Falling in love with one is easy, but are Cocker Spaniels hypoallergenic dogs?
That’s something you should know if you’re allergic to dogs and want to adopt a Cocker Spaniel.
So, let’s see if they’re the right breed for people with allergies.
Are Cocker Spaniels Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Pet allergies are quite common and are one of the leading “excuse” a lot of people use to rehome their dogs and cats.
However, an allergy doesn’t automatically mean that you have to get rid of your pet.
Sometimes, it’s not your dog at all that causes your allergies. It can be dust, mold, or pollen that your pooch brings in the house.
So, it’s always a smart idea to do an allergy test and see what you’re allergic to.
Even if you’re allergic to dogs, you can try a hypoallergenic breed.
These dogs tend to bother people with allergies less than others, and that’s why people call “hypoallergenic.”
But are Cocker Spaniel one of these breeds.
Let’s learn more about Cocker Spaniels, and we’ll see if they’re hypoallergenic dogs or not.
Cocker Spaniel History
You’re right to think about Spain when you hear the word “Spaniel.”
It means “Spanish dog,” and most specialists agree that the Spaniel dog family comes from Spain.
Initially, these Spaniel dogs were divided into toy ones to act as companions and large hunting dogs that chased prey on land and water.
The Cocker Spaniel was one of the best woodcock hunters, and an English kennel club was the first to recognize them as a separate breed.
When people imported the English Cocker Spaniel, the breed gained quite the popularity among breeders and the general public.
In fact, the American Spaniel Club is one of the oldest breed clubs in the USA.
However, the American breeders focused on breeding smaller Spaniels than the English ones because they were better for the show ring.
Eventually, the gap between English and American Cocker Spaniel widened so much that they are considered two different breeds.
Cocker Spaniel Appearance and Temperament
The first thing you notice about Cocker Spaniels is their long and silky coat and their feathered ears, chest, legs, and belly.
These adorable pooches have long ears that you can spend an eternity scratching.
As a whole, Cocker Spaniels weigh between 22-28 pounds and stand 14-15 inches tall.
They can adapt well to apartments, condos, or houses with yards.
They don’t need much space, but you should plan at least a 30-minute brisk walk to keep them happy.
Cocker Spaniels aren’t outdoor dog breeds. They prefer to be inside with the family and might bark and dig if left alone outside.
Cocker Spaniels are affectionate, playful, alert, and love to cuddle.
Their mellow nature makes them one of the best companions for seniors or families with kids.
Most people describe the Cocker Spaniel’s temperament as “soft” and “sensitive.”
These cute pooches don’t respond well to harsh treatment and require a lot of positive reinforcement to bring the best of them.
Keep in mind that they’re so sensitive that they might growl or snap when they’re in pain or afraid.
But despite their softness, Cocker Spaniels are hunters at heart and will chase small animals.
That’s why they need a fenced yard, and you should keep them on the leash during walks.
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How Hypoallergenic Are Cocker Spaniels?
Before we reveal if Cocker Spaniels are hypoallergenic, you should know what causes your allergy to dogs.
It’s not the fur as many people seem to think, but dander, urine, and saliva.
The immune system in people with allergies is oversensitive.
It detects the harmless proteins in your dog’s urine, saliva, and dander as a serious threat and does it best to flush them out of your body.
What makes some breeds hypoallergenic is the fact that they shed less dander than others.
Usually, such dogs have coats that shed minimally or not at all.
The less fur a dog sheds, the less dander there’s around the house.
So, what about the Cocker Spaniel?
I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Cocker Spaniels aren’t hypoallergenic dogs. So, they might not be the best choice for people with allergies.
For starters, look at the Cocker Spaniel’s magnificent double coat.
It requires daily brushing to keep it free of tangles and mats, especially around the ears and the chest.
More importantly, Cocker Spaniels shed too much hair and dander not to bother people with allergies.
The amount of hair shedding varies between individual Cocker Spaniels. But most shed a lot and require professional grooming to keep their silky coat in perfect shape.
Moreover, Cocker Spaniels can be a bit nervous even if you properly socialize them.
In other words, they pee when they’re happy, excited, or stressed.
That’s called submissive urination, and it could be a problem for people allergic to dog urine.
Instead of a Cocker Spaniel, you might consider Poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu dogs, and Bichon Frise.
These are among the most popular hypoallergenic breeds.
Are Cockapoo Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Cockapoo dogs are a mix between Cocker Spaniels and Poodles. Poodles are considered a “hypoallergenic” breed, while Cocker Spaniels aren’t.
That might make you think if Cockapoos are hypoallergenic.
That’s a tricky question. When it comes to mixed dogs, we can’t make very accurate predictions.
If a Cockapoo takes after their Poodle parents and has their low-shedding coat, they can be considered hypoallergenic.
But if their dominant gene is a Cocker Spaniel, they might shed moderately.
One thing you have to keep in mind about hypoallergenic dogs is that all dogs shed dander, even hairless breeds.
As such, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, even Poodles and those unique hairless breeds.
Furthermore, scientists haven’t proven that hypoallergenic dogs shed fewer allergens than non-hypoallergenic breeds.
What they do know is that all dogs shed some dander and that the amount differs from dog to dog.
Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs and make excellent companions due to their mellow and soft nature.
However, they aren’t hypoallergenic and could trigger people with allergies.
But if you’ve set your heart on a Cocker Spaniel, you should spend time around these majestic dogs to judge how they would affect your allergy.
