If you’re considering purchasing a Labrador or Cocker Spaniel as a new pet, you may be wondering which breed sheds less. While both breeds do shed, one does shed far less than the other. Which breed is better for you?
The Cocker Spaniel is better than the Labrador if you’re looking for a dog that sheds less. Cocker Spaniels shed significantly less than Labradors, which is considered a high shedding dog breed. However, note that the Cocker Spaniel requires frequent grooming to keep their fur from matting.
In the rest of this article, I’ll explore the coat differences between Labradors and Cocker Spaniels, such as shedding and each breed’s grooming needs. Keep reading.
What Type of Coat Does a Labrador Have?
If you’re seriously considering adopting a Labrador, one of your primary questions might be what type of fur your new friend will have.
A Labrador has a double coat. It has a short, slightly oily, waterproof top coat of fur that covers its thicker well-insulated undercoat, which they’ll shed twice a year.
Labradors shed heavily twice a year to drop their undercoat in preparation for the warmer months. During this time, you can expect to clean up quite a bit more hair than you’re used to cleaning during the rest of the year.
All Labradors Shed the Same Amount of Fur
All three colors of Labrador (yellow, black, and brown) shed the same amount of fur. The claim that some colors of Lab shed less has never been proven scientifically, and most Lab owners don’t notice a difference in the amount of fur shed based on the color of their Labrador.
How To Properly Groom a Labrador
Did you know that Labradors can shed up to 70 lb. (31 kg) of fur in just one year? Crazy, right?
That’s why Labradors need to be brushed regularly to minimize shedding and leaving hair in unwanted places. However, they’re a relatively easy breed to groom and maintain their fur due to the minimal effort required.
So, let’s look at the steps you can take to minimize shedding and keep your Labrador well-groomed:
- Brush your Lab 1–2 times per week. When searching for a brush for your Lab, you should consider brushes that can get down to the thick undercoat and gently remove fur that is ready to come out. This Pet Neat Brush (available on Amazon.com) is an excellent option for those not wanting to spend too much. It’s made of stainless steel and has a blade protected by a cover for your safety.
- Bathe your Lab every 4–6 weeks. So long as your Labrador spends most of its time inside, you shouldn’t need to bathe it too often. If your dog is particularly filthy, you can always bathe it sooner using a gentle dog shampoo.
- Blow-dry your Labrador. It may take some extra time, and your pup might not like sitting for the dryer. But this added step will help remove extra fur and prevent you from finding disembodied hair all over your furniture later.
Following these three steps will help you keep your sweet Labrador shedding to a minimum and smelling fresh!
What Type of Coat Does a Cocker Spaniel Have?
When looking into purchasing any breed of dog, coat type is very important. In addition, knowing what kind of coat your dog will have can clue you in on what kind of maintenance your new furry friend will require.
So what kind of coat can you expect your new Cocker Spaniel to have?
A Cocker Spaniel has a silky double coat and sheds more moderately than other dog breeds. However, spaniels are very hairy dogs and require much coat maintenance, such as regular baths, blow dries, and brushing to prevent matting.
Surprisingly, Cocker Spaniels shed relatively little despite all of that hair, and with proper grooming, you shouldn’t notice too much fur around your home.
American and English Cocker Spaniels Require Frequent Grooming
On average, both the American and English Cocker Spaniel shed the same amount of hair throughout the year, and both types of Cocker Spaniels have double coats and long hair that require a lot of grooming in order to maintain.
How To Properly Groom a Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel requires more in-depth grooming than many breeds, which can feel overwhelming to a new owner. But don’t worry; you can always take your pup to a groomer who’s knowledgeable of your breed’s particular grooming needs.
If the idea of grooming your Cocker Spaniel yourself doesn’t frighten you, you should consider following these steps when grooming your hairy friend:
- Brush your Cocker Spaniel about every three days. You should do your best to brush your Cocker Spaniel every three days and more if you notice its hair is becoming matted or tangled. It’s best to use a softer brush made for dogs with longer hair, such as the Slicker Brush (available on Amazon.com). This brush won’t hurt your dog, thanks to its fine bristles. The product is also easy to clean.
- Bathe your Cocker Spaniel every 3–4 weeks as needed. You can bathe your Spaniel more frequently if needed, but bathing too often can lead to irradiated skin for your pup. Remember, always use a gentle shampoo that uses natural ingredients to best protect your dog’s fur and skin.
- Blow-dry your Cocker Spaniel after every bath. You must blow-dry your Cocker Spaniel in order to prevent tangles that can mat and cause discomfort to your dog in the future.
- Trim your Cocker Spaniel’s fur, especially the ears. Your Cocker Spaniel’s fur should be groomed or trimmed about every 4–6 weeks to avoid their fur from matting.
If you follow these four steps when grooming your furry friend, you should have no problem keeping your Cocker Spaniel mat free.
Is a Cocker Spaniel Better Than a Labrador?
When it comes to selecting a breed of dog, how much your new pup will shed is always a factor to consider.
The Cocker Spaniel is better than Labrador when it comes to the breed that sheds less. Since the Labrador is one of the highest shedding breeds of dogs, you may want to consider getting a Cocker Spaniel instead, especially if you don’t have much time cleaning dog fur around the house.
Both the Labrador and Cocker Spaniel shed, and neither would be considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. However, as previously stated, the Cocker Spaniel sheds significantly less than the Labrador.
However, the Cocker Spaniels fur type comes with its drawbacks, such as the amount of grooming that must go into keeping your Spaniels fur mat free. In addition, while Labrador fur is short and easily kept, they shed a lot and require quite a bit of cleaning up due to the fur they leave behind on things like furniture.
Conclusion
So if you’re still trying to decide between adopting a Labrador or Cocker Spaniel, you definitely should consider the shed factor. Cocker Spaniels shed far less and will be easier to clean up after hair-wise, while Labradors are lower maintenance when it comes to grooming but shed far more.
Cleaning up after a Labrador (that sheds a lot) can be a lot of work, while the lack of shed from the Cocker Spaniel is more appealing.
Ultimately, you’ll have to decide which breed’s care and shedding patterns make the most sense for your family.