Springer spaniels are among the many dogs with a thick, luscious coat that sometimes needs a slight trim. This is a positive for you as the owner because, unlike shorter-haired breeds, springers don’t constantly shed their fur everywhere.
But how often do springer spaniels need clipping? Should I do this at home or with a professional? And equipment do springer spaniels need clipping with? Read on for all the tricks of springer spaniel clipping.
Do Springer Spaniels Need Clipping?
(Springer Spaniels need clipping due to their long, shaggy coats consisting of two layers. Clipping should take place every 1-2 months, and a proper bath and brush beforehand will make the process much easier because it will remove knots and dead fur.)
Springer spaniels need regular clipping to keep their coats looking on top form.
A spaniel’s coat left to keep growing will begin to look messy around the backs of the legs and ears with the fur getting long.
Spaniel’s hair consists of a thick overcoat and a thinner, shorter undercoat for warmth. One bonus is that they don’t shed hair all year, but only if they are correctly and consistently brushed.
Otherwise, the fur will start to shed anyway, and that will lead to knots in your spaniel’s fur, especially around the ears. Springers need to be clipped to keep their hair healthy and avoid large mats in the coat, which can be painful for the spaniel and challenging to remove.
Clipping out your springer will also keep him cleaner around the home.
How Often Do Springer Spaniels Need Clipping?
Depending on how quickly your springer spaniel’s fur grows back, you may need to clip between 1-2 months. You can increase the length of time between each clipping by brushing every week, as this will stop the fur from matting as quickly and prevent big knots from forming.
There are different styles which you can clip your spaniel’s fur into. For example, in the summer, you might want to cut the hair shorter to keep your dog nice and cool during the hot days, and this means that you can put clipping off for several months as your spaniel will want a longer coat to stay warm in the winter, although this will depend on where you live.
Should I Be Taking My Dog To a Professional?
Clipping your dog for the first time can seem like a daunting task, so professional grooming may be a better route for you to go down.
There are both positives and negatives to visiting professional groomers for dog clipping, and the choice is yours. However, it is good to visit an expert for the first few clippings to learn the technique.
Reasons to see an experienced groomer.
- Visit the first time to get an idea of the technique and how to clip your specific dog (all spaniels are different)
- They will always do an excellent job of clipping as they have more equipment etc.
- You can pay for other services at the same time, e.g., nail clipping, bathing.
- If you are wary of clipping your dog yourself.
Reasons to clip from home.
- The cost can build up over time – buying the equipment may seem expensive short term, but it will save you money over the spaniel’s lifetime.
- Your spaniel will feel more comfortable and relaxed in its own home.
- The springer will be less anxious if being clipped by somebody familiar.
- You will not need to travel with your dog.
Can I Clip My Springer Spaniel At Home?
If you have decided to go down the route of home clipping, there are some things to consider.
First of all, you need to find a technique that works for your dog – some spaniels have thicker hair, some are more sensitive, and some have fur that lays in different directions.
Talk to a vet or professional groomer, watch some youtube clips before attempting to clip your spaniel’s hair.
Equipment
You will need…
- SEVERAL BRUSHES AND COMBS – Soft Bristle Brush, Dematting comb, Slicker Dog Brush, and a Deshedding Tool
- BATH-TIME EQUIPMENT (shampoo, sprayer, towels, etc.)
- STRAIGHT EDGED HAIR SCISSORS, THINNING SCISSORS
- ELECTRIC DOG CLIPPERS
- A RUBBER MAT AND A TABLE
Before clipping
You will need to have all of your equipment ready before clipping your spaniel. Firstly, give the springer a proper bath using dog shampoo to remove as many knots as possible from the fur and make it nice and smooth.
You should then make sure your dog is completely dry before starting clipping.
Finally, brush through the hair to reduce the number of dead hairs left over.
What size clipper blade for a springer spaniel?
When your dog needs a haircut, you must have the right size electric clipper blade for the job. While some breeds require a bigger or smaller blade than others.
To clip around the chest, neck, and back areas of a springer spaniel, a #5F Dog Clipper Blade should be used. This gives around a 6.4mm hair length cut.
When cutting around the ears, head, and face of a springer spaniel, a #7F Dog Clipper Blade should be used, giving around a 3.2mm cut.
For around the groin, armpits, and pads of the feet, a #10f dog clipper blade is used.
Final Thoughts
So do springer spaniels need clipping? The answer is yes, around every two months. You can decide whether to take your spaniel to a professional or try clipping from home, and there are both positives and negatives either way.
If you are clipping from home, make sure you have the right equipment and have prepared yourself with the necessary knowledge before starting, and if you’re worried, you can always contact someone in the dog grooming business.
