Havanese is an Affectionate Breed

If you’re looking for a good family dog, the Havanese is an affectionate breed and just might fit your wishes for the qualities you want in a dog. The Havanese is a lap dog, mostly kept by people who prefer to be indoors. They originated in Cuba and were given as gifts, not sold as breeds. However, after the Cuban Revolution, some of the dogs survived and made it to the US. There are now about 4,000 of the breed registered.

Havanese is an Affectionate Breed

These cute little dogs stand about 8.5 to 11.5 inches in height and have a weight of about 7 to 13 pounds. The breed has a long body, drop ears, broad skull and flat cheeks. Havanese dogs have round ribs and a straight topline. Its tail rests on its back, curled, and has well-built legs for jumping and springing into action.

But above all, what makes Havanese dogs cute and popular among owners is their double coat (can be wavy or curly), which makes them look like stuffed toys. The hair length is about 6 to 8 inches for adults, and is not really meant to be shaved or cut, except for hair on the feet. They come in a variety of colors such as cream, white, gold, champagne, blue, black, silver, chocolate, and even combinations of the said colors.

Grooming can be somewhat of a hassle when one decides to keep a Havanese as a pet, due to their long hair, which needs extensive grooming, shampooing and brushing to be kept healthy. Strictly speaking, the Havanese is not the pet for you if you do not have enough time for grooming your dog. Ideally at least 2 times a week is the normal average grooming that should be done on a Havanese, and the hair should be brushed or combed in layers. To prevent split ends and hair build-ups, apply a coat dressing or light oil to their coat, especially during the winter and summer seasons, when the weather is at its extremes.

Remove mats from the dog before bathing him. Do this by applying coat oil and rubbing it through the coat to separate the tangles. Shampoo the dog’s coat thoroughly and apply a coat conditioner afterwards. Frequent brushing can also remove the mats. Pet owners can do this before they take the dog to a groomer.

Some of the problems that Havanese dogs may experience are retinal athropy and juvenile cataracts, so they should be checked with vets regularly for eye problems. They may also have luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps), tearstains, ear infections, and dry skin. The breed’s average life span ranges from 12 to 15 years, and they can adapt well to various climates.

As mentioned in the title, the Havanese is an affectionate breed. They are usually full of joy and delight, whether it is play time or being cuddled by their owners. They are also a smart breed and easy to train and teach. The breed is also curious in nature, and loves to play around. They are a good breed for families with children, and especially good with women owners.

Some other positive things in its favor are that it is not a noisy breed, and it can do great when it comes to small dog agility and obedience competitions.

Do you own a Havanese? Please share your experiences with this breed below.