CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Grooming => Topic started by: Magic Star on June 16, 2006, 12:48:06 PM
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I'm in a quandry and need some advice ;)
Indie is in season atm, and is already starting to drop her coat :-\ The hair that comes off her is really affecting me (i'm allergic) I am considering having her clipped after this season, for a number of reasons really, one being I am hoping it will reduce the shedding and this is where you come in? If you clip them, do they shed less? As she will be getting spayed soon, her coat may be hard to handstrip too, this is another reason for me considering clippering her, she also hates being groomed and its taking ages to keep her lovely feathering tat free, she runs away as soon as the grooming bag comes out ::)
Thanks
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so you're coping with indie's season and your allergy...you must be having a FAB time ph34r
i can't help with the show cocker coat issue (although i do like the smart crops molo and sarahp's daisy have got...) as we're not so hairy anymore (and neither's the dog with his adult worker coat...). am sure you'll be rescued soon by the col grooming brigade (one day i aspire to groom correctly :blink:)
sending you lots of sympathetic hugs and cyber tissues
x
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so you're coping with indie's season and your allergy...you must be having a FAB time ph34r
i can't help with the show cocker coat issue (although i do like the smart crops molo and sarahp's daisy have got...) as we're not so hairy anymore (and neither's the dog with his adult worker coat...). am sure you'll be rescued soon by the col grooming brigade (one day i aspire to groom correctly :blink:)
sending you lots of sympathetic hugs and cyber tissues
x
Aww thanks Helen :luv: Her coat is lovely at the moment, but tbh, for a cocker who loves swimming and dragging through hedges etc etc its not really that practical and as shes a pet, it may be the kinder thing to do, instead of her having me constantly tug bits of twigs from her coat ;)
Achhhhoooooooooooo!!! :005:
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I'm not able to offer any help either, but do sympathise, even if not quite as eloquently as Helen!
Hope you get some real help soon.
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Sorry I'm no help either but I hope someone comes along soon with advice ;) I don't suffer from hayfever but OH does its horrid, hope you're feeling a bit better soon.
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Emma, I think everything tilts in favour of having Indie clipped.
Yes, you should find that she'll shed less hair being clippered although you would still get some from belly and leg feathering.
I think if clipped it does look nicer to keep this feathering, but because the body is shorter you can have the feathers shorter too without it looking too drastic.
That should be of benefit to you with not having to pull out so much debris. ;)
If you've decided already that you are going to have her spayed, then I'd say you've got nothing to lose really.
The only really important thing is make sure you get someone who will clip sympathetically and not scalp her ;)
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Emma, I think everything tilts in favour of having Indie clipped.
Yes, you should find that she'll shed less hair being clippered although you would still get some from belly and leg feathering.
I think if clipped it does look nicer to keep this feathering, but because the body is shorter you can have the feathers shorter too without it looking too drastic.
That should be of benefit to you with not having to pull out so much debris. ;)
If you've decided already that you are going to have her spayed, then I'd say you've got nothing to lose really.
The only really important thing is make sure you get someone who will clip sympathetically and not scalp her ;)
Thanks Michelle, that helped a lot :D
If anyone can post a piccie of a cocker who has been sympathetically clipped, I would be so greatfull, I can then take this to a groomer and explain how exactly I'd like her done ;)
Just another quessie Michele, what about her ears? I reall am not soo keen on the ears being clipped? Whats the best way to deal with these?
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Just another quessie Michele, what about her ears? I reall am not soo keen on the ears being clipped? Whats the best way to deal with these?
You could ask to have those blended in with thinning scissors.
I don't know if I've got a photo, but I'm off to bath my Meg in a while and I'll take a photo of her afterwards.
Just bear in mind that she is 12 so it is short to save messing her about ;)
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Thanks Michele :D
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Hamish is clipped, but not fully - but yes they shed a LOT less. He's clipped all down his back, and still has a bit of feathering, and it's 100 x easier to clean and maintain. Ham HATES being groomed, and I think it's a good reason along with your allergy to clip - she'll be happir toom, and cooler in summer.
