Havanese Puppy:
Many people adore the long, silky hair, expressive eyes, and cuddling stature of the Havanese dog breed. They were developed in the 1800s as a companion dog for the Cuban nobility, and because they stick so steadfastly by their owner’s side, they have come to be known as “Velcro dogs.” Despite being purebred, you could still be able to discover these dogs in shelters and rescues. Don’t forget to adopt! If you want to bring a dog home, avoid shopping.
The Havanese is trainable and surprisingly lively, and they have thrived in dog sports and canine occupations ranging from circus performer to helping people with impairments. Don’t dismiss this little dog as merely a lapdog. They enjoy their people and can’t stand being at home by themselves for extended periods of time. Make sure your dog gets constant company, and you’ll have an intelligent, obedient furry family member.
For a complete list of Havanese dog breed characteristics and information, see below!
Dog Breed More Info
Everyone, even strangers, kids, other dogs, and even cats, are shown affection by the Havanese. However, his family will receive the most of his affection; given the option, he will remain steadfastly at his owner’s side. The Havanese might get uneasy when left alone as a result of all this love. A Havanese who is left in the backyard or anyplace else away from his family is not a happy dog, and this dog is unquestionably a housedog.
His gregarious attitude shouldn’t come as a surprise given that he was developed to amuse the affluent families of his native island of Cuba. But the Havanese has now shown that he’s capable of much more than just warming up. Because of their high level of trainability, Havanese dogs have served as therapy and service dogs, found termites and mildew, and performed tricks for audiences.
The Havanese would gladly participate in sports like agility, freestyle, obedience, and flyball for the family wishing to compete because they also possess an unusual level of energy for their size.
It’s typical for devoted owners to overindulge their Havanese, as it is with many little dogs. They’ll probably regret it since negative habits, like consuming solely food from other people, may develop rapidly. You could discover that your Havanese is training you rather than the other way around since this breed is a clever con artist.
Although, or maybe even because of, his quirks, the Havanese is a lovely and adaptable pet.
Highlights
The companion dog known as the Havanese thrives when he is with his family. When left alone, he may have separation anxiety, so it’s ideal if someone is home during the day to keep him company. Among other breeds, Havanese pups frequently consume their own faces, however they usually outgrow this. So that your puppy can’t engage in this revolting behavior, scoop his poop soon away. Although the Havanese’s long, silky coat is lovely, it needs frequent cleaning and maintenance. However, if you want to show your dog, you’ll need to let it grow long and put a lot of time and money into grooming it yourself or hiring a groomer. Many owners choose to keep their dogs’ coats short. Another reason for keeping it long is that the long coat keeps your dog cooler in hot climates.
The Havanese adapts well to various types of housing, including houses with big yards and flats. But he’ll probably bark if he hears an odd noise or sees someone walking by the home. The good news is that he doesn’t bark only to hear himself bark. The Havanese enjoys viewing the world from a height and will climb up onto the backs of couches and tables to do so. The Havanese loves paper, and this clever little dog will do anything to find it, including searching through your guests’ coats. Toilet paper is a unique gift for him because it may provide him with hours of enjoyable shredding. Give him a roll, and your home will quickly appear to have been the target of Halloween pranksters.
A bigger dog requires just as much activity as a Havanese. Daily activity like a brisk walk or a sport should do the trick. Never purchase a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, a puppy mill, or a pet shop if you want a healthy dog. Find a reliable breeder that checks her breeding dogs to ensure that they are healthy and free of hereditary illnesses that they may pass on to the puppies.
Havanese Appearance
Small & compact
The Havanese may weigh up to 6 kilograms and stands around 28 cm tall at the shoulders. Although these small dogs are categorized as Bichons, they can also be seen in brown, grey, beige, and with patches in addition to white. There isn’t much, if any, undercoat on the fur, but there is a lot of silky, velvety top hair that may grow up to 18 cm long.
Havanese Personality:
The Havanese is a loving, perceptive, and little dog that is perfect for playing the role of a family pet. They are regarded as gregarious and sociable, with a positive outlook on life and a charming demeanor. Havanese are kind and joyful dogs. They like being with their owners and do not make suitable kennel dogs. They are playful dogs who love to play games and learn tricks with their owners. Havanese may be trained and are intelligent. They must be socialized to avoid developing a fear of meeting new people.
The Havanese is a kind and friendly breed that enjoys spending time with people. Your Havanese might get quite uneasy when left alone and will frequently follow you from room to room throughout the day. He is very bright, and he will love making you laugh with silly antics or just sitting on your lap and taking in the scenery.
