Help with ESS trimming?

[Mirg]

Im stuck. I dont know if i should trim off the springers' coats or not. They obviously need some kind of trimming done because i took them in the car to the bank really quick (just about 4 blocks away), and by the time we got home they were panting their brains out. This would usually be normal, but, the windows were all the way open and its ONLY spring! The problem is, i dont want to accidentally make them look horrible!

I know im going to keep at least their ear-feathering. I trimmed off A.j.'s ear-feathering once and he looked very... strange.. Accually, i think it just kind of made him look like a pup agian, but i didnt like it. I want to keep some of A.j.'s chest-fluff, too. He wouldnt be the same without his fluff.

Its mainly the back-region im nervous about. Im not sure why, but is there anything i should watch out for? Also, just any tips for ESS trimming? Ive done a lot of trimming before, but before i do the big stuff, i want to know everything i can about it.

[SpringerLover]

I just did my guys (two day process... hah) but I didn't take pictures...

The most important tool to have is a Mars (or pet edge brand) stripper. They are AMAZING and worth their weight in GOLD! Strips out the undercoat SO nicely.

Spring/summer/non show grooming I use my clippers to shave between pads and up to vestige pad, and also shave the whole hock. Then I shave part of the upper ear, whiskers, and the underside of the tail.

I use a comb and thinning shears to trim their jackets (back fur) and also use a comb (1/8") on top of my #10 blade with my clippers for the outside of their rear legs.

I can take pix this weekend if you want but...

I LOVE grooming and they look pretty good. I doubt your dogs have as much fur as mine, due to their breeding, but I still couldn't LIVE without my Mars!

[Mirg]

It sounds like we do pretty much the same clipping, except i dont have a stripper, yet. I trim the tops of the ears, between the pads on the feet, all along the hocks on the back legs, all up the back of the front legs (because of the pokeys in the weeds when i go hunting), under the tail, and the whiskers. I also usually take some scissors and trim the hair away from the inside of their ears because it seems to bother them if i dont.

Its funny when i forget to trim their tails, though. They get some things that i call their tails'-tails. Its like a little strand of hair sticking off the end of their tails, and when they wag their tails it dances around. Ill have to get a picture/video of my springers' tails'-tails before i trim it off this time.

Haha, of course im always up for pics, but i dont have to see any, i know what you mean.

Yeah, since my pups are mostly feild-type, they have less of a coat as most springers (thankfully).

That Mars stripper sounds like exactly what i need! Since its mostly the under coat that is making the dogs hot, it would be good to get that out. I cant wait to get it, now! I will see how much they cost over the internet, i dont want to spend too much money until my girls (Simetra and Kittiwi) are spayed.

Thank you!

[SpringerLover]

I think mine was $13 online but it was in a larger order so I didn't have to pay shipping or the processing fee.

And if you just brush them really good, it'll have pretty much the same effect, just take longer.

I still need new scissors... hah, mine are BAAADD!

[Mirg]

Oh, ok, that doesnt sound too bad of a price, but it depends how much my paychecks will be.

For now i will just brush them more. I have been brushing them every day, but only for about 15 minutes. On one of my less-busy days ill have to give them a complete grooming agian, with a bath, some clipping, and hours of brushing. Hopefully that will do it!

Lol, yeah, im going to have to get some new scissors, too. Mine are pretty good, i have 2 that are exactly the same, but im the only one in my family that accually keeps track of my stuff, so they come in and use them for paper and cardboard. I need to get some accual dog scissors, mine are just normal scissors. But, then ill have to lock it up in a special place or something.

Anyway, thanks agian for the tips, they really helped!!

[SpringerLover]

Forgot... bathing with warm water and scrubbing with a brush while you bathe will help to release the under coat too...

[Mirg]

Ooh, ok, thanks!

Oh, i forgot! I do have a bath brush, too! Its like a rubber mit with little grippy things that get under the coat. Ill have to remember to use that!