What is a havanese dog

Havanese temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

One of the brightest and sturdiest of the toys, the Havanese is happy and playful and enjoys clever games of dexterity such as "pull the hidden toy from under the cabinet with your paw."

Havanese are very people-oriented dogs, love snuggling in laps, and can be overly dependent -- they don't do well at all when left for long periods of time without companionship. "Not doing well" means unhappiness and boredom, which they may try to vent through barking and destructive chewing.

Though peaceful and gentle with everyone (humans and other pets), the Havanese can be conservative with strangers. Socialization is important to build a confident, outgoing temperament, as there is a potential for excessive caution/timidity.

Havanese do have an independent streak, but they are not a dominant breed. They respond well to training that includes food rewards and they especially love learning tricks. Many individuals excel in competitive obedience and agility.

The most problematic training issue is housebreaking -- Havanese are slow to housetrain. Barking needs to be curtailed, as well. Many Havanese like to perch on the high back of a sofa or chair, looking out the window so they can announce visitors.

• Is small but sturdier than his tiny Maltese cousin
• Doesn't need much outdoor exercise (just daily walks, plus romps in a fenced yard
• Is playful and entertaining
• Makes a good watchdog, but is not aggressive
• Has a long coat (which can be clipped short for easy maintenance)
• Doesn't shed much (one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers)
• Is good with other pets

A Havanese may be right for you.

• "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
• Shyness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
• Frequent brushing and combing (unless regularly clipped short)
• Mild stubbornness
• Housebreaking difficulties
• Barking

A Havanese may not be right for you.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Havanese have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament  is less predictable than the inheritance of physical  traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

Books by Michele Welton

If I was considering a Havanese, I would be most concerned about...

1. 
   Grooming. Coat care is a major responsibility. Havanese require weekly brushing and combing, and also clipping and trimming every couple of months. Otherwise their coat keeps growing and turns into a matted mass.

   For ease of care, consider clipping the coat short so that brushing and combing is minimized. Then your Havanese will look like an adorable puppy throughout his life.

2. Housebreaking problems. The Havanese belongs to the same "family" of dogs as the Bichon Frise and Maltese and all of them are slow to housebreak. Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary so the dog can go out whenever he needs to (though that can lead to another problem if he stays outside and barks!). You will have greater success if the potty area is covered, since many Havanese despise getting wet. Read more on housebreaking your Havanese.

   If the potential housebreaking problem sounds like a deal-breaker to you, don't give up! Consider adopting an already-housebroken adult Havanese from a rescue group.

3. Potential separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, the Havanese needs a great deal of companionship and does not like being left alone for more than a few hours. He is likely to express unhappiness by barking or chewing things up.
4. Providing enough socialization. The Havanese tends to be a bit standoffish with strangers. If you don't do enough socializing, or if you do it the wrong way, their natural caution might become shyness or suspiciousness. Read more on socializing your dog.
5. Potential barking. Like most small dogs, the Havanese may be quick to bark when he hears or sees something new. But you can prevent your Havanese from developing a chronic barking habit by establishing the right relationship between the two of you, where you are the leader and he is the follower. When your Havanese respects you, he will follow your rules and stop what he's doing when you tell him "No." Read more about respect training.
6. Potential health problems. Most Havanese are long-lived. But they are very prone to allergies that can disrupt their quality of life. Havanese can be allergic to fleas, grass, pollen, and so on. Allergies cause a dog to scratch and chew himself into horrendous skin conditions.

   Other concerns in the breed are urinary problems and bladder stones, along with loose knee joints that may require surgery. Read more about Havanese Health.

Havanese

The national dog of Cuba was once known as the Blanquito de la Habana ("little white dog of Havana") or the Havana Silk Dog for his soft, flowing locks. Now known simply as the Havanese, this toy breed is smart, affectionate, and loves to clown around. The Havanese doesn't need much space and he doesn't require a lot of exercise; he's a portable lapdog that fits well into the lives of people living in cities and apartments.

"The Havanese is very popular," says Scott Neabore, DVM, who owns Neabore Veterinary Clinic in Haddonfield, N.J. "I often see Havanese mixed with other things, like poodles and Cavaliers. It's a nice little small-breed dog." Common Havanese hybrids include the Havachon (Havanese plus bichon frise), Hava-Apso (Havanese plus Lhasa apso), Havapoo (poodle plus Havanese), and many others. 