Numerous elements, including training, socialization, and inheritance, have an impact on temperament. Puppies with good dispositions are interested and lively, approachable, and want to be cuddled. Select a puppy that is in the midst of the pack rather than one that is bullying its littermates or cowering in a corner. Always meet at least one parent to make sure they are pleasant and comfortable with you. Usually, the mother is the one who is available. It’s also beneficial to meet the parents’ siblings or other family members to get a sense of what the puppy will be like as an adult.
The Havanese needs early socialization, or exposure to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences, when they’re young, much like any other breed of dog. In order to guarantee that your Havanese puppy develops into a well-rounded dog, socialization is important. He should start by enrolling in a kindergarten class for puppies. Regularly hosting guests, taking him to crowded parks, dog-friendly shops, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will all help him hone his social skills.
Havanese Characteristics
Straightforward Partners
If you’re searching for a simple dog, the Havanese checks all the right boxes: it is intelligent, animated, playful, loves kids, and last but not least, is a great charmer. These little puppies are always upbeat and eager to embark on adventures with their human partner. Although they are constantly on the lookout, they are not hostile. Although Havanese dogs don’t yap, they can make a lot of noise by barking if they don’t receive enough attention. These self-assured dogs are kind to strangers and other animals, which makes them beloved pets everywhere.
Easy to train
Because of their intelligence and interest in learning, Havanese dogs are simple to teach. They are also extremely obedient and like pleasing their human relatives. Even for beginners, training a Havanese won’t provide too much of a difficulty. The major challenge is resisting the allure of these tiny canines and keeping an open mind. These smart dogs take note of even the smallest exclusions and will subsequently demand the “rights” they were once given, like as a place in your bed. It’s ideal to make everyone in the family aware of what the new dog is and isn’t permitted to do before the dog comes into the house. It’s beneficial to enroll in a dog school to learn fundamental commands and teach puppies.
Various activities
These little canines enjoy exercise, albeit their requirement may be met very readily given their size. In addition, they like lengthy play sessions and will gladly stroll beside you on long hikes. Teach your Havanese dog a few tricks; they are quick learners. A good chance to stimulate your Havanese in a fun way is agility, especially for tiny dogs.
Fidgety eaters
The exception does prove the rule, therefore keep an eye on your dog’s weight in order to adjust the amount of food accordingly. These handsome canines have a tendency to be picky eaters. Whether you select wet or dry food, be sure it is grain-free and that meat is listed as the first ingredient. In addition to being a useful addition to the menu, dried chew goods may also aid in tooth cleaning. Use rewards sparingly to avoid fussy behaviors and make sure your dog doesn’t gain too much weight..
Havanese Health
Although Havanese are mostly healthy, they are susceptible to some health issues like all breeds. Although not all Havanese may contract one or more of these illnesses, it’s vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one of these dogs.
Find a reputable breeder that will provide you with the health clearances for both of your dog’s parents if you are purchasing a puppy. Health certifications attest to a dog’s having undergone testing and been declared free of a certain ailment. You should anticipate seeing health certificates for von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Thrombopathia from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Thrombopathia from Auburn University, and normal eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in Havanese. You can visit the OFA website to validate health approvals (offa.org).
Hip Dysplasia: A degenerative condition known as hip dysplasia weakens the hip joint as a result of improper growth and development. Many different dog breeds are affected by this condition. Despite being a hereditary disorder that breeders test for, it can manifest in a puppy that was born to parents who did not have the condition. Medication, weight loss if the dog is overweight, dietary supplements, and occasionally surgery are all forms of treatment.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia, a degenerative condition that affects the elbow joint, is comparable to hip dysplasia. It is thought to result from aberrant growth and development, which weakens and malforms the joint. The severity of the illness varies; some dogs simply have mild stiffness, while others become lame. Surgery, weight control, and medication are used as treatments.
Chondrodysplasia: This is a genetic condition that is sometimes called “dwarfism” in error. The limbs of affected dogs are unusually short for their breed. The degree of this might range from almost normal to devastating. Dogs can have full and healthy lives in less severe instances, but any dog with this condition shouldn’t be bred.
Legg-Perthes Disease: The hip joint ball deforms because to Legg-Perthes. The head of the femur bone first experiences a reduction in blood flow, which progresses until the bone finally dies, collapses, and develops deformities. The hip joint becomes inflamed or develops arthritis as a result. Although the exact Aetiology of leggy-Perthes is unknown, it may be hereditary or a result of trauma. Rest, physical therapy, and surgical removal of the malformed femoral head and neck are all forms of treatment. The majority of dogs recover well from surgery, and many only experience minimal lameness, especially with weather changes.
