Do King Charles Spaniels Shed?

King Charles Spaniel, also known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is quite an adorable dog breed. With their cute front rounded puppy eyes and their happy expressions, it is easy to see how they’ve won the heart of many a dog lover. But the question many people considering the breed always have is, do King Charles Spaniels shed?

One look at a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog, and you can expect a certain level of shedding. After all, they do rock a double coat. But that aside, can we take a moment and marvel at how silky and glossy that multicoloured coat is. Stunning!

In this post, we take a look at King Charles Spaniel in more detail, learn about their history and origins, and delve deeper into the issue of shedding and how we can manage this. We will also consider how best to take care of your King Charles Spaniel’s coat to keep it healthy and beautiful.

So you’ve decided to get yourself a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog? Great choice! Here is everything you need to know about sharing space with your four-legged companion.

A Short History of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Small toy breeds were a favorite of Europe’s royalty from Spain to Scotland, France, and England and little dogs were common in royal courts. King Charles I and his son King Charles II gave their name to the breed.

British aristocrats used King Charles Spaniels in the 17th century as lapdogs and toy dogs.

However, by the end of the century, they were crossed with foreign toy breeds such as Japanese chins and Chinese pugs. This was during the reign of a new monarch, King William, who was originally from Holland and took the throne from James II. King William was especially fond of pugs.

They were referred to as English Toy Spaniels from this period moving forward.

It wasn’t until the early 1920s were cavalier breeders sought to revive the old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog thanks to the motive of an American named Rosewell Eldridge, who offered a prize for the revival of the breed.

While Eldridge wasn’t alive to see the first results of the breeding program, his estate did pay the price.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Coat

Let’s talk about the awesome coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It is a double coat that is medium-sized.

This dog breed has more fur on the ears, the chest, the backside of the legs, and the underside of the tail.

The coat comes in a variety of colors. Black and tan are common, with the main color being black with tan markings on the inside of the legs, under the tail, the cheeks, the inside of the ears, and above the eyes.

Some dogs will also have a Blenheim color white with chestnut or reddish marking.

Others will be a ruby color or reddish all over their bodies.

Finally, some Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will be tricolored with black, chestnut, and white colors.

Something you may also notice with your King Charles Spaniel is a white spot on its forehead which tends to be very distinctive of the breed.

Cavalier King Charles Shedding

Considering that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat with medium-length hair, you can expect a decent amount of shedding.

However, don’t worry about excess shedding and too much dog hair, as with some larger dog breeds such as the Alaskan malamute or the Welsh Corgi.

That said, for people who prefer a low shedding breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may not be ideal. Instead, you are much better with a breed with short dog hair, such as the pug.

Keep in mind that all dogs will shed some dog hair. Pets naturally shed hair to be replaced by new pet hair. The right breed for you will depend on your tolerances and preferences.

The great thing with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is they don’t have a thick coat making them easy to groom. Regular grooming of your Cavalier King’s pet hair will also reduce shedding.

Ensuring proper dog food and nutrition for your adult dog results in a healthy coat and helps reduce shedding. For this, consider meat-rich food.

When Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Shed?

There are different times and situations when Charles Spaniel dogs shed their fur. Let us take a closer look at these below.

Time of the Year

Under natural conditions, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sheds most during the fall and the spring.

Putting on a thick coat during the cold winter months and shedding this during the warm months is normal for most double-coated breeds.

However, humans have created artificial light, so you can pretty much expect King Charles Spaniels to shed throughout the year.

The Puppy Coat

Dogs will naturally shed their puppy coat which they were born with, and during this time of shedding, you may notice a bit more fur on your clothes, bed, or couch.

This usually happens around the first or second year of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels life.

The Diet

A healthy diet has a lot to do with maintaining the glossy coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while also minimizing shedding.

Your dog’s food should comprise higher levels of protein as well as vitamins, minerals, and good carbs.

Always check the dog food ingredients and avoid brands that add fillers such as soy and corn.

Give your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel access to fresh, clean water always. Dehydration is a major cause of excessive shedding.

Grooming

Regular grooming not only removes fur off your King Charles Spaniel but also helps control ticks and fleas. If you let your Spaniel outside play, they will likely pick up these fleas from the grasses.

The ticks and fleas cause your dog to scratch and shed fur.

Pregnancy

If your King Charles Spaniel is pregnant, it’s normal to notice a higher amount of shedding than if they were not pregnant.

The shedding could be caused by a rise in too many hormones in your dog’s body. There is not much you can do here but wait until she gives birth.

Managing Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Shedding

Well, there is no denying that one of the most striking features of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is their silky multicolored coat. While nutritious dog food is important to help reduce shedding and maintain that glorious coat, your Toy Spaniel will still shed.

You can do a few things to help your Toy Spaniel maintain its healthy coat.

Brush Your Dog’s Coat

Since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more regularly than other dogs with short fur, you will often need to brush your Toy Spaniel’s coat. This helps reduce excess shedding.

For this, you will need to invest in a top-quality brush. It is an excellent way to ensure that dog hair doesn’t get into your clothes or all over the furniture creating an untidy look.

Get a Quality Vacuum

Many vacuum cleaners struggle with picking up dog hair as it burrows into the fabric. Getting a vacuum cleaner capable of this will ensure that your living space is always tidy.

Throw Rugs for Every Room

Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will probably enjoy sitting on a throw rug, so why not get one that collects dog fur? It’s better if most of the dog fur was collected at one main point, which you would then clean off, than having it distributed throughout the living space.

Cover Up Your Pup

If you live in colder climates, then you have the perfect excuse for covering up your pup with a sweater.

