Havanese


Breed Information

Havanese 101: All Dogs are individuals. They page below will describe the typical characteristics of most Havanese.

havanese
How they score: 0-5 Bones
Trainability
Good General Health
Easily Housebroken
Low Maintenance
Good w/Other Pets
Non-Shedding

"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”

-Roger Caras

All the many reasons to love them...


Watch Dogs-They make keen watch dogs! They're not known as yappy dogs, so you can be sure when he's barking, there's a reason for it.



Size- Show dogs range between 8 1/2" to 11 1/2" high and 7 to 13 pounds. Temperament, as opposed to size, should your first consideration when shopping for any toy breed. A regular walk and occasional run will suit exercise needs well in any sort of dwelling, large house or apartment.



Friendly-This is a very "people friendly" breed. Not especially shy or timid, he can be trusted not to nip at the heels of strangers. His is also friendly with and tolerant of other animals.



Trainability-This breed does well in obedience training. Shouting, impatient or harsh training is completely unnecessary and will hinder progress with any breed. Patience and positive reinforcement will go a long way when training.



Excitability-Not an overly excitable breed, they are happiest when pleasing and getting the attention of their owner. You'd sooner find them curled up in your lap than bouncing off your walls.





Loyal-They are very affectionate and loyal little dogs. He will want to be with you on every trip to the bathroom, dining room, kitchen...




Non-Shedding- Though they are non-shedding (losing very little to no hair), they still release dander. If you have allergies and you're considering a Havanese, it would be best to test your tolerance first with a visit or two.

havanese, puppies, puppy, dog
With the popularity of small dogs increasing, so too has the number of breeders, both good and bad. With the hype surrounding many small breeds, so in turn has the population of unwanted dogs become ever increasing. There is probably a Havanese rescue group near you. Why not consider adoption first?

Pet stores should never be an option. Buying from a pet shop keeps the puppy mill industry booming. 'Back yard breeders' and puppy mills are in it for profit only with little or no regard for the health and well being of their animals.



More About the Havanese

Housebreaking difficulties- Some toy breeds are difficult to housebreak... A Havanese is no exception. You'll need to be very patient and probably clean up several messes in the meantime. Small dogs come with small bladders.

15+ Years of commitment- This is where you need to be honest with yourself. Will you be moving soon? Planning children? A new job? If you can't make the commitment to keep a dog for the next 15+ years, DON'T GET ONE! Dogs are not "until" animals. You don't get one "until" you have children, "until you're not lonely anymore, "until" you pick up more hours at work, "until" it's not a cute puppy anymore... They are forever animals. Most dogs end up in high-kill shelters because of irresponsible people. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

If you want an "until" dog, look into fostering. Pick a rescue group near you and volunteer to foster a dog until a forever home can be found... You can choose the breed, size, gender and behavior, just like buying or adopting.

Separation anxiety is common- He will show you his frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by having "accidents" on your furniture. This is probably not the breed for you if you work long hours and would have to leave him home alone.

Maintenance- Their coats come in three varieties... Smooth, curly and wavy. All three types need regular brushing and grooming. The coat is more easily cared for by having it trimmed regularly, but if you prefer a more natural look, your Havanese will need brushing at least twice per week.

Fragility of toy breeds- Though the Havanese is a sturdy little dog for the most part, they are still a toy breed. They are known to enjoy the company of children, but we would caution against bringing a puppy into a home with toddlers. Older, well behaved children should do very well with an older and well behaved Havanese.

Havanese Health Issues-

A lot of work has been done to ensure the health of this dog. Good breeders select their breeding stock wisely and have their dogs vet checked for health problems regularly. This helps to eliminate many of the issues listed below. The Havanese, in general, is a a healthy dog, living as long as 16 years.

Luxating patellas-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome- A disease seen in varying degrees in many small breed dogs. It's degenerative and leads to bone loss and collapse of the hip joint which is obviously painful. Early treatment can help to prevent degenerative arthritis.

Hip Dysplasia is a crippling disease which can eventually lead to lameness and arthritis. It's caused by genetic as well as environmental factors and severe cases often require surgery.

Chondrodysplasia is another disease that still surfaces in this breed. Bowed or dwarfed legs is a sign of the condition.

Heart Murmurs, Deafness and Cataracts are some of the other conditions that responsible breeders and organizations like the Havanese Club of America are helping to eradicate.

A lot of work has been done to ensure the health of this dog. Good breeders select their breeding stock wisely and have their dogs vet checked for health problems regularly. This helps to eliminate many of the issues listed below. The Havanese, in general, is a a healthy dog, living as long as 16 years.

Luxating patellas-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome- A disease seen in varying degrees in many small breed dogs. It's degenerative and leads to bone loss and collapse of the hip joint which is obviously painful. Early treatment can help to prevent degenerative arthritis.

Hip Dysplasia is a crippling disease which can eventually lead to lameness and arthritis. It's caused by genetic as well as environmental factors and severe cases often require surgery.

Chondrodysplasia is another disease that still surfaces in this breed. Bowed or dwarfed legs is a sign of the condition.

Heart Murmurs, Deafness and Cataracts are some of the other conditions that responsible breeders and organizations like the Havanese Club of America are helping to eradicate.


Raising small breed dogs and working with dogs of all shapes and sizes, through various volunteer organizations, rescue groups, etc. for more than 20 years years now, we've came to know and love them all. It's been our business and even more than that, it's been our passion. We're glad you stopped by.


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