Cocker Specific Discussion > Grooming

Coat change after spaying

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FionaM:
Wasn’t sure where to put this question…

We decided to have Poppy spayed after her first season but now she’s come into season I’m starting to have second thoughts. I read a discussion on another board where someone described having seen a neutered cocker spaniel that looked like a lamb and also said he looked about 10 years old compared to his brother who hadn’t been neutered (I think).

We don’t have any plans to show her, so the way she looks is really not that important, but I’m not sure I want her to turn into a little black lamb  :-. She has already been clipped (twice) so I think her coat will change anyway? If we change our minds about spaying her and I throw my clippers away will I be able to handstrip her and keep her coat looking nice, or has the damage already been done?

We are definitely not breeding from her and I thought spaying her was doing the best thing. But now I am all confused  ??? (and having a slight panic about owning a lamb-like cocker!). She’s black so her coat is already thick but it’s soft and shiny. Can anyone give me some advice about just how much her coat might change?

Thanks

Fiona                    

Jane S:
Hi Fiona

This subject has come up pretty often on this forum too :) Neutering generally does cause the coat to get thicker & woollier & the changes are more noticeable on those Cockers with thick coats to begin with,which would include most solid blacks. However even with particolours you can see the difference post neutering, though it can take quite a few months for the changes to occur. Most neutered Cockers have to be clipped because it's no longer possible (or fair on the dog) to continue with handstripping. However, there is clipping & there is clipping - as I've said before, some groomers make a horrendous job of clipping Cockers (the shorn lamb look) & others do a decent job, presenting a nice tidy Cocker that still looks like a Cocker.
I think in the post you referred to on the other board, both Cockers had been neutered but only one looked terrible - possibly the other one had a much finer coat to begin with & also goes to a better groomer than the other one :)

The decision of whether to spay or not to spay is entirely up to you, but coat changes and/or weight gain can be side effects which you have to take into account when making your decision.

As to whether you can now handstrip your girl after clipping her, it will depend on how thick her coat is really. I have stripped out dogs that have formerly been clipped but it's much, much harder with solid blacks & will take lots of time & patience - so not impossible, but may be difficult!

Jane                    

stueymac:
Our Sweep is spayed and her coat is a nightmare! It matts really easily, even if we were to brush her every day, I could bet that there'd be a few tatts waiting the next morning! I dont know if she is typical or whether she just has a particular type of coat which tatts easily! Libby is no bother on the other hand as she's hasn't been spayed. Sweep also looks a little 'plumper' than Libby after her spaying but we just keep a close eye on her diet.                    

*Jay*:
Can anyone who's cockers coat did NOT change after neutering please let themselves be known ;D I'm still umming and aahing ???                    

Michele:
Can't help you there Gill, before Meg was spayed she used to go around in her underwear, now she wears dress, coat, hat, scarf & gloves the whole time  :o Or rather she would do if I didn't keep her clipped ;)                    

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