I would be furious -- if you gave specific directions only to trim then I would ask for a refund or partial refund and I certainly wouldn;t go to that groomer anymore.
Unless her coat was badly matted there is never ANY reason to have to shave a cavalier. Indeed shaving the dog often damages the coat -- many show breeders say shaving the dog ends up with the coat growing back in curly and dry. She looked perfectly fine when I saw her.
If anyone is taking a cavalier to a groomer you need to absolutely have confidence in the groomer and even then bring *in writing* what you want done. Most groomers haven't a clue in their heads on how to groom cavaliers and many don't seem interested in learning -- why they think they need shaving or to look like cockers is totally beyond me.
As you can tell I have really strong feelings on this. Poor groomers regularly cause one of the biggest upsets for cavalier owners. They seem determined to cut their coats or shave even if you tell them not to touch the coat!! It takes forever for many dogs' coats to grow back in, too -- months upon months. When groomers trimmed Lily's slippers -- absolutely against my specific instructions
-- I just hated that cat feet look, and even a year later, her slippers are only half the length they once were. It took months before her feet even looked slightly hairy again.
I also hate when they cut their ears which can take, again, YEARS to reach a beautiful length. One trip to the groomers, and for a middle aged dog, it may take the rest of its life for the years to reach the same length again.
So I do not even let groomers near my dogs any more. I wash them myself.
Shaving a dog without asking permission is outrageous. I would certainly complain to the manager if there is one.
If you have a reliable, good groomer; tip accordingly!!
