HAVANESE OFFICIAL BREED STANDARD - CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB

One of the features that drew me to the Havanese is their long, silk coats and likewise one of the first questions almost everyone asks is "are the coats difficult to care for?".  No. The Havanese are a longer coated breed that do require regular brushing to keep them free of mats, however a half hour once or twice a week generally is sufficient to keep their coats free of mats and looking wonderful. Even the companion dog can havea long coat.

There is an in-between stage when puppy coat is giving way to the adult coat. At this stage it seems as soon as you finish brushing them they start to mat again. Maybe it's because they are so active during this time, but it is recommended to brush a bit more often. Or if a shorter coat is desired a professional may clip the coat every two months. If you want to keep the puppy appearance, be sure to ask for a "puppy cut" which leaves about 2 - 3 inches all over the body.

Even though a young puppy has a short coat, it's important to start out with regular grooming sessions as soon as you can to get the pup used to it and enjoying it. Grooming can be a pleasant experience for both yourself and your dog if approached correctly. Waiting until the pup is 6 or 7 months old or has developed some mats and tangles will result in a battle as the now considerably larger, untrained pup fusses at the unpleasant feeling of hair being pulled as tangles are removed. Grooming is not an option with a Havanese, it's something that will HAVE to be done many times throughout its life.

By the time you have received your pup from us, it has already had a few baths, been blown dry, had regular brushings as well as ears cleaned, nails clipped and paws trimmed. You can continue the training by getting the puppy comfortable to being handled all over by you. A grooming table is a valuable asset as the pup will be much calmer and easier to handle. Put the pup on the table frequently, run a brush over his body, handle his paws, open his mouth, lift up his ears. Make it fun - praise, give treats, make a big fuss over what a good pup he is!

It's recommended to comb our the coat completely before bathing your Havanese as a mat left behind will worsen with the soap and water. Dogs have a different PH balance than we do so use a good dog shampoo. I have found that the better quality shampoo and conditioner keeps the coat free of matts until the next bath. Shampoo will sting the eyes so I recommend a puppy no tear shampoo. A swab of cotton in the ears will prevent water from entering the ear canal.

Nail clipping is often easiest with the help from another person and best done while the pup is sleepy. Remember the pup has likely had it's first nail clipping at just a few weeks of age and continued weekly so it's not some new traumatic experience. No doubt they will still be fussy. Don't fight the pup or get angry. Gently hold the paw and if he pulls back, let go and pick it up again. Holding the paw tighter will only cause him to get more distressed and pull back harder. Most times it's best to break the task into small and short sessions. For instance clip all the nails on one foot, or two nails on each foot leave the rest until the next day. It's important to end each time on a positive note without the pup getting impatient and unruly so decide ahead of time so you know when you're finished. Regular nail clipping will keep the quick (the blood supply to the nail) short and will make it easier to keep the nails short.

Grooming supplies

Havanese need their coat brushed, nails clipped and ears and teeth cleaned regularly. Each owner has their own favourite tools for grooming and I'm no different. If you are planning to keep your pup in a puppy cut or longer, I recomment the following.

A pin brush is a good basic grooming brush. The pins should be approximately 2.5 cm or 1" in length and the rubber base soft when palm pressure is applied. The pin brush is used for everyday grooming and "line brushing" which refers to lifting up sections of the coat and brushing one layer at a time, getting down to the skin. You should easily see the line of skin as each section of coat is lifted. This is easiest if the dog is trained to lie on its side while you do this. 

A 'regular' comb should be used sparingly  but it is beneficial is for areas such as behind the ears where little mats tend to form, or for checking other areas for mats after brushing them with the pin  brush. A medium tooth comb is best for this.

A soft slicker brush or rake consists of very short, bent metal pins set in a cushioned backing. This brush separates the hairs and gives that showring appearance. It can also be useful for helping to remove tangles on the legs and for helping remove the puppy coat as it's being shed so the adult coat can come in. One needs to be cautious when purchasing a rake or slicker brush as many have pins that are too hard and are set in rigid backing. These will scratch the dog's skin and cause pain. Some groomers suggest you try them on your arm - if they scratch you, then you surely don't want to use them on your dog. I apply the rake to my palm and test the rubber base for give.

It's recommended to use a spray bottle to mist the coat lightly before brushing your Havanese eliminating static that can cause the hair to break. There are many different sprays available and my preference is Silk Finish by Animal House. Plain water will work if necessary.