Havanese Grooming Guide — Coat Care, Costs & Schedule

Coat type: Long, soft, silky double coat. Can be wavy or slightly curly. Wide variety of colors

Shedding level: Low (loose hair caught in outer coat)

The Havanese is Cuba's national dog breed, making it culturally significant in Miami's large Cuban-American community. This breed thrives in warm climates better than most long-coated breeds, but Miami humidity still causes rapid matting. The soft, silky coat is lighter than a Shih Tzu's but tangles more easily. Most Miami owners prefer a puppy cut at 1.5-2 inches. Dark-colored Havanese (chocolate, black) absorb more heat and may need shorter cuts in summer. The corded coat style (like dreadlocks) is traditionally Cuban but rarely maintained in pet settings. Home brushing every other day between appointments prevents matting.

In Miami's subtropical climate — where humidity regularly exceeds 70% and temperatures stay above 70°F year-round — grooming frequency is typically higher than national averages. The combination of heat and moisture accelerates matting in longer coats, promotes bacterial and fungal growth in thick or double coats, and causes increased sebum production that makes coats oily faster.

A professional Havanese grooming appointment with Miami Mobile Grooming includes:

• Bath with breed-appropriate shampoo and conditioner
• High-velocity blow-dry to remove loose coat and fully dry the fur
• Breed-specific haircut or trim (popular styles: puppy cut, teddy bear cut, corded coat (rare))
• Nail trim and filing
• Ear cleaning and drying
• Teeth brushing with enzymatic paste

Appointment duration: typically 60-75 minutes. Coat condition on arrival affects total time — heavily matted coats take longer and may incur a de-matting surcharge.

Service links: Full Grooming | Bath & Brush | De-Shedding

Popular grooming styles for Havaneses: puppy cut, teddy bear cut, corded coat (rare), natural long coat, kennel cut.

For Miami's year-round heat, most owners opt for shorter, more practical cuts — typically the puppy cut or sporting clip — which keep the coat at a manageable length that dries faster and stays cooler. Longer show-style cuts require more frequent brushing to prevent matting in humid conditions.

View before & after transformations for Havaneses to see popular cuts in practice.

Mobile grooming for a Havanese in Miami starts at $72 and runs up to $102 for a full groom depending on coat condition, size variation within the breed, and any add-ons. Prices reflect 2026 South Florida market rates.

Prices vary by coat condition and size. De-matting surcharge applies if coat requires dematting before cutting. Contact us for exact pricing for your Havanese.

Recommended grooming frequency for Havaneses: every 5 weeks.

In Miami, that schedule typically needs to be maintained consistently — skipping even one appointment can lead to matting or excessive coat growth that requires additional de-matting time at the next visit. During Miami's hottest months (June-September), some owners schedule more frequently to keep coats shorter and more comfortable. Post-beach or post-canal-swim baths should be booked promptly to remove salt and bacteria from the coat.

Grooming issues our team commonly encounters with Havaneses in Miami:

• tear staining
• matting of soft coat in humidity
• eye irritation
• ear infections
• heat sensitivity in dark-colored Havanese

In Miami's humid climate, ear infections and skin conditions are especially prevalent for Havaneses. Regular ear cleaning at every grooming appointment is strongly recommended. Between appointments, brush your Havanese at home 3-4 times per week to prevent matting and catch skin issues early.

See related guides: Dog Skin Care in Miami Humidity | How Often to Groom Your Dog

See what professional mobile grooming looks like for a Havanese — before and after a full groom, de-mat, and maintenance trim. View the complete Havanese before & after gallery for all three transformation scenarios.

Call (786) 396-8593 or use the form below. Mention your Havanese's size and coat condition at booking.