Out of most breeds of dogs, the Cocker Spaniel has some of the most luscious hair you’ll ever see. But does this breed shed? There are many reasons to ask this question, and whether you have an allergy or want to be prepared for certain grooming and cleaning rituals, it’s a good thing to know. So, do Cocker Spaniels shed hair?
In this guide, we’ve given you all the information you need about the Cocker Spaniel’s shedding habits, as well as some advice on how best to keep on top of it.
To be best prepared for owning a Cocker, it’s best to understand just how much they shed.
Cocker Spaniels do shed their hair lightly to moderately. They require regular care to keep their coats healthy and to reduce the amount of shedding. A thorough brushing and combing once a week and a monthly trim is the best way to regulate hair fall.
Fortunately, they only shed an average amount for most dogs. But are there times when Cocker spaniel shedding is more frequent?
Generally, Cocker Spaniels are a moderately shedding breed, and they lose more hair in the spring and autumn as they shed their coats to prepare for the changing of the seasons.
The amount of shedding Cocker Spaniel experiences depends partially on whether it is an American Cocker Spaniel or an English Cocker Spaniel.
English Cocker Spaniels have shorter coats and tend to shed slightly less, while American Cocker Spaniels have longer coats and usually shed a bit more.
A Cocker Spaniel puppy will shed the most between the ages of 8 and 12 months old. This is when they start to lose their puppy coat and begin growing the coat that they will have as an adult.
However, your puppy shouldn’t shed excessively during this period and won’t leave a huge amount of dog hair around your home. After this period, your dog’s coat will no longer be fluffy and will have the texture and characteristic appearance of an adult coat.
Many pet parents make the mistake of thinking that their Cocker Spaniel has a double coat because it typically has more than one texture. However, this dog breed actually has a single coat that is either flat, slightly wavy or silky.
Some dog breeds have coats that are made up of fur, which usually tends to be dense and short than hair, and has a coarser feel to it. The Cocker Spaniel’s coat is made up of hair which is usually much more smooth and fine.
The fact that Cocker Spaniels have hair doesn’t mean they are more likely to shed than breeds with fur, as the amount that dogs shed is not affected by this.
So your Cocker Spaniel shedding is inevitable, but there are a few things you can do to minimise the amount your pooch sheds.
Aspects owners should pay attention to that help to minimise the amount Cocker Spaniels shed are ensuring dogs receive proper nutrition and use dietary supplements when necessary, regular grooming and maintaining their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Continue reading for in-depth tips to minimise shedding:
Making sure your Cocker Spaniel has a well-balanced and nutritious diet is one of the best ways to keep their coat nice and healthy, and it will also help to reduce shedding.
If you can, feed them dog food that contains Omega 3, as this will keep your dog’s skin from becoming dry and will nourish your dog’s hair.
Many Cocker Spaniels need regular brushing using a slicker brush. This should prevent their coats from becoming tangled and matted. It also prevents excessive hair shedding by removing loose hair.
Cockers require more frequent grooming during the spring and autumn as they shed more heavily as part of the normal Cocker Spaniel shedding cycle.
Bathe them roughly once a month with dog shampoo to help them maintain healthy skin and to remove any loose hair and dead skin cells that have become matted into their coat.
One of the best dietary supplements you can give to your dog to help maintain its coat is fish oil. This will promote the production of natural oils in its skin and should help to reduce shedding.
Keeping your dog happy and giving it lots of exercise is a great way to prevent it from shedding excessively. If it is anxious or stressed, your dog’s body may react by shedding loose hairs, so be sure to take them on lots of walks.
While there is no dog that is truly hypoallergenic, both the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel are not hypoallergenic dogs due to the amount of hair they shed. Cocker Spaniels leave a considerable amount of hair and dander around the home. For anyone who suffers from allergies, this will likely trigger allergic reactions.
Taking your Cocker Spaniel to a professional dog groomer is a good way to keep their coat well-maintained and should mean they shed less hair and dander. Still, unfortunately, they will never be considered a hypoallergenic breed.
Regardless of which type of Cocker Spaniel you own, they shouldn’t be shedding an excessive amount of hair. Caring for their coat doesn’t require too much time and effort, and with the right amount of grooming, a good diet and lots of exercise, shedding really shouldn’t be a problem for your fluffy friend.
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