Is the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed better for families with children?

Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Samoyed are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed?

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

Which is easier to train, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed?

The English Cocker Spaniel is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed bigger?

English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed?

For apartment or apartment living, English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are an even match — either can work well.

English Cocker Spaniel vs Samoyed: Which Sheds Less?

English Cocker Spaniel vs Samoyed: full comparison

Trait	English Cocker Spaniel	Samoyed
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	High	Medium
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	Medium	Very High
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Low	Low
Adaptability	High	Medium
Typical lifespan	13 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Samoyed has noticeably higher shedding than the English Cocker Spaniel.

Size and living space

The English Cocker Spaniel is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the Samoyed is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. 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 English Cocker Spaniel needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Samoyed needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The English Cocker Spaniel is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Samoyed is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and drops hair heavily in every season. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The English Cocker Spaniel learns quickly and enjoys the training process, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and is famously gentle and patient with children. The Samoyed trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and is famously gentle and patient with children. On guarding instinct, English Cocker Spaniel is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors, whereas Samoyed is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, English Cocker Spaniel has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Samoyed has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, English Cocker Spaniel has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the English Cocker Spaniel if you want less shedding around the home, you want an easier dog to train, or you want a more adaptable dog.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Is the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed better for families with children?: Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Samoyed are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed?: The Samoyed sheds more than the English Cocker Spaniel. If shedding is a concern, the English Cocker Spaniel is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Samoyed?: The English Cocker Spaniel is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed bigger?: English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, English Cocker Spaniel or Samoyed?: For apartment or apartment living, English Cocker Spaniel and Samoyed are an even match — either can work well.

English Cocker Spaniel vs Samoyed