They love to have attention and will do many things to attract it. This love for notice means they are not the choice for a busy working couple. They will often follow owners around the apartment, but are rarely overly possessive of their people , so are good with other animals and dogs. They often like to eat with someone in the room, so stay there when they are eating, otherwise they may take their food with them and eat it as they walk, which can be messy. They are a true dog , playing games such as football with all their strength. Not the greatest walkers in the world, often liking breaks with games or just watching the world go by. Professional dog trainers such as London Dog Training love them, as they are so responsive to positive reinforcement.
For dog care they are straightforward. They do not shed much, so whilst not strictly non-allegenic, they may be suitable for a family with an allergic member.
They have a slight wavy double coat, which is light and soft, with a denser undercoat.
The Havanese must be groomed daily, as they have the tendency for their fur to mat. If not a show dog, you can have the coat trimmed. Whilst they have fur, they do suffer in extreme cold, so in some areas you may need to buy sweaters for them.
When you bath them, dry with a towel and allow them to dry off naturally inside, as they are susceptible to skin problems if dried with a hair drier. It is a breed that the kennel clubs, prefer and dictate a natural look, avoiding the bows and preferring the hair over the eyes, that protected their eyes from the Cuban sun.
The original Harvanese were white, but now they occur in all types of coat colours and patterns. They have a solid appearance relative to most toy dog breeds. They have a weight range of 4-6 Kgs ( 10-15 lbs). Its height measured at the withers is around two hundred and fifty mm( roughly ten). It is an unusual dog in that the rump is higher than the shoulders.
These dogs have a sprightly agile movement. Whilst they are relatively good swimmers, they generally shire away from water, but be prudent when near water if there is something for them to chase.
They have almond eyes, with average sized ears that are well covered and hang down. They are more likely than most breeds to infections and diseases of the ear, so regularly check their ears and clean them. Every so often they may require their inner hairs to be plucked by tweezers or hand. The tail arches over the back and is also well covered. The Havanese have a great sense of smell and are trained in some countries for search. They are easily trainable so are often found in circus shows, tracking, hearing assistance dogs, mould, termite and drug search.
They normally live around 14 years. Like many other pure breeds they suffer from a few genetically-linked disorders. The most common being liver disease, heart disease, cataracts and retinal dysplasia (dots and streak on the retina). It is recommended only to buy Havanese from parent dogs who have clear eye certificates. Havanese may develop brown tear stains, which is especially noticeable on those with white or light coats.
The dog originated from the now extent Bichon Tenerife and was taken to Cuba by original settlers and traders. Being popular in Havana in Cuba. Internationally the Havanese is a relatively recent breed, taking off in the 1970s from only ten dogs in the USA. They were common in Cuba, prior to the revolution, but suffered afterwards. Rapid growth in popularity now makes it difficult to find a puppy.
A great family dog that is well worth considering.
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