Haircut

[DukeinChina]

I've got a cocker spaniel, I don't know his exact age but he's between 3.5 and 4 months, is this too young to get a haircut? our apartment is very warm, and he's always panting, I want to get a fairly clean shave over his whole body rather than the traditional cocker haircut because I live in China and it's so dirty here that I need to give him at least one bath a week.

Thanks

[DukeinChina]

anybody? I'm planning on taking him in this afternoon, because it's the only chance I'll have in the next week or so...

[Jerica]

I think it is good to start them early with haircuts so they get used to them early. So yeah he can get a haircut. I think it'd be fine to get a clean shave for him to be more comfortable in the apartment and it is much easier to care for.

[Elizab3th]

Yes, I advise getting haircuts early on so that they get used to it. I took both of my poodles when they were 8 weeks old. They did not get full cuts that early, but it got them used to being away from home, and they got to know the groomer. My one poodle still doesn't like to go, but my little girl thinks it is a fun outing.

[jojoalexis]

welcome to petlovers!

I think you should be careful about bathing, once a week is very hard on their skin. I suggest looking into something gentle for her coat for bathing. In the US we only suggest bathing every few months. There should be something gentle enough out there for weekly use.

[jojoalexis]

something else you may want to consider when cutting his hair is keeping the hair on his ears short and light in weight. Cockers tend to have ear infections easily - keeping them light in weight allows for better air flow. Regular cleaning with a clean warm wet washcloth would be good too

[Jerica]

Good points jojoalexis that is very true. My dogs sometimes get baths once a month, that is so my mom will allow them in the house sometimes when I go home to visit. Otherwise right now Shiloh has gone about 2 months without one, Willow just got one over spring break a week ago so I could trim her fur, but it was at least a month before that she had had one.