Cavachon Grooming

Cavachons are small, basically non-shedding dogs who share the significant grooming needs of such dogs: their coats grow endlessly and they can get into and under things where debris gets into their fur. They have an extra reason in that they are prized for their coats — and that means a lot of high-maintenance grooming to maintain that precious, fluffy look. This page will offer some tips on how to keep your Cavachon's cute coat looking its best!

Cavachon grooming is the key to keeping his happiness, health and overall well-being. There are so many things that can be avoided by grooming a Cavachon such as: skin conditions, debris, tangles, fleas, ticks, stains, and dandruff. Daily brushing is practically mandatory. This activity will help prevent tangles and matting, will prompt good blood flow, and will distribute the natural oils that keep the coat in top shape. You can easily learn how to groom a Cavachon by watching Cavachon grooming videos. Along with bathing, total grooming will become a bonding experience.

Unfortunately for the Cavachon, matted hair can be an issue if these dogs aren't brushed consistently. Though Cavachons don't shed much, their coats tangle easily--so brushing 3-4 times per week (if not daily) is a must.

If your Cavachon's coat does get tangled, though, try to remove it as soon as you can--because if left unchecked, tangles develop into mats, which are even harder to deal with!

The best way to handle Cavachon tangles is to use your fingers. This method is more difficult and time-consuming, but it's less damaging to the coat. Some people use a de-shedding tool like a Furminator to help with the tangles, or they just cut them out completely with scissors--but these methods make the coat look uneven, and should only be used as a last resort.

To untangle a hair snarl, simply use your thumbs and forefingers to separate the hairs, going strand by strand if necessary. If you like you can spray on some de-tangling solution beforehand to lubricate the hairs. For extra-stubborn tangles or mats, you can use scissors to cut them in half (or even fourths) to get the untangling process started.

Since these dogs have medium-length, fluffy, low-shedding coats, Cavachon bathing will need to happen monthly (or more often for people who show their dogs). Of course, if the dog gets especially dirty or stinky, an "emergency bath" might be necessary at any time!

It's important when bathing a Cavachon to use canine shampoo and conditioner. The kind made for humans has a different pH and can irritate a dog's skin. Some owners like to save time by using a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner combo. The best shampoo for a Cavachon includes brands like Buddy Wash, Burt's Bees, and Zesty Paws--many of which carry 2-in-1 combo products.

How to bathe a Cavachon: first give the dog a good brushing. You can bathe your Cavachon either in a bathtub (which hopefully has a spray nozzle attachment) or in an outdoor plastic pool using a garden hose. Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a small amount of Cavachon shampoo to the dog's back. Lather well, working downward and outward as you go. (And don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail!) Clean the dog's face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely. Repeat the whole process with canine conditioner if desired.

Towel-dry the coat, then continue drying with a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting, brushing the hair out with a pin brush as you dry. Finish by giving the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.

If you want ideas for Cavachon haircuts, you may want to look into the two purebred parent breeds' styles. Whichever of the two may be closest to your Cavachon's look may help you decide. Because these dogs are great for show, the haircut styles available can be endless. You can find plenty of Cavachon haircut photos online for ideas. There are some general small, fluffy-coat grooming styles that are universal, however.

The Teddy Bear Cut and the Puppy Cut are basically the same styles despite the different names. The only real difference tends to be how the face is trimmed. The Teddy Bear cut often allows the face to have longer hair to make it look fuller. Both are basically a short cut that is the same length all over. These cuts allow for easy grooming. How long you wish the cut is up to you. As both names imply, what you want in the end is a cute, huggable doggy!

The Schnauzer Cut is a popular one that can be modified to best reflect your Cavachon's body shape or size. This cut is defined by the beard and the skirt. The skirt can hang to the ground or it can be cut to the length you want. The same goes for the beard, which can be allowed to hang naturally or be trimmed into a boxy shape.

One problem that many white, non-shedding dogs have is tear stains. This can be a relatively aesthetic one, but it may indicate any number of health issues such as food allergies, in-grown eyelashes, or infections. Some of these problems can cause the tear ducts to be blocked. Instead of draining away properly, they leak out onto the face. If it's caused by infection or diet, this problem can be spread. Staining may show up around the mouth as well as on the coat where the dog licks.

There are many remedies for Cavachon tear stains. You can start by changing the dog's diet to grain-free kibbles or even raw food. If the water bowl is plastic, you can switch to a metal one or even a large drip-style water dispenser. If the problem persists, you can add probiotics such as Agatha's Apothecary Advanced Probiotic, as it may be an internal issue. Tear stains can also be genetic, so if the stains remain, be sure to see your vet.