Can You Shave a Havanese Dog? (Guide for Beginners)

Dog’s coat is meant to be shaved if needed. But all dog’s coats may not support the idea of shaving body hair fully. And that’s where an important question arises that can you shave a Havanese dog or not.

If you are a Havanese dog owner, you must be eager to know the right information regarding this hot topic. And this article is going to break down all of your queries.

Can You Shave A Havanese Dog?

Havanese dogs can’t be shaved, at least not fully. Because shaving their hair fully will damage their skin and coat. Also, cool air can’t get into their skin to cool down the skin and body in summer. Besides, the exposed skin will suffer from overheating, sunburn, even skin cancer, and bug bites.

Havanese dogs shouldn’t ever be shaved fully. As Havanese dogs are double-coated dog breed so shaving their all body hair will cause harm to their skin and coat. Because the shaved body will be uncovered under the sun.

And the bare skin will suffer from sunburn, overheating, and sometimes even skin cancer. Also, it’s not protected from insect bites and stings.

Besides, a shaved body can’t absorb the cool air to cool down the body and skin. Since the undercoat grows first, it creates a barrier between the skin and the cool air.

Can I Shave My Havanese Dog Bald?

You can not shave your Havanese dog bald. Because Havanese dogs are born with double coats and shaving off their topcoat only brings various severe side effects.

If you shave your Havanese, it will permanently damage their silky, long hair and can even cause hair loss.

Shaving off your Havanese’s body will lose its natural ability to cool down in the summer. Instead, it will make your dog less heat tolerant. As the coat works as the natural insulation from cold and hot weather.

So, if your Havanese dog is bald, the scorching summer weather will heat up your dog’s skin even more as they will not have the protecting layer of insulation.

Also, shaving your Havanese bald will make is his skin uncovered to the sun and that will cause sunburn or even skin cancer. Also, there are higher chances of getting bug bites.

So trim your Havanese’s hair short instead of shaving him bald, especially in summer.

4 Reason Why Havanese Should Not Be Shaved

The major 4 reasons are listed below why you never should shave your Havanese dog.

Damages The Hair

Havanese dogs are double-coated dogs. And shaving off their hair can permanently damage their hair.

The after shaved new hair can grow as unruly, thick, and frizzy hair which is hard to manage. Also, such hair is prone to matting. Sometimes, your Havanese can face excess hair loss too.

Less Tolerant To Heat

Havanese’s coat helps them to stay cool in summer. But shaving off their coat makes them less tolerant to heat. As the cold air can’t go into their skin because the undercoat will still be there being a barrier between cool air and the body.

Sunburn, Overheating, Skin Cancer

When you shave off your Havanese, it leaves their skin uncovered under the skin. Which makes them suffer from sunburn, overheating, and even skin cancer.

Exposed To Bugs

Another reason is a shaved Havanese skin always attracts bugs and insects to latch on them. And since the body is bare it is not protected from bug bites and stings either.

How Do You Groom A Havanese Dog

Havanese are not that high maintenance dogs. So if you want you can groom your furball of happiness easily at home, just by following these three simple ways given below.

Daily Grooming

Regular grooming includes a daily brushing session of your Havanese’s coat. Brushing your pet’s hair will keep him knot, Matt, and tangles free. So daily if not possible then 2-3 times every week first detangle their matts and knots with your finger.

Then brush the full body hair gently with a light stroke of combs. Part the hair in two sections and comb from root to tip. But use a detangling spray before brushing/combing.

Also, brush their teeth routinely and clean their eyes daily to remove tear stains.

Weekly Grooming

You can groom your Havanese every week too. But before that, gently brush his hair and clean his teeth, ears, eyes. And then give him a nice bath with suitable dog shampoo and dog conditioner. Then dry his hair and brush again to set them evenly.

You can bathe him every 1-2 weeks. And trim his nails also every 1-2 weeks.

