As with most endeavors, with the proper tools, one can do the job with
the minimum of wear and tear on the dog or the owner. And getting quality equipment
in the first place will save money in the long run.
For purposes of working out payback time, getting a cocker professionally groomed
usually costs at least $40 - and should be done about every 4 weeks.
| Clippers | Either the Andis AG (my preference) or the Oster A-5. They run about $100 and their blades are interchangeable. The much lower priced clippers available in discount stores do not allow you to change blades, they often do not have the strength to get through cocker coats, and the plastic adapter combs break easily or catch up in the hair and pull off constantly. |
| Blades | #10 - used for most of the facial and neck clipping. If you're going to hand scissor,
this is the only size blade you absolutely need. #4F - can be used on the legs, back and sides if you are going to keep the dog clipped down. It leaves a reasonable amount of hair. (The F means "Full Cut" which gives a smoother clip than the regular 4 Skip Tooth blade). #7F - when a dog is badly matted, this will get underneath the mats but will minimize the danger of irritating the dog's skin. |
| Scissors | Grooming Shears - not general purpose kitchen scissors! There are so many to choose from - it has to be a case of what "feels" right. You can get decent results from scissors in the $30 to $50 range. My personal preference is a curved shear with a ball tip. And don't forget the rubberized finger pads! |
| Comb | The Untangler Combs (available from J&B) with teeth which rotate are a must-have for a cocker owner. |
| Dryer | The Metro Air Force dryers or the equivalent DoubleK (in the $125 range) are worth their weight in gold. Basically "backwards" vacuums, they blow the water off the coat, and the dog is dry in almost no time - without having heated air damage the coat. Blowing the hair makes it dry straight, so it is easier to work with and less likely to mat. Furthermore, a modest amount of vegetation will get knocked out if you want to clean up (but not bathe) a cocker after a day in the field. |
| Table | You need a STABLE, non-slippery, not-too-large surface to groom on. Using something like a washing machine or ironing board tends to frighten the dog and make him apprehensive about the whole grooming process. Buying a ready-made grooming table (about $75) is not much more expensive than getting banquet table legs, a table top, and matting material and making your own. |
| Sprayer | If you have a laundry tub with a hose-end faucet, get a washing machine hose, a female/female connector, and a sturdy hand sprayer with a variety of spray choices from the garden shop. This gives you excellent water pressure and is relatively inexpensive. |
| Shampoos | Again, it's a matter of personal preference - but it must be one designed specifically
for dogs. I have been relatively pleased with both the Foster & Smith and the
J&B "house" lines. Besides a quality all-purpose shampoo, you may want
to consider: Tearless Shampoo - for the face Tea Tree Shampoo - useful for dealing with mild skin irritations Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo - for serious skin problems AND for getting rid of "shelter smell." |
| Thinning Shears | The 44-20 Taper Fine. Costs about $75 - and most cocker people feel they are superior to any other comparably priced shear. Yeah, this is a wish list. If you're going to clip the dog down completely, you don't need these. But for shaping the head and back and thinning the skirt and legs, they are indispensable. |
| Mail Order Catalogs |
There are a number of reputable companies selling dog supplies. They carry different lines and you may end up having to order from several of them. I have had good experiences with these companies:
|