Is the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen better for families with children?

Both the American Cocker Spaniel and the Lowchen are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen?

The American Cocker Spaniel sheds more than the Lowchen. If shedding is a concern, the Lowchen is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen bigger?

American Cocker Spaniel and Lowchen are a similar size (Small).

Which barks more, American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen?

American Cocker Spaniel tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Lowchen is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen?

For apartment or apartment living, Lowchen has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

American Cocker Spaniel vs Lowchen: Which Sheds Less?

American Cocker Spaniel vs Lowchen: full comparison

Trait	American Cocker Spaniel	Lowchen
Size	Small	Small
Energy level	Medium	Medium
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	Medium	Low
Barking	Medium	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Medium
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	14 years	14 years
Hypoallergenic	No	Yes

Size and living space

The American Cocker Spaniel is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. By comparison, the Lowchen is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The American Cocker Spaniel wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. The Lowchen wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The American Cocker Spaniel is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. The Lowchen is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds very little. The Lowchen is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The American Cocker Spaniel is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, barks a fair amount, usually for a reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Lowchen is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, speaks up only now and then and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, American Cocker Spaniel is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors, whereas Lowchen will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Lowchen has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, American Cocker Spaniel and Lowchen are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, American Cocker Spaniel has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Lowchen has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Lowchen has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the American Cocker Spaniel if you simply prefer the breed — it's very closely matched with the Lowchen on temperament, size and care.

Choose the Lowchen if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat, you want a more protective, watchful guardian, or you want less shedding around the home.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen better for families with children?: Both the American Cocker Spaniel and the Lowchen are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen?: The American Cocker Spaniel sheds more than the Lowchen. If shedding is a concern, the Lowchen is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the American Cocker Spaniel or the Lowchen?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen bigger?: American Cocker Spaniel and Lowchen are a similar size (Small).
Which barks more, American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen?: American Cocker Spaniel tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Lowchen is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, American Cocker Spaniel or Lowchen?: For apartment or apartment living, Lowchen has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

American Cocker Spaniel vs Lowchen