Hi all,

I was hoping you lovely people can offer some advice, I am looking for a groomer for my working cocker spaniel in the north london area and have had some conflicting advice on whether he should be hand stripped or not (some saying cockers should never be hand stripped but from my research i was under the impression this is typical?).  Those of you with cockers what are you thoughts? Also does anyone happens to have a good groomer in north london who has experience with cockers?

Thanks for all the help in advance!

I don’t know a groomer personally in north London, I’m afraid. It’s down to personal preference, how do you want your dog looking? Also it’s dependant on coats, some cockers are easier to hand strip than others. But imo I’d always prefer to hand strip/ trim rather than to use clippers. Cockers are fine to be hand stripped as long as the coat is ready, like with any other dog that’s hand stripped. Majority of cockers in the show ring are hand stripped.

What type of cut would you be after, the ‘proper’ show cut, feathers etc. Or do you want feathers, skirt short? You usually can’t get a full hand strip like you can on a border terrier, say, the groomer would usually strip as much as the coat as possible and then trim the excess to the length desired. We used to do a lot of working cockers and springers. Hand stripped the whole coat as much as possible, again it’s not the same as stripping a wire haired coat like a border terrier, then thinned out and took feathers etc short. Still looking very much like a spaniel with the coat still long just not ‘flowy’ and not shaved like a lot of household pet cockers.

Also a banded comb to keep on top of his/her coat at home works wonders, gets rid of any dead coat or coat ready to come out!

Hi,
We have an ESS and use a Mars coat king through his coat and trim the feathers. It is really effective. Everything I’ve read online says that clippers weren’t recommended as it can ruin the coat. I guess though that it is personal preference. Not London based so can’t comment on a groomers I’m afraid.

I don't have mine groomed or hand stripped.  I groom her myself with combs. Wide toothed to locate any mats and deal with stubborn ones but then I use a coat king to strip any dead hair. I trim hobbit feet with scissors  I'm not looking for a pretty coat though.  Just a coat in good condition.  I suppose it really depends if you want to just manage the coat or if you want It looking pretty. Though working cockers don't really stay pretty given the chance for a bit of mud.