Imagine this: You’re cuddling up on your couch with a warm cup of cocoa, a riveting book, and your faithful pet, a beautiful English Toy Spaniel. The only thing that possibly breaks the tranquil domestic scene? You suddenly notice a flurry of tiny strands floating in the air around you and upon closer inspection, realize your once spotless black tracksuit is now adorned with a thin layer of pet fur!
For anyone who owns this breed, this might be a familiar situation. It begs the question from those considering to adopt a pet – does the English Toy Spaniel shed a lot? As every owner or prospective owner of these fur babies knows, understanding their natural shedding cycle is an essential part of pet care. So, buckle up while we take a deep dive into this often overlooked aspect of having this elegant breed as your pet.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, English Toy Spaniels shed, but to a moderate degree as compared to many other breeds. Contrary to the common belief, these adorable creatures have a relatively manageable shedding level. This may be surprising, considering their thick, feathery coats which could quite easily give the impression that they’re high shedders.
English Toy Spaniels feature a rich, silky, medium to long length coat with feathers on their ears, chest, belly and legs. Their double coat has a dense undercoat to keep them warm and a longer outer coat. This begs another question: Why do they shed? Shedding is a normal process where dogs lose old or damaged hair. While the amount and frequency of shedding often depends on their health and breed, it can also depend on the season. Many dogs develop thick coats in the winter and then shed them in the spring.
To manage the shedding, it’s essential to groom your Spaniel regularly. Grooming doesn’t just make your pet look good, it also plays a huge part in their overall health. Grooming your English Toy Spaniel often involves activities such as brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing.
Brushing is a crucial part of grooming your Spaniel and potentially the best way to manage their shedding. A good rule of thumb is to brush your Spaniel’s coat daily. This helps in several ways. Firstly, regular brushing spreads natural oils throughout your dog’s fur, keeping it healthy and shiny. Secondly, it helps to remove loose hair and untangle mats, which means less hair around your house. Moreover, it’s a great bonding time for you and your pet.
You might be wondering what kind of brush to use for your English Toy Spaniel? A slicker brush, which is a type of brush with fine, short wires close together, is recommended for the breed. It is incredibly effective at removing mats, tangles, and loose hair from your Spaniel’s layer of fur.
Moreover, while your English Toy Spaniel doesn’t require frequent baths, bathing them once a month can further help manage shedding. It loosens and removes the fur that’s ready to be shed. However, be careful not to bathe them too often as it can dry out their skin and coat leading to more shedding.
One cannot stress enough how a healthy diet contributes to less shedding. Feeding your English Toy Spaniel a balanced diet ensures its fur is healthy and less likely to shed excessively. Dog foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids and lean proteins can help improve coat health and minimize shedding. Ensure to consult with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Moreover, ensure that your Spaniel always has clean water available. Lack of adequate hydration can lead to dry, flaky skin, and subsequent hair loss. You might want to invest in a pet water fountain to encourage your Spaniel to drink more water if they tend to avoid the water bowl.
Lastly, remember, sudden and excessive shedding can also be a sign of stress or health issues in dogs. If you’re concerned about the amount your English Toy Spaniel is shedding, it’s always wise to visit your veterinarian.
To wrap it up, while the English Toy Spaniel does shed, it’s certainly not an unmanageable task and doesn’t overshadow their charm one bit. Their loveable personality, charming appearance, and majestic coats well compensate for the extra grooming effort to ensure that your home isn’t filled with their shed hair.
By understanding your pet’s shedding patterns and taking the necessary measures, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy that cozy, heartwarming snuggle with your pet, without having to worry about being covered in fur by the end it!