Cataracts: A cataract is an opacity on the eye’s lens that impairs vision. The damaged eye seems to be hazy. It is a hereditary condition that often strikes people as they get older, however it may strike anybody. Cataracts are removed surgically to treat them.
Deafness: Dogs who are deaf have a variety of difficulties, as do their owners. Deafness is often incurable, however some types of hearing loss and deafness can be managed medically and surgically. A deaf dog requires patience and time, but there are numerous devices on the market, such vibrating collars, to make your lives simpler.
Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation, sometimes referred to as a “trick knee,” is a common issue in tiny dogs. The three-part patellia, made up of the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf), is what causes it to occur. Lameness or an unnatural gait result from this. Surgery is typically used as a treatment for patellar luxation.
Portosystemic Shunt: In a portosystemic shunt, the liver is bypassed and the blood from the digestive tract flows straight to the systemic venous circulation. When this happens, poisons that the liver would typically eliminate circulate throughout the body, causing additional illnesses including hepatic encephalopathy. The symptoms of portosystemic shunts, which typically accompany another illness, include poor balance, loss of appetite, lethargy, blindness, depression, weakness, seizures, confusion, and coma. Surgery and a change in diet can also help address the issue.
Heart Murmur: Heart murmurs are brought on by an obstruction in the blood flow. Heart murmurs are categorised into five classes based on their audibility. Heart murmurs are a sign of illness, thus they need to be treated with medicine, a particular diet, and exercise restraints..
Mitral Valve Insufficiency: When the mitral valve, which is located between the left atrium and ventricle, starts to fail, it is more frequently seen in older dogs. When this occurs, the mitral valve is unable to stop blood from entering the left atrium. Heart failure can result from this. Hypertension, fluid in the lungs, and a loss of cardiac muscle strength are symptoms. Medication, dietary changes, and exercise limitations are all part of the treatment.
Havanese Care
Despite being a little breed, the Havanese has plenty of energy to expend. A daily game of fetch or a long stroll would make him happy. As long as he is an inside dog, the Havanese adapts well to a range of environments, including small apartments and big houses with yards. The backyard is not the right environment for this breed. When he is around his family, he is happy. They do bark at passing people, even if they aren’t particularly yappy, so if your house has noise limits, this breed might not be the right choice for you.
The Havanese is often quite simple to teach due to his enthusiasm to please his owners. It is advised to start with puppy courses for basic obedience. However, a Havanese can be extremely difficult to housetrain, so you’ll need to exercise extra patience during this procedure. You will succeed, but crate training is essential.
The Havanese and his owner may have major concerns about separation anxiety. Preventing this issue completely is the best solution. Avoid leaving the dog alone for extended periods of time, and if you must, put him in a kennel with lots of durable toys to keep him entertained.
A Havanese, although being little and furry, is not a toy. Like many dog breeds, he has to learn how to behave around people. He won’t become fat or stop being extremely protective of you if you don’t lavish him with table scraps or carry him around all the time.
Havanese Feeding
Half to one cup of quality dry food should be consumed every day, split between two meals.
NOTE: The amount of food your adult dog consumes is influenced by his size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. Like people, each dog is unique, thus they don’t all require the same quantity of food. A very active dog will require more than a couch potato dog, which should almost go without saying. The kind of dog food you purchase also matters; the better the food, the more effectively it will nourish your dog and the less you will need to shake into the bowl.
Rather than putting food available all the time, keep your Havanese in excellent form by feeding him twice a day and weighing out his food. Give him the hands-on and eye tests if you’re not sure if he’s obese.
Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. After that, lay your hands on his back with your thumbs down his spine and your fingers stretched outward. Without exerting much pressure, you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. He needs less food and more activity if you can’t.
Havanese Grooming and Coat Color
For their coats to stay smooth, Havanese dogs need to put in a lot of time being groomed. Felting is a problem with Havanese. Felted fur quickly develops felt patches that are near to the skin, which can lead to skin fungus or irritation and are hard to remove. Its grooming routine includes regular bathing. When your dog is a puppy, get them accustomed to bathing. As much as essential, as little as feasible is the guiding philosophy. If required, use dull tweezers to remove any hairs that are developing in the ear canal because otherwise dirt would collect there. Additionally, keep hairs out of the eyes by routinely trimming the fur back with care or using hair clips. Every month, check the claws and trim them if required. Due to their smooth hair and significant benefit of barely shedding any fur, Havanese require less upkeep than some other long-haired dogs.
