This interesting little dog is believed to be descended from the same bloodlines
as the popular Bichon Frise and, indeed, both breeds owe much of their
development to the island of Tenerife. There, the different dog varieties were
cut off from outside influence and the popular European trend of taking breeds
and crossing them with others, for the sake of “improving” the European stock.
While many wonderful breeds were lost to this practice, the Havanese was instead
allowed to flourish in his tropical home and, in time, developed and adapted to
his environment. Limited trade to and from the island of Tenerife not only
controlled the influx of outside dog breeds, but also how many of this unique
breed were released to the outside world. Never sold for money, for many years,
the only way that one could get their hands upon a Havanese was to receive one
of these dogs as a gift. This helped to endear them to the upper-class, making
them a rarity and a status symbol amongst the aristocracy of Europe. When this
unique dog was finally ‘discovered’ by the Europeans, he became an overnight
sensation - even the likes of Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria kept the
Havanese as a favored pet.
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While considered a toy breed, the
Havanese has a sturdy build and bears the appearance
more of a family dog, rather than that of a pampered lap
dog. While standing less than 12 inches high at the
shoulder, he carries himself proudly and possesses an
outgoing personality, never being one to turn down the
chance to wrestle or play. Even with his mantle of long
and silky hair, the Havanese appearance stresses the
playful characterization of this breed, as opposed to
sleek and coiffed beauty. Interesting to note is that,
unlike many of the other silky-haired breeds, the
Havanese is shown in a natural coat - meaning that
breeders are not allowed to trim any of the dog’s hair,
save for his feet, that his hair is not to be parted
down his back, nor are topknots allowed in the show
ring. Havanese may be shown with a braid on either side
of his head, but the rest of his coat should be natural
and free-flowing, roughly 6-8 inches in length, and with
a texture not unlike silk floss. While they are
descended from some of the same stock as the Bichon
Frise, and developed on the same island, the Havanese
comes in more colors than the Bichon’s standard white.
In fact, they can not only be white, but also champagne,
cream, silver, black, blue, chocolate, or gold. If that
isn’t colorful enough for your tastes, one should also
know that it’s is not uncommon to find a Havanese that
is a combination of two or three shades combined - now
that’s a dog of a different color!
Few who meet a Havanese fail to be taken
in by this dog’s impish little personality. The Havanese
tends to be a dog that adores attention, yet does not
expect to find it by lounging on a lap all day. Instead,
he’d far rather romp and gambol, making his owners laugh
in delight at his antics. He is a friendly and
non-quarrelsome soul, making him a good companion for
children, though he also makes an excellent pet for the
elderly as well.
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These are playful and outgoing little
dogs, but they do not require a great deal of exercise.
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to go for
lengthy walks, but doesn’t mind a short trip to the park
or aren’t adverse to a light game of tug-o-war or fetch
in the living room, then the Havanese may be well-suited
to you. While not a lazy dog, those short legs have to
cover twice as much ground as that of their human
counterparts, and can quickly get worn out.
For many, this is the deciding factor on
whether or not to get a Havanese puppy. With roughly 6-8
inches of fine silky coat, the Havanese falls into the
high-maintenance pooch category. Requiring either a
thorough brushing, at least every other day, or a couple
of trips to the grooming salon, every week, this is
often far too much for a person with a busy lifestyle to
even consider taking on. In addition to this, pale
colored dogs can get rust-stains at the corners of their
eyes or the hair around their muzzles can get dirty when
they eat. In addition to bathing the Havanese,
responsible owners also have to take the time to dry
their furry companions. If you’re considering taking a
look at some Havanese puppies, be sure to keep in mind
just how much work one of these little dogs will be, and
weigh that into your pros and cons.
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The Havanese possesses a very keen mind and sharp wit. More often than not, he
is quick to learn obedience commands, as well as tricks. Provided he is properly
encouraged and his good behavior is properly reinforced, the Havanese owner is
sure to discover that her four-legged friend will learn a wealth of tricks. Just
beware that the Havanese enjoys playtime and is not adverse to playing the
clown, if he thinks it will make his humans happy. His lack of seriousness can
sometimes grate on the nerves of the more serious dog trainers.
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Unlike many purebred breeds, the Havanese does not suffer from a long list of
various maladies. Nevertheless, there are some various conditions that can
affect your Havanese puppy and it’s best to be educated on the subject.