While it keeps your King Charles Spaniel warm, it will also reduce excessive shedding. That said, you can still find a cute sweater to cover up your dog even if you live in warmer climates.

Grooming Tools for Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

First off, you will need a good dog brush. But not just any dog brush. You need to choose one best suited for your King Charles Spaniel’s medium coat. The brush should have thin, tightly packed bristles that reach the undercoat and pull up the loose hair.

However, you may also want to add a de-shedding tool to your grooming kit. This will come in handy during those times of the year when your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is shedding a little more than normal. A good option here is a rubber curry comb.

Get your Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel a canine drying coat. You can use this before the dryer to wick the moisture out of its coat after a good bath.

How to Groom Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Unlike many large dog breeds with a dense double coat, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are easy to groom. Adult cavaliers are lightweight at 13-18 pounds, and their small frames make them an easy fit in most bathtubs and kitchen skinks. Let’s not forget they are friendly dogs and won’t cause you much trouble.

Start by helping your toy dog breed get used to being handled. You can do this after you get your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy from the pet store. Let them get used to their new surroundings before you start handling them and getting them used to your touch.

You may also consider turning the dog dryer on and then off again several times around your dog to help them get comfortable with the noise.

Some pet owners like to take their toy dogs to a professional groomer. If this is you, always make sure that you brush your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat several times a week before taking them to the groomer.

Daily Brushing

It would help if you regularly brush your Cavalier King Spaniels coat. This will help prevent that medium coat from tangling up, especially at the back of the legs, on the ears, under the tail, on the dog’s belly and chest.

When brushing, you can also use a pin brush with balls at the end of the bristles to prevent damage to the hair. And the great thing is that you get to pull out all loose fur helping to minimize shedding.

Bath Time

You don’t have to bathe your dog every day. This could dry out their skin, causing the shedding to worsen. However, once or twice a month is ideal.

When bathing your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, use a canine shampoo with a low residue formula. After a good scrub, make sure to rinse your dog’s coat with water that is cooler than you would bath with but not cold.

Once done, use your canine dryer and always ensure it is cooler than you would normally use on your hair.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hypoallergenic?

No dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, even if you chose a hairless breed like the Peruvian Inca orchid. You can expect some allergic reaction with the Cavalier King Charles spaniels as they will shed.

If you get allergies due to dog fur but would still want to have something close to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, consider going with a cross of the Cavalier King with other small dogs. A great example is the Cavapoo.

King Charles Spaniel Shedding -What to Expect

You probably wonder how bad the shedding is with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed. Well, let’s find out.

Shedding on the Floor

Chances are, if you have a bare floor without a carpet, you will not see excessive shedding and dog fur here. This is because your pup will hardly want to hang out on the floor. Things could be different if you have a carpet.

Dog Fur on Your Clothes

You’ll likely find the hugs and cuddles of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel irresistible. So it is not surprising to find dog fur on your clothes. This can be a bit of a problem if you are heading out. How much fur will depend on the type of fabric?

King Charles Cavalier Shedding When Petting

If your dog is healthy, eats a protein-filled diet, and you do regular grooming, then you shouldn’t see a lot of pet hair when petting your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. That said, you may notice a bit of hair if you are petting your dog with wet hands.

Shedding on the Bed or Couch

So, your King Charles Spaniel won’t spend their time on the floor, but they are going to love sleeping on the couch or the bed. The King Charles Spaniel dog breed will naturally shed. It’s normal, therefore, to find fur scattered on the bed or couch. However, this will not be excessive, and a good vacuum such as the HEPA vacuum cleaner will be easy to remove.

Shedding on Your Skin

Many toy breeds have a magnetic pull which causes us to want to hold them and cuddle. The King Charles Spaniel dog breed is no exception with its mesmerizing good looks. While this may not result in you being covered with fur, you may notice loose fur sticking to your skin if you are sweating.

Allergies and Health Problems With Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not free of genetic health problems and diseases. One of the health problems affecting the breed includes Cushing’s disease. It causes a dog to produce too many hormones in its adrenal glands.

This disease is genetic, life-threatening, and causes your dog to shed excessively. This is one major reason to get your Cavalier King Charles pups from reputable breeders. Avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Symptoms include excessive drinking and eating while also being lethargic.

Keep in mind that the type of grooming products you use could cause too much shedding if your dog is allergic to them. If you notice that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has too much loose hair after a bath, then you may want to change the shampoo.

Finally, your dog may be shedding due to something in the food. In this case, your vet should point this out and recommend a much better diet.

Shaving Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

You may be wondering at this point if it is okay to shave your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Well, it depends on several factors.

First off, if you enroll your Cavalier King at various dog shows, you should know that breed clubs such as the Cavalier King Charles Club USA, Inc restrict any trimming of the dogs’ coats. However, if your dog is not a show dog, you can trim your dog’s coat.

But wait, it is not that simple.

Only trim when necessary, such as if the vet needs it to be done. In any case, the vet is more likely to do it themselves. That said, you can trim down the fur between the pads of the feet to help your dog walk more comfortably without the risk of slipping.

Also, keep in mind that the long topcoat helps keep mosquitos and other biting insects away while the shorter, thicker inner coat keeps your pup warm.

Your dog’s topcoat will also help protect it from the heat and sun. If trimming and shaving your Cavalier Kings coat is part of grooming your dog, then you are better off with a shedding brush. One that reaches the undercoat and pulls out loose hair will open the coat up to air circulation.

The result is an even glossier and more beautiful coat.

Final Word

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel oozes royalty with its stunning good looks and silky coat. However, they may not be the best dog breed for people with dog allergies. That said, managing the Cavalier King Spaniels coat isn’t all that difficult for people who are not affected by allergies due to their small size and medium-length coats.


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