Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming Guide: How to Properly Groom a CKCS

Are you the proud owner of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? These dogs are known for their loving personality, expressive eyes, and of course, their long, silky fur coats. However, maintaining their iconic look might be challenging in the beginning. If you’re a new dog owner, or just unfamiliar with grooming in general, we’ll help make this process easier. Here are some tips and tricks for grooming a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: A Brief Introduction

This elegant breed has been a family favorite for decades. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are famous for their sweet temperaments, social personalities, and unwavering loyalty. They get along well with young children, strangers, and other animals. This makes them very adaptable, and dogs of this breed can typically thrive in a variety of environments. The personality of the owner greatly influences that of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Active individuals who enjoy hiking and spending time outside will find that their dogs adapt well to this lifestyle. On the other hand, those who like to spend time relaxing on the sofa are sure to have a happy lap dog.

The history of this breed spans centuries. It gets its name from King Charles II, who was famously a huge fan of these dogs. According to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, “The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of today is descended from the small Toy Spaniels seen in so many of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth-century paintings by Titian, Van Dyck, Lely, Stubbs, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Romney.” This breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995, and since then, they’ve become popular house pets and show dogs.

At-Home Grooming for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

At first, grooming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can feel confusing and overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that this task will become easier and easier the more you practice. Owners will want to purchase a grooming kit that includes scissors, a clipper, shears, and a comb or brush at minimum. Prices for this can range between $20 to $50, and dog shampoo and conditioner will cost roughly $20. Luckily, some of these items will be one-time purchases, and the shampoo and conditioner should last you a few months. Using these tools, you can give your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a full groom. This process includes brushing, bathing, and blowing out your dog’s fur. Although owners should take care to brush their dog’s fur daily, bathing only has to be done about once per month. However, show dogs will need to have their hair washed more frequently.

During this time, you can trim back any parts of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fur that have grown too long. Exercise caution around sensitive areas like their face, behind, and paw pads. In general, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tends to be a heavy shedder. Grooming tasks like brushing and bathing may be irritating for those with allergies. Because of this, individuals who are sensitive to dog fur might want to consider another breed.

Bringing Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Groomer

While some individuals prefer to groom their dogs at home, others simply don’t have the time or energy. In these cases, bringing your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a professional can be extremely helpful. Depending on your location and the particular groomer you go to, prices can vary. On average, individuals can expect to pay somewhere between $20 and $50 per appointment. It’s recommended that you book a grooming session once every four to six weeks in order to make sure your pup stays as fresh and clean as possible!

Don’t Forget to Clean Their Ears and Brush Their Teeth

Although brushing and bathing should be a huge part of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels grooming routine, there are other important steps to include as well. After finishing a full groom, remember to clip back your dog’s nails, clean inside their ears, and brush their teeth. Cleaning their ears prevents wax buildup and infection, whereas brushing will help preserve the health of their teeth and gums.

If you bring your dog to a professional groomer, it’s likely that these steps will be included in the process. However, for those of you who choose to groom at home, try not to overlook these tasks. Many owners report that they only get around to doing these things a few times a year. However, professionals recommend that owners brush their dog’s teeth weekly, and clean their ears about once per month.

Final Thoughts

Even though grooming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might seem hard when you’re first starting out, try not to get discouraged. Luckily, compared to others, this breed is very small and easy to handle. In addition, their relaxed and docile nature will make this task much less stressful. In fact, many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners report that their dogs greatly enjoy this process, and many think of it as a fun spa day. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you choose to groom your pup at home or bring them to a professional. Both options are equally as effective, so it really comes down to the lifestyle of the owner and personal preference.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © BJkenel/Shutterstock.com