6 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
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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
HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- 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
- Not specifically designed for a certain breed, size or coat type, so it may not work as well on dogs with specific grooming needs
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.
Pet Republique Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reduces shedding
- Self cleaning
- Smooths and de-mats hair
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Bristles maybe too sharp for some animals
- Brush is on the larger side
- Bristles can bend easily
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.
ConairPRO Soft Dog Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reinforced gentle tips
- Comfortable gel-grip handle design
- Great for dogs with sensitive skin
- Reasonably priced
- Brush head made for smaller dogs
- Tends to pull on hair
- Not effective on thick haired dogs
Paws & Pals De-Shedding Tool
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Works great on all coat types
- Helps prevent mats, reduce shedding and pet odor
- Very affordable
- Plastic feels flimsy
- Handle could have a better grip
- Might take off too much hair
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.
Hartz Groomers Best Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- 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
- Not durable
- Brush is on the smaller side
- Pins bend easy
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.
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Great for de-shedding, de-tangling and removing small mats
- Ideal for all types of coats
- Reasonably priced
- Very sturdy design
- Stainless steel side can come loose
- Bristle side maybe too soft for some coats
- Steel tips may hurt some dogs
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 requires daily brushing to keep it free of mats and tangles. Brushing will also help keep the skin healthy by stimulating blood flow and distributing natural oils.
It is a good idea to take your cocker spaniel to a groomer once a month. Some owners clip the coat short to make care easier.
Since cocker spaniels have a combination of a long, silky coat and a short, smooth coat, they are susceptible to mats and tangles, in addition to seasonal shedding. Here’s how to brush your Cocker Spaniel:
- Use a slicker or pin brush to remove tangles
- Use a de-shedder brush to remove loose hair
- Use a liquid detangler or baby oil for stubborn tangles or mats
- Last, use a bristle brush to smooth the coat
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.
