Indepth Havanese dog breed facts and information article provides potential Havanese owners with information about Havanese history, appearance, temperament, grooming, training your Havanese, finding a responsible Havanese breeder, Havanese dog and puppy names, Havanese pictures and much more.
Meet the Havanese Dog Breed
The Havanese dog breed, a member of the Bichon family, is native to Cuba and known for its small size and distinctive, silky coat. These dogs are not only adorable, but also highly intelligent and sociable, making them a beloved breed worldwide. They possess a cheerful and friendly demeanor, which makes them a perfect companion for families and individuals alike.
Despite their petite frame, the Havanese are sturdy and surprisingly agile, often participating in dog sports such as obedience and agility competitions. Their coats come in a variety of colors and require regular grooming to keep them looking their best. Additionally, Havanese dogs are known for their longevity, often living well into their teens with proper care.
Havanese Dog Facts
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Non Shedding: Yes
Life expectancy: 14 – 16 years
Temperament: Playful, Affectionate, Intelligent, Lively, Trainable, Vocal
Weight: Male: 4–6 kg, Female: 3.5–5 kg
Height: Male: 25–30 cm, Female: 22–27 cm
Havanese Dog Coat Colors:
Havanese dogs are known for their beautiful, soft, and silky coats that come in a wide array of colors. The most common colors include black, white, gold, cream, champagne, blue, silver, chocolate, and any combination of these. The coat may also be brindle, sable, or even a tricolor pattern. Each coat color gives the Havanese a unique look and personality. The American Kennel Club recognizes all colors and markings equally, meaning there is no preferred color in this breed. This variety in coat colors makes the Havanese breed even more appealing to dog lovers.
Average Price: $2000 to $3000
Havanese Dog Breed History
The Havanese dog breed has a rich and interesting history that dates back several centuries. Originating from Cuba, specifically from Havana, the breed was known as “Blanquito de la Habana” or the “Havana Silk Dog”.
This breed was highly favored by the Cuban elite and aristocracy in the 19th century. The Havanese were often pampered and cherished as companion dogs. However, their population dwindled significantly during the Cuban Revolution in the late 1950s.
It was the few dogs that were brought to the United States by Cuban refugees that saved the breed from extinction. In the late 20th century, dedicated breeders worked to revive and popularize the Havanese, leading to its recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1996. Today, the Havanese are loved worldwide for their friendly demeanor, intelligence, and charming appearance.
Havanese Dog Appearance
Havanese dogs are small, yet sturdy and slightly longer than they are tall, typically weighing between 7 to 13 pounds. Their expressive eyes are large and almond-shaped, often dark brown in color, which add to their friendly and intelligent look.
These dogs have a double coat of fur, which is soft and lightweight. They are known for their beautiful, silky hair, which can be styled in a variety of ways and comes in various colors, including white, black, tan, gray, or a mix.
The hair is often long and wavy, sometimes curling into ringlets, giving them a unique and charming appearance. Their tail is plume-like and curves over their back. They have drop ears that fold over and hang down the sides of their head, adding to their adorable appeal. Overall, Havanese dogs are known for their cute, cuddly, and charismatic appearance.
Havanese Temperament
Renowned for their delightful temperament, Havanese dogs are affectionate, sociable, and intelligent. They adore spending time with their human families and are often described as having a cheerful disposition. Havanese dogs are very adaptable and can thrive in various living situations, from city apartments to spacious country home.
They are highly trainable and have a keen intelligence, making them relatively easy to train compared to other breeds. However, their playful and sometimes clownish behavior can sometimes hide their intelligence. Despite their small size, they are not overly yappy but will alert their owners to visitors or unusual sounds.
Overall, the Havanese temperament is a perfect balance of playfulness and affection, making them great companions.
Havanese Exercise Requirements
Havanese dogs are known for their playful and energetic nature. Despite being a small breed, they require a moderate amount of daily exercise to maintain their health and happiness. A daily walk along with a few play sessions or additional physical activities like agility training, swimming or fetch games are usually sufficient for this breed.
