Do Cocker Spaniels Shed a Lot? Breed Types & Grooming Tips
By Adam Mann
Updated on
When you get a dog, you need to be ready for some amount of dog hair to take over your home. But with a Cocker Spaniel, you shouldn’t expect your home to turn into a forest of never-ending fur.
Cocker Spaniels are moderate shedders, meaning you’ll have no shortage of dog hair cropping up all over your home, but you’re not going to end up with a second small dog when you sweep up, either!
The Two Types of Cocker Spaniels
If you’re trying to figure out how much your Cocker Spaniel will shed, the first question you need to answer is what type of Cocker Spaniel you have. There are two different types of Cocker Spaniels out there, and since they have extremely different coats, you need to know which one you have when you’re trying to figure out how much they shed.
American Cocker Spaniels
The American Cocker Spaniel has a longer coat than the English Cocker Spaniel, and as such, you’re more likely to notice their hair around your home. But the truth is that they don’t shed any more than an English Cocker Spaniel with the proper care.
However, getting to the thinner undercoat of an American Cocker Spaniel to thin it out before it sheds can be a bit more challenging, and as such you really should bathe them a bit more.
English Cocker Spaniels
English Cocker Spaniels have shorter coats than the American Cocker Spaniel, and because of this, it’s not always quite as noticeable how much they shed. However, because the smaller hairs are easier to stir up and harder to track down, an English Cocker Spaniel might be a little harsher on people with pet allergies.
Neither Cocker Spaniel is hypoallergenic, though, so don’t think you’re getting a dog that’s great for allergies just because you’re getting one.
Tips to Control Cocker Spaniel Shedding
While you’ll never be able to stop your Cocker Spaniel from shedding completely, there are some things you can do to help reduce the amount your Cocker Spaniel sheds. Below, we’ve highlighted some general tips you should follow to keep your Cocker Spaniels shedding in check.
Consistently Brush Them
This is by far the most important thing you can do to help control how much your Cocker Spaniel sheds. You should brush them out at least once a day for about 10 to 15 minutes. Not only will this help remove the excess hair your Cocker Spaniel has before they can shed it, but it will also keep it from matting up.
Feed Them a High-Quality Diet
If your Cocker Spaniel is shedding more than they should, you need to take a look at their diet. A low-quality diet will lead to less-than-ideal hair quality and growth, increasing the likelihood of them shedding more.
A higher-quality diet means each hair will last longer and stay healthier, reducing the overall amount they shed.
Bathe Them Regularly
Bathing your Cocker Spaniel is another great way to remove hairs before they have a chance to shed all over your home. You don’t want to bathe them too much, as it can strip away beneficial oils and nutrients from their skin, but a bath about once a month will help quite a bit.
When bathing your pet, ensure you only use a high-quality pet shampoo to help them maintain a healthy coat and nourished skin.
Use Supplements
There are various supplements you can feed your Cocker Spaniel to help ensure they have a healthy coat, but fatty acid supplements are some of the best options. These supplements ensure your Cocker Spaniel is getting all the nutrients they need for a healthy and robust coat.
Final Thoughts
Just because a Cocker Spaniel will shed some doesn’t mean you need to accept a house overrun with dog hair. They’re moderate shedders overall, but if you follow the tips we’ve highlighted above, you can get their shedding under control and breathe a bit easier.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
