Do Cocker Spaniels Shed? (Find Out Now!)

Cocker Spaniels are beautiful, majestic dogs with gorgeous, flowing coats. They’re lovely to look at and great to have around the household.

While many people focus on looks and personality, many forget about the shedding factor. However, do Cocker Spaniels even shed?

Cocker Spaniels are in the category of ‘moderate shedders.’ They lose the same amount of hair as a King Charles Cavalier, which is why it’s crucial that you stay up on grooming.

Frequently grooming them will help pull the extra hairs off to prevent matting and other unwanted coat conditions.

In this article, we’ll talk about the shedding habits of the elegant Cocker Spaniel so you can get a feel for what their coat maintenance looks like.

This is especially helpful if you have one of these breeds in your home or are thinking about adopting one.

Cocker Spaniel Shedding

It’s always good to know what to expect when you’re getting a new dog. Therefore, we’ll share with you a bit about the shedding cycle of a Cocker Spaniel.

Moderate Shedding

To give you an idea, Cocker Spaniels lose around the same bit of hair as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and an English Springer Spaniel.

So, if you do not keep up with your combing, you’ll see some hair around the household. For several weeks or so, you may notice an increase in shedding during weather fluctuations, such as spring and fall.

But there’s nothing too outlandish. When compared to significant shedders like a Saint Bernard or Labrador Retriever, it’s clear that they don’t shed nearly as much.

They do, however, molt much more low-shedding breeds like the Irish Water Spaniel. The Cocker Spaniel is not the puppy for you if you’re searching for a dog that’s as near to “non-shedding” as you can get.

Grooming Your Cocker Spaniel

Cockers are a high-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. They need to be groomed on a regular basis and thoroughly.

The length of their coat, particularly the feathery parts, is the primary reason behind this. These are susceptible to mats, tangles, and kinks, which must be eliminated because they can bring your dog discomfort and pain.

It also is due to their enormous, sensitive ears, which you must brush with caution, as well as the fact that the coat requires regular clipping in some areas to keep it at an acceptable length.

The amount of effort and time you put into trimming services, as well as the sum of funds you spend, is determined by just how particular you are about the coat’s luster or whether or not you trim him yourself.

Groom Your Spaniel Weekly

To make things easier, most owners get their puppy’s coat professionally cut every month or two. Because you can reduce expenses by combing to avoid matting and knots, this is common for the owners to brush daily.

As a result, this is a time-saving solution. Please remember that grooming your Cocker Spaniel isn’t inexpensive; it’ll likely set you back hundreds of dollars annually.

Cockers, in any case, require brushing just a few times per week, if not every day, to keep their coat in good condition and reduce shedding.

If you choose to wash him on your own, please remember that you should only use a high-quality dog shampoo that won’t dry out or upset his skin.

What Brush Should I Use On My Cocker Spaniel?

A steel comb is arguably the best tool to use because it is highly effective at helping you brush out any matting and knots gently over the coat.

We frequently follow up with a slick brush, which effectively removes stray hair and completes the process.

You can also use a de-shedding tool to simplify things to remove the old hair throughout the shedding season, although this is elective. If you choose this particular brush, don’t use it too often because it can irritate their skin.

Cocker Spaniel Coat

Cocker Spaniels have a double coat, meaning they have two layers of hair rather than just one – an outer coat and a protective coating.

Around the skull, the outer coat is short and thin, whereas the entire body has a lengthier coat, especially around their chests and undersides, as well as their ears. The coat has a smooth texture and is relatively flat and wavy, with a wide range of colors.

The undercoat is light and thick, and it keeps Cockers from becoming too chilly by insulating them. This is good for sports dogs like the Cocker Spaniel, but it can result in more shedding and grooming labor.

However, the type of coat a Cocker Spaniel has will vary depending on which one you choose because the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel are two distinct breeds.

Dog Hair vs. Fur

There’s a lot of discussion in the animal world as to whether or not there was a distinction between hairs and fur. When you examine “hair” and “fur” under magnification, you will notice that they are both formed of the same protein, keratin.

Some specialists, though, believe that “hair” is distinct in that it takes longer to develop. Or, to put it another way, it has a lengthier growth phase.

It’s something that is commonly connected with canines who shed less. And that’s why many dog owners will proudly state that their dogs do not shed since “they possess hair.”

What’s The Difference Between English And American Cockers?

Until the 1940s, they were considered the very same type; therefore, both had a lot in common. There was some misconception because the American Cocker Spaniel is vaguely alluded to as a “Cocker Spaniel” in the United States. There are, nevertheless, some differences.

The English, for instance, are taller than the Americans, who are slightly bigger and have a more rounded skull. In addition, the American’s coat has much more hair altogether, and the mane is longer and more feathery.

Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic?

Cocker Spaniels aren’t thought to be a hypoallergenic type of dog. As a result, if you’re seeking a puppy that won’t aggravate your allergies, the Cocker is perhaps not the ideal option.

However, no animal, including bald varieties, is ever totally hypoallergenic. It’s only that some are thought to be better suited to allergy sufferers than others primarily because they do not even generate a lot of dander and don’t shed much.

How Do You Reduce Shedding In Cocker Spaniels?

The best approach to minimizing your Cocker Spaniel’s shedding is to ensure that his nutrition is ideal, and your vet should be prepared to help you with and wash him regularly and thoroughly.

Here are a couple of other things to take into consideration as well:

• Help him to maintain a healthy diet. Diet is critical since it can assist your dog in maintaining his health. As a result, the risk of increased shedding induced by inadequate nutrition can be reduced. At the same time, assist him in improving his coat. A healthy coat can also contribute to better hair follicles, which can result in less shedding.
• Be sure to brush your Cocker daily. Brushing also helps because when you brush, you are spreading the natural oils of the skin, which can improve the condition of the coat. And, of course, brushing removes the old, dead hairs before they have a chance to fall off and onto your floors, furniture, and upholstery.

These two factors (a healthy diet and frequent brushing) can significantly impact how much he sheds and how much time you put into vacuuming. And they’re pretty straightforward. It’s simply a matter of sticking to a regular schedule.

How Do I Stop My Cocker Spaniel From Shedding?

There’s no natural way to stop the shedding process of any dog, and even if there was, you shouldn’t do that. Dogs shed as a way for their bodies to maintain themselves.

As long as you keep up with the grooming process and keep their coat nice and trimmed, you should have no issues.

You can always encourage them to sleep on their dog bed or hang out on their little doggie sofa until the process is through during their shedding cycles. That way, the mess is in a concentrated area, and you won’t need to run around your house trying to clean it all up.

Excessive Shedding

One thing you will need to pay attention to is the amount that your Cocker Spaniel sheds and the volume. There is such a thing as shedding too much, which can be the result of an underlying health condition or another condition you may or may not be aware of.

For example, thyroid issues, cancer, skin fungus, infections, and fleas can all cause your Cocker Spaniel, or any dog for that matter, to shed an excessive amount.

If you think your Spaniel is shedding too much, then it’s a good idea to book a vet appointment to get a workup done.

Also, don’t give them any supplements for excessive shedding without talking to your veterinarian first. You don’t want to mask a potentially serious problem.