9 top Cocker Spaniel haircuts

Cocker Spaniels are adorable doggies both inside and out. Favored for being loving and affectionate as well as intelligent and easy to train, this breed is popular with pet parents of all types, fitting in just as well with adoring families as in the dog show world.

Whatever role your four-legged friend has, giving them a Cocker Spaniel haircut that suits their lifestyle will keep them comfortable and happy while making things a little easier for you too! But before we take a look at some of the top Cocker Spaniel haircuts, we run through the dos and don’ts of grooming a Cocker and how to choose the right haircut for your pooch.

Grooming a Cocker Spaniel

Despite having a history as hunting dogs, Cocker Spaniels can actually be pretty high maintenance. Not ones to turn their noses up at a bit of cold, rainy weather (on the contrary, Spaniels are known for their enthusiasm to get out whatever the weather), it’s their coats that will need a bit of special attention.

Unless your Spaniel has a taste for muddy puddles and fox poo, you should be able to get away with bathing them once or twice a month, but brushing your Cocker should be done every day to prevent dirt and debris from building up. Use a pinheaded brush to work through your pup’s fur, and gently untangle matted fur with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. Dog owners should use this time to keep an eye out for any health concerns, paying particular attention to your Cocker’s drop ears which can make them prone to ear infections.

How to cut a Cocker Spaniel’s hair

If you’re thinking about tackling your Cocker’s coat at home, it’s a good idea to consult your local groomers or vet for advice. You will need the correct equipment, including the pinheaded brush and wide-toothed comb you use for grooming, as well as clippers and grooming scissors. Brush then bathe your pup before using the clippers to gently shave the area around the face, head and neck, being careful not to nick the skin. Shave the top bit of the ears next, then move on to the back, belly and tail, before trimming any bits you’ve missed with the scissors. Be sure to always shave in the direction of hair growth and never use clippers on your dog’s feet - these should be trimmed with scissors and nails should be carefully clipped. 

Choosing the best haircuts for Cocker Spaniels

Before deciding which Cocker Spaniel haircut to go for, you need to think about practicalities. Certain cuts can only be done at the groomers, whereas others can be maintained quite well at home. Some of the classic Cocker Spaniel haircut styles require trimming every few days, whereas others can be left to grow out for months. Have you got a Cocker Spaniel who loves nothing more than digging in the dirt? You’ll want a relatively low-maintenance haircut like the puppy cut, which should stop your pooch from taking half the forest home on his tummy. Of course, if you’ve got a performing pup, nothing other than the show cut will suffice!

The show cut 

From fancy Fidos to performing pups, this catwalk haircut really ‘shows’ off a Cocker Spaniel’s best side. Made for the red carpet, the cut oozes elegance and opulence, but it’s not surprising to hear it requires a lot of upkeep. In fact, this really isn’t one to try at home, the cut requires a trip to the groomers who will blow dry and straighten the coat into enviably luscious locks. Hair falls almost to the ground in this show-stopping cut and bows and ribbons can be added for extra va-va-voom. Bear in mind, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is this haircut - it may take years for your pup to grow its fur this long, and once it’s there, it will require regular trimming to stay looking its best.

The puppy cut 

Despite the name (and the cute picture), the puppy cut isn’t just for youngsters (or Cocker Spaniels, for that matter). In fact, it's a go-to for low-maintenance pooches of all ages and breeds including Cocker and Springer Spaniels. So, what does the Cocker Spaniel puppy haircut look like? The fur is kept about one inch long across the whole of the body, giving the pooch just enough coverage to keep them looking furry while avoiding long, tangled hair that is prone to getting matted. Regular clipping will keep the puppy cut coat in tip-top condition.

The curly Sue

It doesn’t take much to give a Cocker Spaniel a perm-style look - this popular cut accentuates the Spaniel’s naturally curly locks while keeping the rest of the luxurious coat relatively short. Longer fur on the top of the head and ears frames the Cocker’s face and gives it an adorable teddy bear look (not to mention those paws!). 

The classic cut

This traditional Cocker Spaniel haircut is practical, easy to take care of, and makes your Spaniel look like, well, a classic Cocker. Hair is kept short around the face to frame those puppy dog eyes (all the better to see you with), while the rest of the body has medium to long-length fur which shows off the Cocker’s natural highlights. As this cut isn’t super short, be prepared to brush your pup’s coat regularly to prevent it from getting tangled. 

The winter cut

Just as fashions change throughout the seasons, so does our hair. If we were doggies, we would want a thick, long coat to keep us warm in the winter months and shorter fur during the summer. This coat will keep your pooch extra snuggly when it’s cold outside while trimming around the legs and feet prevents pups from getting too mucky. Sounds pretty cozy to us!

The hipster cut

Hair is kept relatively short and sleek, but special attention is given to growing out the top head of hair so that this pooch looks like the coolest member of the band. For the real cherry on top, tie the long hair into a ponytail or a top knot to make your four-legged friend look like a part-time DJ (and to keep hair out of its eyes, naturally).

The hem cut 

One of the most popular American Cocker Spaniel haircuts, the coat appears to get longer and thicker the closer it gets to the floor, a bit like the hem of a skirt (hence the name). The fur around the face is short, revealing the pup's cute teddy bear face and pronouncing those thick fluffy ears, which have a bob-cut appearance. Fur on the legs is kept long yet elegant, and all in all, this pup looks pretty snuggable. 

The teddy bear cut

This neat cut accentuates all of a Cocker’s most endearing teddy bear features. Fur is kept short on the body and the area around the face and muzzle is trimmed, while the legs have slightly longer fur and the top head of hair is long and fuzzy. 

The highlights cut

Looking for a summer Cocker Spaniel haircut? Accentuate your pup’s natural highlights and markings by keeping fur relatively long in light areas and shorter in darker parts, giving the appearance of sun-kissed locks. The fur around the face and feet is kept short for practicality, while the golden hair on the chest is left long and wavy. 

Have images of these Cocker Spaniel haircuts melted your heart just as much as ours? If you’re not the lucky pet parent of one of these doggies (but you wish you were), why not consider dog sitting? It’s the next best thing to having a pup of your own, and the best way to travel the world while taking care of furry friends in the comfort of their own homes. Find out more about how it works here.