Do Cocker Spaniels Have Hair or Fur?

If you own a Cocker Spaniel, then we’re sure that you’ll be no stranger to tons of unwanted shredding throughout your home!

However, if you’re currently asking yourself the question of whether you’re particular Cocker Spaniel has hair or fur, then it’s important to note that even though the majority of dog breeds have fur – Cocker Spaniels are characterized by having thick yet super soft coats of, you guessed it, hair. 

Wondering why? This mainly comes down to the way that they were bred, as the Cocker Spaniel belongs to two breeds of the Spaniel umbrella, which are the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel – which both have thick coats of hair.

Thanks to this, it means that Cocker Spaniels are also characterized by the same coats of long hair that is made of a protein known as keratin – which is something that differentiates Cocker Spaniel hair from other breeds of dog that have fur, as fur tends to have a far less amount of keratin held within its molecular structure.

Nevertheless, while this might very well be the case, it should also be noted that the main differences between dog’s that have fur and dog’s that have hair are incredibly slight, which means that people tend to refer to dog’s with short coats as having fur, and dogs with long coats (such as a Cocker Spaniel) as having hair due to the significant length differences. 

So, with that being said, due to the fact that Cocker Spaniels have thick coats of long “hair”, it’s important to make sure that they are regularly being maintained via grooming, otherwise, it is highly likely that Cocker Spaniels will begin to develop tangles, matted knots and even sores across their skin due to buildup of grime, dirt and skin cells.

To follow, as a general rule of thumb it is generally recommended that all Cocker Spaniel owners take the time to groom their dogs a minimum of at least three times a week in order to prevent painful knots, tangles, and mats from occurring in the coat and causing problems.

However, for Cocker Spaniel owners that plan to allow their dog to maintain a longer coat, it should be noted that the grooming may even need to be more frequent than that, and may even require daily brushes to prevent knots and tangles from forming.

Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic?

If you’re currently on the search for the perfect family dog and have “hypoallergenic” on the top of your priority list, then it is important to note that the Cocker Spaniel is, unfortunately, not an officially recognized hypoallergenic breed of dog.

The main reason for this simply comes down to the fact that Cocker Spaniels have a thick and long double coat that frequently sheds hairs, allergens, and more, which means that introducing one into your home might not be the best decision for your family if you or another member of your family has allergies. 

Instead, you should aim to get a four-legged friend that has fur/hair that will not cause a reaction in a person that has allergies, which includes the following breeds:

• Affenpinscher
• American Hairless Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Afghan Hound
• Maltese

Do Cocker Spaniels Shed?

Yes, Cocker Spaniels shed all year round, so don’t be surprised if you find malted hair all around your home and on your clothes!

However, besides regular mating of hair, it should also be noted that Cocker Spaniels tend to shed their coats seasonally around once or twice a year.

In order to manage shedding, we recommend that you regularly maintain your Cocker Spaniel’s coat by brushing it a minimum of three times a week with a grooming brush. 

Do Cocker Spaniels Need To Be Groomed?

If you’re planning on becoming the owner of an adorable Cocker Spaniel, one of your responsibilities is going to be making sure that you are regularly maintaining your dog’s coat by grooming it throughout the week.

For the most part, if your Cocker Spaniel regularly gets taken to the groomers for a trim/cut and has relatively short hair, then you’ll likely find yourself only needing to groom your dog around 3 times a week.

However, if you happen to have a Cocker Spaniel that has quite a thick, long coat, then you might find yourself needing to groom your Cocker Spaniel far more frequently in order to prevent any knots, mats or tangles from forming. 

If you’re currently in need of some grooming recommendations, then we strongly suggest that you get your hands on a steel comb, as they are specifically designed to help comb through long-haired dogs (such as your Cocker Spaniel) without causing discomfort or pain.

Not only that, but they’re also super easy to use and typically feature a long handle that will make holding it easy, while also giving you the option to apply varying amounts of pressure as and when needed to ensure that your Cocker Spaniel’s coat is smooth and knot-free. 

In addition to that, we also recommend that you consider purchasing a pair of dog-suitable scissors to trim your Spaniel’s coat, as well as purchasing a detangler to help prevent painful knots and tangles. 

How Often Do Cocker Spaniels Need Haircuts?

If you’re already familiar with the Cocker Spaniel breed, then we’re sure you’ll agree with us when we say that even though they have gorgeously shiny, soft coats, it’s made up of typically long hair that likes to grow fast!

Due to this, if you’re planning on adding one to your home, we recommend that you make sure to regularly schedule your Cocker Spaniel in for visits to a professional groomer’s, where they will be able to get their coats trimmed and kept in optimal condition.

However, depending on what type of Cocker Spaniel you have, you might also find that you need to trim your Cocker Spaniel’s coat yourself in-between appointments, especially if you are planning on keeping your dog’s coat long.