Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A Cavalier does not get a haircut. The coat is meant to be left long. What it needs is brushing, and a tidy up every eight weeks. The long hair on the ears, chest and legs is where the trouble is.
- Coat type
- Long
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush every 2 to 3 days
- Shedding
- Yes, all year round.
- Watch for
- Knots behind the ears and in the leg hair
- Time in the salon
- About 75 minutes for a Tidy Groom
Long hair in the places that move
A Cavalier has a long, silky coat with extra length on the ears, chest, legs and tail. Groomers call that feathering. The body coat mostly looks after itself. The feathering does not. It hangs where the dog moves most, so it rubs and it knots. Dogs NSW puts the Cavalier down as a weekly brush, and that is the part most owners skip.
Why eight weeks
Cavaliers get missed because the coat looks fine. It is soft, it lies flat, and there is no haircut to remind you it is due. Meanwhile the ear hair knots quietly against the neck, and the back legs knot where they rub. Once it goes solid the only comfortable fix is to cut it out. That leaves a gap you can see for months. A tidy every eight weeks keeps it out of trouble.
Many of the Cavaliers we see are older and do not like standing for long. We can split a groom over two visits if your dog is happier that way.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush every two to three days. Lift the coat with one hand and take a thin line at a time, starting right down at the skin.
- Do behind the ears, the chest and the backs of the legs. The body coat rarely needs you. These three spots always do.
- Check the ears each week and dry them after a bath.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Steel comb
Run it down to the skin. If it stops, you have found a knot.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A good conditioner keeps long hair sliding past itself instead of knotting. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Cavaliers at WOOOF
Most Cavaliers book a Tidy Groom: bath, full dry, ears, nails, and a trim of the feet, ears and hygiene areas. It takes about 75 minutes. There is no body clip, because the coat is meant to stay long. If the feathering has knotted we add Dematting, quoted at check in.
What a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel groom costs
Set to a small dog with a long coat, which is where a Cavalier sits.
Showing the lowest prices, for a small dog with a curly / long coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need grooming?
Every eight weeks for a tidy. The body coat is fine on its own. The long hair on the ears, chest and legs is what knots and needs keeping in check.
Should I have my Cavalier clipped short?
We would rather not. The coat is meant to be long, and a close clip can change the way it grows back. A tidy of the feet, ears and feathering does the job without that risk.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Grooming weekly. Exercise about 20 minutes a day.
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
PetSure, Pet Health Monitor 2026. Ear infections in adult dogs cost $473 on average to treat.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.