Havanese are cheerful companion dogs with long, silky coats that can be kept in full show length or trimmed into an easier puppy cut. Their hair can tangle and mat if you do not use the right products, and light colored Havanese often struggle with tear stains and dullness around the face.
Below are the best Lillian Ruff shampoos for Havanese, followed by tips on coat care, bathing schedules, and answers to common grooming questions for this breed.
Breed focus: Havanese · Lillian Ruff pet shampoos
Best Lillian Ruff Shampoos for Havanese
Here are the top products to use on Havanese, with quick links so you can shop right away:
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Oatmeal Shampoo for everyday moisture and comfort
Buy Oatmeal Shampoo -
HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo for ultra sensitive or allergy prone Havanese
Buy HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo -
Brightening and Whitening Shampoo to keep white and cream coats looking luminous
Buy Brightening and Whitening Shampoo -
Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash for tear stains and facial cleanup
Buy Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash -
Waterless Shampoo Lavender Coconut for quick cleanups between baths
Buy Waterless Shampoo -
Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray to help prevent tangles and mats in long coats
Buy Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray
You can also explore the full Lillian Ruff pet shampoo collection and pair these shampoos with conditioners and sets for a complete grooming routine.
1. Oatmeal Shampoo for everyday baths
Havanese skin can be a bit sensitive, especially under long hair where air circulation is limited. Lillian Ruff Oatmeal Shampoo is a gentle, moisturizing choice you can use as your main bath time shampoo.
- Formulated to help soothe dry, itchy, and delicate skin.
- Cleans thoroughly while helping the coat feel soft and comfortable.
- Suitable for regular use on puppies and adults.
- Works well on both full coat Havanese and those in shorter pet trims.
Buy Oatmeal Shampoo on Lillian Ruff
2. HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo for sensitive Havanese skin
Some Havanese are prone to allergies and skin irritation, especially around the belly, armpits, and where harnesses rub. HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo is ideal when you need very gentle, fragrance free care.
- Clinically tested hypoallergenic formula for allergy prone and sensitive skin dogs.
- Fragrance free and dye free to limit the chance of reactions.
- Helps support the skin barrier while providing a careful, pH balanced clean.
- A strong option for dogs that react to heavily scented grooming products.
Buy HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo on Lillian Ruff
3. Brightening and Whitening Shampoo for white and cream coats
Many Havanese are white, cream, or light colored, which means stains and dullness show quickly. Brightening and Whitening Shampoo helps keep light coats and feathering looking fresh and luminous.
- Helps lift yellow tones and surface stains from white and pale fur.
- Ideal for white Havanese or dogs with cream and silver markings.
- Can be used as a full coat shampoo or only on lighter sections.
- Best used in rotation with a moisturizing shampoo to keep skin comfortable.
Buy Brightening and Whitening Shampoo on Lillian Ruff
4. Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash for faces and tear stains
Havanese often develop tear staining and discoloration around the eyes, muzzle, and beard area. Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash is a gentle, tear free option for this delicate region.
- Designed as a brightening facial wash that is safe to use around the eyes when used as directed.
- Helps manage existing tear stains and reduce new buildup.
- Useful for the beard, muzzle, and chest on light colored Havanese.
- Can be used between full baths as part of your weekly face care routine.
Buy Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash on Lillian Ruff
5. Waterless Shampoo Lavender Coconut for quick cleanups
Long Havanese coats can pick up dust, pollen, and odors between full baths. Waterless Shampoo Lavender Coconut makes it easy to freshen your dog in just a few minutes.
- No rinse formula for fast, convenient freshening.
- Ideal for spot cleaning paws, belly, skirt, and feathering after walks.
- Useful when you want to avoid over bathing but still manage odor and light soil.
- Great for travel, show weekends, or between grooming appointments.
Buy Waterless Shampoo on Lillian Ruff
6. Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray for long, silky coats
The long, flowing coat of a Havanese is beautiful but can mat quickly behind the ears, in the armpits, and in the skirt. Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray helps prevent tangles and keeps the hair easier to brush.
- Lightweight leave in formula that adds moisture without weighing the coat down.
- Helps the comb glide through long hair and reduces breakage.
- Perfect for use after the bath and between baths on areas that mat easily.
- Useful whether you keep your Havanese in a full coat or in a practical puppy cut.
Buy Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray on Lillian Ruff
Why Havanese Need the Right Shampoo
Havanese coats are more like human hair than typical dog fur. They can be thick, wavy, or curly, and they keep growing instead of shedding heavily. This hair type has special needs.
- Long, silky hair: Hair that knots easily needs gentle shampoos that do not roughen the cuticle.
