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Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?

Cocker Spaniels are a popular dog breed. They are loved for their friendliness and loyalty.

They even have lovely furry skin.

These characteristics make them one of the best family pets.

You might be wishing to purchase a Cocker Spaniel or have already adopted one, and you’re wondering just how much fur do they shed.

You may even be concerned about how to maintain them.

This article will examine whether Cocker Spaniels shed their hair and tips on grooming them to control their shedding.

Breeds of Cocker spaniels

The shedding of Cocker Spaniels varies by breed.

There are approximately 15 breeds of spaniels.

The main species of cocker spaniels are the English and American cocker Spaniel.

The following are the characteristics of both types:

English cocker spaniel

The English cocker spaniel is a bit shorter compared to the American breed.

It also has a shorter neck, a longer snout, and shorter coats. The coat is silky.

English cocker spaniels are further classified into two categories –  Field lines with shorter coats and show lines that have longer coats.

American cocker spaniels

The American cocker spaniel is taller than its counterpart.

It also has a longer neck, a shorter snout, and long coats.

The American breed has more coats than the English one.

What type of coat do Cocker Spaniels have?

Cocker spaniels have a double coat. Most dogs have silky or feathery coats.

The first layer is dense and is essential for protection.

It protects your pet from wind, cold, or general harsh weather.

The second layer is smoother or rougher depending on the dog.

It is also longer than the undercoat.

Do Cocker Spaniels Shed Their Coat?

Yes. Cocker spaniel’s really do shed their coats, and they do it twice annually.

Their shedding coincides with two seasons; autumn and spring.

This can be explained scientifically by stating that the body controls shedding through hormones.

The dog increases the production of these hormones during spring and autumn due to the fluctuations of daylight hours.

An increase in the production of these hormones leads to increased shedding.

Naturally, dogs are meant to adapt to the different seasons adequately.

They need to remain cool during summer and thus will automatically shed their fur, which kept them warm during the cold season.

When summer starts, their thin coat will help them regulate their body temperature to be comfortable.

When winter cold comes, dogs will shed their thin fur so that the thicker hair may grow.

Without thick hair, your dog may have trouble surviving during winter.

Furthermore, if the dog spends a lot of time outside your home, be prepared for higher frequencies and levels of shedding.

Why Shedding Coat Is Vital for Your Cocker Spaniel

So is this shedding a disadvantage or an advantage for you?

What then is the benefit of the dog shedding its coat?

Shedding is essential to the dog for the following reasons:

  • Shedding leads to the growth of thinner fur, which helps regulate the dog’s body temperature during summer by keeping the dog cool
  • New coat growth after summer prepares the dog for the cold winter season
  • Enables growth of new and healthy hair. Without old hair falling off, new hair will not be formed.
  • The newly grown coat is more beautiful and shinier than the previous one
  • It can warn you of any pending health issue so that you act in time.
  • It is an indicator of how you have been feeding the dog.
  • It is also an indicator of your grooming behavior

Factors That Can Trigger the Shedding of Hair

There are many factors that may trigger the loss of hair in dogs.

They include:

  • Health and nutrition (skin conditions, endocrine diseases, vitamins and mineral deficiencies, and metabolic disorders)
  • Old age
  • Seasonal shedding
  • Grooming patterns (Chemicals and tools used)
  • Dog scratching itself
  • Natural year-round hair shedding as weak hair breaks off
  • Some pests such as ticks and mites

5 Tips to Control and Manage Shedding in Cocker Spaniels

If the shedding is a bother to you, there are plenty of ways to control the shedding of your cocker spaniels.

These tips will include tips to prevent and reduce the shedding in your cocker spaniel.

1. Use the Seasons to Determine the Frequency of Grooming Your Dog

As stated before, since dogs tend to shed more during spring and autumn, you can increase the grooming frequency.

This will help save you a lot in terms of the cost when grooming.

2. Bathe Your Spaniel Regularly

Using dog shampoo and a soft brush, you can try washing your dog regularly.

This removes hair that is already shed.

By doing this, you avoid having hair lying around all over your home.

Ensure the shampoo you use does not irritate your pooch.

3. Rinse and Dry Your Pet After Baths

Skin irritation may develop if any shampoo residue is left on your dog’s fur.

This can cause clumping of hair or even cause the dog to scratch its coat more.

So, be careful to rinse your pet after washing.

After rinsing, you could blow-dry your dog’s coat while ensuring the heat is not too high.

High temperatures can cause a lot of discomfort for your dog or even dry out the dog’s skin which is supposed to maintain a certain hydration level.

4. As You Groom, Always Examine Your Dog’s Skin

This is important as it can alert you of skin diseases, irregular hair loss patches, or even pests hidden within the pet’s coat.

Your pet could also have some irritation which could have arisen from exposure to nasty chemicals.

Patches of red skin can also indicate a lot of scratching.

Examining the coat will help you be more proactive and anticipate and deal with problems before it’s too late.

5. Always Use the Right Supplies

Some shampoos and grooming patterns can cause excessive hair shedding in your pup.

It’s important to consult your pet doctor or the veterinary officer before purchasing shampoo.

As you buy the shampoo, be on the lookout for the following chemicals associated with irritating dog skin.

  • Benzyl alcohol (preservative)
  • Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
  • Cetearyl alcohol (conditioner)
  • Stearyl alcohol (conditioner)
  • Cocamide DEA (foam booster and stabilizer)
  • Sorbitan palmitate (emulsifier)
  • 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol ( preservative)
  • Coal tar (anti-dandruff agent)

Cocker spaniels may shed significant hair but are not the heaviest shedders out there.

It is essential to groom your puppy well if you wish to control shedding.

Grooming will keep the pet’s skin healthy and also ensure your dog retains its beautiful coat.

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National Canine Research Association of America