There’s a lot to consider when bringing an animal into the house. Where are they going to sleep? Eat? And play? Who’s going to walk them every day? The biggest concern, however, is usually: do they shed, and how much?

If you have your heart set on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, you’ve made a good choice for a loving companion, but if cleaning up dog hair is make or break for you, there’s some bad news: these little fellas definitely shed.

Before you change your mind though, remember how small this breed is. The most they will end up weighing is between 11-18 pounds. So even though they may shed, their coats aren’t big enough to really cause a huge problem in the home.

Unfortunately, if you have someone in the home who is allergic to dander, even the smallest amount of shedding can cause discomfort.

That’s a tough obstacle to circumvent, however, there are some solutions that allow people with dog allergies to coexist with them.

Tips For People With Allergies

• Washing your dog every week can reduce dander by up to 84%
• Establish a no dog zone in your house, usually the bedroom, so that you do not risk dander disrupting a good night’s sleep, and you have an escape if allergies act up
• Installing a High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) throughout your home and in your bedroom will maintain the purity of the air
• Buy a HEPA vacuum cleaner
• Buy sheets that are impermeable to particles seeping into the mattress
• Clean the house frequently, especially fabrics that can collect dust
• You can ask your vet about special shampoos that help reduce harmful dander
• Visit a specialist and have them diagnose your allergies. There may be a medical remedy that will help you resist the uncomfortable effects

Managing Shedding On A Day To Day Basis

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have beautiful silky multicolored coats that are one of the most desirable and definable features of the dog breed. However, in order to maintain that coat, they have to shed… a lot.

The fact is no one likes showing up to work with their shirt covered in dog hair. There are some steps you can take to contain this breeds shedding so that it doesn’t interrupt your life. It’s a lifelong battle and requires some weekly or even daily commitment:

• Don’t skimp on the brush – You’re going to be brushing your Spaniel a lot, so it’s worth it to pay a little extra for a high-quality brush. Speciality brushes are designed for dogs that shed a lot and make your life much easier.
• Don’t skimp on the vacuum cleaner – You’re going to be vacuuming a lot. So invest in a vacuum cleaner that is specifically designed to tackle pet hair. Many vacuums struggle with picking up pet hair because it’s very good at burrowing itself into fabrics.
• Groom your pup often – Whether you elect to groom your dog yourself or take him to the doggy salon, keeping him well groomed reduces shedding and the overall length of your pup’s hair that does shed.

• Use throw rugs in multiple rooms of your house. These rugs will collect a lot of hair, but that’s the idea. They act like little sponges, preventing dog hair from spreading around the house and throughout the air. Purchase washable ones that you can clean frequently.
• If possible try and purchase sofas and chairs that have washable slipcovers. Any fabric surfaces in your house are going to attract fur, so you’ll want to be able to clean them easily.
• An interesting method that works for some people is by keeping your dog covered up. Put your pup in a cute sweater or t-shirt. This also acts like a little sponge, preventing your dog’s hair from spreading.
• Diet can actually have an affect on the amount they shed. Purchasing high-quality food that promotes healthy coats will reduce excess shedding.

People worry about whether or not they’ll be able to coexist with a dog who sheds. But most of those people will also tell you that once they embrace fur maintenance as a part of the daily schedule it really isn’t that bad. Plus, with a breed as cuddly and friendly as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, chances are you’ll do just about anything for your dog.