How Much Do Cocker Spaniels Shed? Facts & Care Tips

If you’ve never had a Cocker Spaniel, you might look at their beautiful locks and think that their coat requires extensive grooming. Cocker Spaniels are considered moderate shedders, so you won’t have to deal with as much fur on your furniture as you might have thought. However, these dogs do require regular grooming sessions to avoid tangling or matting. To keep your pet's coat healthy, regular brushing is recommended, often several times per week depending on coat length and condition, which can be time-consuming. Here, we discuss everything that you need to know about a Cocker Spaniel’s fur.

Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?

Cocker Spaniels do shed. They might not shed as much as a Golden Retriever, for example, but in relation to their size, they are considered to shed moderately. The good thing is that regular brushing helps remove loose hair and can reduce the amount of hair you notice in the environment, so it’s in your interest to keep up with their grooming routine.

As with most dogs, Cocker Spaniels have “shedding seasons,” which means there are certain times of the year when you will notice more fur around the house. They also have delicate coats, so more work is involved in keeping them healthy.

When Is “Shedding Season?”

Cocker Spaniels have a coat that may be single or double, depending on breeding lines (for example, American vs. English types), and they tend to shed more noticeably during spring and autumn due to normal hair growth cycles influenced by daylight length. This isn’t something isolated only to this breed, however. In spring, many dogs shed their denser undercoat as daylight increases and temperatures rise, and they then may shed again in autumn as coat growth adjusts for cooler conditions, in preparation for the cold winter. This means you have to groom them more often during these times.

How to Care for a Cocker Spaniel’s Coat

There are many ways to care for your Cocker Spaniel’s coat to help manage loose hair and maintain coat and skin health.

• Establish a routine: Setting up a grooming routine will ensure that your dog gets used to being groomed, making it much less stressful for you and them. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and reduce matting.
• Use the correct brush/comb: Pick a dog-friendly comb made of metal with medium spacing between the teeth. If you encounter a knot when brushing your dog, pick it apart slowly so you don't hurt them. A slicker brush is gentle on sensitive areas like their ears, where their fur is particularly thick, and the skin tends to be thin at the edges.
• Pick the right products: Purchase vet-recommended products for bath time, as these are gentler on a dog's coat and skin.
• Provide a nutritionally balanced diet: The condition of your Cocker Spaniel’s fur reflects overall health and nutritional status. Feeding a complete and balanced diet supports normal skin barrier function and hair growth.
• Ensure that water is readily available: Dehydration can cause the skin and fur to become dry and less resilient. Severe dehydration may contribute to poor skin elasticity and coat quality. Their skin will crack, and their hair will not be healthy-looking. Ensure that your dog drinks enough, and contact a vet if you are ever worried.

Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, some dogs may shed less hair or release fewer allergens into the environment, which can make them more tolerable for some individuals with allergies, although this varies between people and individual dogs. Unfortunately, the Cocker Spaniel is not one of those breeds.

If you suffer from allergies, that doesn’t always mean you can’t get a Cocker Spaniel, though. While you cannot fully control allergen exposure through grooming alone, regular grooming may help reduce loose hair and surface dander in the environment, and there are medications that you can take to control your symptoms. However, this issue is sometimes easier to manage if you pick a dog that is considered hypoallergenic. There is a spaniel with a coat type that tends to shed less and may release fewer allergens for some people: the Irish Water Spaniel. This large canine requires lots of daily exercise and has a thick, curly coat like that of a Poodle.

Conclusion

If you’re here because you’re thinking of getting a Cocker Spaniel, we can certainly see why: They’re a happy, playful, patient dog that can make an excellent addition to any family they join.

Cocker Spaniels are considered moderate shedders. While they are not the most high-maintenance animals regarding their grooming needs, their coats require significant care and attention, which is sometimes more than some owners can handle. However, regular coat care helps remove loose hair, helping reduce the amount that ends up on your furniture and belongings.

Featured Image Credit: MT.PHOTOSTOCK, Shutterstock