs). Her name(the breeders) was (well, maybe I shouldn't say on here). She's still selling show dogs, legitimately. BUT - I have to say, except for this little man being paranoid (and I put that down to maybe the way his tail was docked and the way the vet wanted to sell you eardrops to put in his ear everyday, with cotton wool mind. My dog is perfect except for the brushing stuff now. He looks way better than a show cocker spaniel, is much smarter, and when we had kittens he shepherded them around. He still looks after the hamster (socially) and also keeps an eye on the cats(when they decide to fight). IMO this is the best type of dog for you, cos I looked at the grooming side of show cocker spaniels, I worried about it but my dog was brill with that side of the grooming thing, I just think his breeder had a lot to do with him not trusting.

tizerbelle

I think this site will help you a lot - loads of information especially in the forums http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/cms/

Answering your questions above - no, there's no reason why a cocker would smell more than any other breed; ears are a problem - as with any "flappy" eared dog - you do need to develop a routine of ear cleaning otherwise there can be problems with ear mites / bacterial infections and then he will smell as well as be in discomfort.

If you want your cocker to have the skirt and feathers then he should never ever be clipped - his coat needs to be stripped and trimmed - loads about this on the forum. Clipping cockers changes their coats and it will never be the same again. That said, many people who have cockers as pets rather than show dogs, choose to clip as it's easier to maintain on a day to day basis.

With shedding, it's my boxer-rottie cross that causes the bulk of the "tumble-weed" I find, not the cocker. If you are grooming your cocker daily then it shouldn't be too much of a problem anyway, shedding is just removing dead/loose hair from the coat - if you groom regularly to remove that hair there shouldn't be much extra dropping off over the rest of the day.

Padstow

I've had three show type Cockers. First was an orange roan, second orange and white, the third black and white. They did all share some characteristics, very loving and good with people. They'd all parade with something in their mouths when I got home.

Their coats were very different. First was ok, he came from a private home. The second was a true show dog from a top breeder. He moulted so much it's a wonder he wasn't bald.

The third a rescue who hardly moults at all.

The second one wouldn't get his feet wet, he'd walk around mud and puddles. We used to call him Gloria at times as he was so starry and precious.

The third will plunge into any mud and rough. So what I save on hair, is made up with dust, when the mud dries.

Hand stripping is the best, especially if you show, as a good groomer will strip them more heavily in places to accenuate good features or detract from bad. I wish you luck in finding a groomer like that, they are very rare.

The reason shown dogs can be hand stripped is that they are not neutered. Once they are, the coat is much thicker and would be cruel to hand strip.
Mine is clippered, with a skirt and some feathers. His paws very short to save on the muddy footprints.

So is the moulting due to high breeding or colour?

Nature has a very clever trick regarding moulting. They don't shed hair for the first six months, so by the time you notice, you love them too much to care.

The top show dog always had ear problems and ended up stone deaf, so maybe if you are not looking to show, go for one that is not as perfect in looks as "Gloria" was.

Are you looking for a puppy? I have a lot of kennels saved from when I was looking if you ever need some.

Cocker Spaniels Today by Joyce Caddy, (she bred "Gloria") is a very useful read and great on their trimming.

They are lovely dogs, that's why I've had three in succession.

Padstow

Thought of something else. There is an inbetween to clipping or hand stripping.
It's a tool that removes the rough coat, you just put it through like a comb.