Havanese are Cuban national dogs, small-sized, weighing around 7-13 pounds, with long, silky hairthat can grow up to eight inches long. Though small, they are quite energetic and playful with charming personalities, making them family dogs. They are intelligent, active, and fairly easy to train. They alsolearn tricks quite easily as they love to satisfy and please their owners.
Havanese have a life span of nearly 13-15 years, and highly enjoy socializing, but only if they are trained to do so. Otherwise, they tend to be quite shy in front of strangers and children. They are also very kind, making them a great choice for people who are scared of dogs. However, they may take time to be housetrained. As they are in constant need of attention, you can’t leave them unattended for long periods. One of their habits is that they love to bark and alert their owners about anyone entering the house.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Long pins can brush deep in your Havanese's coat
- 50% extra pins when compared to the competition
- Pins are angled so they won't scratch your dog's coat
- 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
- Ergonomic handle makes brushing easy
- Affordably priced
- Cons
- Has to be cleaned manually
The We Love Doodles slicker brush is great for a Havanese’s long coat. It has the longest pins out of all the brushes on our list to get all the tangles and mats of your Havanese’s coat, regardless of how deep they are. The pins are also angled so they won’t scratch your dog’s coat.
Additionally, the slicker brush has 50% more pins than other slicker brushes on our list. Not only will this save you time grooming your Havanese dog, but it will get more loose hair and tangles out. This slicker brush also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee so if you don’t like you can get a refund.
Lastly, this slicker brush is affordably priced. The Chris Christensen slicker brush is over double the cost of the We Love Doodles slicker brush. That’s why we chose this as the best slicker brush for your Havanese.
- Pros
- Long handle for less strain and comfortable grip
- 40% extra pins
- Bent pins for more coverage
- Gently removes mats and untangles fur coat
- Lightweight
- Cons
- A bit expensive
- Has to be cleaned manually
This lightweight, coral-colored dog’s hairbrush can be your next perfect pick to keep your Havanese’s long and silky fur coat flowing. It has forty percent extra pins that are over an inch long, large enough to go deep in the fur coat and untangle all the mats and remove the dirt and loose hair without causing pain or scratches on the dog’s skin. The pins are bent at such an angle to pick up more coats easily.
This 6-inch-long brush has an extra-long handle compared to other products that fall under the same category to avoid hand fatigue and wrist strain. Its pins are not sharp and pokey, providing a comfortable brushing session for your dog. Users recommend this product due to its comfortable brush andthe texture of the handle.
Further important aspects are the pins that help in removing the dead hairs and the less amount of time that it requires. The level of comfort that the dog feels during brushing is the cherry on top of the cake.
It is a bit expensive but this investment is worth every penny. It has a flexible cushion and is noiseless. With an 81% five-star rating on Amazon, there is no doubt that it is among the number one choices when users are looking for a comfortable brush for their dogs.
- Pros
- Dual-sided brush
- Curved pins for more coverage and easy removal of mats and knots
- Flexible head
- Ideal for dogs with thick fur coats
- Cons
- A bit expensive
- Has to be cleaned manually
This flexible-headed brush is going to make your brushing process a thousand times easier. Its bent long pins will untangle and remove all the mats and glide through the fur coat easily, no matter how thick, without hurting the dog. Though a bit expensive, it is an investment that is bound to solve all the problems and give your dog a very comfortable brushing session.
Turn over to another side once one part has filled up with the hair. With the help of a comb, remove all the hair and the doodle brush is good to useagain. Having 4.2 out of 5-star ratings on Amazon, buyers are more than happy with their purchase. Hence, this might be the brush you have been looking for for so long.
- Pros
- Lightweight
- Three types of pins available to choose from
- Cheaper when compared to other products with the same benefits
- The curved head provides easy access and more coverage
- Removes tiny baby mats
- Reasonable price
- Cons
- The plastic handle provides a less comfortable grip than those silicone ones
- Has to be cleaned manually
This slicker brush is a part of theTufferThan TanglesPro series and is known to speed up your brushing process. Weighing only 2.4 pounds, this light brush is capable of a lot more than you can imagine. The pins are approximately 0.6 inches long, which are enough to untangle and remove the mats from long, heavy fur coats. They are strong yet soft enough to get the work done without making the dog feel irritated or uncomfortable.
