8-13 lbs
9-11"
Cuba
Small but sturdy, the Havana Silk is a friendly, playful dog. With long silky hair that has a slight wave, they come in a wide variety of colors but always have a cute black button nose. Their long facial hair has a purpose, it once protected them from the harsh light of the Cuban tropics. This is one dog that gets on well with everyone in the family, even other pets, including cats and dogs. The Havana Silk just wants to please and loves to be part of their family's lives. They may develop separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long. Good with children, they can even be trusted around toddlers and will be their devoted friend. The Havana Silk entertains with their antics and is a devoted companion. They are best described as a huge personality wrapped in a tiny body. Although they love to be the center of attention, they are not demanding dogs. The bonus is that they are easy to maintain, and that beautiful coat is hypoallergenic. Sweet, adorable and full of fun, the Havana Silk is a true companion.
The Havana Silk is considered to be a recreated breed which is the result of the efforts of some 21st century breeders to develop a type of European 1960-70s dog that was popular at the time. By the late 1960's Cuban immigrants arrived in the United States and along with their belongings, they brought their small dogs with them. It was these first dogs that formed the foundation for the stock of the Havanese in America. But in the year 2000, a special type of dwarfism was observed in the Havanese dogs. In fact, it was one of many health issues that started to affect the breed. A group of breeders started to adhere to strict guidelines of only breeding dogs that had the long straight forelegs. The result of this selective breeding produced a strong strain of dogs that had physical soundness and a flatter, silkier coat than their parent dogs. In 2007 a parting of the ways occurred between the breeders of this new dog and the Havanese dog breeders of old. The likeness of the newly created breed to the small dogs of Cuba resulted in naming this cute little dog the Havana Silk Dog. This dog differed form the parent breed in the size of the ears and the coat texture, and proved to be immune to some of the health issues that had plagued its parents. Many dog breeders of the Havana Silk line are certified and meet the strict requirements of the Havana Silk Dog Association of America and can provide validation to would-be pet owners. This lively little dog with the giant sized personality makes an ideal companion dog, one who will be by your side constantly and who is like your loving shadow.
The Havana Silk is a small sturdy dog that originated from the Havanese dog breed. They have a more extended muzzle than the Havanese and have smaller ears that are set high but flop down, framing their face. The head is rounded and they have a broad nose that is always black. Dark round eyes sparkle with curiosity and mischief. They have a medium length neck, muscular shoulders and have a sturdy body. Shorter legs with well rounded fluffy paws and a medium length tail that is carried high like a flag over their back completes their profile. But it is the soft, silky long hair that is their key point of difference. This soft coat comes in many variations of color and is hypoallergenic. Although you would think the coat would take a lot of care, it simply isn't so. A regular brushing will keep it in peak condition, but it is a short, quick process which allows you and your silky buddy to get back to the important things in life, like playing a game or settling into snuggle time to watch a movie together.
Your Havana Silk loves to be the center of attention, so grooming time should not be an issue with this little poser. A gentle brushing of the coat to prevent tangles or matting is all that is needed. They don't require a regular bath, only if they get to smell a bit too 'doggie'. Ensure you use a gentle conditioning dog shampoo that will protect the silky coat during bathing to maintain the beauty of the coat. You may prefer to blow wave their hair dry in cooler months, just be careful to keep the heat down so you don't burn them. Grooming is a great time to check your dog's body for cuts or lumps. Dogs don't let on when they are hurting unless it is quite painful. Because of their long facial hair, check your Havana Silk's eyes and inner ears for any signs of inflammation or health issues. The inner ear can be gently wiped out with a damp cloth and dried with a towel, but never poke anything in the ear, it could damage their hearing. A manicure to tidy up long nails is all that is needed to finish the session off.
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Sweet, loving, and oh so friendly, the Havana Silk is a real social butterfly if trained and socialized well from birth. They are a lot of personality in a small body. Bred to be companions for families or single people, they will entertain you with their antics and sense of fun. They love to be the center of attention, although they are not pushy like many small dogs are. They have a lot of energy but expend most of it going from room to room in the home to see what everyone is up to. The Havana loves children and is gentle and patient. They are not a fragile dog and can take a lot of roughhouse fun, up to a point. They don't need much in the way of special attention, they just like to be with you and can become anxious if left alone a lot. The Havana Silk is a house dog, they will not be happy to be isolated outside away from you. In fact, they prefer the indoor life to the rugged country life, being honest in that they like a cushy lifestyle. If you want a devoted, caring, easy to maintain dog then the Havana Silk is a lively contender. They are intelligent and easy to train as long as you are patient and reward them highly with praise. Shouting will just shut them down and they will sulk. Adorable balls of fur, the Havana Silk has been bred to overcome some of the health issues of their origin breed the Havanese, making them a healthy, well bred dog that only requires a good dash of attention and a ton of love from you.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 05/24/2018, edited: 09/01/2021
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