A L'il ABOUT BREEDING

All Havanese come from

registered or private breeders,

most registered breeders are private  

breeders who advertise or sell by referrals,

not mills.  Havanese  have only been in Canada for the

past 20 years approximately therefore it is rare to see one in

a Shelter,  Puppy Mill or even a Pet Store.   Just Google "Havanese" to find an appropriate pet professional. A home raised litter owner can be just as professional as a kennel owner. The dog(s) need to be registered only, to home puppies.  

Havanese pet professionals make an effort to see their dogs go to good homes and require information about the potential new owner beforehand. Sometimes an application is required but only to to know if the pet is the right fit for a new home and no one knows their dogs better than the owner or breeder.  Most will have their pups seen by a Vet before homing (it is not a legal requirement but more responsible), but sometimes it is the choice of the new owner to bring to their own Vet of choice. Some contracts stipulate this to validate the sale. All must be registered. Contracts vary among pet professionals and are not registry specific. A contract can be a simple paragraph, an email confirmation, or a lengthy 4 page document. This is to ensure safe and responsible pet ownership.

As only being classified as a breed for "ruffly" 20 years, there is still much to learn about them and it is not advised to mix breed Havanese. It might get you a fluffy friend for a cheaper price but you don't know the gene pool that way.  Also, on breeder websites when health concerns are listed, keep in mind that these are potentials and are specific to a line of dogs and not necessarily generalized to all Havanese. (For example a family having one child with allergies does not indicate all children of that family or their offspring or relatives, or the person next door with the same name for that matter,  will have the same or any allergies.)

Small dogs On most Havanese resources are referred to as Miniatures or part of the Toy breeds (grow 7-15 lbs, 11 inches height). Have a very playful character and gentle. Hypoallergenic so are good for most allergy sufferers.  

Rare Breed Classified as purebreds for only the past 25 years approximately. That doesn't make them more lovable but they are oh so cute! It is estimated that there are only approximately 11,000 registered Havanese worldwide. 

Long Haired Like any other dog a Havanese has its own unique look. Just as a Beagle looks like a Beagle or a Dalmation looks like Dalmation no other dog looks like a Havanese. (Even with the short-haired Havs, only a Havanese can give birth to one.) Fur reaches almost to the ground, is wavy and meant to be kept long, that's their look/style. Usually is kept un-parted with a slightly shaggy look. There is an undercoat of woolly fur. Many people choose to have their Havanese hair groomed short. There are various colours across different lines in the breed. Original Havanese who were at one time all imported (in the 1970's) were all white.

Short-haired are more rare.  Many people like the distinct look of a "smooth-coat" with, sleek features and compact size they make a great alternative for a small dog. Elegant with a fine long plumed tail and thicker fur around chest and gauchos they make a wonderful, affectionate and intelligent companion or family pet.  Similar to the Chihuahua breed there can be long-haired and short-haired dogs and even a short-haired Havanese will give birth to long-haired pups.   Dainty yet sturdy and well structured. Short haired were never categorized for Dog Shows so over the years many breeders spayed them for selective gene pooling which is an acceptable practice but makes them hard to find.  In every way characteristic of the breed they just happen to have a short-haired gene...and very rare. With only approximately 4000 reg'd in North America there is a smaller gene pool and there is likely to be short-haired Havanese through generations of different lines.  

Types are  regular Havanese and Havana Silks (with finer hair and less of an undercoat) and Smooth-coats/Short-haired. Some lines have Bichon origins (means "bearded") however Bichon is a different breed altogether but the term is sometimes used simply because it makes them more recognizable as having a thicker coat.  Hypo-allergenic and low shedding.

Easy to train because they are smart. When old enough to hold their attention they catch on quickly and are easy to please companions. Love to dash and run and let you chase them as they play. Learn little tricks readily when the trick is reinforced.   Can be potty trained for paper or outside or even a litter box (no litter required just insert paper instead). They also make great Pet Therapy dogs with proper training.

Mainly an indoor dog but are happy playing outdoors in a yard or little walks. Also great for apartments or smaller homes. Like most small dogs they should not be left outside unattended as they can be prey for larger animals even large birds

Less vocal than other small breeds. Not a noisy breed but will let you know when someone comes to the door. They can be quite protective.

IMPORTANT - Havanese need homes where someone is with them most of the time and are not suited for crates or being left for long periods of time otherwise they will exhibit some out-of-behavior habits or distress. Emotional health is just as important for any dog. Love to cuddle and play and are a great addition to your household.

Low maintenance grooming brush 15 minutes a day.

Havanese are known to become very attached to their owners and like to be by your side as often as they can.

ALL dogs love unconditionally ~ love them back

THE HISTORY OF THE BREED

Once beloved by the ancients in Rome, Greece and even Egypt. Across the Mediterranean they arrived in Cuba and were once known as the dogs of aristocracy and only included in wealthy circles. During the Cuban Revolution the breed was almost extinct as decimated by the war but later attempts to re-populate  them eventually brought them to North America in the 1970's where all present day Havanese came from those original 11  l'il Havs. They have only been a registered breed for approximately twenty-five years and still considered rare. Historically Queen Victoria owned two and Charles Dickens had one and now in modern times a few famous even own one like Barbara Walters, Naomi Judd, Jane Fonda, Venus Williams, Daniel Tosh and more.  Today they are enjoyed by many.