Small
15 Years
23 Kg
Toy Dogs
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Playful, Responsive
The Havanese (Habanero in Spanish) is a small breed of Cuban origin that belongs to the Bichon type breeds developed from the Blanquito de la Habana (now extinct). The Blanquito, in turn, is the progeny of the similarly extinct Bichon Tenerife. Sometimes called the “Havana Silk Dog”, the Havanese is often described as an affectionate, gentle, intelligent and playful dog. It has the silky texture coat of the other Bichon breeds but the Havanese coat comes in an array of colours. Unlike other toy dogs, the Havanese is a sturdy breed and not overly delicate. It is slightly longer compared to its height from withers to ground, giving the general appearance of being slightly longer than tall. The slightly longer profile is a result of the long ribcage and not the loins. It also has shorter upper arms which, combined with a strong rear drive produces a springy motion when moving that results in a flashy, lively gait. The ideal height of a Havanese is 23cm to 27cm but the usual height ranges between 22cm and 29cm. Weight ranges between 4.5kg and 7.3kg with males on the heavier side of the scale.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The roots of the Havanese can be traced back to the Bichon breeds of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. These dogs are the same ancestors of the Water Spaniel, Poodle, and the Portuguese Water Dog. Bichon Tenerifes (now extinct) were brought to Cuba onboard ships by Spanish conquistadores as companion dogs. It is said that these dogs were also sold to wealthy Cuban citizens as well as provided as gifts by Spanish sea captains to win the favour of rich Cuban families. The Havanese is thought to have developed through evolving unique adaptations to the tropical climate of the Cuban archipelago and without the influence of foreign blood. It became very popular in Europe during the mid-18th Century when Queen Victoria owned two dogs and were exhibited in dog shows. After the Cuban Revolution, a lot of the dogs died out but some eventually were brought to the United States by their owners where American breeders became interested in the breed during the 1970s. In fact, all the Havanese in the world today except for those few that remained in Cuba can be traced to those 11 dogs brought to the United States.
This small breed is often described as affectionate, gentle, intelligent and playful. It is so affectionate that it usually forms a very strong bond and loyalty to its owner, often becoming attached to a single member of the family whom it will follow all day. As a result, it will suffer if left alone for long periods of time and may develop separation anxiety syndrome which could translate into destructive behaviour. The Havanese is gentle and is a very friendly dog. It will typically not bark at strangers, although there are some who are more shy than others. It is intelligent and can be trained easily but it should start at an early age. The Havanese is very playful and has a great personality. Often, it will play outside with other people and other dogs. It thrives on human attention and loves doing tricks and performing in front of others.
It is a smart dog and can be easily trained. Training should start at an early age because some habits will stick as the Havanese becomes older but training is still possible even though the dog is already mature. Similar to other toy dogs, the Havanese can be a bit difficult to housebreak. It can be taught, however, to use a litter box and can be house trained quicker than other toy breeds. It can also be trained as a therapy dog, assistance dog for the hearing impaired, performing dog, and tracking dog. In dog sports, the Havanese can excel in dog agility, flyball, and obedience training.
Grooming requirement is on the moderate side. The dense and profuse coat of the Havanese requires thorough brushing and combing several times a week to prevent tangling and matting. The curly coat is more prone to tangles and matts thus requiring more attention than the silky, slightly wavy coat. Havanese owners who don’t show their dog typically prefers the “puppy cut” trim for easy maintenance. As a dog with dropped ears, owners should make sure to keep the ears clean and dry to prevent ear infections. Using a cotton ball to be placed inside the ears when bathing will help prevent excess water from entering the ears.
The Havanese is a long-lived breed compared to other small dogs, with an average lifespan of 14 and 16 years. Because the Havanese was not influenced by other bloodlines, it is generally healthy and sturdy with relatively few health problems. Some Havanese may be prone to:
Although this happy little breed is an active and energetic dog, its size is small enough that it could get a lot of its exercise requirements by simply running inside the house or in a secured yard regardless of size and therefore it does not require as much hearty exercises as other dogs do. However, exercise should still be a part of the Havanese’s daily routine for the dog to be happy and healthy.
The Havanese is very good with children and can typically tolerate kids of all ages. Parents, however, should advise children to handle the dog properly and treat the dog accordingly when playing. This breed typically gets along fine with other dogs as well.
Copyright © 2024 Mypetzilla UK