I bought my own clippers which were expnsive, but I'd rather do him at home (less stress) and not pay someone thirty quid every so often, so thy'll pay for themselves eventually. I did try using my argos clippers - but they got caught and pulled the hair as they weren't sturdy enough.
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Moog was clipped right back except for a tiny bit of feathering and although she looked funny at first, I could tell by her demeanour hat she felt lots better. She sheds less and takes very little grooming - when I bath her I let her dry on her own in this weather apart from her ears. Merv is clipped but has much more feathering but I'm seriously considering clipping it right back, esp in the hot weather. I had Moog hand stipped for the first 12months but its a lot of work for a pet so I totally know where you're coming from. I was in massive turmoil until I took the plunge and dont regret it. Dont forget - it grows back!! ;)
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Emma, take a look at this thread linky (http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=17050.0)
there are some good clippered pics and some really good advice ;)
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I finally gave in and had Alfie clipped a few weeks back and although it was a bit of a shock at first, Im already thinking next time he goes in I shall ask for it to go a bit shorter.
Id always had him hand stripped which was fine for our lifestyle then, city living with nice manicured parks to walk in. Moving to the country where hes out all day getting covered in cow and sheep poo, getting tangled in the hedgrows and picking up the pines in the forests clipping was the only way to go as he hates being groomed with a vengence.
The groomer clipped the back and sides short, took out all the belly hair leaving short feathering just along the sides and chest. Same with the legs, all thinned out but a feathering effect left. She also done a great job on his ears, really thinned back but looking more like a cockers ears then ever before. Hes a lot more comfortable and Im a lot less stressed :)
Go for it, take a picture of the look you want along to the groomer if you are not sure what to ask for- Im sure rachel wont mind you using Molo as a model
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That's a good point, Hamish and Indie are rarely on leads, and pretty much never walked on roads, so basically hurl themselves through bushes and into streams when we go out.
That's probably why Hamish's coat was such a nightmare.
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That's a good point, Hamish and Indie are rarely on leads, and pretty much never walked on roads, so basically hurl themselves through bushes and into streams when we go out.
Same here - Daisy and Dill dont consider it a proper walk unless they have been swimming and gathered have a ton of crap in their fur - my kitchen floor is permanently gritty where it drops off when it dries >:( Its driving me mad ph34r double short back and sides might be on the cards on the south coast too ;) :005:
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Same hre Sarah - every morning, I sweep or vacuum our bedroom floor, and it's black with dust as they fall asleep and dry off! Was considering carpet but probably not as hygenic.
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That's a good point, Hamish and Indie are rarely on leads, and pretty much never walked on roads, so basically hurl themselves through bushes and into streams when we go out.
Same here - Daisy and Dill dont consider it a proper walk unless they have been swimming and gathered have a ton of crap in their fur - my kitchen floor is permanently gritty where it drops off when it dries >:( Its driving me mad ph34r double short back and sides might be on the cards on the south coast too ;) :005:
Dont even mention the sand - Alfie seems to bring half the beach home with him and promptly deposits it IN my bed :lol:
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That's a good point, Hamish and Indie are rarely on leads, and pretty much never walked on roads, so basically hurl themselves through bushes and into streams when we go out.
Same here - Daisy and Dill dont consider it a proper walk unless they have been swimming and gathered have a ton of crap in their fur - my kitchen floor is permanently gritty where it drops off when it dries >:( Its driving me mad ph34r double short back and sides might be on the cards on the south coast too ;) :005:
Dont even mention the sand - Alfie seems to bring half the beach home with him and promptly deposits it IN my bed :lol:
Me and OH wre having a cuddle in bed the other night, and I moved the pillow. Under it was a half chewed rawhide and a big twig. Nuff said. :005:
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I am so pleased you posted this Emma.
I have sent the two years of Jazzs life trying to get her a 'proper' looking coat, but it has meant leaving alot of hair to grow down.
I am really struggling to keep her matt free, as she also hates the grooming tools !! I am thinking about taking her short again. Its a shame as she looks so pretty, i am worried about her losing her look.
Will read with interest.
