Best Dog Clippers for Cocker Spaniels: 5 Amazing Tools to Trim That Pup!
Cocker Spaniels are one of the most commonly owned dog breeds all over the world. Whether you have an English Cocker Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel, your furry friend will have some specific grooming requirements.
While taking your pet to a professional groomer is always an option, it may be a good idea to invest in a quality set of clippers for trims between visits. Because Cocker Spaniels have specific needs, not just any set of clippers will do. The market is incredibly limited to just a few high quality grooming products specifically designed to address the needs of a Cocker Spaniel.
Comparison of a Few of Our Favorite Clippers
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
What’s Different About Grooming a Cocker Spaniel?
Professional grooming for the Cocker Spaniel is an expensive endeavor simply because the breed’s requirements are rather time-consuming.
A professional grooming is recommended every 6 to 8 weeks, but grooming at home in between visits is a great way to keep costs down. It is necessary to brush your dog’s coat at home every day to keep it free of tangles.
Opting to clip the coat sort can make grooming easier, but trimming and bathing is still necessary every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the coat clean and short.
Cocker Spaniels have a long luxurious coat that requires daily maintenance. Make sure you have a high-quality slicker brush to smooth any tangles and remove matting.
Then, use a bristle style brush to brush the coat. If your dog has very long hair, make sure to brush the area around the feet and trim it on a regular basis.
Always brush your pet’s coat before doing any sort of trimming with electric dog clippers. Make sure to brush the undercoat as well to prevent matting and tangles.
If you need help with learning how to do any of this, contact your professional groomer who can give you some training.
Introduce your Cocker Spaniel to grooming early so he can learn to accept it as a normal part of life. Cocker Spaniels are typically sensitive so early introduction is best. Introducing these grooming rituals to an older Cocker Spaniel may be met with quite the resistance.
Typically, Cocker Spaniels are known for being uncooperative at both the groomer and the veterinarian’s office, so be sure to approach your pet when he or she is calm, and provide lots of positive reinforcement throughout the entire grooming experience.
When first introducing grooming, keep the sessions as short as possible, until your dog gets more used to the process.
Suggestions for Grooming Your Cocker Spaniel
When choosing a pair of clippers for your Cocker Spaniel, pay close attention to the motor strength and volume.
You’ll need a pair of clippers that can confidently and easily cut through even the thickest and waviest of hair, but because of the sensitive nature of the Cocker Spaniel, you also need a set of clippers that will do so quietly.
The loud noise of many kinds of clippers out there can startle your pet, making it difficult to impossible to get through a grooming session.
You’ll also want a set that comes with several blades, because you’ll need varying lengths to appropriately address your dog’s grooming needs. You can always purchase blades separately, if they don’t come in the kit you find, but make sure they are compatible with your clippers before making the investment.
Here's what professional groomers specifically recommend for grooming a Cocker Spaniel:
Other than an electric clipper set, you should have: a slicker brush, steel combs, thinning shears, and scissors. When grooming the body, sides, and back, it is recommended to use either a 7F, 5F, or 4F blade.
When grooming the face, ears, and throat, it is recommended to use either a number 10 or a number 15 blade. When grooming the sides of the neck, it is recommended to use either a 7F, or a number 9 blade. When grooming the pads, it is recommended to use a number 15 blade. When grooming the stomach, you should use a number 10 blade.
The higher the blade number, the finer and shorter and the resulting cut will be. Since many clippers on the market come with a single blade, take a close look at the combs that are included with the set to make sure you didn’t need additional blades and guards to get the job done right the first time.
Remember, part of the grooming process also includes trimming the nails, and checking the ears.
While you can get away with trimming the nails once a month, or during professional grooming trips, you should check your Cocker Spaniel’s ears at least once a week for signs of redness, dirt, or any odors that may indicate infection.
Cocker Spaniels are particularly prone to ear infections so it is necessary to inspect the ears on a regular basis. Use a cotton ball soaked in a pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent issues.
If your Cocker Spaniel shows any signs of infection, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent potentially serious complications.
To help keep your Cocker’s ears clean, try using deep and narrow food and water bowls. This allows your pet to eat and drink without getting his ears wet or dirty with food. This is a simple step you can take to make grooming easier on both you and your pet.
A Few Quick Reviews of Some Top Dog Clippers for Cocker Spaniels
This cordless clipper runs super quietly so as not to startle or scare your Cocker, and without the hassle of a cord, you’re not left learning how to become a contortionist to properly groom your dog.
With the storage case, four color-coded guards, comb, and scissors, you’ll have everything you need to get started grooming at home.
It’s a good idea to invest in additional blades with this one, so you have the extra sizes you need to get the entire body groomed to perfection.
While it comes with cleaning oil and a brush, you won’t have any lubricating oil or cooling spray, so be sure to stop frequently to keep the blades from overheating and burning your pet.
It will cut through thick hair, but you may find that you have to move slowly, working in small sections as you go.
This cordless clipper allows you to move freely without the hassle of a cord. The blades are self-sharpening which keeps them sharper longer, which reduces the chance of pulling on the fur during a grooming session.
Along with the clipper and the rechargeable unit, it comes with a single blade guard, storage case, cleaning oil, cleaning brush, scissors, comb, four guides, and instructional DVD. The instructional DVD is particularly helpful for pet owners who do not have any previous grooming experience.
You may need to purchase additional guides to ensure you give your pet the proper grooming from head to toe. This clipper does have all the power you need to cut through even the thickest of hair.
It is a good idea to keep some cooling spray on hand to ensure the blade does not get too hot and burn your pet’s skin during use. Alternatively, place the hot blade on another metal surface, like a cookie sheet, to draw the heat out and cool it down.
This two speed motor operates at either 3000 strokes per minute on low, or 4000 strokes per minute on high. It comes with a standard number 10 blade, so additional blades will need to be purchased separately to provide your pet with the proper grooming.
The blades are detachable so it is quick and easy to change them. The kit also includes a blade guard, blade oil, grease, and a cleaning brush.
The corded model means you will not have as much room to maneuver during grooming, but it will work well for an animal used to the process.
Cooling spray can be purchased separately to help the blades cooldown during use, though the unit will run cooler than some other models available.
A cooler running unit typically means the unit will also run quieter, which is something all Cocker Spaniel pet parents need to look for.
The Andis Pro Clipper Kit features ceramic blades which do not heat up as quickly as stainless steel, so you can use it longer without risking a burn to your pet. It is still a good idea to stop and check the blade temperature on a regular basis.
This kit comes with a number 10 blade and four attachment combs, so additional blades and combs may be necessary to meet professional grooming standards for a Cocker Spaniel.
This clipper is safe to use on the tail, paws, face, and ears. Its quiet motor is a great feature for those with sensitive pets. The kit is available with an instructional DVD to help pet parents who have little to no prior grooming experience.
If you’re a grooming pro, you can also get just the clippers. This clipper is compatible with both UltraEdge and CeramicEdge blades so you have a wide choice of options.
Image credits: Amazon.com