They also enjoy interactive toys that stimulate their mind. Without adequate exercise, Havanese dogs can become overweight or develop behavioral issues. Hence, it’s crucial for owners to ensure that their Havanese gets enough physical and mental stimulation each day.
Havanese Dog Grooming Requirements
Grooming a Havanese dog is important for both its appearance and health. These dogs have a long, silky coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling. Brushing should be done daily, or at least 3-4 times a week to keep their fur smooth and clean.
Bathing should be done monthly or as necessary depending on the dog’s lifestyle and activities. They also require regular ear cleaning to prevent infections, teeth brushing for oral health, and nail trimming for comfort and mobility.
As the Havanese breed is prone to tear stains, special attention should be given to cleaning the area around their eyes. A professional groomer can be consulted for more intensive grooming needs such as haircuts.
Training Your Havanese Dog
Training your Havanese dog requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. This breed is highly intelligent and known for its quick learning capabilities. However, they also have a playful and sometimes stubborn disposition, which can pose challenges during training sessions.
It’s important to start training early on, focusing on basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Havanese dogs respond well to rewards-based training, so be prepared with treats and plenty of praise for a job well done.
Socializing is also crucial for this breed to prevent them from becoming overly anxious or timid around strangers. Remember, a well-trained Havanese dog is not only more obedient but also happier and healthier.
Havanese Puppy Housebreaking
Housebreaking a Havanese puppy involves training it to go to the bathroom outside or in a designated indoor area. This process requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.
Havanese puppies, like other breeds, are not born with an innate understanding of where to eliminate, so it’s the owner’s responsibility to teach them. Training should begin as soon as the puppy is brought home.
It’s important to establish a regular feeding schedule and take the puppy outside frequently, particularly after meals and naps, to give them ample opportunity to do their business.
Accidents will inevitably occur, but scolding the puppy can be counterproductive. Instead, owners should reinforce successful outdoor elimination with praise and treats, gradually helping the Havanese puppy understand where it’s appropriate to go.
Havanese Dog Breed Health Issues
The Havanese dog breed, like any other breed, is prone to certain health issues. Despite being generally healthy, they can suffer from hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and chondrodysplasia.
These conditions can affect their mobility and vision. Havanese dogs are also prone to heart diseases, such as mitral valve disease and patent ductus arteriosus. Furthermore, they may experience allergies, deafness, and dental problems. Regular vet check-ups and a healthy diet can help in the early detection and management of these potential health issues.
Is the Havanese Dog Breed Right For You?
Deciding if the Havanese dog breed is right for you depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
Havanese dogs are small, sturdy, and known for their cheerful and friendly disposition, making them wonderful family pets. They are intelligent, easy to train, and generally get along well with other pets. However, they require regular grooming due to their long, silky coats and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
They are also quite active and need regular exercise. As such, the Havanese breed might be a perfect match for you if you have a flexible schedule that allows you to spend lots of time with your pet, are willing to invest time in grooming, and are able to provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
More Online Information about the Havanese Dog Breed
– American Kennel Club (AKC) Havanese Breed Information: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/havanese/
– Havanese Club of America: http://www.havanese.org/
– DogTime’s Havanese Breed Information: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/havanese
– Royal Canin’s Havanese Breed Information: https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/breeds/breed-library/havanese
– The Spruce Pets’ Havanese Breed Information: https://www.thesprucepets.com/breed-profile-havanese-1117941
– Vetstreet’s Havanese Breed Information: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/havanese
– Petfinder’s Havanese Breed Information: https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/havanese/
– Hill’s Pet Havanese Dog Breed Information: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/havanese
– Havanese Fanciers of Canada: http://www.havanesefanciers.com/
– Wikipedia’s Havanese Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havanese
– PetMD’s Havanese Dog Breed Information: https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_havanese
– Dog Breed Info Center’s Havanese Information: https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/havanese.htm
– The Happy Puppy Site’s Havanese Information: https://thehappypuppysite.com/havanese/