Havanese dog breed characteristics and facts

The Havanese is a small toy breed dog with a rounded face, floppy ears, and curly or straight long hair. Havanese dogs are very friendly, loving, and playful. Besides being very smart, this breed is also easy to train with a low prey drive. The Havanese dogs have been in Cuba for centuries. In the 1500s, the Spanish colonists brought the Bichon Tenerife with them, which experts believe is the ancestor of the Havanese dog. Soon, Havanese became a fashionable pet of the Cuban nobility and was also given to the state visitors as gifts. This breed is still the national dog of Cuba.

Silver Sable Havanese is a rare variety of the Havanese dog breed. They have a white long silky coat with black or dark brown tipping. Silver Sable Havanese can vary from very heavy tipping to very light tipping, and their undercoat may be gold, red, fawn, chocolate, or silver. This is a newer variety, and not all breed clubs acknowledge it, but it has gained popularity over the years.

Havanese Facts

• Origin: Cuba
• Size: Small
• Breed Group: Toy Group
• Lifespan: 14-16 years
• Coat: silky, Long and soft double coat
• Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent, playful and friendly
• Exercise Needs: Moderate exercise
• Training: Gentle training methods
• Grooming: Regular brushing
• Health: Generally healthy dog breed, but can be prone to some genetic conditions like cataracts, hip dysplasia and heart issues

Havanese Overview

The Havanese is a sweetie who will lavish affection on anyone – even strangers,  children, cats, other dogs, or aliens in a spaceship – but the majority of it will flow toward her family. Given the opportunity, he would spend every minute of his day – and night – close to his owner-tolerated, no, preferred, gleefully sitting on your lap, serving as your computer mousepad, or being crushed onto your favorite limb. He may develop distress disorders if neglected alone. If left alone in the yard, this is NOT a cheerful guy.

The Havanese is quite trainable, and they have been used for therapy and assistant dogs, have sniffed out mold and termites, and have performed circus acts. The breed also has a surprising amount of energy for their small stature, and for the family that likes competing, the Havanese has no objection to sporting agility, freestyle, obedience, and flyball. Many small-dog owners often overindulge their much-loved pets. They will soon pay the price; if allowed, bad habits like eating only people food will form unusually rapidly. This breed is a highly intelligent con artist. You may realize your Havanese has been training you as against training him. Despite the breed’s peculiarities or perhaps seemingly because of them, the Havanese is a tremendous all-around pet for any family.

Havanese History

So settlers kept bringing their small  companion dogs to the island, landlocked by its ruler’s decree for centuries, and eventually the dogs interbred into what is today’s Bichon family. They spread out into the families of wealthy aristocrats and noblewomen, where their signature coat developed . That coat is an outercoat of soft hair, which is abundant, silky, and wavy. And a soft-haired undercoat. They were regarded with great favor among the wealthy families, sometimes as aristocracy and true in-family relations.

The dogs discovered their way back to England, Spain, and France when European travelers became infatuated with the breed. Over two centuries later, Havanese fever struck again in Europe. The pooch became fashionable in the mid-1800s, with Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens being only a few of his celebrity fans. As witnessed in the majority of dog fashion movements, this one soon lost its luster. The Havanese was nearly exterminated at one point, even in Cuba. Nonetheless, a few Cuban relatives still produced and maintained the dogs, and when the Cuban Revolution kicked off in 1959, 11 Havanese appeared in the U.S. in the arms of their owners.

The progenitors of most of the Havanese living in other countries today are canine refugees from communist Cuba. A couple who bred other dogs in the 1970’s was in possession of a few dogs descended from the 11 dogs which were brought from Cuba to the United States. The two were so taken by the dogs’ intelligence and affectionate nature that they began tracking down other Havanese and working to reestablish the breed. By 1996, the Havanese rescued from Cuba had become the ancestor and foundation stock of many kennels. There were so few that today, most Havanese living outside Cuba are the descendants of those 11 dogs. Therefore, breeders are working to widen the American-bred gene pool of the Havanese. In 1995, the American Kennel Club acknowledged the breed.

Havanese Size

Males and females 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches tall, and weigh 7 to 13 pounds.

Havanese Personality

The Havanese is a gentle breed that thrives on human companionship. Your Havanese may follow you from room to room throughout the day, and he can be very anxious if he’s left alone. He is also intelligent, modest, and likes making you laugh with goofy antics or sitting on your lap for hours, watching the world go by while making sure everything’s alright. Havanese puppies with a pleasant temperament are open and eager to approach people and be held by them. Divide the middle-of-the-road puppy in half. Never go for the one who is beating up his littermates or the one who is sitting in the corner. To be sure they have a pleasant temperament that you are comfortable with, always meet at least one of the puppy’s parents.