The Havanese coat is thick but smooth, soft, and light, and it doesn’t shed readily. The long coat can be straight, curly, or wavy; nevertheless, wavy is seen to be the best for the show ring. It comes in a wide variety of hues and patterns, including white, black, black and tan, sable, grey, and many more. To make the Havanese coat simpler to maintain, many owners shorten it. However, you’ll need to maintain it long and should prepare to perform a lot of maintenance whether you want to exhibit your Havanese or just want to seem like you do.
When maintained long, the coat requires frequent washing to keep it clean and daily brushing to prevent mats from developing. In order to avoid irritation, it is often advisable to keep the hair held back from the eyes; besides, it looks cute. If you’re not very driven and talented, a professional groomer is usually a better option for you. Although owners may learn to groom their dogs, it requires a committed individual to maintain this breed’s coat.
The Havanese frequently have watery eyes and the resultant tear stains. Remember that frequent tears may be an indication of an eye issue and should be examined by a veterinarian. However, the majority of tearstains are not harmful, and the reason is just not understood. Keeping the hair around your eyes clean will help to reduce the stained appearance (wipe daily with a damp cloth). Some owners find it useful to use the whitening treatments available on the market that are designed expressly to lighten the stains.
At least twice or three times a week, brush your Havanese’s teeth to get rid of tartar accumulation and the bacteria that live there. Even better than twice-daily brushing is prevention of foul breath and gum disease. If your dog doesn’t naturally wear down his nails, you should trim them once or twice a month. They are too lengthy if you can hear them clicking on the floor. The feet are kept in good condition by having short, beautifully trimmed nails, which also protect your legs from being scratched when your Havanese rushes up to welcome you.
When he’s a puppy, start exposing your Havanese to brushing and examinations. Dogs are sensitive when it comes to their feet, so handle his paws regularly and examine his lips and ears. Lay the framework for simple veterinarian checks and other handling when he’s an adult by making grooming a rewarding experience full with praise and incentives.
While grooming, keep an eye out for sores, rashes, or infection-related symptoms like redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, or eyes, as well as on the feet. Clear eyes without any redness or discharge are ideal. You may identify any health issues early on thanks to your thorough weekly exam.
Havanese Exercise
The Havanese needs moderate amounts of exercise. Since they are happiest when there is someone around, they will benefit from a vigorous daily walk or an enjoyable play session with their owner in the backyard. Even romping about the house might be enough exercise. Never overwork a Havanese, regardless of age. It’s time to head home if they are straining to keep up and are panting. Although they adapt well to both homes and flats, Havanese do not like being left alone for long periods of time.
Havanese Living With:
Havanese require a lot of social connection. If properly socialized, they are typically friendly toward other pets and love outdoor activities. Due to their tiny stature, Havanese may make fine watchdogs but terrible guard dogs. On occasion, if not properly taught, a dog may bark excessively. To maintain a mat-free coat, Havanese need to be brushed and combed three or more times each week. They don’t need to be trimmed.
The Havanese breed is perfect for someone looking for a tiny, energetic dog that doesn’t need a big yard and can be happy with regular walks and fetch games. These dogs struggle when left alone for extended periods of time. The average lifespan of a Havanese is 10 to 15 years.
Havanese History:
Spanish settlers started coming to Cuba after Columbus claimed it for Spain in 1492. Small companion dogs that later became members of the Bichon family of canines travelled with them.
These dogs interbred, were separated from other canines due to island living, and eventually evolved into the modern-day Havanese because to Spanish trade restrictions placed on Cuba. The dog’s thick, silky coat served as its trademark and also to shield it from the tropical sun (the coat is like raw silk floss, profuse, but extremely light and soft, and insulates against the tropical rays in much the same way that yards of silk sari protect the women of India).
Havanese were adorning the laps of many aristocratic households in Cuba by the early 1800s. Travelers from Europe who fell in love with the breed sent dogs back to France, Spain, and England. In the middle of the 1800s, the breed gained popularity in Europe, and some well-known supporters at the time were Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria.
This breed craze fizzled out, like with most others. Even in his home Cuba, the Havanese once almost became extinct. However, a small number of Cuban households continued to breed and keep the dogs, and with the Cuban Revolution in 1959, 11 Havanese were transported to the United States in the owners’ arms. The majority of the present-day Havanese outside of Cuba are descended from these dog exiles.
The breed saw a renaissance in the 1970s when an American dog-breeding pair discovered a small number of the descendants of the 11 Cuban canines. They started looking for more Havanese and making efforts to revive the breed after being charmed by their wit and devotion. Breeders are striving to diversify the gene pools of the American-bred Havanese since the majority of Havanese living outside of Cuba today can trace their history to just 11 dogs.
In 1995, the breed received formal recognition from the American Kennel Club.