English Cocker Spaniel

Use a conditioning shampoo like Plush Puppy to soften and straighten the coat, and a purple shampoo for removing brown tinges from black areas.

Apply a protein conditioner liberally to add weight and flatten the coat, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Use a high-velocity dryer to remove excess water initially; then use a handheld dryer to straighten the coat fully.

Work with a slicker brush to ensure the coat is straight from follicle to tip, reducing waves and wrinkles.

Products like blow-dry cream and Sea Breeze oil can help achieve a smooth, shiny finish.

Start with coarse stripping tools, moving to fine tools for smoother results. Always dull new stripping tools to avoid ripping the coat.

For beginners, use a stripping block for safer hair removal, especially for finer areas that may not need a knife.

Strip the coat in stages for comfort, especially in sensitive areas like shoulders and elbows.

Use a #10 blade on the neck, head, and top of ears for clean, smooth lines.

For the top skull, check the breed standard for a flat skull; use a #7 or finer blade to avoid harsh lines.

For a defined, narrow head, blend the cheek lines smoothly into the neck without leaving visible blend lines.

Scissor feet into a rounded “cat foot” shape, avoiding hair protrusion beyond the toes.

Shape hocks to be parallel and clean for a balanced, strong rear appearance.

Use thinning scissors for gradual blending, particularly on elbows and shoulders, where bulk can disrupt smooth lines.

Always check and blend any visible lines, particularly on the neck, shoulders, and underline.

Use black chalk or other color enhancers to cover any areas where over-thinning has occurred, especially on black coats.

Carefully check and refine angles, lines, and balance from multiple perspectives to ensure symmetry.