This Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chihuahua mix is low maintenance regarding its grooming needs. However, all pet owners should know how to properly groom and care for their pups to keep them clean and healthy.
All dog breeds have their individual needs and requirements for caring for them. Here is all you need to know about the Chilier:
Chiliers either have a long and wavy coat or a short and straight coat; it depends on which parent they take after. The parent breeds have very different coats, so it all comes down to their genetics. You will likely need to give your doggo a trim now and then, especially on their feet.
If they take after their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent, you must trim the hair on their feet regularly to avoid getting knotted or too long. If the hair on their feet is too long, walking can cause difficulty. So, it is best to trim the hair around their feet when it gets too long.
Their coats are short to medium and usually long by their ears, feet, and tail. You can give these three areas a trim from time to time, but their hair is not long enough for various styles, and you should also never shave your Chilier.
You can choose to keep the hair by their ears relatively long or keep it short. You can bundle hair by their ears and on their head to put it in a cute little bow. But this lovely little dog has a beautiful coat and does not require any styling!
Regular grooming and bathing are a must, but do not bathe them too often as it removes all of the natural oils on their skin; it can also irritate and cause itchiness. First things first, you will need to make your pooch comfortable with the grooming process.
Most dogs hate grooming time; you will likely need to treat them to keep them calm and motivated, and you need to ease them into the process.
You can bathe your doggo in warm water; do not make the water too hot or too cold. You will need to use a dog shampoo and may need to shampoo their coat twice to eliminate all the dirt and build-up.
Soak your pup in lukewarm water, use shampoo, then rinse and repeat this. You can then use the dog conditioner once and rinse it off again. Do your best not to get soap in their eyes or face, so be very gentle when washing and rinsing around these areas.
Once you have finished bathing your doggos, you can wipe down their face using a damp cloth. It would be best if you dried your pup off immediately. Otherwise, they will shake their fur, causing quite a mess, which won’t be fun to clean up!
Use a towel or a dog-friendly blowdryer on the lowest setting. While drying them off, gently start brushing through their hair.
While bathing your pup solves several problems, there are additional grooming requirements that you need to know as well:
You should brush your dog’s teeth twice a day or at least three times each week. You can brush their teeth going up and down or in a circular motion. Eventually, brushing will become routine for your pup, and they will enjoy it.
Their ears and eyes can easily become infected, so you should clean them at least once every month. You can clean your fur babies’ ears by gently wiping their earflaps using a damp and warm cloth. Always be gentle with their ears.
It is best to clean your pup’s eyes at least once a day or when you notice build-up. You can do so using a moist cloth.
You should brush your pup’s coat at least once every week. This small dog is a low shedder, but brushing significantly minimises the shedding. It also ensures that their coat is free from knots and tangles.
Brushing keeps their coat healthy and in good shape. You should use a medium bristle brush when grooming small dogs. Brushing will also stimulate their skin’s natural oils and make their coat nice and shiny. Their ears are sensitive, so take caution around this area.
The American Kennel Club and Designer Dogs Kennel Club suggest that you only trim the nail’s end on the hook-shaped part that turns downwards. You will need to use dog clippers; they have a built-in safety guard to avoid cutting the nails too short.
Do it very slowly; your fur baby needs to feel comfortable. Start with one nail at a time, and give them a small treat to say well done after each nail. Nail clipping is scary for little pups!
You should trim their nails at least every three to four weeks or when you hear them tapping on the floor. If their nails are too long, it can cause difficulty walking and be very painful.
If you have a Chilier puppy, you should first groom it when it is about 10 to 12 weeks old. You can adequately groom them after their second round of shots. Their first grooming should be before they are 16 weeks old.
It is recommended that you bathe them at least once every week or every two weeks. It will depend on their lifestyle, and it is always best to bathe your pup when they get very dirty. This designer dog breed should never be left unbathed for six weeks.
No, they don’t. This mixed breed is easy to maintain, and you can easily groom them at home. Some dog owners prefer to take their pups to a professional groomer occasionally, but it is unnecessary. It comes down to personal preference.
You should never shave your pup. Their fur keeps them warm and cool and serves as a protective layer. You can give their fur a bit of a trim if needed, but their fur is there for a good reason!
You can easily keep your poochie cool during the summer by ensuring they always have a full bowl of water and keep them in shady areas outdoors. You can also let them swim in a tiny paddling pool if your pup is up for it.
Grooming a Chilier will be easy for experienced and new dog owners. They are low maintenance, and their needs are pretty basic. Once you and your pup have a solid grooming ritual down to a T, you’ll be good to go and find the whole process a breeze.
Grooming is an excellent way to bond with your pup, especially with this companion dog. You can also find out from the international designer canine registry what the best grooming method is; your vet can also help with this!
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