Havanese Dogs
Quite Rare Toy Dog Breeds

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Background and Description:

Havanese dogs, recognized as the National dog of Cuba, are of Spanish origin and believed to derive from Bichon and possibly Tenerife breed linesn.

Although their numbers have dwindled dramatically in Cuba, the Havanese dog has now become very popular among the small dog breeds to own in the United States. Their popularity is most likley due in part to a certain trendiness, their reputation for being easy to train, and because they have a natural affinity toward therapy or assistance uses.



This handsome small dog conveys the general impression of substance. He has a squarely built frame supported by strong legs, a bushy tail that he carries very jauntily and soft expressive eyes which may be black or dark brown.

Historical information indicates that Havanese dogs arrived on Cuban shores during the period following the island's discovery by Christopher Columbus. In time, this toy dog breed became favored by the Cuban aristocracy, though today their numbers are greatly reduced.

This little dog is not easily mistaken for any other breed, with a profuse amount of curly or wavy hair that has a shaggy and tousled look.

Despite its small size, it is quite rugged and has an equally courageous personality. This small dog breed was favored early on by the aristocracy and was once a beloved pet of Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens.

Appearance:

The height range for this breed is from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches, with the ideal being between 9 and 10 1/2 inches.

Coat colors: Quite a lot of acceptable colors to choose from including cream, gold, silver, blue, and black.

Coat and Care:

This breed has a soft double coat, without the difference in texture between the two coats, as is often seen in other breeds. The coat is silky in texture, quite long and abundant and has a very appealing appearance. Havanese dogs may be a good choice for allergy sufferers as they don't shed. Occasionally, a short coated dog may be produced in a litter, caused by a recessive gene, but this is a deviation from the standard.

Despite its appearance, it tolerates the heat very well, partly due to the insulating quality of its coat. Regular brushing is necessary to maintain the coat in good condition.

Havanese Health Concerns:

Some of the more common dog health problems related to Havanese dogs are: early cataracts that can lead to blindness, hearing problems to include genetic deafness, patella luxation, liver problems and heart abnormalities.

In light of this, it would certainly seem like a good idea to include attention to eye cleaning and ear cleaning as a regular part of grooming sessions as well as provide support that is helpful to eye health. One of my dogs lost her sight from diabetes so I know how heart wrenching it is to have a dog go blind!

Another heriditary condition that seems to be linked with these common problems is Chondrodysplasia, or CD for short. CD, as it relates the Havanese dog, has to do with assymmetric or bowed legs caused by the growth plates closing too soon or closing unevenly. For some reason when this happens, more of the other diseases mentioned seem to affect the breed. Don't ask me why, ask your vet, but it seems to me there must be a chemical imbalance that affects not only bone development, but perhaps development of other areas of the body.

The upshot of this is that in my opinion when buying Havanese puppies, I would ask the breeder about the parents with respect to CD, plus conduct a careful inspection of the legs of the puppy you are considering.

Personality and Traits:

A great little companion and family dog. This toy dog breed is considered easy to obedience train and learns quickly if the owners are committed and consistent.

Both intelligent and lively, it is an entertaining small dog with a delightful personality. Havanese dogs have protective instincts and can be good watchdogs.

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Activity Level:

Although fairly active indoors, the Havanese dog does welcome and need quite a bit of regular outdoor exercise.

Plus the fact that a daily walk maintains the mental and physical stimulation that every dog needs to be happy and balanced.

Space Needs:

Energetic and generally not a yappy dog, this breed is quite adaptable and well-suited to either apartment living or a house. Doesn't mind following you around all day providing he is taken out sufficiently.

Children:

From their early history the Havanese dog was employed as a playmate for children and to this day are considered a wonderful family dog, having an excellent reputation for getting along very well with children. But, because even the most tolerant dog can be unpredictable, the best practice still remains to have an adult supervise activites between pets and children.

Elderly:

The combination of intelligence, trainability and loyalty make Havanese dogs excellent companions for the elderly or more sedentary family. They are very affectionate and their use as therapy dogs has been well recognized, plus the excercise needs are easily managed.

Fun Stuff for Small dogs:

Small Dog Clothes	Dog Jewelry
Small Dog Carriers	Dog Hats

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