King Charles Spaniel Grooming

King Charles Spaniels have medium- to long-length, wavy coats that require a moderate amount of grooming. They'll need frequent brushing (4-5 times per week) to keep the coats from tangling; a pin brush with rubber tips works best, and a slicker brush is also good to have for working through stubborn tangles/mats. Their coats are water-resistant, so breed members will need baths only if they get especially dirty or stinky. (Bathing these dogs too often removes the waterproof oil from their fur.)

Depending on your preferred hairstyle, you King Charles will need clipping/scissoring every 6-10 weeks. See below for more information on King Charles Spaniel hairstyles.

King Charles Spaniel grooming will take some work--and much of it will consist of maintaining these dogs' long, silky coats. They coats do shed some, and they tend to tangle pretty easily, so frequent brushing will be necessary to keep the coats tangle-free and looking good. Some King Charles Spaniel grooming tips:

• Brushing: Brush your Charlie often (4-5 times per week, if not daily) with a pin brush. First wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, first try separating it with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with either a greyhound comb or slicker brush.
• Bathing: Baths are only needed if the dog gets especially dirty or stinky; bathing them too often removes the coat's naturally waterproof oils. When bathing a King Charles Spaniel, be sure to use shampoo and conditioner made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin.
• Haircuts: A number of King Charles Spaniel haircut styles are possible. (See Styling & Haircuts below for more info.)

Though owners can learn how to perform all aspects of King Charles Spaniel grooming themselves, many people rely on professional groomers for major tasks like bathing and haircuts. In any case, it's good to take your Charlie to a pro at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a King Charles Spaniel at home.

Most people give their King Charles Spaniel a haircut every couple of months. Depending on your dog's specific needs, cuts can be given at home, but it's a good idea to have a professional groomer style the dog's hair at least once, as the groomer can provide tips on how to cut it yourself.

Here are three popular King Charles Spaniel grooming styles:

• Scissor Trim: This style doesn't remove much length from the coat, and is probably best done by a groomer. The hair is trimmed slightly all over with scissors to make it look even and healthy; thinning shears can also be used to reduce volume on the body, underbelly, and ears.
• Puppy Cut: This hairstyle makes the coat low-maintenance. The fur is clipped short (1-2 inches) all over; some owners prefer to leave the leg and ear hair a bit longer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Makes a King Charles resemble a teddy bear. The hair is clipped relatively short (2-3 inches) all over, and the leg tail, and ear hair are sculpted and rounded; the overall look is reminiscent of a stuffed animal.