It is especially beneficial when evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up to meet siblings or other relatives of the parents. As with any dog, early socialization is essential for the Havanese due to the need to introduce the young puppy to many new people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Socialization is the process of ensuring that your Havanese puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog, and one way is to enroll him in a puppy kindergarten course . It will also help him fine-tune his social skills by frequently inviting guests over and taking him to jam-packed parks, dog-friendly stores, and casual strolls through the neighborhood to meet the neighbors.

Havanese Health

Havanese are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they are prone to developing certain health conditions. Not all Havanese will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them if you’re thinking about this breed. When buying a puppy, you should find a recommended breeder who will show you health clearances of your puppy’s parents.

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Chondrodysplasia
• Legg-Perthes Disease
• Cataracts
• Deafness
• Patellar Luxation
• Portosystemic Shunt
• Heart Murmur
• Mitral Valve Insufficiency

Havanese Care

The Havanese is a small breed, but he has a good amount of energy. Going for a long walk or playing an active game of fetch every day will satisfy him. The Havanese is well-suited to any home, from small apartments to large houses with yards, as long as he is an indoor pet. This is not a dog that can live outside. He is at his best when he is with his family. They do not make strident yappers, but they frequently alert humans to approaching strangers. They will not fit in well in a home where there are noise limits. Most Havanese are relatively simple to train. He enjoys pleasing his human family.">            The Havanese is relatively easy to train. He enjoys his families’ satisfaction. Primary training, beginning with puppy kindergarten, is recommended.

However, housetraining a Havanese can be treacherous, so get ready to be very patient during this phase. You’ll still get there, but get him crate trained. It’s difficult to determine whether a Havanese or an owner can be a real victim of the separation anxiety incident. The most effective approach to prevent such a catastrophe is not to allow it to occur. Do not leave the dog alone for long periods of time; when you leave, put him in a secure cage with strong toys to avoid being stressed. Even if he is little and hairy, a Havanese isn’t a toy. He must nonetheless adhere to excellent canine etiquette. Do not let him eat table scraps or carry him everywhere, or he will become fat and overly attached to you.

Havanese Grooming And Coat Color

The Havanese coat is thick, but silky, soft, and light and it does not come off. The coat is long and from straight to curly, though wavy is the most appropriate for the show ring. It is available in colors white, black, black and tan, sable, grey, and a variety of other colors and markings. Havanese holders often clip the coat short to make it easier to deal with. But, if you show your Havanese – or just want to look like you’re going to, YOU’LL have to keep it long, which means you take a LOT of time to groom it. When long the coat needs daily brushing, to keep it mat-free, and often baths to keep it good. Always tied the hair over the eyes, in general, to hold it away from the eyes for comfort – it looks cute either way.

You’re probably better off with a professional groomer unless you’re highly motivated and skilled. Owners can learn to groom their dogs, but it takes someone very dedicated to keep this breed’s coat in good shape. Notice that excessive tearing can indicate an eye problem and should be checked by the vet. However, the most tearstains are not serious, and the exact cause is not identified. You can improve how your Havanese looks by keeping the hair around the eyes clean; if the staining is severe, there are whitening products available that might help. Brush at least two or three times a week to remove tartar in your Havanese’s teeth and the bacteria that grows inside it. Ideally, daily brushing is ideal; it can help you to prevent gum disease and prevent bad breath.

They tend to be frightened to wield the clippers or tend to trim them too condensed, so it would be better to ask your vet to teach you the maneuvers. If your dog’s nails get too long, it can cause abscesses in the paw pads or put pressure on toe joints to walk properly. Short trim nails help protect your feet and keep their toes in excellent shape, so you aren’t scratched any time your excited Havanese jumps up to greet you. Brush your Havanese’s teeth at least two or three times a week to keep his breath fresh and avoid bad smells and diseases. Regularly examine the mouth and ears for any redness, bad smell or gunk-like tissues that might cause an infection to inflame. Start smoothing each week when he’s a baby Havanese eight to ten weeks old. Understood his legs periodically: puppies are sporadic about their toes, and some campaigners even specify that Haavanees be conducted after the nails have manicured. During the weekly review, search for rashes, bruises, or any abscess caused by infections such as red spots, delicate skin, or any inflammation on the black eye, nostrils, or nose.

Havanese Children And Other Pets

The Havanese is good with the family and is affectionate with anyone, from children of any age to other dogs and pets. Nevertheless, he is so small that he can get injured accidentally, so the kids need to learn how to behave with the dog. You should teach your kid how to touch and approach dogs, and at all times supervise childhood interactions with dogs, or there might be biting and ear or tail pulling from both sides. Your kid must never interact with a dog while sleeping or eating or strive to take food from the dog’s mouth. A great dog is not a kid’s supervisor.