Spaniels - do you clip?

dreamcometrue

dreamcometrue

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Is it a travesty to clip? I used to clip my previous one every March and November. I have just clipped my 7 year old Springer for the first time. We had the idea of always keeping her "natural" but with this hot summer and her panting so much I got the clippers out.

Love it! She has lost 10 pounds and increased spottiness. However, its not hot any more ...
 
Yep - I actually prefer Archie (Springer) when he's clipped as i don't like his santa beard, so he is clipped short all over other than his ears and tail - and he is known as Spotty Spaniel as he is very spotty :D

Molly sprocker has to be clipped or she overheats so easily but she keeps her feathered skirt and legs (well she didn't when I clipped her myself, she does now the dog groomer does her!) :)
 
I do - although it is a summary hanging offence I believe:D

However Henry is cool in summer and strangely, warmer in winter because he dries off quickly - as opposed to hanging about dripping wet for hours (of course staying out of the water is not an option):p
 
i clip my springer out every spring - helps against ticks and also he gets too hot

i'm tempted to do my cocker = but suspect he'll look daft lol!

ETA _ my springer is old and arthritic - he's been having a thermatex on at night at the mo on cold nights - or a thin fleece - he gets stiff if not
 
We have always clipped ours. The welshie was handstripped for showing but cockers and workers have always had the horse clippers on them. I do head, ears, back, rump and flanks but leave some on the tummy and legs although I do shorten it to about 2 inches max or they look like Jane Fonda in legwarmers!

I havent done Ruby yet (10 months now and starting to look feathery) but she has less of a dense coat than our past cockers, much more hair than fur so she doesnt look messy yet!

I can see though that we will have to start tackling the furry feet very soon!
 
Yup clip my Springer :)

Don't think she likes it but hey makes her look soooo much tidier!

I need to practice though, I am rubbish with a pair of clippers!!! This time one side ended up shorter than the other..... And I always want to keep some of her feathers but it never happens!!

She goes from this-
Snow2feb2009067.jpg


to this-
tess.jpg


And sometimes she needs this!-
tesscoat.jpg


Not the best pics but you get the idea!!
 
Like spaniel, I always leave a bit of length on the chest, tummy and feathers and tail. I do clip feet regularly otherwise they look like those fancy pigeons and bring in a pint of water on each foot.

Love your pictures Nikki.
 
Yup, clip away! Out of the hundreds of cockers/springers or spaniel of any flavour, a good 90% of them I do clipped. The rest are handstripped, but not all have suitable coats naturally for stripping (eg hormone issues, neutered, or just genetics).

You would never ever ever clip a show spaniel. And for working dogs, if the coat is flat naturally it's best to not clip, but then you wouldn't want to anyway.

Professionally or personally, I'd not use horse clippers as the blades are perhaps too short? Not sure on the length they leave, but too close clipping can do damage to the follicles, and also this time of year if you clip so short you see skin, you are exposing dog to UV rays and possibility for sunburn....which for dogs can be fatal (or so Im lead to believe, not that I've seen it myself).
 
I had a go at clipping mine, its ok but I've got proper dog clippers now so will have another go, I had a look on youtube and found I should go with the hair and not against it like clipping a horse, using horse clippers I think she'd go nuts ! they are a bit loud, and mine clip to 3mm so way too short.

How did you do it with horse clippers those who have ?

Can we have some pics of those who've clipped to give me some idea please ??

Thank you :-)
 
We used to have 4 springers and clipped the lot out with the horse clippers and never had a single problem with any of them. Well, that's a tiny lie, first time we did it we clipped out the entire tail of the pups (undocked). Baaaad decision, very waggy tails get nicks which then when they continue wagging sprays spangle blood all over the kitchen including the top cabinets! After that they were all left with a plume on the end of their tails.

Stupid dog didn't even realise he's hurt his tail, just kept wagging it more and more the more we tried to stop him to bandage it!
 
With horse clippers make sure you havent got on 'fine' blades or dog will look like its ready for surgery!

You need a really light touch and must go WITH the lie of the hair so opposite of horse clipping. I let the clippers glide over the surface of the coat rather than trying to cut into it and with a bit of confidence and practice (and a non wriggly dog) I seem to be able to make a decent job of it.

Be very careful doing down the flanks that you dont dig in or cut the buttons underneath!

Ive not had a problem with any of ours with the noise of the clippers, in fact they seem to really enjoy it - especially on their heads!
 
Thanks, will defo have another go, she definately dries quicker for what I have done so hope to do it properly over the next couple of weeks, will attempt put pic on when I 've done it
 
I have 2 cockers and used to get them done at the groomers but at £34 per dog it was getting expensive so now do it with decent horse trimmers myself, think it is a 10mm blade i use on them, i dont make a great job but its ok they dont show so who cares
but......
with the boy i really struggle to do his legs (below his knees) and his feet, he falls asleep when i do the rest of him but just now he is nice and sleek until you see his legs & feet - any ideas???
 
Odd1 are you attemtping the legs and feet with clippers? I would go for round ended scissors to be honest, I know it takes longer but its much less stressful!
 
We have had our springer clipped the last two summers and she is a lot cooler and looks lovely and spotty :)

When we bring her back from the parlour it's the cleanest she looks all year :D
 
I will think of you then.....Im going to attempt Rubys furry slippers as well! I may be brave and do before and after pics!
 
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