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How to Keep Havanese Hair from Matting (8 Tips & Tricks)

Gregory Iacono

By Gregory Iacono

cream havanese dog in the forest

Few dogs are as exquisite as the Havanese, with long, luscious hair that can hang to the floor. They are friendly, fun, loyal, energetic dogs and wonderful pets, but taking care of their hair is an absolute chore, especially if you want to keep it from becoming a matted mess! To find out how to keep Havanese hair from matting, read on! We have nine tips below and more excellent information about keeping your Havanese happy and looking gorgeous.

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The 8 Tips to Keep Havanese Hair From Matting

1. Make Brushing a Daily Habit

Keeping your Havanese hair from matting is a daily task, so the best thing you can do is turn it into a habit. That way, every day at the same time (more or less), you sit with your precious pup and give them a good brushing. Daily brushing is one of the best ways to ensure your pet’s hair stays looking good and never gets matted or messy. Plus, it is a fantastic way to bond with your Havanese!

woman grooming a havanese dog in the living room
Image Credit: Peter Mayer 67S, Shutterstock

2. Bathe Your Havanese Regularly with Conditioner

We recommend bathing your Havanese once every 21 days. Like brushing, bathing your Havanese is a good method of controlling their hair and preventing matting. You will need a quality dog shampoo and conditioner when you wash your pet, so its skin does not get dry or itchy, and its hair stays silky and smooth.

Like humans, some dogs need a high-quality conditioner to keep their hair from becoming a matted mess. There are many brands of dog conditioners on the market, but we suggest buying one that does not contain harsh ingredients like phthalates. Then, use the conditioner every time you give your Havanese a bath to make brushing much easier and pain-free afterward.

Our Recommendations

Adding a shampoo and conditioner duo to your pet's grooming routine could be the difference in creating a soft, fluffy coat and hydrated, nourished skin. Heppers Oatmeal Pet Shampoo gently lifts dander, dirt, and excess fur without scrubbing away the natural oils important to your cat's derma health. The Pet Conditioner restores any moisture that may have been washed away and will prevent tangles and static. Both are all natural and formulated to soothe irritated skin. 

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Hepper Pet Conditioner - 2000x2000 square
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Combats tangles & static:
Combats tangles & static:


3. Purchase a Quality Detangler Spray

There are a few items you should always keep on hand when you have a Havanese, and one of them is a high-quality detangler spray. These sprays make it much easier to keep your Havanese hair from matting by making it much easier to brush its hair and remove small tangles before they become a huge mess. Detangler sprays will also help keep your dog’s fur cleaner between bath times, and many come with ingredients that are good for their skin.

woman spraying havanese dog
Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock

4. Try Using Cornstarch

If your poor Havanese hair is starting to mat and you don’t have any detangle spray handy, using cornstarch is a good choice. To use it, sprinkle cornstarch liberally on your dog’s coat where its hair is starting to mat. Then, gently rub the cornstarch into your pup’s hair, breaking up the matted areas as you go. After a few minutes, use a brush to brush out the mats gently.


5. Keep Your Havanese’s Hair Trimmed

Preventing mats in your dog’s hair may be as easy as trimming its hair, so it doesn’t get the chance to mat. You can trim your pup’s hair yourself or take it to your favorite groomer, but trimming their hair is essential to prevent your Havanese’s hair from matting.


6. Brush Out Small Tangles Before They Become Big Mats

Removing small tangles frequently can prevent them from becoming hard-to-remove clumps of fur. If you let small mats sit too long, you can be sure they will become bigger, more tangled, and harder to remove from your Havanese coat.

havanese dog hair getting brushed
Image Credit: alfredhofer, Shutterstock

7. Remember to Remove Your Pet’s Collar

One area where matting can occur, hidden from view, is under your pup’s collar. If your Havanese always wears its collar, you should take it off when you brush your dog so that any tangles and mats can be removed before they get big. Yes, it takes an extra few seconds, but removing your Havanese collar is essential to keep its entire coat mat-free.


8. During Shedding Season, Brush Your Havanese Even More

Havanese dogs only shed a little most of the year because they have hair, not fur. However, twice a year, they shed their old hair, either before summer starts or as winter gets closer. During these times of higher shedding, bruising your Havanese coat more often is recommended. If you don’t up your brushing game during shedding time, you will find that your dog’s hair gets more matted and tangled than ever. Once a day should be replaced by three times a day if your Havanese is shedding up a storm.

havanese dog getting its hair brushed
Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock

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Why Is Matting Bad for Your Havanese?

If you’re wondering what the big deal is about matted hair and why it is bad for your Havanese, there are a few reasons, including the following:

  • Mats are uncomfortable for your dog
  • Mats can cause skin irritation and inflammation
  • Mats can become infected and painful
  • Mats make your dog look less attractive

Should your Havanese be Professionally Groomed?

Since the typical Havanese needs daily brushing and their hair can mat quickly, taking yours to the groomer can become very expensive. Some owners learn how to groom their Havanese and keep their pet’s hair short, which is a great way to keep matting down. However, a professional groomer is an excellent option if you are uncomfortable trimming your pet’s hair.

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Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning the best tricks to keep your Havanese looking gorgeous and happy. Most of the tips we looked at today are straightforward, do not cost much money, and can be done at home with little or no experience. However, learning to cut your dog’s hair might take a little practice. However you choose to keep your Havanese hair from matting, we wish you the best of luck!


Featured Image Credit By: Dorottya Mathe, Shutterstock

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