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Me and OH wre having a cuddle in bed the other night, and I moved the pillow. Under it was a half chewed rawhide and a big twig. Nuff said. :005:
Don't hijack the thread with your bedroom antics !!! :005: :005:
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Charlie loathes being groomed and loves dirty water, to have him clipped is much less stressful for him. We have some tummy and leg feathers left on and the ears blended in with scissors. He looks quite smart, but then i would say that about my baby wouldn't I !!!
Tracey, Blue and Charlie
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Me and OH wre having a cuddle in bed the other night, and I moved the pillow. Under it was a half chewed rawhide and a big twig. Nuff said. :005:
Don't hijack the thread with your bedroom antics !!! :005: :005:
Antics?! We have three kids, when do we have the time :lol: ;)
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Moog was clipped right back except for a tiny bit of feathering and although she looked funny at first, I could tell by her demeanour hat she felt lots better. She sheds less and takes very little grooming - when I bath her I let her dry on her own in this weather apart from her ears. Merv is clipped but has much more feathering but I'm seriously considering clipping it right back, esp in the hot weather. I had Moog hand stipped for the first 12months but its a lot of work for a pet so I totally know where you're coming from. I was in massive turmoil until I took the plunge and dont regret it. Dont forget - it grows back!! ;)
Thanks, I feel more cofident about it all after reading that :D
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I finally gave in and had Alfie clipped a few weeks back and although it was a bit of a shock at first, Im already thinking next time he goes in I shall ask for it to go a bit shorter.
Id always had him hand stripped which was fine for our lifestyle then, city living with nice manicured parks to walk in. Moving to the country where hes out all day getting covered in cow and sheep poo, getting tangled in the hedgrows and picking up the pines in the forests clipping was the only way to go as he hates being groomed with a vengence.
Cheers Caroline, I'd love to see pics of Alfie and his new hair ;)
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I am so pleased you posted this Emma.
I have sent the two years of Jazzs life trying to get her a 'proper' looking coat, but it has meant leaving alot of hair to grow down.
I am really struggling to keep her matt free, as she also hates the grooming tools !! I am thinking about taking her short again. Its a shame as she looks so pretty, i am worried about her losing her look.
Will read with interest.
Cathy, I know what you mean, I have beend handstripping Indie myself for 3 years and it does pain me to destroy all that hard work, but I think its in her best interests, she really does hate hate the detangling combe with a passion >:D
I don't think they lose their look though, like Michele said as long as the groomer is sympathetic it can look lovely and is much easier to manage therefore kinder to them, spesh if they don't like being groomed ;)
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Me and OH wre having a cuddle in bed the other night, and I moved the pillow. Under it was a half chewed rawhide and a big twig. Nuff said. :005:
Don't hijack the thread with your bedroom antics !!! :005: :005:
Antics?! We have three kids, when do we have the time :lol: ;)
Shonie, you make time for bedroom antics :005: ;)
I once found a snail under my bed :huh: Well a snails shell, dread to think where the rest of it went :o
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I finally gave in and had Alfie clipped a few weeks back and although it was a bit of a shock at first, Im already thinking next time he goes in I shall ask for it to go a bit shorter.
Id always had him hand stripped which was fine for our lifestyle then, city living with nice manicured parks to walk in. Moving to the country where hes out all day getting covered in cow and sheep poo, getting tangled in the hedgrows and picking up the pines in the forests clipping was the only way to go as he hates being groomed with a vengence.
Cheers Caroline, I'd love to see pics of Alfie and his new hair ;)
Id love to post some - but they are on my phone and come out so tiny its impossible to see and now four weeks later hes looking back to normal again - time to ring up for an appointment me thinks :)
Go for it Emma, there are worse crimes against a dog then gettting a dodgy haircut :) A good groomer will know how to do a cocker cut and you will both be so much happier.And remember it only takes a couple of weeks to grow back if you really hate it, Indie wont even notice :)
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Although I am a pro-handstripper - last weekend Tilly was sooo hot, I caved and got the clippers out.... she is nearly 8yrs old - hates being groomed, she too runs when I say "brush brush" so I think I shall be keeping her pretty much like this from now on... her brother is clipped off very seriously - he has barely any feathering left - I don't think I can go that far I do like them to look like cockers rather than seals :005:
Here's Tilly with her new haircut ! it probably doesn't look that short to some of you but I took an inch off the ears, and loads off the rest of her !