A cheaper alternative to all the expensive brushes out there, this sturdy brush with a curved head will remove even those tiny baby mats and provide easy access to those hard-to-reach areas. It will give your dog a relaxing and comfortable experience during the brushing process, for sure. There’s an option to choose between three alternatives based on which suits your dog the best: long firm pins, long soft pins, and regular pins.
- Pros
- The wide head provides larger access
- Comfortable grip
- Self-cleaning
- 5-year manufacturer guarantee
- Stainless-steel soft and flexible pins easily remove mats, dirt, and dead hair
- Improve blood circulation
- Reasonable price and safe investment due to a 100% cashback guarantee
- Cons
- The bristles are kind of small and clustered together, creating uneasiness and irritation problems for some types of dogs
Having an approximately 95mm wide head, this brush is perfect for both long and short-haired pets. It is known to effectively remove all the dirt, mats, tangles, and loose hair from the fur coat. Its soft and flexible stainless-steel teeth with a perfect grip handle will provide a comfortable and relaxing brushing session for your dog and you both.
This brush’s easy self-clean-up process with just a press of a button makes it more convenient and gives it an edge over its competitors. It also comes with a 5-year manufacturer guarantee with 100% cashback, making it a safer investment. Additionally, it is relatively cheaper than other brands, so it’s a win-win situation. Moreover, brushing improves blood circulation, which keeps the dog’s fur shiny and good-looking. It also reduces combing time quite significantly.
- Pros
- A high density of bristles
- Comfortable silicone gel grip
- Self-cleaning
- Removes loose hair, mats, tangles, and knots
- Improves blood circulation
- Removes even the smallest mats from undercoats that have not fully developed yet
- Cons
- The brush is somewhat rigid to use
This professional slicker brush gently removes all kinds of trappeddirt, loose hair, mats, tangles, and knots to give your dog a clean and healthy fur coat. The bristles are made of fine bent wire, which allows gentle brushing with quicker, easier, and better results as it cleans deeply and removes small mats even from the undercoat without irritating or hurting the dog. Brushing with these pins increases blood circulation, which, in turn, makes the fur coat shiny and healthy.
The silicone gel grip allows a comfortable grip to prevent hand strain and slipperiness. With the density of bristles as high as 672, your pet is going to have a deep yet gentle brush, leaving their fur coat feeling softer and cleaner than ever. This self-cleaning brush will even save you from all the troubles of cleaning as it helps you to remove all the loose hair in one single motion. The bristles remain retracted for as long as it is not in use to keep it safe, making it easier to store.
- Pros
- Improves blood circulation
- Gently removes mats, knots, and loose hair
- Self-cleaning
- Comfortable anti-slip grip
- No irritation or pulling of hair
- Cons
- Not good for a short-coated dog’s skin
- Bristles can be a bit uncomfortable and irritating for certain dogs
Are you worried about how to remove those nasty mats from your pet’s fur coat? Or how to gently let go of all those loose hairs and eliminate those knots and tangles? Well, worry no more, for Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is here to solve that problem. Fine bent wires go deep into the fur coat of the dog and gently do their work without giving a feeling of irritation and hurt to the dog.
The deep penetration allows better circulation of blood, making the fur coat much healthier and shinier while untangling all the knots and removing the mats. Its self-cleaning process is simple and works with just one push of a button. The handle is designed in such a way as to provide an easy grip without straining the wrist. Since it is non-slippery, it provides a better experience of brushing for both you and your dog.
How To Choose a Brush for a Havanese
Brushing is one of the essential steps of grooming a dog and it is important to choose the right type of brush that untangles, removes the mat, dirt, and loose hairs efficiently. It must also be comfortable for both you and your dog. The best brush should provide a sense of relaxation for your dog while doing its work. To choose the best brush of a Havanese, keep in mind the following details.
- A pin brush or slicker brush is recommended for fur coat brushing with teeth separated so that it glides smoothly. These two brushes also reach deep down to the dogs’ skin because of their long and solid bristles.
- A smaller metal comb is suggested for the muzzle area, as bigger brushes might not be able to cover that area completely with ease.
