How to Groom English Springer Spaniels for Conformation

Show dogs are judged for their conformation. A show dog must have a strong back, straight legs, a fine head and a deep chest. The judges need to see the shape of the head and legs, how the tail is set on the rump and the depth of the chest. English springer spaniels have their own special conformation attributes that judges seek in the show ring, and show dogs are groomed to display these attributes to the maximum.

Things You'll Need

  • Clippers
  • #7F, #5F and blades
  • Small trimming scissors
  • Thinning shears
  • Stripper
  • Styptic pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start at the neck and clip against the direction of the fur growth with a #7F blade. Clip all the way up the chin and around the lips, then down to the breastbones, where you should lift the clippers a little to blend the short hair with the long. Change direction as often as the fur direction changes.

    • 2

      Clip the head. If the shape of the head is defined, it shows good conformation. Make certain the clippers are level and clip with the growth of the fur, not against it as you did on the neck. Hold each ear out and clip with the hair on the first one-third of the ear only, making a straight line across the ear. Clip inside and behind the ear. Run the clippers very lightly over the muzzle. Now change to a blade and clip against the hair growth from behind the ear to the top of the head, just above the eyebrows, with the blade flat against the skull.

    • 3

      Lie the dog down and trim its feet with scissors. Cut off as much hair as possible from under and between the pads. The top of the front foot should be rounded off. Comb out the front leg hair and "feathers," making certain you get any knots that may be present in the armpits. Slide your hand down a leg to stop just above the feet and trim all the hair that sticks out below your hand. If you know how to clip nails, this is the time to do them. Clip at right angles to the foot and do not make them too short or they will bleed. Keep a styptic pencil handy to stem the bleeding if it does occur.

    • 4

      Trim the rear legs. Comb the feathers out to one side then cut them in a straight line with the scissors. Comb the hair downward and trim the hair level with the heels. Trim underneath the tail with the clippers and a #5 blade in the direction of the hair growth or use thinning or straight scissors. Comb the top hair over to one side of the tail and cut it straight then repeat on the other side. Trim under the tail for hygiene with thinning shears.

    • 5

      Use a pair of thinning shears to blend the long hair of the body with the short clipped hair at the neck. Trim the underside of the rear legs with the shears.Thin a little hair on the rump if it is very thick but be aware that English springer spaniels are supposed to look natural when shown. Use a stripper to comb the body hair and remove all of the old matted or dead hair. Your dog will be cleaned up enough to show its good conformation while retaining a natural look.