Havanese
Origin: The Havanese originated in Cuba when the Spanish traders brought their small companion dogs as a gift for Cuban women to establish a trading relationship. The Havanese results from crossbreeding with Blanquito De La Habana and both French and German Poodles keeping the Blanquito content higher. This breed of dogs got its popularity as family pets in the 19th century. By the early 1800s, they were pampered as special dogs of the noble class. Havanese was recognized by the American Kennel Club in the 1990s.
Size: The Havanese stands 8-11 inches tall at the shoulder, ranging from 7-13 pounds. It is slightly longer than tall, with almond-shaped eyes and tail carried high.
Coat: The Havanese possesses different types of coats from wavy, curly, or even corded hair. It has a soft double coat. Havanese don’t shed easily, so they are easy to groom. The coat can grow to lengths of 6-8 inches and can feature a pearl hue. The short and smooth-haired Havanese result from two adult bredes that carry the genes and are bred together. Havanese can be commonly seen in black. Other than black, Havanese can be seen in silver, blue, chocolate, fawn, tricolours, cream, gold, and white.
Temperament: The Havanese is a charming and cheerful dog, making them a perfect choice for families with small children. They are super-energetic and always in a happy-go-lucky mood. They make excellent watchdogs as they are protective of their family. They are gentle and affectionate by nature, but they tend to become anxious and destructive if they are left alone. It is an intelligent breed that is relatively easy to train. A Havanese responds well to a polite tone rather than harsh behaviour. Socialization at an early age is required to maintain a leader relationship and turn your pup into a well-mannered dog.
Care: The Havanese is an indoor dog, and it isn’t suited to live in the backyard. Though it’s a small breed, it requires a fair amount of energy requirements. A long walk or a game of fetch every day will keep your pet healthy and happy. A Havanese is eager to please its owner, so it’s easy to train a Havanese. A Havanese needs brushing regularly; if it has long hairs, they need daily brushing to prevent mats. Tie the hair above the eyes to avoid irritation. Frequent bathing is required to keep them clean. Take care of the dental hygiene of your pet.
Health: Like all other breeds, a Havanese is also prone to some health conditions. Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Legg-Perthes Disease, Chondrodysplasia, patellar Luxation, Mitral Valve Insufficiency are some of the significant diseases a Havanese can be prone to. Other than this, deafness, allergies, and eye infections are common issues seen in Havanese. Make sure to get a health clearance when you plan to get your pet home.