Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does require regular bathing and brushing.  This affectionate little dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no longer than 6 weeks, depending on lifestyle, with a happy medium being somewhere in the middle.  Maintaining healthy skin and coat are of primary importance.  Correct product selection for your bathing program will help achieve the best possible end result.

First and foremost, do a preliminary bath to lift off and remove dirt, debris, oil, and environmental factors to bring the coat back to a neutral state.  Always choose the mildest shampoo that will get the job done.  The secondary bath is used to enhance the coat, whether you are wanting to hydrate the coat, enhance the color, change the texture, etc.  When you do the final rinse, try to keep the water temperature a bit cooler so you do not dehydrate the skin.  After the bath, apply a light conditioner to replace the natural oils lost during the bathing process.  A conditioner will help seal the ends preventing damage to the coat as well as help with static electricity.

The Cavalier is a wash and wear dog, but a good solid bath is of utmost importance. Getting the coat squeaky clean with each individual hair separated and divided slightly standing off the body is essential.  With this breed, the cleaner the coat, the less likely the coat is to mat, and the shedding will be a bit less as well.

The coat should be light, straight, and slightly stand off the body with no loose hair.  Spending extra time on the comb out is a good idea making certain that the comb can easily glide through the coat. The Cavalier should be in a “natural state”.  The only trimming should be underneath of his pads.  Some caring pet owners choose to trim the Cavaliers glamorous feathering.  Make sure you keep the trimming natural looking by using thinning shears in order to maintain correct breed type, although this is not correct according to the breed standard.

Prep work is the foundation of all grooming.  Prep work includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, trimming the pads, anal glands, and proper dental hygiene.  Mastering these skills sets the professional pet stylist apart from the rest.  Prep work should be done before every bathing and grooming appointment.  All dogs need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis.  Some need to have the hair plucked from the ear canal.  This allows the ear to have proper air circulation.  It is not necessary to remove all of the hair in the ear, as some serves as a barrier to foreign debris.  It is imperative that you are properly trained to pull ear hair before attempting this endeavor.  Proper nail care is also very important.  Long, unsightly nails are uncomfortable for the dog, as well as anyone they might jump on.  Long nails also compromise the shape of the foot.  Trimming the pads of the foot helps give the dog good traction on different surfaces and can minimize the amount of dirt the dog tracks into the house.  It also affords the opportunity to treat and condition the paws from cracks and abrasions.  Anal glands should also be checked and expressed if they are full.  Some caring pet owners prefer to have the anal glands done by their veterinarian. Good dental hygiene is essential for a healthy pet too.

In order to maintain healthy skin and coat as well as overall health, it is important to provide good nutrition to your dog through a well–balanced diet, vitamins, and healthy treats.

Cavaliers can be a wash and wear dog. However, frequent baths are necessary.  A bath and blow out is necessary to keep the shedding and matting under control.  Keeping the skin and coat clean is the key to keeping your Cavalier in top condition.

As with all breeds of dogs, the Cavalier does have some breed-specific health concerns.  Mitral valve disease of the heart can be life threatening and lead to heart failure. Other health concerns are eye conditions including cataracts and retinal problems, slipped stifles, and hip dysplasia.

Cavaliers do shed.  However, to minimize shedding frequent baths and blowouts and weekly brushing will help reduce the amount of dog hair you find in the house.

Cavaliers are good with children, but it is important to watch small children around a Cavalier to make sure they do not unintentionally hurt the puppy.

Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene.  The difference is the maintenance, conditioning, and training for the show ring.  It is always helpful if your breeder is willing to mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of showing dogs.  A great place to start is with the national breed club like the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, www.ackcsc.org