How to Groom a Havanese

Originally from Cuba, the Havanese are the descendants of a now-extinct breed called Blanquito de la Habana. Breeders crossed these dogs with French and German Poodles to create the modern day Havanese. Only as recently as the 1970s did the American Kennel Club recognize the Havanese as an official breed. They require a full grooming every 4 to 6 weeks and a general grooming once a week. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

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.

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.

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.

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.