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Over the years it seems the most requests for assistance with coat grooming are from Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exhibitors. This delightful breed seems to elicit all sorts of questions from all over the world.
As the standard calls for a longish silky coat that is free from curl with plenty of feathering, there is a lot of scope for advice. While wave is permitted, curl is not. You will want to have volume on the ears but keep the body of the coat lying closer and the featherings dried smoothly.
The different coat colours allowed also generate different techniques to keep in optimum condition. Colours must be kept rich and not allowed to fade.
You can’t beat the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna for coat shine. The Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng is great for the white areas and the Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo brilliant for more intense cleansing or to remove an unwanted build-up of products. Use all shampoos at a ratio of 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water).
The Whitening Shampoo is a toning shampoo so it is effective for minimising unwanted warm tones in the coat such as yellow or rusty tones and to generally cool down reddening on a black coat.
For greater whitening use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
With this head type and especially around those eyes, use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It Shampoo. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning.
After shampooing, for this coat use Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner at a ratio of 1:10 (1 part conditioner to 10 parts water – can be used up to 1:20). Apply to the dog, massage in and then rinse.
Natural Silk Protein conditioner leaves the coat with a wonderful finish, reducing static electricity and fluffiness in “fly-away” coats. It features an intensive formulation boosted with Silk Amino acids and plant extracts that bind keratin in the coat, strengthening whilst protecting against moisture loss. It assists in repairing the coat by using herbal extracts that are rich in natural antioxidants. These are excellent for moisturising and strengthening coat, smoothing the cuticle, detangling the coat while soothing dry skin. Natural Silk Protein Conditioner restores hydration and vitality for a naturally softer, silkier more lustrous coat.
Plush Puppy T.L.C. Coat Conditioner can also be used for a Cavalier coat. This comes in a ready to use spray bottle. Use as a normal conditioner and rinse out, or as a leave-in conditioner treatment. T.L.C moisturises and detangles the coat leaving it with excellent shine. It features a sublime light refreshing coconut fragrance.
For brushing this coat, make sure you are using a moisturiser first rather than attacking a dry coat. Plush Puppy OMG is the perfect product for this coat. A light spray and brushing in allows complete coat refreshing. It separates the coat and leaves the most amazing finish. Use OMG Concentrate diluted at 1:20 (1 part OMG to 20 parts water) or O.M.G. Ready to Use Grooming Spray. The stronger the mix the stronger their effects. Different dogs at different coat stages means different mixtures.
Using OMG can be a one-off at shows or during the drying process after bathing. An amazing product for regular brushing also as it hydrates the coat and reduces stress and coat loss. OMG can also be used on topcoats and brush/polished in for that wonderful smooth and flatness to the coat. It never builds up and never goes stringy. A must for this breed.
It is a constant discipline to remember to do the rituals of good maintenance. We can all tap-dance and fly into a panic trying to remedy a coat that is less than wonderful prior to a show but it sure is easier to have a good coat condition to start with.
Should the coat need salvage techniques just prior to a show then use Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream. Add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water and apply to the coat. It will instantly soften and flatten an overly dry coat but unfortunately won’t grow the length on those featherings for you!
For showtime grooming, you will need to do two techniques – one for the body and featherings, and one for the ears where you want more lift and fullness. The featherings should not be curly so apply Plush Puppy Swishy Coat at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 500mls of water. Saturate the featherings with a liberal spray or sponge through. You can dilute further but this is a good starting point for the average coat. Variations will occur with coats so you will need to adjust this dilution rate to suit.
Using a cushioned oval Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush, dry till ¾ dry as this won’t stretch the featherings then switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush which is an oval cushioned half bristle, half dialon brush to finish by smoothing the featherings. I use the two brushes as it is detrimental to the coat to not overly stretch hair when wet hence the use of the Pin brush first till almost dry. The Swishy Coat will help to keep the coat smooth and straight and shiny.
Now apply Plush Puppy Volumising Cream at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 cup water and spray well onto the ear featherings or sponge on liberally. Or use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray which is a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for quick and easy fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow-drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the show. A light even spray, brush in until dry or use a dryer. This is a hair thickener to add volume, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable as it leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel. Just perfect for ears and anywhere requiring a bit more lift.
Use the Pin Brush to ¾ dry and either finish with the air from the dryer and your fingers for a more tousled finish. Alternatively you can complete the drying lightly with the Pin Brush for a more regulated but still loose but full finish.
Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins will reduce drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
The picture you are trying to achieve with this breed is for a wider look to the ears so that they appear to fan forward to frame the face when alert. Now the hardest part is done and out of the way. The rest is a roll down the hill to the show. It’s a good feeling to have the hard work done and the fluffing only to do on the day. Just keep those ears dry with a snood and keep the Plush Puppy Wonder Wash and a dryer handy for the featherings underneath when the dog pees indiscreetly. This which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for last-minute emergencies that will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off.
The show ring beckons and for the fidgety exhibitors such as myself you will have no problems finding things to do so let’s make it effective. A light sprinkle of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust onto the brush and tapped lightly through the coat just catches the glints of sunlight or spotlight. Not too much. Your little pixie is not the glitter fairy so don’t turn him into one. If you can see it when you put this on, then you have gone overboard. It does look sensational but needs a wise hand. Finally, a very light spray of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb onto the topline and sprayed from a distance to keep it spread lightly and effectively and you are ready to hit the stage.
At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray using the latest technology is infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. It also adds to the protection, include a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat strength for the perfect finished look of the coat. This amazing product is idea for this breed and a must for your tack box.
All senses come into play when judging and a good smelling dog is nice to touch. Plush Puppy Odour Muncher is sensational in that it kills the odour and leaves a pleasant scent behind without being too flowery or girly.
The Cavalier was a favourite of the Royal Courts and is a favourite of yours and many others today. He is a happy little chappy and shown to perfection with a great grooming routine, he is just something else again. He has a lot of natural ability in his appearance that just needs tender loving care. Such a wonderful breed.
Plush Puppy Australia.