The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a Toy breed that originated in the UK in the 1600s.
After making their way into the US, they’ve become one of the most popular family dogs in the country. It’s not hard to see why either. They are intelligent, cheerful, fun loving dogs and are characterized by an adorable face that melts the best of us!
Their coat is long and silky all over, except for the face which is shorter, and there is longer hair around the ears. Unlike many longer haired breeds, these guys only have a ‘top coat’ which makes them easier to groom. Although the will tangle easier than a shorter haired breed.
The coat comes in four color variations: Red and White, Solid Red, Tricolor and Black and White.
Coat Quick Facts
Coat Type: Single
Texture: Fine and silky
Length: Long haired breed
Amount of Shedding: Moderate
Grooming Difficulty: Moderate/ high
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shedding
So, will you and your home be covered in hair with this breed? Thankfully, it’s not too bad. They are considered an average shedding breed so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
As mentioned, they have a single coat, which means they have less fur on their body overall. So, generally speaking, they will not shed as much fur throughout the year or shed as much during the change in season as their double coated counterparts.
You can expect a moderate amount of shedding throughout the year, which can be reduced by a proper grooming ritual.
Grooming Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
They are not the highest maintenance breed out there, but they are prone to matts and tangles given the length of hair they have. This is particularly true around their ears where it is longer.
It is recommended to brush them 2-3 times per week to keep them knot free and that’s about it. Regular brushing will help to keep excess shedding at bay by removing lose fur and increasing the natural oil content in your dog’s skin.
As far as bathing, you should keep this to a minimum as they are a clean dog, and over bathing can cause dry skin, which can increase the likelihood of excess shedding.
It is ok to clip this type of coat, although not necessary as long as a regular brushing routine is kept.
Bottom Line
For everyday brushing, a bristle/ pin brush combo will do the trick and for matts and tangles you may want to look into getting a slicker brush. The key is to brush regularly to avoid matts in the first place, but they do happen from time to time.
There are also some high quality de-shedding tools which can significantly reduce shedding in this breed.
That’s it from us! Have you got some insights to share? Chime in below…
