Are you looking for a hypoallergenic dog because you have canine allergies or sensitivity? You are not alone. In the US, 3 in 10 people with allergies are also suffering from dogs allergies. In fact, allergy sufferers may be more sensitive to certain dog breeds. Could Cocker Spaniels be one of them or are they safe for those with severe dog allergies? Here’s the brief answer first.
Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic? No, Cocker Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. Cocker Spaniels have a double coat that sheds moderately and releases dander, fur, and even saliva that can trigger allergies in some people. They also have shedding seasons in which they shed even more. As we can see, Cocker Spaniels do not have hypoallergenic coats.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go into details on the type of coat the Cocker Spaniels have, how often they shed, and why they are not considered hypoallergenic dogs.
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Is a Cocker Spaniel hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, Cocker Spaniels are not hypoallergenic dogs. Cocker Spaniels are small dog breeds from the Spaniel breed family. Believe it or not, there are at least 20 types of Spaniel dog breeds. They are listed alphabetically below:
- American Cocker Spaniel.
- American Water Spaniel.
- Blue Picardy Spaniel.
- Boykin Spaniel.
- Brittany Spaniel.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
- Clumber Spaniel.
- Cocker Spaniel.
- English Cocker Spaniel.
- English Springer Spaniel.
- English Toy Spaniel.
- Field Spaniel.
- German Spaniel.
- Irish Water Spaniel.
- Nederlandse Kooikerhondje.
- Papillion Dog.
- Pont Audemer Spaniel.
- Russian Spaniel.
- Sussex Spaniel.
- Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Due to their small size, they are great lap dogs and wonderful canine companions who love spending time with their human family members and getting all the cuddles they can get.
With a fun, loving, and loyal personality, the Cocker Spaniels are a great addition to families that do not suffer from canine allergies or are not highly sensitive to fur, dander, saliva, and other shedding canine allergens.
If you or anyone in your family suffer from dog allergies, then the Cocker Spaniels may not be a good fit.
Since these smart and adorable dogs do require their owners’ attention (and lots of it), you’ll want to make sure that you’re able to spend time and cuddle with them without having to sneeze, blow your nose, rinse your eyes, or wash your hands every few seconds.
Is a Cocker Spaniel a hypoallergenic dog?
As we can see, a Cocker Spaniel is not a hypoallergenic dog. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of why this dog breed isn’t considered hypoallergenic. Let us start with their coat type first.
Cocker Spaniel coat type
Cocker Spaniels are known for their long hair coats that shed moderately. They have a double coat which means they have both an undercoat and an outer coat. The undercoat is usually shorter than the outer coat.
Both the undercoat and the outer coat sheds moderately so it’s usually double the trouble for most canine allergen sufferers.
The Cocker Spaniels’ coat is straight (or flat), long, luxurious, and quite silky that comes in a variety of colors, including white, tan, chocolate, and black.
They have wispy and long feathering coats all throughout their bodies, including their tails, bellies, and legs. If you prefer the American Cocker Spaniels, do note that they have a more feathering wispy coat than the English Cocker Spaniel.
When it comes to choosing the best hypoallergenic dog for you, you’ll want a furry friend that has a wavy or curly coat such as that of a Poodle. That’s because the curly and wavy coat can help catch any dander, saliva, or other furs that are released from the body.
As a result, there isn’t much dander or fur floating in the air or falling onto the ground.
Since the Cocker Spaniels’ have straight and long fur, it doesn’t help catch any saliva, fur, or dander. Thus, the fur, dander, and saliva they shed get released into the environment. This environment includes inside your house, which is why you’ll find a lot of doggy fur on your sofa, carpet, clothing, and bed.
Their dander is microscopic so most likely you won’t be able to see them with your naked eyes, but they are floating in your home once they’re released from the Cocker Spaniels’ bodies.
Some pet owners will sneeze a lot or have watery eyes and may not even realize that they are allergic to their four-legged friends.
We recommend that you invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter because this type of air filter helps trap harmful particles, including your dog’s dander, dust mites, pollen, and smoke.
Having two dogs of my own, my family and I rely on this air purifier. The difference was noticeable from day one and we have this one throughout our house:
Cocker Spaniel shedding frequency
Not only do Cocker Spaniels have long, flat, and silky hair, but also they are medium shedders. While they shed moderately year-round, you’ll find them shedding much more during the shedding seasons.
The shedding seasons for Cocker Spaniels are during the spring and fall seasons. During these two seasons, they shed a lot more than usual and you can expect a lot more fur and dander in your home during this time.
