Drying coats for cocker and springer spaniels

A good drying coat for a spaniel covers the chest and belly, where the feathering soaks up water, and goes on fast at the car. Size by weight first: cockers often sit near the boundary between our S (7–14 kg) and M (14–24 kg), and springers are usually larger. Measure, and if in doubt, go up.

Why do spaniels come home so wet?

Spaniels are gundogs, and given the chance most head straight for water, wet grass and undergrowth. Their coats collect the evidence. The Royal Kennel Club breed standard describes the cocker's coat as flat and silky with well-feathered forelegs, body and hindlegs, and the English springer's as close, straight and weather resisting, with moderate feathering on the ears, forelegs, body and hindquarters.

That feathering is what holds the water and mud: the long hair on the legs, chest, belly and ears acts like a sponge. Add low-slung ears that trail through puddles, and you have a dog that drips long after the walk ends.

What size drying coat does a cocker or springer need?

Our robe is sized by weight:

Size Dog's weight
XS 4–7 kg
S 7–14 kg
M 14–24 kg
L 24–35 kg
XL 35–45 kg

Cocker spaniels

The Royal Kennel Club breed standard gives a cocker spaniel's weight as approximately 13–14.5 kg, which sits right on the line between our S and M. The standard also says it is a guide to the ideal, and that an individual dog may be larger or smaller. Individual cockers vary, so don't rely on the breed name: weigh your dog.

If your cocker is close to 14 kg, measure the back and chest and check them against our size guide. If your dog falls between sizes, go up. A slightly roomy robe still dries well; a tight one is hard to pull over a wet head and won't wrap the chest properly.

Springer spaniels

Springers are bigger. The breed standard gives an approximate height of 51 cm but no weight, and springers vary a lot in build. Weigh yours and use the table; then measure back length (base of the neck to base of the tail) and chest (round the widest part, just behind the front legs). If the numbers point to two sizes, choose the larger.

Still unsure? Email support@rainhound.com with your dog's breed, weight and measurements and we'll suggest a size. Our full drying robe size guide explains measuring step by step.

How to deal with wet ears and feathers

Ears

Spaniel ears pick up water, mud and seeds. At the car, squeeze each ear gently in a towel from the base to the tip rather than rubbing. At home, check inside the ear flap. The PDSA notes that hairy ears are often very warm and moist, "a perfect environment for bacteria and yeasts", and suggests that if your dog gets ear infections after swimming, cleaning and drying the ears afterwards may help.

The PDSA also advises never using cotton buds in a dog's ears. If you see head shaking, scratching or rubbing at the ears, redness, swelling, heat or a smelly discharge, contact your vet for an appointment as soon as possible.

Leg and belly feathering

Squeeze the feathering on the legs and belly in a towel, working down the hair. Scrubbing tangles long hair. Once your dog is dry, brush the feathering through to lift out dried mud and catch knots early. Blue Cross says long or rough coats need much more regular grooming than smooth ones, often a daily brush, and the Royal Kennel Club's breed profile lists the cocker as needing grooming every day.

A post-walk routine for spaniels

  1. Let your dog shake off before getting in the car.
  2. Squeeze water from the ears and leg feathering with a towel.
  3. Towel the paws and between the toes, where mud collects.
  4. Put on the drying robe so it covers the back, chest and belly for the journey.
  5. Make sure your dog is safely restrained in the car with a seat belt harness, crate or dog guard.
  6. At home, take the robe off and check whether the feathering is still damp. Finish with a dry towel, or a hair dryer on a low heat setting if your dog is relaxed about it.
  7. Check the ears, then brush through once dry.

For the full routine with more detail on each step, see how to dry a wet dog after a walk, and for when a towel is enough on its own, read drying robe vs towel.

Questions owners ask

What size drying robe does a cocker spaniel need?

Many cockers sit around the S/M boundary, since the breed standard weight is about 13–14.5 kg. Weigh your dog, measure back and chest, and if they fall between sizes, go up to M.

What size for a springer spaniel?

Weigh your dog and use the size table; springers vary in build, so check back and chest against the size guide too. Between sizes, go up.

Will a drying robe dry my spaniel's ears?

No. Our robe covers the back, chest, belly and upper legs. Dry the ears separately with a towel, and check them once you get home.

Does a robe stop the feathering getting matted?

It helps by drying the coat without rubbing, but long feathering still needs brushing once dry. Regular grooming is what prevents mats.

What we make for this

The Rainhound Drying Robe (£39.99) pulls over the head with no buckles, which helps when a spaniel is wet and wriggling at the car. It covers the back, chest, belly and upper legs, has a waterproof backing for the car, and a reflective inner layer designed to hold in your dog's own body heat. Machine wash at 30°C and hang to dry. Delivery in the UK is free.

Spaniels shed onto car seats and robes alike. Our hair removal glove (£14.99) lifts loose hair off seats and fabrics and rinses clean. Blue Cross says grooming mitts aren't recommended for medium to long-haired coats, so use a brush suited to the feathering itself.

Sources

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