Appearance

Their long, fluffy coats tend to hide just how small Havanese dogs—and Havanese puppies—are. Under that luxurious mane, the breed stands at just 8.5–11 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 7–13 pounds. His body is a bit longer than it is tall, and the tail is set high and arches over his back. The soft, wavy coat, which comes in many different colors, is sometimes "corded," or formed into dreadlocks. 

A Havanese's large, dark brown eyes seem to glint with a hint of mischief, cluing passersby in to his playful, intelligent nature. The walk of the Havanese is distinctive in its bounciness; that spring in the step first manifests in puppies and doesn't disappear with age. 

Havanese puppies have a tendency to change colors, with their coats darkening, lightening, or changing hue entirely around 1 year old. Because of that, it's not always possible to predict what a puppy might look like as an adult.

Temperament

Charming is an understatement when it comes to the Havanese. This smart, sweet, eager-to-please, and easy-to-train dog is a natural extrovert that loves entertaining. 

Living Needs

Havanese dogs will be happy in a studio apartment, a sprawling mansion, or anywhere in-between. They don't care so much about where they live—mostly, these sociable animals want to have others by their side and prefer being in a lap to pretty much any other place. 

If left alone for long periods of time, a Havanese pup can get bored and barking can become an issue. (Although, Neabore says this breed does tend to bark less than many other small dog breeds). The breed is an excellent choice for seniors, families, and anyone looking for a constant companion. 

While the Havanese is energetic, he's not especially active—he generally gets the workout he needs just by bouncing around the house. Owners looking for canine camaraderie while hiking, backpacking, camping, and other outdoor endeavors may want to consider other options. But these pups will like to stretch their legs on a daily 30-minute walk or playtime in a fenced-in yard.

Care

Daily grooming is critical when it comes to the Havanese—that flowing coat isn't going to brush itself! He should be brushed a few times a week so his fur stays free of mats and tangles. To save time and effort, some Havanese owners opt to get the hair trimmed or corded. Though his coat is high-maintenance, Havanese shedding is low, so you won't have to worry about flying fur.

Havanese dogs respond well to training. It's an excuse to spend time with—and please—their owners, and positive reinforcement (with treats, head pats, and an enthusiastic "good boy!") works well with this sensitive breed. But Neabore warns not to overdo it with treats. With small dogs, a little indulgence goes a long way, and as such a Havanese can easily become obese. "People tend to feed them a lot of treats, and they don't realize that giving a 12-pound dog a potato chip is like you eating a whole bag of potato chips," he says. "They tend to get overweight more easily than … a large-breed dog." 

Neabore adds that smaller breeds are naturally more fragile; if a Havanese dog is stepped on or dropped, injury may easily occur. So owners need to be especially careful when handling them and even when walking around the house. If a Havanese lives with small kiddos, always supervise their playtime and teach children to properly interact with pets.

Health

In addition, as a small breed, Havanese can be susceptible to dental issues, says Neabore, and regular teeth-cleaning at the vet's office—or brushing teeth at home—can help. "These small-breed dogs have the same number of teeth as any other dog, including those giant breeds, but they're all smooshed into a tiny little mouth. They get a lot of plaque and tartar between the teeth, so they get dental disease really easily," Neabore says. "That's something people need to pay really close attention to."

Charming is an understatement when it comes to the Havanese. This smart, sweet, eager-to-please, and easy-to-train dog is a natural extrovert that loves entertaining. 

History

Named for the capital city of Cuba—Havana—the Havanese dog was once commonly found in the laps of Cuban aristocrats and wealthy residents. 

It's thought that this small, entertaining breed was brought to Cuba by Spanish seafarers, according to the HCA. Ancestors of the Havanese hail from the Bichon family (he's likely a cousin to the white bichon frise), while the Havanese itself has been further refined thanks to centuries of doting by the Cuban elite. 

Many Havanese arrived in the U.S. in the late 1950s, under the arms of those fleeing the Cuban Revolution. In fact, according to the HCA, all Havanese dogs today (aside from the ones still in Cuba) can trace their lineage back to 11 pups who emigrated with their owners. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996.

Tennis star Venus Williams is a proud Havanese parent. Her pup, Harry, can often be found by her side—and sometimes on the court.

Fun Facts

• Two famous authors who have fallen for the Havanese are Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens. (Dickens named his pup Tim.) Other famous owners include Barbara Walters, Jane Fonda, and Venus Williams.
• Thanks to their trainability, Havanese dogs have been used in jobs such as sniffing out mold and termites, and they can even herd chickens and ducks. 
• These natural clowns also make excellent circus performers.