Do Cocker Spaniels Shed or Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips for Owners!
Cocker Spaniels are famous for their beautiful silky coats, but, they shed and shedding in Cocker Spaniels can vary depending on the type—such as Show or Working Cocker Spaniel. Both types have different coats and traits, so their shedding patterns may differ too.
For dogs with long hair coats such as Cocker Spaniels, shedding is normal. However, not every single breed sheds, it depends on some factors like—breed, season, activity level, and coat type. To a certain extent, the color of a Cocker Spaniel’s coat can influence how much they shed. While some breeds barely shed or are naturally hairless, most dogs shed to replace old or damaged fur with new ones.
In this journey, I assure you an explanation of must-know things about Cocker Spaniel shedding—what’s normal and when it might signal something more serious.
So—Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?
Yes, both Show Cocker and Working Cocker Spaniels shed their fur throughout the year—in moderation. Show Cocker Spaniels tend to shed more during the spring and autumn seasons since they have double coats and dogs with double coats naturally lose their undercoat to be ready for changing weather.
In spring, they shed their thick, warm fur to get ready for hot weather ahead. In fall, they lose their thin fur and grow thick fur again to stay warm in winter. Since they are moderate shedders—they won’t cover every surface of your home with fur. Daily maintenance and grooming should be must-do to make sure their hair doesn’t get knotted.
Do Cocker Spaniels Shed a Lot?
Generally, Cocker Spaniels are moderate sheders but they shed a lot in spring and autumn—not as much as other shedding breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Pekingese do. Despite they shed more in these special seasons, it can be manageable with regular brushing.
During these shedding seasons, which usually last about 2-4 weeks each, you are likely to brush your Cocker Spaniel daily and probably vacuum more than you used before. But this is part of their natural cycle so it’s just for a little while.
Not all the Cocker Spaniels shed in the same patterns; there are many factors influencing this. A cocker spaniel with health issues—skin problems, allergies, or hormonal imbalances is likely to shed more than a healthy ones.
Coat Type of Cocker Spaniels
There are some different breeds of Cocker Spaniels and their coat type differs from type to type. The most famous and adopted are American Cocker and English Cocker Spaniels. We are talking about English Cocker Spaniels here which have two different types—Show Cocker Spaniel and Working Cocker Spaniel.
Both Show Cocker and Working Cocker have a double coat or two layers of hair—one at the bottom and another on the upper side. Since Show Cockers are for show purposes, they have long hairs with more feathering on their bodies—longer on the hindquarters, legs, ears, and around the belly. Thus, they tend to shed more than Working Cockers.
Working Cockers are for hunting or flushing game birds, so they have strong muscles and bodies—built for speed. Since they’re for work, they have shorter hairs on their bodies, cropped fur, and curly hairs on their ears. Yet, they do shed their fur but less than Show Cockers.
The bottom layer of Cocker Spaniels’ coat helps them protect their skin from the environment and provides insulation to regulate body temperature.
Factors Affecting Shedding
Not every Cocker Spaniel sheds in the same way and the same amount, some factors influence how much your Cocker Spaniel sheds. Once you understand the factors, you can then better manage their coat.
Season:
I have already discussed the first factor, Cocker Spaniels have two heavy shedding seasons per year—spring and fall. In spring, they shed their thick, warm fur to get ready for hot weather ahead. In fall, they lose their thin fur and grow thick fur again to stay warm in winter.
Health:
Health is wealth, for your Cocker Spaniel too. A dog’s overall health significantly impacts the amount it sheds. An unhealthy Cocker Spaniel sheds more than a healthy one. Skin conditions, allergies, and even stress can let them shed more. Hypothyroidism, a common condition in Cocker Spaniels, can cause excessive shedding and a dull coat. That’s why regular check-ups are necessary.
Stress:
Separation anxiety is already common in Cocker Spaniels, they bark and shed more when they’re stressed. Changes in routine, moving to a new home, or even loud noises can stress out your Cocker Spaniel and increase shedding. So please let them stay calm.
Grooming:
While grooming itself doesn’t cause shedding, your grooming routine (or lack thereof) can affect how much loose hair ends up around your home. Regular brushing gets rid of loose hair that would have otherwise fallen off—making shedding less conspicuous.
How Can I Manage Cocker Spaniel Shedding?
Do whatever you can, but Cocker Spaniel will shed—more or less is another matter. Managing is the key to helping your Cocker Spaniel not shed a lot. So how’d you manage? Let’s take a look at it.
Training your Cocker Spaniel to stay calm during grooming sessions can make the process much easier.
Regular brushing is the weapon against shedding. I recommend brushing your Cocker Spaniel at least 3-4 times a week, and daily when it’s spring or fall. It’ll help eliminate loose hair before spreading on your sofas. Bathing does the same job, removing loose hair, but don’t overdo it (just once a month), as it can dry out their skin.
Another thing is the right food. Feeding your dog nutritious food with added fatty acids can improve their skin condition and coat appearance. Use de-shedding tools for your Cocker Spaniel in heavy shedding seasons.
Allergies and Cocker Spaniels
If you or your family member has allergies, you might wonder if a Cocker Spaniel is right for you. While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, Cocker Spaniels are not typically considered one of the worst breeds for allergy sufferers.
It’s vital to understand that dog allergies are caused by proteins in their saliva, dead skin cells, and urine, rather than fur alone. So even though Cocker Spaniels aren’t heavy shedders, they might still provoke allergic responses in some individuals.
If allergies are a concern, I recommend interacting with a Cocker Spaniel before adopting one. Doing so will help you assess your compatibility with it. Regular grooming can still do some trick to minimize allergens, but it won’t completely eliminate the risk.
Wrapping Things Up
Cocker Spaniels have beautiful silky coats, yet—they do shed. Not every Cocker sheds in the same pattern, it varies by type of dog—Show and Working Cocker Spaniel and some other factors. Both types have different coats and shedding patterns. Show Cocker sheds more because of their flowing hairs and Working Cocker sheds less due to their tighter fur.
While shedding is a natural process for dogs with long hair like Cocker Spaniels, the amount of shedding depends on factors such as breed, season, health, activity level, and coat type. To control shedding, pet owners should brush often, groom properly, and feed a nutritious diet.
Lastly, I’d advise spending some time with a Cocker Spaniel—perhaps with someone else’s—before bringing one home to know the potential allergic reactions. Good care practices can reduce shedding and maintain a Cocker Spaniel’s coat healthy, beautiful, and glossy.
