Do Cocker Spaniels Shed? Keep Your House Clean!

Wondering if Cocker Spaniels shed? Many Cocker Spaniels will shed, though the amount of hair they lose is minimal. The best way to reduce the amount that they shed is by grooming them frequently. Brushing their fur helps gather loose hair and keep the dog clean while shedding.

do cocker spaniels shed
Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?

Cocker Spaniels are a very popular breed. Their adorable floppy ears and loving personality make them a perfect family dog. However, you might be concerned about the amount of maintenance required.

While most pet parents have no hesitation in bringing home their newest member of the family, some will have hesitations or doubts about the cleanliness of their home with their new furry friend around.

If you want to keep your house clean, you’ll need to consider the amount of hair your dog is shedding and how to reduce it. Let’s look at everything you need to know about Cocker Spaniel shedding.

Related Reading: Best Shampoos for Cocker Spaniels

How Much Cocker Spaniel Shedding Should I Expect?

The amount of shedding that occurs will vary from dog to dog. In general, though, Cocker Spaniels tend to have a medium to a low amount of shedding. The amount of shedding you see can often depend on the type of dog, their age, and their fur colour.

It’s important to note that the amount of shedding to expect will often depend on the type of dog that you have. Some types of Cocker Spaniel will shed more frequently than others.

Often, you’ll need to live with the dog for a while to get an understanding of the amount that they shed.

In some cases, the owners report that they barely notice their dog shedding. In others, there might be a more moderate amount of fur around the house.

As we’ll discuss later, the way that you care for your dog can have a big impact on the amount of fur that they shed. However, there are a few other factors that might play a role.

First, the amount of shedding might depend on their genetics. If you’re purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you might want to ask whether the parents typically shed.

This can give you some insight into the potential shedding of your puppy.

It’s also possible that their shedding rate will be related to hormonal activity. Because of this, the shedding rate might not stay consistent for the rest of their lives.

In some cases, you might notice that they shed a lot when they are younger. But, as they get older, they might not shed as frequently.

Some Cocker Spaniel owners believe that the fur color might influence the amount that it will shed. It’s often believed that darker colors are shed more often.

However, it’s likely that, because of the darker colours, the fur will be more noticeable.

If you suspect that your dog is shedding more frequently than usual, you might want to see a vet. They will be able to examine the dog, to check that the shedding isn’t a symptom of a more serious problem.

Cocker spaniel laying on grass

Do Cocker Spaniel Puppies Shed?

Cocker Spaniel puppies will shed. In some cases, you might notice that the puppies will shed more than an adult dog. This is likely because they are growing rapidly, so they need to grow new hair more often.

Cocker Spaniel puppies will shed their hair. This allows them to prepare for adulthood, as they change their coat to match their rapid development.

Because of this, you might notice that your puppy is shedding more frequently than they do as an adult.

The time that puppies will start to shed their coat can depend on the type of Cocker Spaniel that you have. In general, though, you can expect to start seeing fur around the four to six-month mark.

Thankfully, because they are a double-coated dog, the Cocker Spaniel won’t produce as much hair as other breeds, even if they shed their puppy coats.

Everything You Need To Know About Owning A Cocker Spaniel Puppy

When Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?

Cocker Spaniel shedding activity is focused around the spring when they need to prepare for the coming summer. Activity picks up again in the fall, to get ready for the colder winter months.

Dogs shed most frequently when a change in the weather is approaching. During the spring, they need to get rid of hair, so they won’t overheat in the summer.

When winter is coming, they need to grow more hair, so they can keep warm.

However, the Cocker Spaniel will often still lose a little hair year-round, due to their long double coat. This makes regular grooming a vital activity for owners.

How to Minimize Cocker Spaniel Shedding

There are a few ways that you’ll be able to reduce the amount that your Cocker Spaniel sheds.

First, you’ll need to brush them, to catch any loose hair. You’ll also need to make sure that you are washing them and regularly trimming their coats.

If you have a Cocker Spaniel, you must take care of their grooming needs. This will help them stay happy and healthy. It will also help you reduce the amount of hair that they shed.

There are a few routine activities that you’ll need to complete.

First, you’ll need to make sure that you’re brushing your dog often. This will allow you to catch any loose hair. It’s also a good opportunity to check their physical condition, making sure that they haven’t got any ticks.

It’s recommended that you brush your Cocker Spaniel every one to two days.

It’s also important that you are washing your Cocker Spaniel. This will allow you to get rid of any mud or dirt that might have built up in their coat. Any loose hair will be washed away.

It will also help you make sure that your dog’s coat remains soft. Before bathing them, make sure to brush them.

This will allow you to get rid of any tangles in your dog’s fur. You should be aiming to bathe them once a week.

Finally, you might want to clip their coat. This is an optional step, as some owners will prefer the long hair of the Cocker Spaniel. If this is the case, you’ll need to brush and bathe them more frequently, to keep their fur clean.

You may want to consider getting some dog-specific shampoo, some dog clippers, and even a dog dryer. These can make at home grooming a breeze and will end up saving a lot of money spent on professional grooming.

If you want to ease the maintenance, you might want to clip their fur. If it’s a little short, it will be easier to brush and you won’t need to brush them as often.

If you aren’t confident clipping the dog yourself, you can hire a professional to help you out. It should be noted that some Cocker Spaniels will bark or howl when they are getting clipped or brushed.

This is a normal response, so don’t be afraid that you’re hurting them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cocker Spaniels hypoallergenic?

While they tend to have a low to moderate amount of shedding, this might still be enough to trigger some allergies.

When should you start grooming a Cocker Spaniel?

If you trim a coat when the dog is too young, you might risk doing some serious damage. Instead, you’ll often want to wait until they are at least four to five months old.

Until they reach this age, the best form of grooming is brushing and regular baths.

cocker spaniel dog shedding
Cocker Spaniel dog shedding

Final Thoughts

For many owners, the long coat of the Cocker Spaniel is one of the most attractive parts of the dog. However, this might cause some problems with shedding.

The amount that the dog will shed often depends on the type of Cocker Spaniel that you get. You will be able to reduce the amount of shedding by giving them regular brushes and bathing them frequently.

It can sometimes be a good idea to trim their coat, to reduce the amount of maintenance that you need to do.

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.