During this time, you’ll need to vacuum more than usual as well. Investing in a powerful and heavy-duty vacuum cleaner can help. I’ve used this one for almost 5 years now and my dogs don’t mind when I’m vacuuming because it’s so quiet and durable.
I can say it’s worth every penny. Not only does it do a wonderful job on the carpet, but also on the hardwood floor too. My Labrador loves laying on the cool hardwood floor during the summer and there would always be fur sitting around. With the Miele vacuum cleaner, I’m able to easily maneuver it and vacuum underneath furniture too.
Whether your dog loves to hang out near the window or on his doggy bed, the Miele vacuum cleaner has six different suction power settings that is specific to whichever surface I need to clean. With a 7-year manufacturer warranty on motor and casing and a 1 year manufacturer warranty on parts and labor, there’s nothing to lose.
So if you’re extremely sensitive to both doggy fur and dander, you may have extra work on your hands or you may think twice before getting a Cocker Spaniel even though they are so cute and a great lab dog.
They shed during the spring because their body is growing in lighter fur in order to get ready for the warmer months of summer. Then, during the fall season, the Cocker Spaniels will shed heavily again to get rid of their lighter coat and grow in thicker ones to get ready for the colder months of winter.
Cocker Spaniel grooming needs
Due to the fact that Cocker Spaniels have long feathering coats, they also require higher maintenance to keep the coats orderly, clean, smelling fresh. Cocker Spaniels require a moderate amount of grooming.
For instance, if you don’t groom them regularly, their long coats can easily become matted, which is when the fur becomes knotted and tangled. When this occurs, it can trap dirt, odor, and dander which can cause your canine companions to smell pretty bad.
In severe cases, the Cocker Spaniels’ coat can become pelted and prevent proper airflow due to the matting being very tight to the dog’s skin.
To avoid the hassle and time-consuming task of getting rid of the matting and snarling coat, you’ll want to groom regularly.
Regular grooming will help control the amount of fur and dander that is floating around inside your house. By brushing their coat daily, you’ll be able to remove and trap the loose excess fur onto the brush. As a result, your Cocker Spaniels will shed less and there will be less fur around the house.
If you have a Cocker Spaniel, we highly recommend that you brush their coat daily. Brushing their coat is essential because it helps with the following:
- Prevents matting and tangles and promotes a long silky coat.
- Evenly distributes the natural oil throughout your dog’s skin and coat which keeps their skin and coat healthy and moisturized.
Here is a deShedding brush that is perfect for medium size dogs like Cocker Spaniels with a long coat.
For doggy owners that prefer to keep their Cocker Spaniels’ coat short, we recommend that you still brush their coat once every three days. If it’s shedding season (spring and fall), then you’ll want to brush their coat at least once a day.
We highly recommend that you use a slicker brush to keep your Cocker Spaniels’ coat from mats and tangles. Sometimes, if the mat or tangle is super tight, you’ll want to carefully pick them apart with your fingers so that it doesn’t hurt your K9 friends.
This is especially true when you’re dealing with matted or tangled hair near their ear. That’s because the skin around their ears is super thin, sensitive, and delicate.
Cocker Spaniel bath frequency
In addition to regularly brushing your Cocker Spaniels’ coat, you’ll want to bathe them regularly as well. When it comes to bathing your furry companions, be sure to use high-quality dog shampoo. Using the right doggy shampoo will keep your dog’s skin and coat clean, smelling fresh, healthy, and moisturized.
After applying the shampoo and massaging it throughout your Cocker Spaniel’s body, make sure to rinse thoroughly as any remaining soap residue can cause skin irritation and coat damage.
When it’s time to dry their coat, you can gently pat them down with a large towel. Remember to dry the coat around their ears as well. If you prefer to use a blow dryer, keep the heat temperature at the lowest setting.
Related Article: Dog Grooming For Beginners At Home (Dos and Don’ts)
For many dog owners, grooming your Cocker Spaniel can be time-consuming and laborious. If so, don’t fret.
There are many reputable professional groomers in your town that can help you groom and bathe your precious pooch. Be sure to schedule regular grooming visits to ensure that your Cocker Spaniel will have a strong and healthy coat.
Do Cocker Spaniels shed a lot?
Compared to larger dog breeds, Cocker Spaniels do not shed as much. However, for their small size, they do shed moderately as they are medium shedders. In order to control the amount of fur and dander around your house, we recommend that you groom your Cocker Spaniel regularly as described above.
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Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocker_Spaniel
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809771/
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
