Can someone give me some advice on what a cockers coat goes like if it is speyed. is it like any other breeds coat where it goes all fluffy, and if so could this be made to look good with hand stripping and grooming for the showring or am i best leaving her and putting up with the seasons although may be difficult as i have an entire gsd who suffers with his prostate sometimes. Any info would be gratefull thanks.

There is a good chance that your cocker will get a woolie coat that will need clipping. If yor dog has problems it may be better to castrate him, not a thing I would encourage in a healthy dog, but if he has a medical condision that would be improved then I would consider it. JH

One problem i do have with him is that he can be very nervous and i have been told that the extra bit of testostarone (dont know if i have spelt that right) that is going round his body because of still being entire helps him to cope where as if i were to castrate him he may become even more nervous, plus i show him, he has only ever suffered with his prostate once before, but it was when he was near a dog in season, i will have to wait and see what happens.

Jackie is right - if you spay your Cocker, the coat will eventually change texture & become impossible to handstrip. The changes don't happen right away - I was able to handstrip a Cocker we had spayed (as a medical emergency) for about 6 months after her op but it became progressively more difficult & eventually, I ended up clipping the coat to keep it tidy which marked the end of our girl's show career (clipping a Cocker coat is a big "no-no" in the show ring) The coat changes will be more noticeble & happen more quickly if you have a solid black or a dark blue roan (these often carry heavier coats to start off with)

Jane

The people that i re-homed her from had her clipped anyway so her coat now needs to grow out but it is what i call that dry whispy stuff that is coming through, having never owned a cocker before always gsds its all new to me, i have never had to bother with getting a coat ready just a brush and thats it finished. She is a blue roan, her siblings have got quite thick coats i have been told, and also i was told dont know if it is true that when a dogs coat has been clipped it grows back stronger and is more difficult to hand strip, she doesnt like being groomed much anyway although she is brushed everyday so she gets used to it, so i dont know how she will take to the hand stripping, i imagine she will cop the right hump!!!

It is possible to handstrip a Cocker (as long as it's not been neutered) after it has been clipped but not without a lot of hard work - the best time to start would be a couple of months after a season as this is when Cocker bitches naturally drop their coats & so it's easier to strip out at this stage. However, if your Cocker isn't used to it, I can imagine she certainly will "cop the right hump" & you could have quite a battle on your hands :D You might want to consider learning to use a Coat King (new grooming tool) as most Cockers don't seem to object to one & they will strip out dead, wispy stuff quite easily & are excellent for keeping pet Cockers tidy. Let me know if you want details of where to get a Coat King, what size etc.

Jane