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/penel/IMG_9521a.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/penel/IMG_9525a.jpg)
I could have made another Tilly with the resulting hair !
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/penel/IMG_9518a.jpg)
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She looks great Penel :luv: Thanks for posting the piccies :D
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She looks great. Hamish needs done again, he's about twice the size of Tilly's after shot! :005:
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I was going to ask to see a pic of Tilly once I knew what you'd done - just to make sure you hadnt gone too mad you understand ;) ph34r :005:
Actually I'm really surprised she looks very good (sorry thats not an inference on your grooming skills ph34r but clippering in general :shades: ) and I think Daise may well be doing a 'Tilly' before much longer - she too is very hot and the crud she is picking up in her fur is scary
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(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/penel/IMG_9518a.jpg)
Just noticed all the teeth marks in the comb handle :lol: :lol: :lol: all my brush handles look like that too :005: :005: :005:
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(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/penel/IMG_9518a.jpg)
Just noticed all the teeth marks in the comb handle :lol: :lol: :lol: all my brush handles look like that too :005: :005: :005:
Mine three :005: :005:
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I've had those tools for 9 years though ;) and several puppies - how long have you had yours :lol: ;) :lol:
I think the trick with clippering is not to do it too short, and to blend with thinning scissors the feathery bits with the shorter bits.... takes quite a bit of practice though !
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Billy is clipped very very short for summer ph34r. He has just been to the groomers today. He still has feathering though too so he still looks like a cocker ;). I love the cockers who fave the beautiful non clipped coat but if you don't show then IMO it's pointless hard work. The first time I went for the plunge and had Billy clipped it was sssoooo much easier, his paws are dried in minutes
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b31/cocker123/aberdovey018.jpg)
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Billy looks great Jan :luv: :luv:
His coat is so shiny :D I can't wait now for Indies season to finish to get her clipped, i'm sure it will make things soo much easier and I won't dread it everytime she decides she wants to paddle :005:
I'm glad I posted about this, you guys have been really helpful, cheers me deers :D
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Billy looks great Jan :luv: :luv:
His coat is so shiny :D
Thanks ;)
I know it's not everyones cup of tea but it makes my life so so much easier. I can take him on walks let him get muddy and then come home and chuck him in the shower and in no time at all he is nice and dry.
I do love cockers with big full coats but it's just too time consuming for me especially as Billy absolutely hates being brushed.
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Penel, you didn't use th clipper on her long bits then, and just blenmded it in? Any tips for a novice?
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She looks very lovely! :luv: :luv:
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Penel, you didn't use th clipper on her long bits then, and just blenmded it in? Any tips for a novice?
Hmm I dunno really its kind of just evolved over the years :lol: erm I spose you just lift the clippers away from the body as you get to the feathery bits.... Then I cut the feathery bits with straight scissors so that they are shorter - with the front legs you lift them up towards you so they are horizontal.... then you can cut a horizontal straight line - obviously the hair being shorter towards the paws, and getting longer towards the armpit - this length should be the same length as the tummy feathering - when the leg is lifted up horizontal that's quite easy to judge... with her ears I just combed the hair then gatherered all the ear feathering into a tight bunch then hacked away about an inch with thinning scissors so the line wasn't toooo blunt. that way you get it all the same length-ish but it doesn't look freshly cut.... I also cut some layers at the front edge of the ear so she doesn't look like she's got a bob :lol: does that help ?! :005:
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Just a quick question, Indie has a full tail like Tilly Penel, do you just keep the feathering short to match the rest of her?
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I do trim the tail feathering yes - I twist the end up and cut it blunt across, and then I taper the rest of it - same as you would do with a setter's tail... will try and take a pic tomorrow !
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c
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Thanks Penel and Nic :D
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Penel, you didn't use th clipper on her long bits then, and just blenmded it in? Any tips for a novice?
