Havanese
Expert Grooming Article
Expert Grooming Article
The Havanese is an engaging breed causing much delight amongst exhibitors as more and more enter the conformation rings. The Havanese coat is expected to be soft and light in texture and I have heard a good definition that states it should look and feel like raw silk. The Havanese standard requires a slightly wavy coat but not a really curly coat, nor a coarse wiry coat. He is also not allowed to be trimmed except for inside corner of the eye, feet and the nether regions of the anal and genital areas. Ah, a naturally outlined breed! He does have an interesting outline too, with his upward tilt to the rear and lively action.
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Download ArticleThe Havanese is an engaging breed causing much delight amongst exhibitors as more and more enter the conformation rings. The Havanese coat is expected to be soft and light in texture and I have heard a good definition that states it should look and feel like raw silk. The Havanese standard requires a slightly wavy coat but not a really curly coat, nor a coarse wiry coat. He is also not allowed to be trimmed except for inside corner of the eye, feet and the nether regions of the anal and genital areas. Ah, a naturally outlined breed! He does have an interesting outline too, with his upward tilt to the rear and lively action.
This is a head/ face breed the perfect product is Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s no tear formula with the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro-Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean soothes, adds moisture, aids healing, and anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing yet complete cleaning.
This characteristic spring lends enjoyment and energy to the presentation of this breed. The dangers are to go too straight and flat or too full and too much wave. A happy balance is the order. The hard yard starts with the at home bathing. Don’t be afraid to use a couple of different shampoos on the one dog to achieve the exact result you want. If you have good texture and want shine, then use the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo diluted 5:1 (5 parts water to 1 part shampoo). Should the texture be too coarse, then use the Plush Puppy Natural Conditioning Shampoo and if the coat is sparse, then use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo all at the same dilution. For instance, if you have dog lacking undercoat, then use the Body Building Shampoo on those areas and then maybe the All Purpose on the head, topline and tail where you don’t perhaps want the extra lift.
For white areas, you may prefer the Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo at anything from 3:1 to 5:1 depending on the tonal effects required for that white finish yet adds depth of intensity to darker colours.
For extra whitening of any stained areas use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It’s not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/wet coat. Gently rub into the areas requiring allow time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes. It is a matter of tweaking sometimes the various areas of the dog for the perfect outline rather than a blanket all over approach.
Next, use 2 tablespoons of Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner to a quart/1 litre of water and saturate well working through with your fingers and rinse. This is a light yet intense conditioner.
Then add 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Swishy Coat to a quart/1 a litre of water and saturate the coat thoroughly and leave in – don’t rinse. If you have a wildly, profuse coat then you may find it beneficial to add a tablespoon of Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream in with the Swishy Coat mix. The Swishy will keep the coat from jumping all over the place and keep some semblance of order to the drape, and the Blow Dry Cream has the action of softening and flattening though this proportion is only enough to keep excessive billowing from the coat and not enough to overdo the action.
The drying process is relatively straight forward start with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush gives air to hair and a bristle flattens, so the choice is clear – when the coat is between the sparse to ideal, then only the Pin is required as you don’t want to overdo the flattening or the straightening process. 99% of the time the Pin is all that is required. It will give you just the right look. Only use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush which is 50% bristle and 50% dialon on the tail or around the head. The tail is required to plume with long silky hair and fall either straight forward or lie to one side of the body and the head needs some definition.
Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb, built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish that reduces drag and static to the coat.
At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray is infused with organic extracts that offers a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat strength for the perfect finished look of the coat.
The very best grooming spray is Plush Puppy OMG. Brushing in a light spray of OMG allows it to separate the coat and give the most amazing finish. Use the concentrated formula approximate 1:20-40 (1 part OMG to 20-40 parts water) or the OMG ready to use spray. The stronger the mix the stronger the effects. Different dogs at different coat stages require different mixtures. Using OMG can be a one off at shows or during the drying process after bathing. Ideal for regular brushing also as it hydrates the coat and reduces stress and coat loss. OMG and as its active ingredients smooth the cuticle and protect the coat. For this coat type will want to retain texture and refresh the coat without over softening. If you need more softening and hydration to a fuller or larger coat, then a higher mixture is needed. OMG can also be used on top coats and brush/polished in for that wonderful smooth and flatness to the coat. OMG never builds up, never goes stringy.
The Havanese’s best friend is the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil which is a plant oil and is water-soluble, formulated from Evening Primrose Oil, Calendula Oil, and other such niceties. Use at 1 teaspoon to 1 quart/litre of water and leave-in, don’t rinse. This will help keep the coat hydrated. Don’t be afraid to use this for in between shows around the pee feathers especially, and indeed, tail, skirt and just about everywhere! No amount of work is too much for a show dog after all.
Keeping this coat protected and hydrated use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat simply apply a golf ball-sized amount to the coat as regularly as you like. You would use Plush Puppy Protein Coat Balm on show day to keep static at bay and to add a touch of weight to the hem of the coat – just pump a small amount onto your hands and wipe down the coat lengths and add extra to the hem. You can use this several times a day without any adverse effects to the coat and keeping the natural feel and appearance to the coat. It just helps the coat to behave – it does not, however, take the place of the use of the Swishy Coat during the drying. It is the two-step action that gives the best result.
Maybe a light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust on show day too for added interest – if you can see this when you are applying it, you have used too much. Just to keep reiterating that the Havanese is to be presented naturally. You may wish to also keep on hand the new Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular which is a wonderful alternative to cleansing your dog when a wet Self Rinse is not an option – you don’t want to go wetting a coat that has been carefully dried after all.
The Powder Puff is a dry powder cleanser and deodoriser and very handy for long show circuits, wet and muddy days and dogs who have poor toilet manners.
Lastly a quick spray with Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit. Leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little.
Your Havanese is ready to go. This springy gaited little person with his characteristic upheld high head and flashy gait is an emerging force in the show scene. He doesn’t always get to chase the chickens but hopefully, now he will get to chase all those coveted ribbons. I have high hopes for this breed from all the energy I feel from the devoted owners and breeders I speak to. The standard is your Bible for this breed and those who follow the path after you will thank you for the hard work you have invested in this wonderfully exciting breed in the ring.
Shampoo
Shampoo
Conditioner
Styling & Finishing
Styling & Finishing