Is this normal? (Puppy coat)

[Maisydaisy]

When I researched getting a show cocker, I was seduced by pictures of beautiful, noble looking animals with shiny coats and silky feathering...

Stanley is now 7 months old, and resembles a particularly woolly, hairy, scruffy mammoth. With a centre parting. His fur sticks out at right angles, particularly on his back legs, giving the impression that a) he's incredibly fat and is wearing fluffy leg warmers, or b) he's been electrocuted.

And there's just so much of it! I have to check regularly to make sure a family of small animals hasn't set up home in there...

Is this normal puppy coat, or have I been sold a dud? 

[Jane S]

Yes it's a completely normal puppy coat Unfortunately to get the the nice, sleek coat of show Cockers you've seen in photos, it takes quite a bit of patience and hard work - you'll find lots of tips if you have a look through other threads on this board. Don't be tempted to get the fluffy hair cut off or clipped off; try stripping the fluff out yourself using a fairly fine toothed comb with an elastic band wound between the teeth. At 7 months, you may not get a lot out yet but you can make a start - the rest will come out gradually over the next few months if you're patient and keep working at it a little bit at a time (preferably with your pup on a grooming table or other stable, raised surface )

[linda c]

When Blue was that age I did just as Jane has suggested, 10-15 minutes at a time so he didn't get fed up. Then his coat came out very gradually it will take time so don't be put off if it looks as if you're not getting anywhere.
I ended up with a lovely shiny coat that was beautiful and needed very little doing to it. Used to just comb the ears through to keep the length.

Always used to polish him after combing which gave a bit more of a shine to his coat 

[Maisydaisy]

Thank you  . So a comb is the way forward - I've seen the Spratts spaniel comb mentioned on here, is that the best to use?

I'm having an ongoing argument with OH, he wants to get him clipped off completely, with no feathering at all, as he feels he'll look neater, I think he'll just look stupid...he's already taken the scissors to Stanley's top knot

[6thSense]

Yes as said above perfectly normal. Just a fluffy cocker pup. I use the Spratts 72 or 71 with an elastic band wound through the teeth, but the spaniel one is a 76. The teeth are a lot closer together, so harder to get the band through. I have managed it a few times, but the slightly wider teeth do work equally as well. If you are planning on getting him professionally groomed I would suggest an appointment at a grooming salon as soon as possible. The sooner he gets used to the experience the better. Do make absolutely clear your wishes to the groomer though if you do not wish clippers to be used and handstripping only is what you wish. It is completely up to you, you can do it yourself at home. At 7 months the coat may not be ready to come out or maybe ready in some places and not in others. They are all different and there is really no hard and fast rule. Nature does it's own thing. With handstripping it is simply a matter of waiting till it is ready. When it is it will is the simple rule. Keep trying it. If it is meant to come out it will come if not it won't. It can take hard work and patience, but if this is the look you are after it is also so rewarding.

[butterflywings21]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

[chrisp]

Yes it's a completely normal puppy coat Unfortunately to get the the nice, sleek coat of show Cockers you've seen in photos, it takes quite a bit of patience and hard work - you'll find lots of tips if you have a look through other threads on this board. Don't be tempted to get the fluffy hair cut off or clipped off; try stripping the fluff out yourself using a fairly fine toothed comb with an elastic band wound between the teeth. At 7 months, you may not get a lot out yet but you can make a start - the rest will come out gradually over the next few months if you're patient and keep working at it a little bit at a time (preferably with your pup on a grooming table or other stable, raised surface )

Did exactly this... Mollies coat is lovely!  Not much came out to begin with and then I'd get lots!  So easy to do, you can't go wrong!   

[HBP]

When I researched getting a show cocker, I was seduced by pictures of beautiful, noble looking animals with shiny coats and silky feathering...

Stanley is now 7 months old, and resembles a particularly woolly, hairy, scruffy mammoth. With a centre parting. His fur sticks out at right angles, particularly on his back legs, giving the impression that a) he's incredibly fat and is wearing fluffy leg warmers, or b) he's been electrocuted.

And there's just so much of it! I have to check regularly to make sure a family of small animals hasn't set up home in there...

Is this normal puppy coat, or have I been sold a dud? 

  We're here too 

[6thSense]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

[butterflywings21]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

[6thSense]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

You can either strip or thin there. I do a combination of the two personally. Depends how thick the coat is for me and if it is possible and wants to come out. I don't think it is fair to strip it all out there on say a hairy dog like a black personally, but that is just my opinion. We all groom differently & every dog is different at the end of the day. I am not promising this will be possible by the way, but it deffo cannot hurt to try. If it comes it does if not you may have to go back to clipping or you could try either thinning with thinning scissors or the dreaded coat king. I am not a great fan of coat kings as they do have a blade and I handstrip, but if you can't strip by hand and you don't want to clip again. It could be a happy medium for you. It may change the coat, but not to the same extent as clipping can. Hope that helps.

