How to groom a Cavalier king charles spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are loving and laid-back. They are fantastic around children of all ages and other animals/pets. Although Cavaliers would quite happily curl up on the sofa, or on a lap, it is important to encourage daily exercise as obesity is a common health concern with this breed.

The Cavalier should have a silky coat which is free of curls. The feathering on their ears, legs and tails should be long and never trimmed. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is slightly larger than their King Charles/Toy Spaniel cousins

Many pet owners like to have the feathering trimmed back to make the coat more manageable. It’s important that the feathering between the toes and around the feet is trimmed back if the owner is not going to correctly maintain the coat. Without trimming, this hair can get easily matted and become uncomfortable for the dog, and ultimately cause a deformity of the foot.

Coat Type

Combination / Silky

Grooming Requirement

Bathe, Brush Out & Card

Pet Grooming Option

Clipper Trim & Minor Trimming

Grooming Notes

It is vital that a Cavaliers’ ears do not remain damp for extended periods of time, as this can lead to an ear infection – which can be notoriously difficult to clear up.

Brushing daily can help keep the coat tangle and matt-free. It also helps to keep the coat in good condition by distributing the natural oils around the coat
Cavaliers, like many other breeds, tend to shed more in Spring and Autumn. Brushing more frequently during this time will help keep fly-away hairs under control

Grooming Guide

Prior To Bathing

Pluck hair from the ear canal as necessary
Use a blaster to loosen any skin dander, dirt, debris and loose/shedding coat
Use a rubber curry, undercoat rake, carding tool or bristle brush to remove loose coat
Brush out any tangles and/or matts from the longer coat or apply intensive conditioner
Card any excess undercoat to encourage the coat to lay flat against the body. Always card in the direction of coat growth.
Pluck or trim any long downy hair from the head and around the ears so the coat lays flat

After Bathing

#7F, #5F, #4F or Short Comb Guides (anything up to ¾ inch). Card coat after clipping.

Use a damp cloth to go over the muzzle after bathing, wiping away tear stains
Line brush using a firm slicker, when finished the coat should be tangle free and little/no hair should be being removed. Double check work with a wide-toothed comb. Pay extra attention to tangle-prone areas: armpits, inner thigh, tail and ears. The coat on the chest is thicker than other areas
If the dog has a heavier coat, it is acceptable to clip the top skull and cheeks with a #4F – #7F blade
Neaten the bottom of the ear with thinning/safety scissors
The front of the front leg should be separate from the chest area. This area should be saddled out to be short and smooth, while the back side of the front legs are well feathered
The undercarriage should be well feathered, with only minor trimming to neaten the line
The feathering on the back of the thighs/rear legs should be left long
The tail should be well feathered, long and flowing
Shave paw pads with a #15 – #40 blade
Back brush any excess hair between toes and trim with thinning/safety scissors, but leave feet and hocks feathered

Grooming Tool Recommendations

Other Health Recommendations

Clipper Blade Recommendations

Shampoo Recommendations

For everyday use, mild/hypoallergenic shampoos are recommended.

Conditioner Recommendations

A conditioner is always useful in the longer areas of the coat, to weigh it down and add strength and shine. It can also help protect the coat while brushing