Brushing and Clipping
Brushing your dog’s hair regularly keeps the coat in top condition. Havanese dogs are said to be non-shedding, and it’s true that they don’t shed readily, but the coat must be brushed daily to remove dead hair. It also provides the dog with a gentle massage to improve circulation. Regular brushing offers owners the opportunity to examine the dog’s coat and skin for ticks or other parasites or hidden wounds. If you’ve had considerable experience clipping dogs’ coats you can give your dog a bimonthly trim. If you’re not an expert, it’s worth the few dollars expense to have a professional with the proper tools do the job.

Bathing
How often your Havanese needs a bath depends upon his lifestyle and his color. A white active Havanese could need a weekly bath, especially if he is allowed up on the furniture and bedding. Keeping the coat clean helps to keep the coat free of tangles. A Havanese that lives primarily as a house pet may not require bathing as often.

Eyes
Dogs with bright white coats like Havanese often get discolored hair near the eyes, usually red. Wash the skin around the eyes using a soft wash cloth or cotton ball. This staining can be minimized through daily cleaning. Lotions are available from pet stores that can help minimize eye irritation.

Ears
All dogs with long, wide, floppy ears are prone to ear infections. The floppy ears cover the ear canal so efficiently that moisture collects and cannot escape. Infections can be avoided by regularly cleaning the ears with a washcloth or cotton swab. Hair in the ears should also be removed using your fingers or tweezers. Be very careful not to probe too far into the ear canal.

Teeth
Dogs, like humans, have plaque buildup form on their teeth. This plaque can turn into tartar, support colonies of bacteria, and cause infections. Regularly brushing your Havanese’s teeth can keep the teeth and gums healthy. Use toothpaste which is made especially for a dog’s teeth. Canine toothpastes are available at all pet supply stores. To the delight of dogs, they come with a choice of chicken, liver, and malt flavors.

Nails and Paws
Your Havanese’s nails will become too long if not trimmed. Dogs do not like having this done, especially if they have had the quick injured in previous trimmings. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming your dog’s nails, seek the help of a professional groomer. Also, when you clip your dog’s fur, pay specific attention to the paws. The Havanese’s hair grows so quickly that it can build up to form a slipper like cushion which can cause the dog to slip on smooth surfaces.

The biggest drawback in cleaning a Havanese dog is the coat. Grooming a Havanese dog takes a long time because the coat need to be cleaned frequently. If you don’t have the time or inclination to clean your pet dog a lot, then this dog breed is not for you. Havanese Dogs should have their coat groomed two-to-four times a week. Their coat should be brushed or combed in layers from the skin outward in order to get it really clean. During winter or in drier climates, a light oil or coat dressing can help prevent split hairs or static build up.

The coat must be free of any mats(tangled hairs) before bathing your dog. Mats can be removed by moistening the coat with oil and rubbing it with you fingers until the tangle separates. The coat should be shampooed liberally and rinsed completely before application of a coat conditioner. Pet owners can brush the coat frequently to keep it free of tangles then take their Havanese dogs to a groomer for bathing.

For many, this is the deciding factor on whether or not to get a Havanese puppy. With roughly 6-8 inches of fine silky coat, the Havanese dogs fall into the high-maintenance category. Requiring either a thorough brushing, at least every other day, or a couple of trips to the grooming salon, this is too much work for a person with a busy lifestyle to handle. Thus only the really committed people get these dogs. Additionally, pale colored dogs can get rust-stains at the corners of their eyes or the hair around their muzzles can get dirty when they eat. In addition to bathing these gos, responsible owners also have to take the time to dry their furry companions. Because of their thick coats, this can also be a lot of work and take a lot of time.

Havanese dogs need plenty of grooming which is expected because of their long flowing coat. However, to prevent immense grooming the fur can be clipped short. Left long, their fur needs to be brushed two times a week plus extra fur should be trimmed away from the pads of their feet. Of course a show dog will need more grooming but for a pet this is all that needs to be done. Exercise, such as walks or play sessions, will keep this breed happy and healthy. If you’re considering getting a Havanese dog, be sure to keep in mind just how much work one of these little dogs will be, and weigh that into your pros and cons.