Havanese Grooming Guide: Silky Coat Care and Tear Stain Management

The Coat

The Havanese Coat: Beautiful, But Requires Consistent Effort

The Havanese has a long, silky, lightweight coat that can range from straight to wavy to loosely curled. It is a low-shedding coat — loose hairs tend to stay in the coat rather than falling to the floor — but this means regular brushing is essential to prevent those loose hairs from tangling into mats against the skin. The coat grows continuously and requires professional trimming to stay manageable.

Like the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle, the Havanese owner chooses between the long natural coat and a shorter, lower-maintenance trim. Most pet owners opt for a shorter pet cut trimmed every 4–6 weeks, which is significantly easier to maintain than the full-length show coat.

Basic Grooming Schedule

• Brushing: Daily — both for long and short coats
• Professional trim: Every 4–6 weeks for a short pet cut
• Bathing: Every 2–3 weeks
• Eye cleaning and tear stain management: Daily
• Nail trimming: Every 2–3 weeks
• Ear cleaning: Weekly — hair grows in the ear canal
• Teeth brushing: Daily — small breeds need this

Brushing and Tear Stains

At-Home Grooming for the Havanese

Daily Brushing: Line Brushing Method

The Havanese coat mats quickly if not brushed properly. Surface brushing is insufficient — you must reach the skin. Use the line brushing technique: part the coat horizontally, hold the section above out of the way, and brush from the skin outward in small strokes. Move the part upward section by section. Focus extra attention on the areas that mat fastest: behind the ears, under the armpits, around the collar, and the hindquarters. A pin brush for the body coat and a slicker brush for stubborn tangles, followed by a metal comb to verify, is the correct toolkit.

Tear Stain Management

Reddish-brown staining below the eyes is very common in Havanese, particularly in light-coloured dogs. The staining is caused by porphyrins — compounds in tears — and can be minimised but rarely eliminated entirely. Daily management:

• Wipe below the eyes daily with a damp cloth or tear stain wipe to remove fresh discharge before it oxidises and stains
• Keep the fur around the eyes trimmed short to reduce the surface area that catches tears
• Some owners find that switching to filtered water or stainless steel water bowls (instead of plastic) reduces staining
• Ask your vet about underlying causes — blocked tear ducts, minor eye irritation, or allergies can all increase tear production

Professional Grooming

Grooming Schedule and Costs

Professional Trimming Every 4–6 Weeks

The Havanese coat grows quickly. A short pet cut needs professional trimming every 4–6 weeks to stay neat — slightly more frequent than some other small breeds. At $50–$75 per appointment, this runs $400–$900 per year depending on frequency and location. Budget this as a fixed ongoing cost.

Bathing Frequency

Havanese benefit from more frequent bathing than many breeds — every 2–3 weeks. The silky coat gets oily and attracts dirt. Use a gentle dog shampoo and a coat conditioner, rinse thoroughly, and blow dry while brushing. Allowing the coat to air dry while the dog moves around leads to tangles. A detangling spray used before brushing a freshly dried coat prevents breakage.

Ear Canal Hair

Havanese grow hair inside the ear canal that traps moisture and debris, increasing infection risk. Have your groomer remove this hair at every professional appointment. Clean the ears weekly with a vet-approved solution. Watch for head shaking, scratching, or odor as signs of infection.