Thanks again, just from a couple of dog related forums I now have 160 responses and haven't even started the paper based one yet. Thanks for the comments too, I will encorporate them when I write it all up.
I have come across quite a few cocker owners locally who have not understood about the clippering or not realised this is what the groomer would do. I always explain fully about the clippering issue with cockers. I am lucky as I can use my two as examples. Forrest came to me as a rescue and had been clipped and neutered, I tried all I could but in the end had to clipper. He's 8 now and is very grey - he was jet black and I have to clip him every 6 weeks now to keep him short and stop the fluffy coat. Ash came to me at 10 weeks and I told the groomer not to put clippers anywhere near him. I started the grooming course just after, I soon realised that she had used the clippers on his front and his front legs. Luckly she only did him once and he isn't neutered so I have managed to keep his coat.
I am finding exactly the same issues with terriers. I will do whatever is best for the dog and owner, but always make sure the owner does understand fully all the options and outcomes.
