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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a soft, silky coat with elegant feathering that's traditionally kept as natural as possible — the breed is meant to be tidied, not heavily trimmed. The long ear feathering is the main maintenance point, mat-prone and dipping into food and water bowls. Regular brushing keeps the silky coat looking its best.
Coat group
Long-coated
Shedding
Moderate
Difficulty
Moderate
Typical cost
$60–$90 groom in SEQ
Professional grooming
Tidy-up groom every 6–8 weeks; minimal trimming
At-home brushing
Brush 3–4 times a week, focusing on the feathering and ears
Coat type: Silky, medium-length single coat with feathering on the ears, legs, chest, feet and tail.
Cavaliers carry a moderately long, silky single coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, feet and tail. By breed tradition the coat is left to grow naturally and simply kept clean and tidy rather than clipped into a style. Regular brushing several times a week with a pin brush and comb keeps the silky coat free of tangles and looking glossy.
The feathering needs the most attention, especially the long ear feathering, which mats readily where it rubs at the base of the ear and tends to trail into food and water bowls, getting dirty and matted. Comb through the ear feathering, the leg trousers and the chest regularly, and check after outdoor play for grass seeds and burrs caught in the longer hair.
Trimming is kept minimal: tidying the hair between and under the foot pads for grip and cleanliness, neatening straggly feathering and keeping the sanitary area clean is generally all that's done. Some owners trim the feet into a neat shape. The Cavalier's pendulous, well-feathered ears also mean ear health should be monitored, with regular checks and cleaning to prevent infection.
Natural / Tidy trim
The traditional approach — the coat left to grow naturally and simply kept clean, brushed out and lightly neatened. The breed is shown and kept in a natural coat.
Feet and feathering tidy
Trimming the hair under and between the foot pads and neatening straggly feathering for a clean outline, without altering the natural body coat.
Light practical trim
A modest shortening of the ear and leg feathering for owners who want easier maintenance and less debris-catching, while keeping the breed's soft look.
Traditionally Cavaliers are kept in a natural coat and simply tidied — clipping isn't part of the breed standard. Most owners just brush regularly and have the feet, feathering and sanitary area neatened. If you want lower maintenance, a light trim of the feathering is fine, but a full clip-down isn't typical.
Comb through the ear feathering several times a week, since it mats where it rubs at the base of the ear. To stop it dragging into the bowls, some owners use a narrow, deep water bowl or a snood at mealtimes, and a light trim of the very longest ends keeps it cleaner.
Check and gently clean them regularly, as the long, pendulous, well-feathered ears trap warmth and moisture and are prone to infection. Keep the hair around the canal tidy, dry the ears after baths or swims, and see your vet if you notice odour, redness or head-shaking.
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🐾 Find a groomer near youThis guide is general grooming information only and is not a substitute for advice from a professional groomer or veterinarian. Coat care needs vary between individual dogs.