Havanese - Havanese

Havanese Temperament

The Havanese is a toy dog with a big personality, and has bags of character and an outgoing, friendly disposition. The national dog of Cuba, the Havanese is a dog that loves to play, loves the company of his owners, and is sweet natured and mild mannered. An intelligent and spirited dog, the Havanese is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced dog owners, and can be a very entertaining of somewhat demanding companion. These are not dogs that like to be neglected, and are suited to those with the time and affection to commit to their pet. Known for their agility and obedience, the Havanese makes a great family pet or companion dog.

The Havanese gets along well with children although he is a small dog and is best suited to families with older, more considerate children. He will also get along well with other pets and mot will be friendly with strangers too. A happy go lucky little dog, the Havanese is a quick learner and is eager to please. He is keen, enthusiastic, and sweet, although he can be something of an attention seeker. Some Havanese may be difficult to housebreak. These dogs can also be very sensitive, but for the right family they have bags of charm, affection, and love to offer.
Havanese Appearance

The Havanese is a small, very sweet looking dog, and is compact yet sturdy. The coat of the Havanese is long, soft, and flat, and can be straight, wavy, or curly. The coloring can vary and includes gold, chocolate, white cream, champagne, blue, black, and silver. The Havanese weighs in at around 7-13 pounds, and the height of these small dogs is around 7-12 inches.
Havanese Grooming

When it comes to grooming you will need to put in a moderate amount of work in order to keep the coat of the Havanese in good condition. You should brush the coat of the Havanese every other day, and he may need to have his coat clipped every six weeks or so. You should also trim the hair around the bottom for hygiene reasons, and check the ears are dry and clean to reduce the chances of infection.
Havanese Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Havanese is around 12-15 years, and there are a number of health problems linked to the breed, although this is generally a fairly health and hardy breed. Some of the health issues to look out for include thyroid problems, luxating patella, and cataracts. The parents of the Havanese puppy should have CERF certificated, and screening should also be carried out for luxating patella.
Havanese History

The Havanese originates from Cuba, and is known as the national dog of Cuba. Once popular amongst the ruling classes in Havana, the Havanese was registered with the AKC in 1995.

# AKABichon Havanais
# SizeSmall
# Ease of trainingMedium
# GroomingMedium/High
# SheddingLow
# Exercise neededOccasional walk
# Energy levelMedium
# ProtectionCan make an effective watchdog
# Good with childrenYes, best with older, more considerate children
# Health clearancesCERF, screening for luxating patella
# Popularity38/155