Mary Allen
The Havanese is an affectionate, small, fluffy dog that has become a very popular breed. With his playful character, he is a devoted, wonderful family dog.
Background
The breed originates from the western Mediterranean and has been known since the 18th century. Originally taken on long voyages by Italian and Spanish merchant ships, the Havanese was a true ship’s dog. In this way, it also reached Cuba, where it was particularly popular with rich women and was often used as a gift for bribery or as a commodity. Due to the political situation in Cuba, he mostly disappeared from the island, however, Cuban refugees took the breed with them to the United States of America. From there, the breed spread to the rest of the world.
Temperament
A Havanese is a playful and affectionate companion dog. He is a loyal family dog who is very fond of children. He is charming, cheeky, and still playful even in adulthood; in addition, his attentiveness, which also makes him a good watchdog.
Level Of Activity
Although the Havanese is a cute and lovable companion dog, he is an active dog. He needs regular walks and new impulses. The breed is highly used by people, so they often stay close to their owners.
Grooming
The coat is long, soft, and beautiful. It is around 12-18cm in length in most places and therefore requires a lot of maintenance. The coat has almost no undercoat, meaning the dog sheds very little hair. It will need daily brushing and it is important that you teach your Havanese this from a young age. A good breeder will teach puppies that brushing is a good thing before they are even adopted. Using good grooming products is also important.
Training
The cute companion dog needs regular training. He is very happy about a reward, a treat, and thrives on positive reinforcement. He likes to learn new tricks. Because the breed is playful, it’s best to use games as an active part of training.
Height And Weight
Size: about 23-27cm
Weight: 4.5-7.5kg
Color
The color varies, with and without a pattern. Often the dogs are light brown in various shades: black, grey, brown, reddish-brown, and the like. The breed is rarely completely white.
Peculiarities Of The Breed
A Havanese does not like to be alone at home. He feels very connected to his people and is social. Therefore, it takes a lot of training before a Havanese can be left home alone. The breed can also have problems with dental plaque. You should therefore teach your puppy to have its teeth brushed. This is the best way to prevent dental problems. Regular oral hygiene may become necessary as you age.
Hereditary Diseases
Because the breed is descended from the few dogs brought to the United States by Cuban refugees, there is little genetic material. Therefore, problems with inbreeding and hereditary diseases arise in the breed. However, with targeted breeding and testing for hereditary diseases, breeders have managed to circumvent these problems. Remember to get your pup from a breeder who monitors the health of the parent dogs and can provide evidence of the necessary screening.
Typical Hereditary Diseases Are:
- patellar dislocation
- cataract (cataract)
Lining
When it comes to food, it is important to select one that suits the Havanese’s needs. Be guided by the dog’s size and activity level. As a breed with a tendency to plaque, it can also be helpful to eat foods that reduce plaque. If you are in doubt about what food and amount are right for your dog, you can always contact your veterinarian and ask.
Kind
companion dog
Five Facts About The Havanese
- The Havanese are the national dog of Cuba.
- The Havanese is part of the Bichon family and is called the Havanese Cuban Bichon, Bichon Havanais, Bichon Havanês, Havanese, or Bichon Habanero.
- The Havanese requires daily grooming if the coat is to be kept at its full length.
- A Havanese is a devoted family dog who is very fond of children.
- A Havanese is a very social dog and does not like to be left alone.