Let's face it, Havanese are one of the most lovable and personable pets to have but it's important to know what to do with all of that hair! The Havanese coat should be long, somewhat flowing, with an abundance of undercoat. Caring for the show coat requires regular grooming to keep it in peak condition.
I recommend starting a grooming routine with your puppy as soon as possible! This allows your puppy to get used to being brushed out as well as the sound of clippers and the hair dryer. Often, as pets mature, they come to enjoy being groomed and it's a speicial even when you take your Havanese to the groomer! Like everything else you want to teach your pet, it's important to be firm and offer praise when your puppy does a good job if you opt to groom your Havanese yourself.
BASIC GROOMING TIPS
*Show Grooming*
The goal in grooming the show coat is to retain as much of the length and fullness to the coat as possible. The following tools are recommended for grooming:
Small or medium pin brush
Small slicker brush
Half fine/half medium comb
Nail clippers (scissors or guillotine type)
Scissors
Coat oil or similar dressing
Tweezers or hemostat
Grooming table (Not required!)
I recommend giving your pet a bath in lukewarm water. If you have a removable shower head, it is easier to wash and rinse your pet. There are many different pet shampoos available; it is your decision to choose which shampoo is right for your pet. We use Sargent's baby power scent shampoo for our adult Havanese as well as our puppies!
One of the most important steps in grooming a Havanese is brushing. For growing and maintaining a coat between shows, it should be brushed two to four times per week. The coat should be brushed in layers. Each layer should be sprayed with a coat oil or similar dressing before brushing to lessen the static electricity which will break off the hair ends. The correct brush is the small or medium pin brush depending on the size of the dog. You may also use a slicker brush on the feet.
Begin by brushing the hair under the chest. Spread the body coat out to the sides and spray the hair with a light oil or coat dressing. Using the pin brush, begin at the stomach and work up to the front legs, brushing the hair in layers from the skin out. After the chest hair is brushed, comb through the rest of the coat.
After the hair has been brushed, use the half fine/half medium comb; combing thoroughly through the coat. If you should find a mat, moisten it with coat oil and rub apart with your fingers. Then brush using the pin brush and comb out. See to it that the nails are trimmed and the hair has been removed from the ear hole. Use either your fingers, a tweezers, or hemostat to remove the hair from the ears; removing only a few hairs at a time. Finally, put one drop of mineral oil into each eye to avoid irritation from non-tearless shampoos.
Set the dog into the tub. Wet thoroughly with very warm water, excluding the head. Pour shampoo onto the wet coat. Gently squeeze the shampoo through the coat and rinse thoroughly. Then shampoo the head in the same manner as the body. Next, apply a cream rinse and rinse again. Squeeze excess water from the coat and remove the dog from the tub. Blot lightly with a towel. Set the dog onto a grooming table and dry using an electric dryer. Use the layering method as in brushing and fluff the coat as it dries. After the drying process is complete brush the dog lightly.
Scissor the hair from between the pads. Then, place the dog in a standing position. Comb the hair out on each foot and scissor around the pads into a round shape. The hair on the head may be either brushed back and allowed to fall in a natural manner or parted in the center and combed to either side allowing the eyes to be partially visible. The hair may also be parted in the center, gathered, and plaited down either side. At no time is the Havanese to enter the show ring with hair drawn to the top of the head in one or two pony tails.
*Pet Grooming*
First, follow the same instructions as the long coat for bathing and blow drying. Then, use a scissors or an electric clippers to trim the hair from around the edge of the foot. Follow the entire outline of the dog's body and legs, shortening the hair to 1-1/2 to 2 inches in length. Shorten the hair on one-third of the tail, leaving the rest in a natural plume. Also, leave the hair on the ears natural. Round off the top of the head and cheeks leaving more hair over the eyes. Do not trim the hair on the top of the head in the style of a topknot or the exaggerated manner of the Bichon Frise. The head of the Havanese should be trimmed to show its natural outline, except for a bit over the eyes. The whiskers and the beard should be left natural; blending the outline where the whiskers meet the hair of the cheeks and throat.
It may be necessary to trim the hair inside your pet's ears. I recommend doing this with a small pair of scissors, such as sewing or manicure scissors. When you bathe your pet, be sure to wash his or her ears thoroughly. This prevents the build-up of wax and ensures that your pet's ears are clean!
Taking your pet to the groomer
Another option for your Havanese is taking him or her to a groomer! I refer to this as going to the beauty shop because that is indeed what it is. Grooming is more than just a hair cut though. It may include bathing, combing, brushing, clipping nails, cutting or shaving mats, cleaning ears, and controlling external parasites. Even if you take your pet to the groomer, I recommend brushing him or her on a daily basis. Grooming can be a great bonding experience for you and your pet! Groomers can clip your Havanese in a style that is flattering, such as a puppy cut, or can remove mats for you. They are professionals who specialize in grooming pets and can more safely and humanely handle tricky procedures and temperamental or frightened pets.
When choosing a groomer, start with a recommendation from a friend, veterinarian, boarding kennel, dog trainer, pet supply store, or local animal shelter. Check the Yellow Pages under "Pet Grooming" for grooming salons in your area. Grooming costs vary depending on where you live, your pet's species and size, the severity of matting, and the simplicity or difficulty of the cut you choose for your pet. An average grooming fee is $35 for a shampoo and brushing, and $40 for a shampoo and cut. More extensive grooming services cost more. For the health and safety of both your pet and the groomer, make sure your pet is up-to-date on veterinary treatment, especially vaccines! When making the appointment for your pet to be groomed, inform the groomer about your pet's specific needs. To provide special handling for your pet, the groomer must know in advance whether your pet is geriatric or has a chronic health condition. Also, be sure to warn the groomer about any habits that could interfere with safe and successful grooming to ensure your pet has a pleasant grooming experience!
