Haircuts
If you have had your Cavachon for at least 6 months……probably 9 or more in most cases……your puppy has probably had a haircut by now or in need of one. I originally thought I would be performing that task myself, I even bought clippers. I have two boys that I had given haircuts to for a very long time. But, when the time came for a trim for Kasey, I was fearful of approaching this pooch with clippers! He was so darn cute, I just could not do it! I had been trimming his toenails all along, and had no problem with that. The haircut though, I (wisely) chickened out on! I found a local groomer, was very happy with her, and still use her to this day. We now are on a schedule of getting a haircut about every 9 weeks. Kasey looks cute with the long hair, but it gets difficult to keep up with, as the longer it gets the more frequent combing is required.
Combing
The baby puppy hair is not very difficult to keep up with but I still recommend you brush or comb your puppy frequently right from the start. Trust me, they will come to love that time with you! Later on you will be grateful you got them used to it. As your puppy gets older, the hair gets thicker and tangles more easily.
As Kasey got older, I found using a metal comb worked best. Here is the one we now have:
The description for it said “recommended by professional groomers, the smooth rounded teeth on this comb are gentle to the dog’s skin.” The teeth are wider at one end and closer together at the other. The wide teeth work well for a quick comb. The closer teeth make his coat fluffier and softer.
Kasey is now 3 years old. Right after grooming we can go at least a week and as much as 2 weeks without combing if we want to. Then, it is once every 4 or 5 days for a couple weeks, getting any “snarls” in between as they come up. When we are about 4 – 5 weeks out from the last grooming….our combing will happen every couple of days when all goes well. If it is longer than that, we usually have to use our “mat comb” in a couple of places, which is an awesome tool and totally saves the day- painlessly! I just recently got this and am so glad I did. There were times in the past that I would have to resort to cutting out a mat to save Kasey the pain of trying to comb it out. Here is what it looks like:
The description on this was “Mat Removing Comb has multiple stainless steel blades for quick and easy removal of severe mats and tangles.”
Kasey tends to gets “mats” in the arm/leg pit area, and, sometimes, in his long ear hair. As much as I think I do a really good job keeping up with the tangled hair, I can find a giant tangle the day after we spent a couple of hours on the couch getting combed (if there is something good on TV, we are very content and I just keep combing him J ).
On the area around his eyes I have found that using an eyelash comb works great. I can easily comb that area and the small comb makes it much safer. I bought a new one that I use only on Kasey, that should go without saying!
I have to say when I bring out the combs, I call Kasey, I take off his collar, and he is great on my lap for as long as I want to comb him. However – when I give him the word that we are done – he is out of there and waiting at the treat drawer! After treats, I call him back for his collar, and he is there, again! Usually this all takes place late evening, and he is then a happy guy and off to bed.
A Cavachon is probably more high maintenance in the grooming department than many other breeds. You will need to comb him often to keep his coat looking its best and tangle free. Always comb your Cavachon before a bath. As I said in the beginning I started with combing Kasey very soon after we got him. He has never looked at this time as anything but a bonding time for us. He has never resisted or balked at me when I bring the combs out. In fact, he jumps up on the couch knowing it is “Kasey/mommy time!” I have, however, found that it does take the right tools to make the experience comfortable for your dog, especially once the hair starts getting longer.
Related Cavachon posts:
Tags: 
I brought my new rescue Cavachon for his grooming and they gave him a “Bischon” cut. I HATED it. What should I ask for?
[Reply]
Our little “Miko” is the sweetest dog. We wanted a puppy to “grow up” with our grand babies. A small breed was a concern. Our Cavachon is amazing with them. Our grand daughter adores him and he her! She tells me he is her “best puppy friend”. He is gentle and playful and very protective of her (of all four of them)! When they go down for a nap he is at the door waiting for them when they wake up. I don’t know if we just got lucky or if all Cavachon’s are this good with small children. He is our little shadow. Happiest when he is near people. Very much a “people” pet. He just loves every one~~
[Reply]
Lori Replied:
May 6th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Miko does certainly sound like a sweetie! Kasey is now, and always has been, just amazing around kids. I often wonder how I got so lucky! The people I know with babies have no concerns about Kasey being around them (I still watch carefully, of course!)
[Reply]
Our little man, Topher, is now 13 weeks old. He is the BEST dog we have ever had. We bring him to our insurance agency office every day and he loves to greet our customers with big smiles and a wagging tail. They often pick him up and offer him a little biscuit. He does not bark and is the most calm dog ever! I think my husband and I have definitely spread the good news about this breed. Oh, and he loves to go camping in our RV! We could not ask for a better family member.
[Reply]
Lori Replied:
April 18th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Another big “Yay” for Cavachons! I think they are the best, too! Congratulations on getting Topher (and I am so glad he found you, too!) I wish you many, many years of happiness together. Send us a picture for “Kasey’s friends” page, we would love to add your new family member to ours!
[Reply]
I have two Cavashons and they are the most loving dogs you could ever ask for. I think if you want a lovable cuddly dog they are the ones to get. Their mild mannered and they are good with cats and other dogs. Children love them. They don’t bark a lot unless they see a stray cat or the mail person.
If you decide to get one you have made a wonderful choice and a friend for life.
[Reply]
Lori Replied:
January 2nd, 2012 at 10:52 pm
I agree with you – however, you forgot to add “squirrels” to the bark list!!!!
[Reply]