- Low shedding: Because loose hair often stays in the coat, it can form tangles and mats if not brushed and bathed correctly.
- Light colors and staining: White and cream coats show tear stains and environmental discoloration quickly.
- Sensitive skin: The skin under all that hair can become dry or irritated if you use harsh or heavily perfumed products.
The right shampoo and grooming routine help keep the coat soft, free moving, and easy to brush, while supporting comfortable, healthy skin.
How to Choose a Shampoo for Your Havanese
When you choose a shampoo for a Havanese, think about coat length, color, and your dog’s specific skin concerns.
Key things to consider
- Skin sensitivity: If your dog scratches frequently or has redness, start with gentle options such as Oatmeal Shampoo or HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo.
- Coat color: Light or white Havanese benefit from occasional use of Brightening and Whitening Shampoo and regular facial care with Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash.
- Coat length and style: Full coats need more frequent detangling and may benefit from leave in conditioning after every bath.
- Bathing frequency: Many Havanese do well with a full bath every 3 to 4 weeks, plus waterless shampoo and brushing in between.
Ingredients to look for
- Oatmeal and soothing botanicals for dry or itchy skin.
- Gentle, dog specific cleansers instead of human shampoos.
- pH balanced formulas that are safe for regular use.
- Brightening ingredients designed for canine coats on light colored dogs.
- Light, pleasant fragrances or fragrance free options for sensitive dogs.
Tip: Always use dog shampoo rather than human shampoo. Human products are not pH balanced for dogs and can make Havanese skin and coat issues worse.
Bathing Schedule and Grooming Routine for Havanese
Havanese thrive with a regular grooming routine that combines bathing, conditioning, and careful brushing.
Suggested product rotation
- Everyday routine: Use Oatmeal Shampoo as your primary bath shampoo and follow with Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray while brushing out the coat.
- For sensitive skin: Make HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo your main shampoo and limit brightening products to occasional use as advised by your veterinarian.
- For bright white coats: Use Brightening and Whitening Shampoo every few baths and rely on oatmeal or hypoallergenic formulas for most grooming.
- Face and tear stain care: Clean the eyes and muzzle regularly with Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash and keep the area dry between cleanings.
- Between baths: Freshen up with Waterless Shampoo Lavender Coconut and brush through to keep the coat smooth.
Step by step Havanese bath
- Brush and comb first. Remove tangles and loose hair before the bath, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and in the skirt.
- Wet the coat thoroughly. Use lukewarm water, working from neck to tail and down each leg until the coat is fully saturated.
- Apply your chosen shampoo. Massage Oatmeal Shampoo or HypoCare+ into the coat in sections. For light coats, you can follow with or rotate in Brightening and Whitening Shampoo as needed.
- Rinse very well. Rinse until the water runs clear and you do not feel any shampoo left in the hair, especially in thicker areas.
- Condition and detangle. After towel drying, spray Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray onto damp hair and brush or comb through.
- Dry carefully. Use a dryer on a low or cool setting while brushing to keep the coat straight and prevent mats.
- Finish with a full brush out. Once dry, go over the coat with a comb to check for any remaining tangles.
Havanese Shampoo FAQ
How often should I bathe my Havanese?
Many Havanese do well with a bath every 3 to 4 weeks, depending on coat length and lifestyle. Dogs in full coat or that spend a lot of time outdoors may need more frequent grooming, while Havanese in shorter puppy cuts may need slightly fewer baths.
Which Lillian Ruff shampoo is best for most Havanese?
For many Havanese, Oatmeal Shampoo is an excellent everyday choice. It is gentle, moisturizing, and works well for regular baths while supporting skin comfort.
Which Lillian Ruff shampoo is best for Havanese puppies?
For most Havanese puppies, Oatmeal Shampoo is a safe, gentle starting point. If your puppy shows signs of very sensitive or allergy prone skin, ask your veterinarian whether HypoCare+ Hypoallergenic Shampoo is more appropriate.
Do Havanese need special products for tear stains?
Yes, many light colored Havanese benefit from a gentle facial wash such as Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash. Use it carefully around the eyes and follow label instructions, then keep the area dry.
Can I use human shampoo on my Havanese?
No. Human shampoos are not pH balanced for dogs and can strip important oils from the skin and coat. This can make dryness, tangling, and irritation worse. Always use dog specific shampoos such as the Lillian Ruff formulas listed on this page.
How can I keep my Havanese coat tangle free between baths?
Brush your Havanese regularly, ideally several times per week, and use Leave in Conditioner and Detangler Spray on trouble spots. You can also use Waterless Shampoo to refresh the coat before brushing so the hair is clean and easier to manage.