Havanese
The Havanese has a long, soft coat that grows towards the floor. The hair it sheds does not fall out. It stays in the new coat and turns into knots. Full length is a daily job at home. Most Havanese come in every eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Daily in a long coat. Every few days in a short trim.
- Shedding
- Very little on the floor. It stays in the coat.
- Watch for
- Behind the ears, under the collar and under the front legs
- Time in the salon
- About 95 minutes for a Full Groom
Where the coat comes from
The Havanese coat is soft and light. There is no harsh outer layer to hold it apart. Dogs NSW says most of the dead hair stays inside the new coat. Knots are common, so the breed needs grooming every day in full coat. That is a lot of coat on a small dog. The adult coat comes in from about nine months and it is thicker. Most pet Havanese end up in a short trim.
Why eight weeks
A full length Havanese coat is more work than most owners expect. It needs line brushing every day, not every week. Miss two days in a row and the knots set in. A short trim changes the job completely. The coat still needs brushing, but a few times a week is enough. Eight weeks keeps that trim in shape. If you want to grow the coat long, tell us and we will keep the length while you learn the brushing.
If the coat is knotted to the skin, we clip short rather than pull it apart. We will show you the spots.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush every day in a long coat. Hold the hair up with one hand. Brush a thin line at a time, starting at the skin. In a short trim, three times a week is enough.
- Follow the brush with a comb. If the comb catches, that patch is not done.
- Check the ears each week. Wipe the face and dry the feet after wet walks.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Steel comb
Run it down to the skin. If it stops, you have found a knot.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A good conditioner keeps long hair sliding past itself instead of knotting. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Havanese at WOOOF
Most Havanese book a Full Groom. That is a bath, a full dry, ears, nails and a scissor finish at the length you pick. It takes about 95 minutes. A short body with a longer face is the usual choice. Tell us if you are growing the coat out. If the coat has knotted through, we go shorter and start again.
What a Havanese groom costs
Set to a small dog with a long coat. That is where most Havanese sit. Change it if yours is kept in full length.
Showing the lowest prices, for a small dog with a curly / long coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Havanese need grooming?
Every eight weeks. A Havanese holds its shed hair in the new coat, so knots build up between visits even in a short trim.
Can I keep my Havanese in full coat?
You can, but it needs line brushing every day. Dogs NSW says the dead hair stays in the coat, so most pet owners choose a short trim instead.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Havanese. "As most of the dead hair stays within the strands of the new coat, matting is common so regular daily grooming is required."
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
PetSure, Pet Health Monitor 2026. Ear infections in adult dogs cost $473 on average to treat.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.