How to Groom a Cocker Spaniel
How to groom a Cocker Spaniel at home — brushing, de-matting, those all-important ears, feet and bathing — and when to call a professional.
By Matt, founder · 19 June 2026 · Lived-experience guidance, not medical advice.
Cocker Spaniels have one of the most beautiful coats in the dog world — and one that needs genuine, regular upkeep to stay that way. Their soft, feathered coat mats easily, and their ears and feet need particular attention. Here's how to groom a Cocker Spaniel at home, how often, and when to call in a professional.
How often should you groom a Cocker Spaniel?
Plan on brushing several times a week — ideally most days for a well-coated show-type Cocker — plus a fuller grooming session, and a professional trim every six to eight weeks if you want to keep the coat at a manageable length. Skipping brushing for even a week or two lets mats form in the feathering, and matted coat is uncomfortable and much harder to put right.
Brushing and de-matting
Work through the coat with a slicker brush and a comb, paying special attention to the areas that mat first: behind and under the ears, the "armpits" and chest, the belly, the feathering on the legs, and around the bottom. Brush right down to the skin rather than just over the top, and tease out small tangles gently with your fingers or a comb before they become mats. Our guides on how often to brush your dog and the best slicker brush cover the tools in more detail.
Ears — the most important part
Cocker ears deserve their own routine. Keep the hair on and around the ear flap and canal trimmed so air can circulate, check inside weekly for redness, wax or smell, and always dry the ears thoroughly after baths and swimming. Because the breed is so prone to ear infections, this five-minute habit prevents a lot of vet visits. Never poke anything deep into the ear canal — clean only what you can see, and ask your vet about a suitable ear cleaner.
Feet, face and sanitary areas
The hair between the paw pads and around the feet grows long and picks up mud, grass seeds and tangles, so trim it neat. A tidy-up around the face, and a sanitary trim around the rear, keep your Cocker clean and comfortable. Keep nails trimmed every few weeks if they aren't worn down naturally.
Bathing
Bathe your Cocker every four to six weeks or so, or when genuinely dirty — they do love a muddy puddle. Use a dog shampoo, rinse thoroughly, dry the coat (and especially those ears) properly, and brush through afterwards. Over-bathing can dry the skin, so don't overdo it between grooms.
Clipping vs hand-stripping, and professional grooming
Most pet Cockers are clipped or scissored to a practical length every couple of months, which is what most professional groomers do; show coats are sometimes hand-stripped to keep the correct texture. There's no shame in using a professional groomer — many owners do, especially for the full clip, ear tidy and nails — and it's well worth it if home grooming feels fiddly. Our guide on clipping vs scissoring explains the options. If you groom a nervous dog, build it up gently and positively.
Getting your Cocker used to grooming
Start young and keep sessions short, calm and rewarding so your Cocker learns that brushing, ear checks and paw handling are normal and pleasant. A dog that enjoys grooming is far easier to keep mat-free for life — and the routine is lovely bonding time too.
*This is general guidance. If you find sore skin, persistent mats, or any ear problem you can't easily manage, see your vet or a professional groomer.*
Sources
- UK Kennel Club — Cocker Spaniel grooming and coat care (thekennelclub.org.uk).
- PDSA — dog grooming and ear care (pdsa.org.uk).
- Blue Cross — grooming your dog (bluecross.org.uk).
Common questions
How do you groom a Cocker Spaniel?
Brush several times a week with a slicker brush and comb, working right down to the skin and focusing on mat-prone areas: behind the ears, armpits, belly, leg feathering and rear. Check and dry the ears weekly, trim the hair around the ears, feet and sanitary areas, bathe every four to six weeks, and have a professional trim every six to eight weeks. Start young so your dog enjoys it.
Do Cocker Spaniels shed?
Yes, Cocker Spaniels shed moderately year-round, with a little more during seasonal changes. More than the shedding, though, it's the coat's tendency to mat that creates the work — they need brushing several times a week and regular trims. They are not hypoallergenic. So while they're not the heaviest shedders, they are a higher-maintenance coat that needs consistent grooming.
Do Cocker Spaniels have ear problems?
They're prone to them, yes. Long, heavy, hairy ears that hang down trap warmth and moisture, making ear infections the breed's most common health issue. The good news is that simple routine care prevents most of it: check the ears weekly, keep the hair around them trimmed, dry them after swimming or baths, and act quickly on any redness, smell or head-shaking. Regular attention keeps problems rare and minor.
About the author
Matt — founder, Giddy Pets
Matt started Giddy Pets to make getting pets the good stuff simpler and fairer. Everything in these guides comes from real life with pets and a lot of trial and error — it's practical guidance, not veterinary advice. If a guide gets something wrong, tell him directly.