Havanese Fur Coat
One of the most visible traits of Havanese dogs is their fur coat. Their coat is generally thick and appears to be heavy, but in reality, it is soft and silky. It is long and can either be straight or curly/wavy. A fully adultHavanese dog will have about 6-8 inches long hair while a puppy may have around 1-2 inches of length. It also comes in various colors ranging from white, tan, grey, sable, and black, to a mixture of any two colors or other markings.
Havanese have dual fur coating. The first layer, i.e., the undercoat has a fair amount of shorter hair, typically to trap insulation and air. Meanwhile, the second layer, i.e., the topcoat, which consists of much longer and tougher hair, is generally to shelter them from sunburn and bugs and insect bites.
Havanese are known to be highly maintainable dogs as their fur coats require to be brushed at least 2 to 3 times a week if kept short and every alternate day if kept to their original length. Otherwise, it gets matted, and knots form. They also love to cuddle which is one of the reasons why mat occurs. Matting can lead to serious health concerns such as skin problems and bruises. Apart from just looking unappealing, it can really cause trouble for the dog, too.
Many people opt to have their Havanese fur coat cut short as it avoids many problems. On the other hand, some prefer to clip or braid them. However, these are not the only options. A proper and regular grooming session can solve this problem.
To keep your Havanese groomed, it is advisable to brush it thoroughly daily or every second day. Here in this article, we have put together some of our best picks of brushes for your Havanese to let them enjoy their silky long fur coat without any mats, knots, and worries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often and how should I groom my Havanese?
It is better to create a routine and stick to that; it really helps the dog adjust to that. Due to their long fur coats, Havanese need a good brushing session at least 2 to 3 times a week and a bathing session once every week or two, depending on the type of breed.
ust make sure to wet/hydrate their hair before brushing to make the process a lot smoother and easier and to use the type of brush that best suits your dog. Divide the hair into sections and brush in both: the direction of hair growth, and opposite to it.
Your grooming session should consist of brushing hair, bathing, drying, feet, eyes (tear stains), brushing teeth, cleaning ears, and nail clipping.
Many people even opt to have their Havanese get a regular haircut to keep the hair growth limited and it saves them from brushing so often since there are lesser matted hairs. You can even use the methods of braiding and topknots to avoid the hair getting into their eyes.
How to reduce matting at home?
To avoid mats forming, make sure you regularly brush your dog’s hair with a good mat-reducing brush. However, even after doing that, mats often still form. Here, we have listed certain home remedies to avoids matting.
- Coconut oil: Oils helps in removing mats quickly and painlessly. Apply a small amount of coconut oil and brush gently.
- Oil and water: Create a mixture containing two parts water and one part coconut oil to spray on your Havanese fur coat and then gently brush it to remove mats.
- Cornstarch: Rubbing cornstarch on mats will help loosen them up. Use a brush after that to completely remove the mats.
How does hair get matted?
Havanese love to cuddle and stay close. They are also very energetic and playful. That is how they get mats in their hair. Also, the fact that they have silky soft hair plays an important role in the formation of mats.Make sure to properly dry and thoroughly brush your dog after each bath, since not drying and brushing can lead to the formation of mats.
Are mats painful?
Mats are clumps of loose and live hair that have knotted over time. Matting can lead to a reduction of blood supply and less air regulation.
Even mild matting can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. Dogs can even get visible bruises due to this. As a pet owner, it is your duty to make sure that your pet does not face such discomfort.
Where do Havanese mostly get mats?
The most common places where Havanese can get mats are:
- Between their toes
- Under their elbows
- Behind their ears
- Between their legs
Conclusion For The Best Brush for a Havanese
Havanese are really beautiful, cooperative, and smart family dogs with long, silky fur coats. It is important for their owners to make sure that their fur coats remain mat, tangle, and knot-free. For that, regular grooming is necessary, of which combing is an integral part. The more frequently you comb, the shinier and mat-free their fur coat will become.
The most important thing is to choose the right kind of brush, one that does its work efficiently while giving both the dog and its owner a feeling of comfort. Here in this article, we have shortlisted six of the best brushes for Havanese dogs. These have plenty of perks and will undoubtedly make your life and those brushing sessions a lot easier.
Want to learn more about how to groom your Havanese with a slicker brush? Check out the video below:
Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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