| A toy dog of many characters, the Havanese is both | | | | 10-and-a-half-inches, measured at the withers. |
| friendly and playful and can perform the duties as | | | | The profile of the dog should slop up slightly from |
| companion, a playmate for children and watchdog. | | | | the withers to the rump and the tail, coated with hair |
| Although a small animal, there is nothing about the | | | | to match the rest of the animal, should curl |
| Havanese that should be confused with it being | | | | downwards around its rump. The back, other than |
| fragile. This Cuban native breed graduated from | | | | the slight rise, should be straight with no small arch in |
| sitting on the lap of aristocrats to playing with | | | | the middle. The tail should create a feather-like |
| children, herding the family's flock of poultry and then | | | | appearance with the hair failing either straightor to |
| to participating dog shows around the world. | | | | the side. |
| His almond-shaped eyes and smallish mouth make his | | | | The coat types, according to the Havanese |
| appearance be more mischievous than cute, but an | | | | standards will be one of three types, smooth, curly |
| even temperament makes him an ideal companion for | | | | or wavy, with the most sought after coat being soft |
| children and adults alike. The Havanese is likely only to | | | | and wavy. Some adults may have short hair, or |
| bark at strangers as they approach and once told | | | | short, or a short, tight curly coat, can cost points in |
| that its owner is comfortable with the person's | | | | the Havanese standard competition. |
| presence, will cease barking. It is not considered a | | | | Although the Havanese has a top coat as well as an |
| loud, yappy breed of toy dogs. | | | | undercoat, the animals does not shed. Loose hair and |
| In the show ring, the coats of the Havanese should | | | | dander collect in the under coat and requires daily |
| appear brushed and clean but any trimming of the | | | | brushing to keep it clean and soft. Hair around the |
| coat, other than around the extreme bottom of the | | | | feet and padding can be trimmed for a neat |
| feet, will lose the dog points in competition. When | | | | presentation, but no other hair that shows during |
| judging the Havanese standards, its typical height will | | | | presentation is allowed. The coat is shown in its |
| be between eight-and-a-half to 11-inches. Ideally, the | | | | natural condition with brushing for cleanliness and |
| animal should measure between nine and | | | | appearance being obvious. |