| Is your perfect pooch small in stature yet hearty of | | | | strict health requirements aimed at eliminating |
| heart, generally very good with children and one that | | | | hereditary heath disorders from the breed. Any dog |
| will not leave its coat all over your carpet? If so then | | | | that will be used for breeding purposes must |
| I have the breed for you; the Havanese. | | | | complete the BAER hearing test, receive certification |
| As is evidenced by the 3,950 AKC Havanese | | | | of clear eyes from the Canine Eye Registration |
| registrations filed in 2005 the breed's charm, beauty, | | | | Foundation (CERF) registration and the Orthopedic |
| temperament and child friendly nature has caught the | | | | Foundation for Animals (OFA) on hips and patellas. |
| attention of dog lovers in America. Accepted as an | | | | The price of a pup from a reputable breeder will |
| AKC breed in May of 2001 by 2004 the breed's | | | | generally range from $1800 to $2500. |
| unique combination of diminutive stature and hearty | | | | Some puppy mills and backyard breeders are now |
| heart made it number 53 in terms of new | | | | producing Havanese. Do not let emotion or impulse |
| registrations filed out of 154 AKC recognized breeds. | | | | allow you to fall prey to the lower prices or |
| In 2005 the breed jumped to 42nd. | | | | immediate availability of a pup that they may offer. |
| Despite its only recent recognition by the AKC, the | | | | Their motivation for breeding is profit only as |
| Havanese has a history dating back many centuries | | | | opposed to producing healthy pups that further |
| to the Bichon (from the French meaning lap dog) | | | | enhance the quality of the breed. Purchasing your |
| family of dogs that includes the Bichon Frise, Maltese, | | | | pup through such a source perpetuates their |
| Bolognese and Coton de Tulear. The uniqueness of | | | | existence. Make sure any breeder you are considering |
| the breed was developed in Cuba either by sailors or | | | | completes health tests on their breeding stock at a |
| Cuban natives who received the dogs as gifts from | | | | minimum. |
| Italian merchants trying to do trade with the | | | | The physical characteristics of a Havanese include a |
| aristocratic families of the island. Today's Havanese is | | | | long, flowing lightweight and silky double coat that |
| the result of years of crossing Poodles with the | | | | can range from smooth to wavy to curly. It is a coat |
| Blanquito de la Habana (Havana Silk Dog). Now | | | | that does not readily shed. However, the breed |
| extinct, the Blanquito had a pure white coat with a | | | | possesses a recessive gene for short hair. This was |
| silky texture. It was smaller in stature than the Bichon | | | | discovered by German breeders in the 1980's.The |
| Tenerife from which it descended. Tenerife is the | | | | short hair dogs became known as "Shavanese." |
| Capital of the Canary Islands. The dog found its way | | | | If two dogs that possess the recessive gene are |
| here and to other colonies of Spain. | | | | bred they will produce pups with short hair, a serious |
| The Cuban Revolution was the impetus for many | | | | fault. |
| upper class Cuban families to flee to the United | | | | A wide variety of colors are recognized. Spotting or |
| States. Unfortunately, those who decided to flee | | | | smoky highlights are common. In the United States |
| were forced to leave many of their prized | | | | black and chocolate tend to be favored by breeders |
| possessions, including their beloved dogs, behind. This | | | | with the reverse being true in Europe. In fact, some |
| resulted in near extinction of the breed. However, | | | | European countries do not recognize black or |
| the dedicated efforts of an American breed fancier, | | | | chocolate as acceptable colors. |
| Mrs. Goodale who began her lines with 11 dogs, six | | | | The ideal height is between 9 and 10.5 inches |
| which came from Cuban families that had immigrated | | | | although the breed standard allows for 8.5 to 11.5 |
| to the United States and five that came from Costa | | | | inches. The body should be slightly longer than it is tall |
| Rica, saved the breed and allowed it to reach the | | | | and the top line should rise slightly from the withers |
| height of its popularity today. Her lines first appeared | | | | to the rump. Strong legs that allow for easy |
| in 1974. | | | | movement, dark almond shaped eyes, well feathered |
| Like all breeds the Havanese does have some health | | | | ears of medium length and a tail that curves over the |
| concerns. These include Progressive Retinal Atrophy | | | | back are all features of the breed. |
| (PRA), cataracts, luxating patellas and hip dysplasia. | | | | In the show ring the inclination is to show the breed |
| The potential for a parent to pass one of these | | | | in its natural state as opposed to the "fluffed and |
| traits to its offspring makes the selection of a | | | | puffed" look portrayed by the typical toy dog. The |
| reputable breeder critical. In 1979 the Havanese Club | | | | breed standard forbids top knots or bows in the hair |
| of America (HCA) was formed. The primary goal of | | | | while in the show ring, a further indication that the |
| the club was the promotion of quality breeding. | | | | Havanese is a toy breed in stature only. |
| Today the club boasts over 400 members. To be | | | | . |
| recognized by the HCA a breeder must adhere to | | | | |