The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

I have admitted defeat and am going to cut Emma's coat off as soon as I can bring myself to do it. Even though she looks like a little diva dog, I just can't keep up with the tangles from a dog who prefers to roll in dirt and eat yard debris, LOL.

What's the best way to do this? I'm having my 3-3/4" blade sharpened and hope to use that - but would it be best if I just start scissoring off the long hair, bathe her, and then use the blade? She has beautiful thick hair on her legs and straight, silky hair on her back. I'm going to leave the back natural as it still hasn't completely grown in from when it was cut when I got her. But I want those nice "column" legs like Julie does - just not sure if I'm that talented, even with the blade. I watched the leg demo, but that was using combs. I HAVE combs (plastic), but would have to buy another blade for underneath since all I have is a 10 and 7FC.

Anyone have EASY advice for me?

Take Emma to Julie

It isn't that I haven't thought of it!

Julie will be along to rescue you!

What I told Dawn about the 3 3/4 vs the 1 comb is it's about three weeks worth of growth tops. So given that most people find it easier to use than the combs, it doesn't hurt to go a tad shorter.

However those Wahl combs do just about as good a job as a blade for me, better sometimes.

You can use a ten under the combs, the 30 just tends to be smoother.

I'd go ahead with the three blade it will give you some growing out time before you have to do the legs again. Of course, I don't mind shorter hair on my dogs.

But cut some length off first, right? Before using the blade? I'm afraid that blade will get stuck in all of this hair!

I went crazy and used my new 3 3/4 blade on all three of mine today before i had any time to change my mind.
It is shorter than in the video but they seem so happy to have all that fur gone that I feel guilty I love to see them with the long hair. One thing I learned: I will never do all three on the same day again, boy they had hair and I got covered!

Nope, if you want to go that short, just use the blade. Start at the top and work your way down. When I cut my dogs down the first time, I make a huge swipe somewhere that I can't take it back. That way, I can't back out lol!

I've thought about it occasionally with George, but I couldn't bear to do it! Maybe one day if he gets too old to stand for grooming, but by then he'll be too old to walk the hills and get filthy, so hopefully it won't be necessary. Stephen hates the idea when I've suggested it too!