10-15 lbs
8-11"
Cuba
The Havanese is growing in popularity as a great family pet. They are a happy dog who loves children, other dogs, and even cats. They are relatively easy to train because they just want to please their family. They are not an overly vocal dog which is surprising since they are a toy breed. This amicable pup does not like to be alone for long periods of time and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long. The Havanese is a high maintenance dog and requires daily grooming to keep their coat silky smooth. They do not shed much but are not hypoallergenic. This spirited pup will make a wonderful addition to your home.
The Havanese was named after Cuba’s capital city, Havana. They are a member of the Bichon family which also includes the Coton de Tulear, Bichon Frise and the Bolognese. The Bichon breeds are thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and then were taken to various parts of the world as people migrated. It is suggested that these friendly pups were brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers sometime during the 18th century. Historians think that the Havanese developed from two breeds, both of which are now extinct. The Bichon Tenerife and the Blanquito de le Habana were small dogs with long, silky hair similar to this pup. There are ship manifests from Tenerife that were bound for Cuba that list small dogs brought aboard by passengers. A few of these canines made their way into the United States around 1959 when the Cuban Revolution occurred. Refugees brought these little dogs with them into the United States. In 1979, the Havanese Club of America formed with just nine members. In 1996, the American Kennel Club officially recognized them as a member of the Toy Group. These attractive companions are becoming more and more popular. While the Havanese is a pretty adaptable dog, they thrive in warmer climates such as in the southern United States. They do not do well in cold climates and need to be monitored closely when exposed to colder weather.
The Havanese has a long coat that is silky to the touch. When showing in the conformation ring, there are certain expectations for appearance. Their coat should be soft and light in texture. They have an outer coat and an undercoat. The outer coat should carry slightly more weight than the undercoat. The fur needs to be long and wavy. A frizzy, curly or wiry coat is not desirable in the ring. The fur should look fluffy but also flow easily with movement. Ideally, the natural lines of the body are seen, not covered up. Puppies will have a softer texture to their fur and it will be shorter. They can come in any color but the most common colors include black, white, fawn, mahogany, tobacco and Havana brown. Patterns or parti colors are also seen. Some of them will have different colored skin and that is also acceptable. Their eyes are a sparkly brown and the nose is brown or black.
The Havanese is a high maintenance dog and does require daily grooming if kept in full coat. When they are in full coat, their hair can grow to eight inches in length. If they have a full coat, they will need to be brushed daily and also have weekly baths. If they have a puppy cut or the fur is cut short, they will need to be clipped every six to eight weeks and will need a bath every two weeks instead of every week. Puppy cuts still require brushing several times each week. They have a coat that will naturally cord or it can also be trained to cord. This look is great for those who do not want to constantly brush their dog. When the coat is allowed to cord, or mat into ringlets, it does not require brushing. The corded coat does require weekly bathing to keep the dog from smelling and to remove any debris and dirt that is being collected. A monthly nail trim and twice weekly tooth brushing are part of the maintenance routine.
