First In Show: The Proper Havanese Hair Cut
These dogs have quickly gained in popularity at dog shows and competitions since the 1970’s, and the AKC has responded with a very specific set of guidelines relating to the way owners give their Havanese a hair cut. Not only do these guidelines cover which hair should and should not be cut on your Havanese, but also how long the hair should be, as well as to what should be used to cut it with.
If you are planning to enter your Havanese into any such shows or competitions, then these guidelines are an absolute must for you to know and adhere to. Not doing so can result in immediate disqualification. And if you are disqualified for shearing your Havanese too short, or in the wrong places, you may have to wait several months for it to all grow back in and before you are able to enter your dog into any other shows.
Before giving your Havanese a hair cut, there are some specific Havanese grooming tips you should follow in order to make certain that your pup looks its best after the grooming process is complete. The first of which is to make certain that your Havanese receives a daily brushing. Havanese by their very nature do not shed, so brushing them daily is important to keeping their coats free of any loose or damaged hair. Brushing daily as a part of your Havanese grooming routine will also help to keep their coats nice and shiny.
Also, before giving your Havanese a hair cut, you should make a point to oil the fur and skin. This is accomplished with a fairly loose-toothed metal comb, being sure to carefully apply the oil first, and then running the comb carefully through. Oiling is generally done the day before a bath, and is typically only done for dogs prone to dry hair and skin. If you aren’t sure as to whether or not your Havanese requires oiling as a part of their grooming routine, ask your vet or local breeder to be sure.
If you have no plans for showing your Havanese, then giving your Havanese a hair cut really isn’t that big a deal, as far as guidelines go. You should remember that the Havanese are generally supposed to look as natural as possible so topknots, and docked tails and ears should be avoided as much as possible. Really, though, you are the only one who can decide just how short you want your dog’s fur to be. If they spend most of their time outdoors, you may want to consider trimming the hair on their feet and face more often than if they are an inside dog.
All in all, the most important thing to remember when giving your Havanese a hair cut, is that it is important for you to remain as calm as possible through the entire process. It’s relatively common for toy dogs to become over excited during the grooming process, thus making it more difficult to trim evenly. Staying calm, and soothing your Havanese verbally throughout the process will help to ensure a pleasant Havanese grooming experience for you both.
This special toy dog captures the heart of all who see it, and this author is no exception. Proper Havanese grooming is an essential part of owning one of these special little dogs. This includes whether you are showing your Havanese or not. If you are looking for the very latest in Havanese grooming tips then this article is the one for you.
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