So you think you want a Cocker Spaniel? Acquiring a dog of any breed is a big responsibility and should never be something done on impulse. Before he becomes a part of your family, get to know the breed. Also, ask yourself if you are ready to take on a new family member. Just like a child, he will require supervision, training, and exercise. In the case of a Cocker, regular grooming is also necessary. It's not a good idea to obtain a pet for the children and expect them to take full responsibility for its care. They can, however, provide valuable playtime and could also feed and water the dog under adult supervision. If the adults in the family work, someone will have to be available to take the puppy out during the day while they are away. And cockers require lots of love and socialization. Make sure you will have time in your schedule for this important factor of dog ownership. Another factor is cost. Dogs must be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and taken to the vet if they become ill. If you plan to go on a trip, arrangements must be made for the pet while you are away. A boarding kennel can be costly, but perhaps you could get a neighbor to dog sit while you're away. Cockers have beautiful profuse coats, and must be brushed frequently and taken to a professional groomer on a regular basis. Good quality food and heartworm preventatives are also necessary. Cockers are beautiful, intelligent and happy family members. They are faithful, loving companions and can excel in the active dog sports such as agility competition. They are equally content to curl up beside you on the sofa if you are not an active person. Bred originally as a hunting companion to flush birds, they still enjoy a walk in fresh air and will enjoy chasing squirrels or playing catch even though they adapt perfectly well to apartment life. What can you expect in return? Your Cocker will always love you no matter what your mood, how much money you make or what you do for a living. You will always come home to someone who is genuinely happy to see you. Written By: Carol Dixon American Spaniel Club Zone II Director GROOMING PROFILE Grooming Demand Rating: High Full Grooming Interval: 4 to 6 Weeks Maintenance Interval: Weekly BLADES & TOOLS: Slicker brush, steel combs, scissors, thinning shears, clippers, blades & hand stripping knife (if applicable). AREA BLADE # Body, sides and back #7F, #5F or #4F Face, ears and throat #10 or #15 Neck along sides #9 or #7F Pads #15 Stomach #10 COAT & GROOM TIPS Cocker Spaniels have significant coats that must be maintained on a regular basis. The coat is silky and flat or a little wavy according to rigid standards, but groomers may find they will groom dogs with more cottony coats that matt and tangle very easily. The show trim for Cocker Spaniels is far different than common styling provided by groomers for owners not concerned about show grooming. In particular, groomers often use electric clippers on the back coat of a Cocker Spaniel but that should never be apparent on a show Cocker Spaniel. Owners of non-show Cockers may choose to have the coat shortened to assist them in maintaining their grooming duties. Where the coat is shortened adequately the owner may choose to have the pet groomed near our outside recommendation of 6 weeks between professional grooming. Again, Cocker Spaniels with more cottony coats require more grooming attention. Owners not skilled in brushing and combing both the under coat and outer coat should seek training from their breeder or groomer. Many unskilled owners tend to brush and comb only the outer coat, leaving the under coat subject to potential matting problems. Like many other long coated breeds hair shed can and often does remain in the under coat until it is removed by proper brushing and combing. Hair shed not removed will, with time or immediately upon getting damp or wet, begin to "tangle" and "matt" whereby the hair shed both wraps and compresses around the existing hair coat. Matts simply ruin the beauty of the dog's coat, and severe matting causes any pet discomfort and even poor skin health. We recommend hair shed and matts be removed before bathing the Cocker Spaniel, and that it be hand fluff-dried with a professional force blow dryer. Your type of bathing and drying equipment will affect the way in which you groom the dog. Experienced groomers may choose to leave some of the hair shed and matt removal until after the bath, and apply special coat conditioning products to ease matt removal. Protein-enriched shampoos followed by cream rinses can add to the luster of the Cocker Spaniel coat. The Cocker Spaniel coat may show some clipper marks, but this can often be reduced by using a stripping knife to remove extra shedding. However, you should be trained by a professional in the use of this tool before attempting it. Blow dry and straighten the coat, all matts must be removed. Final comb well. You will need a clipping guide for this breed. When scissoring around the feet the nails should not be seen when done. Be sure to clip the hair from the pads too. MORE GROOMING TIPS FOR PROFESSIONALS: "As a groomer, I have found most of my Cocker owners do not want all the hair and furnishings and when approached about the pet clip for a Cocker are more than ready for a cut that requires less work. They tire of their dogs having twigs and leaves and gunk matted into their legs and body furnishings. I cut the body even all over short and then column the legs. They look clean and well groomed and very much like their old Cocker self with a nice sporty cut. Less work for them and for me and the dogs come back in much better shape. This is only for people who want something easier for their Cocker. Many prefer the traditional cuts." Grooming Tip submitted by Lou Handy "For pet Cocker Spaniels that have full legs and tend to get mats between their toes (top and bottom), use this little trick. Pull the hair straight up and away from the foot and hold it with one hand. With the other take a 5 or 7 blade, depending on the thickness of the coat, and shave the top of and lightly between the toes. Shave the bottom of the pads as usual. (looks like a modified poodle clean foot, but only the toes). Let go of the hair you were holding up and voila! Round the root as usual and you can't even tell anything was done underneath. No more matted messes around the foot." Grooming Tip submitted by Felicia Moran

Click here for examples of Cocker Coat Colors and Patterns