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.