Havapoo Grooming

The Havapoo is a hybrid mix of a Havanese (with a long, silky, straight or curly coat) and a Poodle (a medium-length, curly coat). The Havapoo's coat is somewhere in between--medium-length and wavy--and is pretty hypoallergenic like the coats of its parent breeds. Havapoo grooming needs are moderate to high, and will mainly consist of frequent brushing to avoid tangles.

See the section below for details on maintaining the Havapoo coat, including info about brushing bathing, and different haircut options.

In addition to its coat, your Havapoo will need maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush; clean the ears monthly using canine ear cleaning solution; and if the dog's nails click on hard surfaces, they need a trim--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Overall Havapoo grooming can be a bit time-consuming--and a lot of the work involves maintaining these hybrids' wavy, medium-length coats. Havapoo coats don't shed much at all, but they'll still need frequent brushing to keep them tangle-free.

Havapoo brushing will need to happen 3-4 times per week, if not daily. To brush: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle (with a bit of de-tangling solution mixed in if desired). Then, using a pin brush, start at the shoulders and go through the coat section by section, brushing 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.

Havapoo bathing is generally needed every 4-6 weeks--unless, of course the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order. When bathing a Havapoo, be sure to use canine shampoo and conditioner, as the kind made for humans has a different pH and will irritate the dog's skin. Also take the time to rinse the products completely from the coat; leftover soap residue can cause further skin irritation.

And these hybrids can look great in a number of cute Havapoo haircuts, which will be needed every three months or so. Two popular low-maintenance styles are the Puppy Cut and the Teddy Bear Cut, both of which have the coat clipped shorter. Ask your groomer for more recommendations about Havapoo hairstyles.

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