English Springer Spaniel grooming takes a moderate amount of time (and more so if you groom a Springer Spaniel for shows)--and much of the grooming for Springer Spaniel dogs consists of caring for the medium-length, thick, double-layered coats.

Your English Springer Spaniel groom will need to include brushing 2-3 times per week (and daily for show dogs). Special attention will need to be paid to the longer featherings on the ears, underbelly, and tail, if present; these areas are where mats and tangles tend to form. Depending on whether the ESS is a show dog, baths will be necessary every two to four weeks.

ESS dogs that are family pets don't need haircuts at all--though an occasional visit to a groomer will go a long way toward keep the coat looking clean and neat. Practically all ESS show dogs sport a Show Cut (see Styling & Haircuts below), as it conforms closely to the breed standard. Regardless, the best way to learn how to groom a Springer Spaniel is from a professional groomer. The groomer can give the dog a bath, a cut, and offer tips on how to how to groom an English Springer Spaniel in general. Some owners and groomers choose to hand-strip these dogs' coats every few months to remove the dead hairs, but the stripping is purely optional.

Get more detailed instructions on how to groom English Springer Spaniel dogs in the Brushing, Bathing, and Styling & Haircuts sections below.

Brushing your English Springer Spaniel isn't at all difficult, but it can take some time--especially if you need to deal with stubborn mats and tangles. The best brush for Springer Spaniel dogs is a slicker brush, because this type is best for removing dead hairs--but a pin brush and a greyhound comb are good to have as well.

How to brush an English Springer Spaniel: begin by spraying the coat with water mist from a spray bottle (with some de-tangling solution mixed in, if desired). Then starting at the shoulders, brush the body and legs section by section with the slicker brush, moving in the direction of hair growth; be sure to brush deep enough with each stroke to reach the undercoat. If you encounter a mat or tangle, first try working through it with your fingers, then continue working it out with the end teeth of the comb.

Then use the comb to go through the hair on the face, head, ears, and tail. Finish by going through the entire coat again with the pin brush to shape and style it.

Hand-stripping Springer Spaniel dogs is purely optional--but the process makes the coat look especially healthy and shiny. And hand-stripping is a time-consuming affair, but those who do it say it's definitely worth the effort. If you choose to strip your ESS's coat, it'll need to be done every 3-4 months.

How to hand-strip an English Springer Spaniel: first give the dog a thorough brushing. Then, starting on the dog's back, go through the coat in very small sections. Use one hand to part the outer coat, then use the thumb and forefinger to gently tug on a small section of hair; if a hair is dead, it'll come out easily.

The entire process will probably take an hour or more--and it'll be especially challenging when working on the longer parts of the coat. But with some patience, it can be done, and your English Springer Spaniel's coat will look fantastic!

Do Springer Spaniels smell? They can--especially if the dog hasn't been bathed recently. Bathing an English Springer Spaniel will need to happen about once a month (or more frequently if you show the dog). You can bathe the dog in either the bathtub on in an outdoor kiddie pool using a garden hose. Also make sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate a dog's skin.

To bathe a Springer Spaniel: first brush your ESS thoroughly, making sure the coat is as mat- and tangle-free as possible. Then wet the coat completely. Apply a small amount of Springer Spaniel shampoo to the dog's back; lather well, working downward and outward as you go. (And don't forget the underbelly, legs, and tail!) Use a washcloth to clean the face, head, and ears. Rinse extremely well, with extra attention on the long, thick underbelly hair. Repeat the entire process with conditioner if you like.

Towel-dry the coat, then use a hair dryer (on its lowest setting) and your pin brush to finish the drying; the dryer and brush will help keep the coat from tangling. Finally, give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.

Another portion of the bath is English Springer Spaniel ear cleaning. How to clean a Springer Spaniel's ears: use an ear-cleaning solution (available at pet stores). Squirt the recommended amount into the ear canals, close the ear flaps, then massage the outer ears for a few seconds to work the solution in. Your ESS will likely shake its head vigorously, which is typical; then use cotton balls to wipe out any excess liquid.

Though an English Springer Spaniel haircut isn't required, a majority of owners give their English Springer Spaniel a cut (or at least a trim) from time to time to keep the dog's coat from looking too unkempt, and to keep it from getting too matted and tangled. Others choose to have their Springer Spaniel shaved to reduce the upkeep on the coat. And those who show their Springers usually opt for a Show Cut--which takes a great deal of work.

Here's more detailed info on these three English Springer Spaniel grooming styles:

• Natural Cut: This Springer Spaniel grooming cut isn't really a "cut" at all. Owners let their Springers' coat grow in their natural states--but many do use scissors to trim the feathering on the legs, ears, underbelly, and tail from time to time, to keep those areas from getting out of control. Note that leaving your Springer's coat au naturel will require brushing it at least twice per week to help minimize the occurrence of mats and tangles.
• Shaved: This Springer Spaniel breed cut sees the entire coat clipped short (usually to an inch or two). This does reduce the need for brushing--but many groomers advise against clipping a Springer Spaniel. While some people think a clipped Springer Spaniel will shed less, that's not really case; the shed hairs come from the undercoat, which still remains even when the coat is shaved short. A clipped Springer will also be more susceptible to sunburn. Those who do choose to clip their Springers can learn how to shave a Springer Spaniel themselves, but most rely on professional groomers.
• Show Cut: The Springer Spaniel Show Cut is very time-consuming, both for the cut itself and in its upkeep. This cut has the hair on the face, neck, and ears trimmed short; the feathering on the chest, legs, and underbelly is left a bit longer, but that hair is precisely blended; and the hair on the back and torso is thinned to make it lie flat. This style is very specific, requires attention to detail, and will need special attention in between cuts (such as designed ways of drying the coat after baths). Will definitely need to be done by a professional.

Besides its coat, an English Springer Spaniel will also need regular maintenance in these areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Springer Spaniel teeth need regular brushing to reduce plaque and tartar, and to help minimize that Springer Spaniel bad breath! Use a regular toothbrush to brush your Springer's teeth 2-3 times per week--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Nails: If your Springer's nails click when the dog walks or runs on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use regular nail clippers to cut the nails as close to the dog's toes as possible. Be careful not to cut into the nail's "quick" (the blood vessel running through the nail), as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful. Creative-minded owners can leave the nails a bit longer--and add some fancy Springer Spaniel nail art!
• Paw Pads: Your Springer's paw pads can become dry and cracked, especially if the dog walks or runs a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply commercial paw pad moisturizer (available at pet stores) to the pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.