Cocker Spaniel fur is very difficult to manage. Caretakers often focus their attention on areas with longer coat such as the legs and abdomen in daily care. By doing so, they actually neglect the areas that need the most care on a Cocker Spaniel.

1. Back

The back fur of a Cocker Spaniel is shorter than the leg and belly fur, so this area is often overlooked when brushing. Even after bathing, most owners only simply blow dry the fur. Over time, the Cocker’s coat does not get properly brushed, blood circulation worsens, and skin conditions such as mites, fungi, and eczema can arise. In fact, most skin diseases in Cockers start from the back.

Suggestion: When grooming a Cocker Spaniel, be sure to take care of the back by gently brushing with a pin brush to promote normal blood circulation, so the skin and fur on the back can become shiny and healthy!

2. Mouth Corners

Dogs sweat through their tongues, and Cockers are no exception. But compared to other dogs, Cockers have softer lips and bigger mouth corners, so they tend to drool more. Additionally, some Cockers naturally have funnel-shaped mouths. If the mouth corners are constantly soaked in saliva, they are very prone to inflammation. Although mouth corner inflammation is not a serious illness, it causes great discomfort to the Cocker.

Suggestion: When taking Cockers out to play, eat, or drink, frequently wipe their mouth corners with soft tissue, especially after eating fruit, as the fruit acids can be very irritating.

3. Ear Tips

Cockers have a pair of large ears that easily get wet while eating and drinking. Owners’ symbolic wiping often cannot keep the ears dry. Damp ears are prone to fungal or mite skin infections.

Suggestion:

(1) It is best to tie up the ears before eating or drinking, but not too tightly to avoid poor blood circulation that can cause ear cell necrosis! It is best to use a bowl specifically for Cockers!

(2) After bathing a Cocker Spaniel, be sure to blow dry the ear tips. Naturally, Cocker ears are very difficult to dry completely!