A cocker spaniel’s coat coupled with its sweet, playful temperament is one of their most endearing qualities. They also make great family dogs, especially when one has little ones. This is why they are one of the most common dog breeds in the UK.
If you are thinking of getting a cocker spaniel puppy, one of the questions on your mind must be, do cocker spaniels shed? The reason you are asking yourself this question might be that trying to avoid a house full of dog hair or you are allergic to pet dander. Whatever the reason, we are here to set everything straight.
Do cocker spaniels shed, and how much do they shed?
Cocker spaniels have two hair coats. An undercoat and an outer coat. As for shedding, cocker spaniels are moderate shedders in comparison to some other dog breeds. It is, however, important to note that shedding is specific to each dog, and some cocker spaniels might shed more than others.
Some dog owners have argued that darker-coloured cocker spaniels shed more than bright-coloured ones. This is, however, debatable as some people have argued that the reason dark-coloured cockers spaniels seem to shed more is because their dark hairs can easily be seen around the house.
Shedding could also be influenced by a dog’s genes and if the puppy’s dog family shed a lot, the puppy might shed more as well.
Overall, cocker spaniels are low or moderate shedding dog breeds.
When do cocker spaniels shed?
Cocker spaniels shed moderately all year round. They will shed more around spring and autumn as the seasons change. When summer is around the corner, cocker spaniels, like any other dog breed will shed some of their hair to ensure they don’t overheat during warmer weathers.
Around autumn-time, a cocker spaniel will shed their summer coat to grow thicker a coat for the winter to keep themselves warm.
Are cocker spaniels hypoallergenic?
The short answer is no. Hypoallergenic dogs are dog breeds thought to shed the least amount of hair and skin. As a result, these dog breeds produce the least amount of dander. Pet dander is an allergen that affects people with dog allergies.
This article where we compared some of the best Air Purifiers might help
In actual fact, every dog sheds to some extent, the only thing you can do as an allergic dog lover, is getting a dog that sheds the least.
As we have seen, cockers are a moderate shedding breed. Unfortunately, they are not a hypoallergenic dog breed.
How do you reduce a cocker spaniel’s shedding?
No one enjoys having pet hair all over the house. This is why you want to keep your cocker spaniel’s shedding as minimal as possible. This is how.
Regulary grooming cocker spaniels can help reduce shredding
A cocker spaniels coat is grooming intensive. Every one and a half months, you will need to take them to a groomer for a haircut or do it at home if you plan to clip their hair at home. Grooming a cocker spaniel’s coat ensures that their coat remains healthy and silky.
You can learn more about how often cocker spaniels should be groomed in this guide here
Check out this review of the best hair clippers for cocker spaniels
In between the haircuts, you will need to brush their hair every 2 or 3 days. Brushing their coat gets rid of any loose hair so that they don’t go leaving it everywhere in the house. Brushing also keeps your cocker’s coat healthy and mat-free.
Bathing cocker spaniels can also help keep them clean and remove any loose hair
To keep your cocker spaniels coat in great condition, invest in a good quality dog shampoo. This will keep their hair healthy and also help to avoid breakages and shedding. Also, when you bathe them, ensure you rinse out the shampoo thoroughly. Failing to do this may leave your cocker with irritated skin.
Diet
Diet is also important if you want to keep your pup’s coat healthy. If they lack vital nutrients in their diet, it might manifest in them shedding more hair than they usually would.
If you notice your cocker spaniel shedding more than they usually do, you might want to have a vet look at their diet, to make sure that you are not missing any vital nutrients in their diet.
Also consider an automatic pet feeder to control how much they they get
Over shedding might also be a symptom of something more serious. If you think you have ticked off everything and your cocker is still shedding more frequently than they usually do, have a vet look at them to make sure everything is okay.
Read next: Do cocker spaniels smell and some common reasons
In conclusion,
Cocker spaniels shed and they are moderate shedders. They are also a grooming intensive dog breed, but if you don’t want to have a house littered with dog hair, you will need to stay on top of their grooming. This means taking them to a groomer every 6 weeks and brushing their hair every 2 to 3 days to get rid of any loose hairs. Regular brushing also keeps a cocker spaniel’s coat tangle and mat-free. If you notice that your cocker is shedding more than usual, make sure they are not missing something in their diet. You might also want to have a vet look at them to make sure it’s not a symptom of something serious.
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