Hmm I dunno really its kind of just evolved over the years :lol: erm I spose you just lift the clippers away from the body as you get to the feathery bits.... Then I cut the feathery bits with straight scissors so that they are shorter - with the front legs you lift them up towards you so they are horizontal.... then you can cut a horizontal straight line - obviously the hair being shorter towards the paws, and getting longer towards the armpit - this length should be the same length as the tummy feathering - when the leg is lifted up horizontal that's quite easy to judge... with her ears I just combed the hair then gatherered all the ear feathering into a tight bunch then hacked away about an inch with thinning scissors so the line wasn't toooo blunt. that way you get it all the same length-ish but it doesn't look freshly cut.... I also cut some layers at the front edge of the ear so she doesn't look like she's got a bob :lol: does that help ?! :005:
Yes, it does - the only clipping I have ever done is a number 4 all over fror OH - there clippers are much more efficint and easier to use, Im finding it harder to use them - you can clip too much if not careful, whereas my cheapi ones you had to do the same bit three times so had a chance to correct it. Hamish looked like he had had a chunk taken out of his leg after my first attempt(he hadn't, just a lot of hair)!
thankyou ;)
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Paddy loves being "Coat King-ed" - goes to sleep. Hates and wriggles about when he sees the scissors. Combined with me trying to cut his leg hair when he's lying down (only way he'll tolerate it), he's ended up this week with one back leg "over-cut" - looks like he's got one leg of a pair of plus-fours on...oh dear. Would thinning scissors reduce the likelihood of this happening? his legs generally look puppy-fluff woolly, but loads of it is coming out now with the Coat King. Think I'll have to track down Annette's recommended lady in Newbury and get taught some basics, because it sure ain't coming naturally to me!! :005: ph34r
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http://www.geocities.com/paws_with_style_grooming/Tail.htm (http://www.geocities.com/paws_with_style_grooming/Tail.htm)
What a very useful link that is!! I don't clip Domino but I am never sure how much hair to take off his feathers & head (I find trimming above the ears the most difficult part!!)
Yesterday I trimmed him with the thinning scissors on his feathers, tail & head. I'm not displeased with the result but wonder if I should have left on a little more hair. I've tried to copy the photo of Rachel's Molo. ;)
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Post a piccie so we can see!
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Here are two pictures of Domino, one from each side.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/josie52/Domino220606002x.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/josie52/Domino220606001x.jpg)
What do you think? (I won't be offended ;))
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I think he looks great: plenty of coat to see his colours and his "style" of fur, and really neatly groomed - if I hadn't known that you'd taken scissors to his feathering on his flanks, I wouldn't have guessed - looks really natural. That's the look I was going for on Pads on the legs - I'll get OH to take piccie to show how badly wrong it went! Am also going to get some thinning scissors too, now I've seen what can be done: the blunt cut look poor Pads is sporting is a bit severe (or is that "crap"??)!
Denise
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I think you have done a great job too :luv:
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Thanks for the pics of Domino :luv: Im so going to miss the cuddles at the wag and bone this year
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Pepsi is clipped. She's never been hand stripped as I couldn't find a groomer who would do it as her coat has been thick and curly right from the start. She's been speyed now so her coat will change anyway.
This is before
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/kmelhuish/Pepsi/100_0194.jpg)
And after
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/kmelhuish/Pepsi/100_0195.jpg)
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Karen, Pepsi looks gorgeous :luv: :luv:
Love her lashes :D
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WOW Pepsi looks absolutely stunning :o :o :luv: :luv:
She looks like she has a nice think coat, Billy is thin so even if i didn't clip him short he'd never have that big beautiful full coat that lot's of cockers have :-\
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Thank you. :D She does have lovely long lashes. Her coat is so, so thick that I've never found anyone who would try to hand strip her. Her breeder is too far away to make a regular trip and now she's been speyed it will only get thicker and curlier. She does get ever so hot.
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She's beautiful! :luv:
So glossy and shiny. Hamish gets hot hot hot too- h seems to hav an undercoat, and thn loads of teddy bear fur, so I clip him now I'm afraid. I really don't think handstripping would have been good for him as he's not well.