Bocker Grooming

The Bocker is a hybrid mix of a Beagle (with a short, stiff, double-layered coat) and a Cocker Spaniel (a longer, thick, wavy coat). These hybrids' coats can be more like either of their parent breeds--but often the coats are somewhere in between: medium in length, thick, and double-layered. The coats usually shed a fair amount (and if double-layered, they'll probably shed more heavily during shedding season.

See below for further details on how to brush a Bocker.

Bocker bathing will generally need to happen every 2-3 months--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is called for. When bathing a Bocker, be sure to use shampoo that's made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and will irritate the dog's skin.

Bocker haircuts aren't required--but if the dog has a longer coat like that of the Cocker Spaniel, one option is to have it clipped shorter to make it lower-maintenance.

In addition to its coat, your Bocker will need regular maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week using a regular toothbrush; clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution; and if your Bocker's nails click on hard surfaces, they need a trim--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Though owners can learn to perform all aspects of Bocker grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Bocker at home.

Your Bocker brush should generally happen 2-3 times per week--and if the dog's coat is double-layered, it'll shed more profusely during the spring (and often fall) shedding seasons; daily brushing is best during these shedding periods. For Bockers with short coats like the Beagle, weekly brushing is fine.

Bockers with longer, Cocker-like coats are best brushed with a pin brush, while the short coats will need a bristle brush or grooming glove. To brush: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle. Then starting at the shoulders, go through the coat section by section with the brush or glove, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, first try separating it with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of a greyhound comb.