Best Dog Brushes For Cocker Spaniels

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The cocker spaniel, often referred to as the American cocker spaniel, descends from the English cocker spaniel and is ranked one of the most popular breeds in the U.S.

This beautiful, silky dog was bred to be a working breed for hunters in the mid-1800’s. With a thick, wavy coat that is long on the ears, chest, belly, and legs, this dog is not considered a low-maintenance breed. To maintain that nice, shiny coat, your cocker spaniel will need the right tools, combs, and brushes.

We researched and tested several dog brushes to determine which ones work best for cocker spaniels.

Compare Best Dog Brushes For Cocker Spaniels

OVERALL BEST 1. HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool View on Amazon Read Review	RUNNER UP 2. Pet Republique Slicker Brush View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN 3. ConairPRO Soft Dog Slicker Brush View on Prf Read Review	BEST DE-SHEDDER 4. Paws & Pals De-Shedding Tool View on Amazon Read Review	BEST FOR SMALL DOGS 5. Hartz Groomers Best Slicker Brush View on Prf Read Review	BEST FOR ALL COATS 6. Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush View on Prf Read Review
Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult
Material Plastic	Material Plastic	Material Plastic	Material Plastic	Material Plastic	Material Plastic

Coat Type

Cocker Spaniel coats come in a number of colors and several different coat types. They have double coats, with a medium-length, silky outer coat and a moderate undercoat that provides warmth and protection. The outer coat can have a slight wave or be flat. They have quite a bit of feathering on their ears, chest, belly, and legs.

This breed comes in a variety of colors that are separated into three main groups: black or black and tan, solid colors other than black, and parti-color. Parti-colored cocker spaniels have coats of two or more solid colors, one of which is white.

Brush Types For Cocker Spaniels

Bristle Brushes
This type of brush is best for short-haired, smooth-coated dogs that shed frequently. The bristle clusters remove debris and loose hair and leave a nice shine.

Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes have fine, rounded wires that are close together on a flat surface. This type of brush works with all coat types to remove loose fur and help de-tangle.

Pin Brushes
A lot like the slicker brush, this brush’s wire pins are tipped with plastic or rubber. Pin brushes are made for longer, silkier coat types.

Shedding Rake
Do not be fooled by the name; this brush is really just a comb with small, harmless teeth. It is useful on almost every coat type to remove loose hair.

Product Reviews: The 6 Best Dog Brushes For Cocker Spaniels

OVERALL BEST

1.

HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Reduce shedding by up to 95%
• Stainless steel shedding blades designed for medium to large or small to medium dogs with long and short hair
• Has an ergonomically designed handle to reduce hand fatigue
• Affordable

Cons

• Not specifically designed for a certain breed, size or coat type, so it may not work as well on dogs with specific grooming needs

It has a stainless steel shedding blades that reach deep beneath the topcoat to access the fuzzy undercoat, capturing loose hairs and stopping them from gathering into mats or shedding throughout the house.

The HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool does a great job of reducing shed fur by up to 95% in just minutes and helps promote healthy blood flow. The deshedder brush has been tried, tested, and proven by numerous, dogs, cats, pet owners and professional pet groomers.

RUNNER UP

2.

Pet Republique Slicker Brush

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Reduces shedding
• Self cleaning
• Smooths and de-mats hair
• 30 day money back guarantee

Cons

• Bristles maybe too sharp for some animals
• Brush is on the larger side
• Bristles can bend easily

This slicker brush is made with fine and flexible wire bristles, and is great at removing knots and matting. The slicker brush can also be used for smoothing the coat after grooming.

The ergonomic, rubber handle and heavy plastic material makes it very durable and easy to use. This brush can be used on dogs and cats and has a self-cleaning one-push button feature, making clean up hassle free.

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

3.

ConairPRO Soft Dog Slicker Brush

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View on Amazon

Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Reinforced gentle tips
• Comfortable gel-grip handle design
• Great for dogs with sensitive skin
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Brush head made for smaller dogs
• Tends to pull on hair
• Not effective on thick haired dogs

The Conair Small Soft Slicker Brush safely and effectively penetrates your dogs coat to prevent tangles and mats. The tips are designed to be gentle and will not harm your dogs sensitive skin. This brush is great for use around the face, ears, paws and leg areas. The gel-grip handle offers maximum control and comfort with its soft, non-slip grip.

BEST DE-SHEDDER

4.

Paws & Pals De-Shedding Tool

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Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Works great on all coat types
• Helps prevent mats, reduce shedding and pet odor
• Very affordable

Cons

• Plastic feels flimsy
• Handle could have a better grip
• Might take off too much hair

The Paws & Pals de-shedding and grooming brush features a sturdy stainless steel blade that gets deep into your dogs’s undercoat. This tool works for both cats and dogs by removing loose hair and dander from their coat to help prevent matting.

It also helps reduce shedding by 90% as well as odor, without irritating your Cocker Spaniel’s skin. The comfort grip handle is ergonomic, and is designed to fit easily in your hand for maximum control without strain or fatigue.

BEST FOR SMALL DOGS

5.

Hartz Groomers Best Slicker Brush

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Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Great for de-shedding, detangling and removing small mats
• Distributes natural oils to promote a healthy, shiny coat
• Stainless steel bristles are covered with safety tips
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Not durable
• Brush is on the smaller side
• Pins bend easy

This small slicker brush removes tangles and mats with coated pin tips for gentler brushing. This brush is fundamental for everyday de-shedding. It is especially designed for small dogs as well as cats and is effective on all coat types.

The fine stainless steel tips feature a protective coating so they effectively and gently grab loose hair and excess fur while detangling and removing mats while distributing natural oils.

BEST FOR ALL COATS

6.

Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush

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View on Amazon

Product Info

• Lifestage: Adult
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Great for de-shedding, de-tangling and removing small mats
• Ideal for all types of coats
• Reasonably priced
• Very sturdy design

Cons

• Stainless steel side can come loose
• Bristle side maybe too soft for some coats
• Steel tips may hurt some dogs

The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush was developed by professional groomers for professional groomers. One side is fine stainless steel tips that effectively and gently grabs loose hair and excess fur, while de-tangling and removing mats.

The bristles on the reverse side help to distribute natural oils that keep your Cocker Spaniel dog’s coat healthy and shiny. The handle has a rubber coated ergonomic grip to make brushing all types of coats simple yet effective.

Grooming Tips

The Cocker Spaniel’s coat needs daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, stimulate blood flow, and distribute natural oils. It’s recommended to take them to a groomer once a month, or clip their coat short for easier care.

Due to their long, silky coat and short, smooth coat, they are susceptible to mats and tangles, as well as seasonal shedding.

To brush, use a slicker or pin brush to remove tangles, a de-shedder brush to remove loose hair, a liquid detangler or baby oil for stubborn tangles, and a bristle brush for smoothing.

Challenges

Cocker Spaniels have been known to shed constantly, with peak shedding in the spring and fall.

The heavy ears of the cocker spaniel need special attention. While they sniff around, those ears can sweep up twigs and debris. This is a common problem due to grass bristles getting tangled in the fur and possibly stuck in the ear canal. This can lead to ear infections, which is something cocker spaniels are prone to.

Primary seborrhea is a skin problem in cocker spaniels caused by excess production of skin cells, which include the sebaceous (oil) cells. This causes the skin to be greasy and scaly and give off a foul odor. Treatments for this issue include medication and medicated baths.

Final Thoughts

Owning a cocker spaniel means constant coat upkeep and the probability of owning several brushes and combs. With weekly brushing and a monthly trip to the groomer, your cocker spaniel will remain the silky, beautiful pup you fell in love with.