[butterflywings21]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

You can either strip or thin there. I do a combination of the two personally. Depends how thick the coat is for me and if it is possible and wants to come out. I don't think it is fair to strip it all out there on say a hairy dog like a black personally, but that is just my opinion. We all groom differently & every dog is different at the end of the day. I am not promising this will be possible by the way, but it deffo cannot hurt to try. If it comes it does if not you may have to go back to clipping or you could try either thinning with thinning scissors or the dreaded coat king. I am not a great fan of coat kings as they do have a blade and I handstrip, but if you can't strip by hand and you don't want to clip again. It could be a happy medium for you. It may change the coat, but not to the same extent as clipping can. Hope that helps.

thankyou yes I think so. I do have a coat king and have used it a few times. Have found another groomer  does do hand stripping. Will give her a call and have a chat. Thanks again.

[6thSense]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

You can either strip or thin there. I do a combination of the two personally. Depends how thick the coat is for me and if it is possible and wants to come out. I don't think it is fair to strip it all out there on say a hairy dog like a black personally, but that is just my opinion. We all groom differently & every dog is different at the end of the day. I am not promising this will be possible by the way, but it deffo cannot hurt to try. If it comes it does if not you may have to go back to clipping or you could try either thinning with thinning scissors or the dreaded coat king. I am not a great fan of coat kings as they do have a blade and I handstrip, but if you can't strip by hand and you don't want to clip again. It could be a happy medium for you. It may change the coat, but not to the same extent as clipping can. Hope that helps.

thankyou yes I think so. I do have a coat king and have used it a few times. Have found another groomer  does do hand stripping. Will give her a call and have a chat. Thanks again.

That's great as they should be able to tell you if it is possible anyway then. Good luck. x

[butterflywings21]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

You can either strip or thin there. I do a combination of the two personally. Depends how thick the coat is for me and if it is possible and wants to come out. I don't think it is fair to strip it all out there on say a hairy dog like a black personally, but that is just my opinion. We all groom differently & every dog is different at the end of the day. I am not promising this will be possible by the way, but it deffo cannot hurt to try. If it comes it does if not you may have to go back to clipping or you could try either thinning with thinning scissors or the dreaded coat king. I am not a great fan of coat kings as they do have a blade and I handstrip, but if you can't strip by hand and you don't want to clip again. It could be a happy medium for you. It may change the coat, but not to the same extent as clipping can. Hope that helps.

thankyou yes I think so. I do have a coat king and have used it a few times. Have found another groomer  does do hand stripping. Will give her a call and have a chat. Thanks again.

That's great as they should be able to tell you if it is possible anyway then. Good luck. x

I have tilly booked in with the new groomer in two weeks time. She's going to look at her coat and see. So fingers crossed. Tillys coat is in good condition, lovely and soft and very whiney, it doesn't feel coarse.

[butterflywings21]

If you have had the fur clipped only twice can you grow it back normal? Or have I ruined Tully's coat for good?  Sorry to high Jack the thread.

No not at all. If only clipped a couple of times I can't promise, but it can be possible. Just let it grow and see. One note is neutering will also play a part in coat change and can often make stripping not possible also.

tbankyou, I  will let it grow and see. How would you keep her legs tidy down th  front so she doesn't look like mammoth feet?

You can either strip or thin there. I do a combination of the two personally. Depends how thick the coat is for me and if it is possible and wants to come out. I don't think it is fair to strip it all out there on say a hairy dog like a black personally, but that is just my opinion. We all groom differently & every dog is different at the end of the day. I am not promising this will be possible by the way, but it deffo cannot hurt to try. If it comes it does if not you may have to go back to clipping or you could try either thinning with thinning scissors or the dreaded coat king. I am not a great fan of coat kings as they do have a blade and I handstrip, but if you can't strip by hand and you don't want to clip again. It could be a happy medium for you. It may change the coat, but not to the same extent as clipping can. Hope that helps.

thankyou yes I think so. I do have a coat king and have used it a few times. Have found another groomer  does do hand stripping. Will give her a call and have a chat. Thanks again.

That's great as they should be able to tell you if it is possible anyway then. Good luck. x

I have tilly booked in with the new groomer in two weeks time. She's going to look at her coat and see. So fingers crossed. Tillys coat is in good condition, lovely and soft and very whiney, it doesn't feel coarse.

Well tomorrow is the day to see the new groomer, I'm very nervous. Fingers crossed I can get back on track and not too much damage done to her coat.