Havashire Grooming

As is the case for its Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier parents, the Havashire will require a lot of grooming. Though these hybrids' long, silky coats don't shed much, they'll still need frequent brushing to keep them looking good, and to minimize the appearance of tangles. Havashires will also need baths at least monthly. And numerous hairstyles--to make the coats more low-maintenance, or simply for the sake of appearance--look great on these dogs.

Brush your Havashire 3-4 times per week (if not daily) with a pin brush. First wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, first try separating it with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of a greyhound comb.

A Havashire bath will need to happen every 3-4 weeks. When bathing a Havashire, be sure to use shampoo and conditioner--and always use products made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and will irritate the dog's skin. After the bath, it's best to dry the coat with a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting; brush the coat out with the pin brush as you dry.

And Havashires' long, silky coats can sport a variety of styles. Many owners prefer to clip the coats short to make them easier to care for, too. (See the Styling & Haircuts section below for descriptions of popular Havashire grooming styles.)

In addition to its coat, your Havashire will need regular maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush (but use canine toothpaste); clean the ears monthly using canine ear cleaning solution; and trim the dog's nails every 2-3 months with standard nail clippers.

Though it's possible for owners to learn how to perform all aspects of Havashire grooming themselves, most people rely on professional groomers for major tasks like bathing and haircuts. In any case, it's a good idea to take the dog to a pro at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Havashire at home.

These hybrids' Havanese and Yorkie parents look great in a variety of styles--and as their offspring, plenty of Havashire haircuts look equally fantastic. Depending on the style, a Havashire cut will need a touch-up every month or two.

Some popular Havashire grooming cuts:

• Puppy Cut: A simple, low-maintenance style. The entire coat is clipped short (to about two inches); some people like to leave the hair on the dog's face, head, and legs a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Show Cut: This style leaves most of the coat's length, but requires some precision. The coat is scissor-trimmed by only a half-inch or so, and often thinned out with thinning shears. The hair on the face, head, and tail is rounded and even. Requires a groomer's expertise.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut, but the hair on the legs, face, and head is carefully rounded and sculpted to make the dog resemble an adorable stuffed animal. Probably best done by a groomer.
• 3-Layer: Also called a 3-Stack, this artistic style sees the hair on the head, face, and ears cut to shoulder length; the hair on the body is cut to a line 2-3 inches from the ground; and the hair on the legs is cut to a line just above the ground. The overall look gives the appearance of three distinct layers, or levels. Definitely needs a groomer's skill.