How to Groom a Havanese

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Slicker brush
Pin brush
Metal comb
Mat rakes
Protein shampoo
Scissors
Thinning shears

Step 1:
Use a combination of slicker brushes, pin brushes and metal combs to brush out the double coat of the Havanese. Start with the coarser brushes and work out the large tangles first. The Havanese double coat is unique in that both the topcoat and the undercoat are soft and silky, rather than having a coarse and wiry topcoat with a softer undercoat. Use a mat rake if necessary to remove stubborn knots.
Step 2:
Bathe the dog with a shampoo that is rich in protein. Avoid using cream rinse on this breed. There are also lotions available which can help prevent split hairs.
Step 3:
Use scissors to clip the hair from between the pads of the feet. If you desire your dog's feet to have a rounded look, you can clip the feet as well. If your dog is a show dog, a professional consultation is probably in line for the great deal of specialized grooming ahead.
Step 4:
Use the thinning shears to cut dead clumps of hair out of the dog's coat.

Tips & Warnings

If the coat is kept long, rather than clipped short, brush out the coat twice per week, minimum.
Havanese dogs shed little to no hair, so you must remove most loose hair manually through brushing.
The Havanese are related to the Bichon family. In French, "bichon" means fleecy dog or curly lap dog.
This breed has an average life expectancy of 14 to 15 years of age.
Havanese are prone to PRA, cataracts, luxating patellas, poodle eye and dry skin.

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