Monthly Grooming

Grooming your Havanese monthly means giving him a face haircut/body haircut or trimming the whole body along with brushing, bathing, cleaning ears, nose, mouth, eyes. You can purchase appliances for trimming and haircutting and then give your fur baby a haircut as you want.

Or if you want you can take him to a professional groomer for a full grooming session.

But do remember to trim hairs every 1-2 months.

Can You Cut Havanese Hair Short?

Your Havanese furry friend’s hair can be cut down short. But not more than 1-2 inches. You can choose a buzz cut, a puppy cut, or a teddy bear cut to cut your Havanese’s hair short.

For Havanese, it is always suggested to cut/trim their hair short instead of shaving fully. Because short is easily manageable. Also, prevents matting and tangling and gives him a comfy feeling in the summer.

So you can choose any of the three haircuts but remember buzz cut, cuts the hair shorter than the other two.

How Do You Cut A Havanese Dog’s Hair?

You might want to know how to cut your Havanese dog’s hair at home without spending money at a grooming salon. So here is a step-by-step guide for you to cut Havanese dog’s hair easily.

Tease Out Matts And Tangle

Haircutting starts with detangling the matts and tangles your Havanese has in his hair. Gently run your finger through his hair and tease out the tangles and matts.

Brush Off Hair

After detangling, brush your dog’s hair gently with light strokes of the comb. Brush from hair root to tip because matts and knots develop there the most. Before brushing spray detangling spray on his hair.

Bathe Your Havanese

Use a mild and tearless dog shampoo and conditioner to bathe your Havanese dogs.

Dry Hair Fully

After bathing, use a towel to soak up the water and then use a hairdryer to dry your dog’s hair fully. And then brush again evenly.

Using The Right Tool Cut Your Havanese Hair

Now, choose your preferred haircut. If you want to just trim his hair a little short then trim 1-2 inches evenly.

Or if you want to give a nice-looking haircut to your furball then you can choose buzz cut, puppy cut, or teddy bear cut. And cut his facial and body hair as per the instruction.

But always use the best and the right tool because areas around your dog’s mouth, eyes, ears, and tail are sensitive.

Keep Your Dog Calm

Calmness in your dog is required otherwise it can even make him bleed. So use a dog harness or some treats to keep him calm throughout the haircutting process.

How Long Does It Take For Havanese Hair To Grow Back?

After changing puppy coat in puppy phase, your Havanese will take nearly 3 to 4 years to grow back his adult coat fully. But the adult coat will replace the puppy coat, not more than in 2 to 4 months.

Also, if your Havanese is shaved fully then you will notice them growing hair back within 3 months. However, all dog’s hair growth is not the same so some Havanese develop a coat faster and some may take more than 3 months.

What Does A Shaved Havanese Look Like?

A shaved Havanese still will look cute and sweet. But his face might not look as pointy as you have thought of. Besides, after shaving you will see that your Havanese pup is not that fat he looks like with a coat on. His body, face skeleton might appear visible too.

If you keep his facial and tai hair then those parts will still look fluffy but the body will appear thin. Also, you will see his body spots.

What Dog Breeds Should Not Be Shaved?

Many of you may want to know which other dog breeds should not be shaved apart from the Havanese. Here is the list of dog breeds that shouldn’t be shaved.

Golden & Labrador Retrievers
Pomeranian
Alaskan Malamute
Shih Tzus
Huskies
Terriers
Newfoundlands
Corgi
Shepherds( English, German)
Beagles
Chows
Schnauzer

What Happens If You Don’t Groom Your Dog?

If you don’t groom your dog then the hair will start matting. And Matted hair can result in less circulation on your dog’s skin. Hot spots, bacteria, skin infections are the other concerning issues that can be caused.

Moreover, your dog will pile up with dirt and expired skin. Fleas and ticks will find a permanent home on your dog’s body.

Your dog will lose its natural shiny hair/fur too and sometimes their ear can be infected as well if they are not groomed.

Like other double-coated dog breeds, you can’t shave your Havanese dog. If there is an emergency then shave him only if your vet permits you to shave him.