English Cocker Spaniel

Part 1 | Jacket & setting the shape

Tay begins with Margaux’s jacket, using a dark blue attachment comb to create a natural-looking clipped finish while retaining enough length to resemble the softer appearance of a stripped coat.

She demonstrates how to expose the shoulder and rear muscle, blend into the skirt and establish the lines of the groom, while working around some enthusiastic home trimming from Mum and Dad. Tay also begins setting the legs, showing where coat would traditionally be removed on a hand-stripped Cocker and how she recreates those lines in a clipped pet groom.

Part 2 | Rear legs, feet & skirt

Moving into the rear, Tay squares and tidies Margaux’s feet before shaping the hocks and blending them into the clipped areas with chunkers for a softer, more natural finish.

She works the remaining furnishings into the skirt, showing how the rear leg and underline would be shaped if Margaux had her full feathering, while making the most of the coat she has left after her owners’ handiwork.

Part 3 | Front legs & chest

Tay shapes a neat, tight Cocker foot before blending the front leg into the clipped section above, using her chunkers to soften Margaux’s uneven furnishings and create a smooth transition.

She then establishes the chest, creating the characteristic V-shaped scoop and blending it through to the skirt. Along the way, Tay explains how the shoulder, leg and chest work together to create the Cocker outline while keeping the finish suitable for a pet.

Part 4 | The traditional Cocker face

It’s time for Margaux’s face, with one very important instruction: do not shave off those eyelashes.

Tay demonstrates the smooth Cocker muzzle using a light trimmer, working with the direction of the coat and carefully around the lips, jowls, eyes and tongue. She also shows how she keeps the lip folds and muzzle clean and discusses clearing the ear canal on heavy-eared Spaniel breeds.

Part 5 | Traditional Cocker ears

Tay works through the traditional Cocker ear, clipping the upper section while retaining the beautiful long coat underneath to create the distinctive bell-drop appearance.

She demonstrates how to find the correct starting point, safely clip around the ear canal and ear leather, blend the clipped area into the longer furnishings and finish the bottom to suit the owner’s preference.

Part 6 | Neck & Margaux’s magnificent afro

With the face and ears established, Tay clips and blends the neck to create a strong, elegant line flowing into the shoulder and chest.

Then comes Margaux’s signature feature: the afro stays. Tay shows how she softens and shapes the longer coat without losing the look her owners love, keeping it clear of Margaux’s vision and blending it into the traditional ears and neck so it feels like part of the groom rather than a fluffy hat plonked on top.

Part 7 | Tail & finishing touches

Margaux’s tail has also received some home styling, so Tay works with the coat that remains, shaping it into a soft U and keeping the area beneath tidy and hygienic.

She finishes by reviewing the complete groom: a smooth traditional Cocker face, clipped traditional ears, fluffy top, natural-looking jacket and softly blended skirt and legs. It’s a great example of taking traditional breed styling and adapting it for the pet in front of you.