Havanese dogs are the only breed that is native to the island nation of Cuba. These cute little pups are spontaneous, cherish, and seem to be affectionate and energetic all the time. Their small size makes them a perfect small addition to the urban household. There are some distinctive features that this breed has including a tail that curls over and a long, silky coat and comes in different colors. Indeed half of your heart will be left in Havana once you get to know these dogs.
Characteristics and Size
This breed has unique physical characteristics, their beautiful silky coat which is described as raw silk floss. Their coat is wavy, and soft, insulating the dog from harsh tropical environments. They have slightly shorter front legs than rear legs.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BREED:- Height: 8.5-11.5 inches Weight: 7-13 pounds Group: Toy Coat Type: Double and Silky Coat Size: Long Colors: Black, Black & Silver, Black & Tan, Chocolate, Cream, Fawn, Gold, Red, Red Brindle, Red Sable, Silver, White, Black Brindle, Silver Brindle, Gold Brindle, Gold Sable. Life Span: 14-16 years |
Characteristic features
Havanese dogs are quite an energetic breed because of their liveliness and trainability, they make outstanding service dogs. They are best suited to indoor living and these are perfect city and apartment dogs. They blend into the family life well but younger children may require supervision. These puppies do not tolerate being alone at all so if you are the career type person who doesn’t spend much time at home this might not be for you. They are prone to separation anxiety.
| Adaptability to Apartment Living | Very High |
| Good for Owners | Very High |
| Sensitivity Level | High |
| Tolerates being alone | Very Low |
| Tolerates cold weather | Medium |
| Tolerates hot weather | High |
| Good with young children | Very High |
| Good with other dogs | High |
| Openness to Strangers | High |
| Playful | Very High |
They need a moderate amount of daily exercise but can adapt to most environments. If you own a Havanese you better become good friends with a brush and use it several times each week. You don’t want to brush your dog, this is not the dog for you.
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Shedding level |
Low |
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Coat Grooming Frequency |
Medium |
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Drooling Level |
Low |
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Easy To Groom |
Very Low |
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General Health |
Medium |
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Potential For Weight Gain |
High |
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Size |
Low |
These breeds are highly intelligent and training them isn’t too tough as long as you provide them with lots of positive reinforcement. It’s nice about the Havanese that they can be house-trained which is a great concern for a toy breed of dog.
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Easy To Train |
Very High |
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Intelligence |
High |
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Tendency To Bark |
Low |
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Prey Drive |
High |
It is essential to give them time to exercise to boost their mental and physical strength. These puppies don’t need much exercise. Daily small walks and simple movements here and there are enough for maintaining weight. They feel happy when they are around their owners, so taking them to walk with you or play with them, can also provide enough activity.
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Energy Level |
Medium |
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Intensity |
Low |
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Exercise Needs |
Medium |
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Potential For Playfulness |
Very High |
History
It is the national breed of Cuba, an old breed that originated in Cuba. When Columbus claimed Cuba in 1492, the Spanish settlers began arriving on the island with their dogs. The first Havanese was born in the early 1800s. These dogs are known for gracing the laps of aristocratic families that originated their royal hierarchy. Visitors from all over the world admired the breed and wanted to take them to England and France. Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens among many others were some of the greatest fans of the breed.
These dogs were believed to be members of the Bichon family and traveled aboard Spanish trade ships to Cuba in the early 16th century. Unfortunately, there was a time when this breed almost became extinct during the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Luckily some Cuban families kept their dogs safe when they were traveling to the United States. These 11 survivor dogs are now the ancestors of most of the Havanese dogs people may have today. In Cuba the Havanese is the National dog and the century’s only native breed, hence the name Havanese.
Health
Havanese dogs are generally healthy however they are prone to other diseases such as
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Heart Murmur
- Patellar Luxation
As for health, the breed is prone to developing cataracts, they may suffer from progressive retinal atrophy, a genetic condition that can cause blindness.
Read more >> Havanese Dog Puppy Price in USA, Canada and India
Highlights
- Havanese is a lively dog and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone. So give them proper company as they may thrive for your love.
- This breed has nice, silky, and long hair, so brush them regularly. You can clip them shorter but if you like them with long bouncy hair then groom them regularly.
- These dogs might eat their stool so clean their poop immediately to avoid this annoying habit.
- Although these small dogs can do well in almost every house, from apartments to large homes. But he may bark a lot sometimes after watching strangers or hearing something strange.
- Havanese don’t need much exercise so daily walks and small movements are enough for them. But if your dog is overweight then you should give them a proper exercise session.
- If you don’t give them the proper care they will be prone to various health issues. This is why experts recommend consulting a vet regularly to ensure that your dog is getting the care it needs from grooming to dental health and diet, your vet can suggest you well.
