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Havanese breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Havanese the only dog breed native to Cuba, cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step and a gleam in big brown eyes.
Distinctive features include a curled-over tail and a silky coat that comes in many colors, which some owners cord like a Puli and others clip short to reduce grooming time.
Temperament
Small but sturdy bodies, an adaptable nature and social skills make the Havanese an ideal city dog, but it is content anywhere it can command the attention of admirers. Vivacious and sociable, it is becoming especially popular with American city dwellers.
Highly intelligent and eager to please, the Havanese trains easily with positive methods. It may be a sensitive breed, so scolding must be gentle.
Lifespan
Havanese live 14 to 16 years. They are fairly long-lived. Conditions the breed is prone to include eye disorders, chondrodysplasia, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and patellar luxation.
A responsible breeder does health clearances on all breeding dogs and the Havanese Club of America gives awards for members' dogs that pass and register Orthopedic Foundation for Animals results.
Care
The long, soft, silky coat needs daily grooming to stay free of mats and tangles, which may be done by running a comb or soft brush over the dog on your lap. Pet owners often choose a short clip to cut grooming time.
The Havanese has moderate exercise needs: a brisk daily walk or backyard play benefits it and romping inside the house can provide enough activity. Never over-exercise a Havanese of any age and stop if it pants and struggles to keep up.
History
The Havanese comes from the ancient Bichon family of little white dogs and claims the Bichon Frise and Maltese as probable common ancestors. Lively lapdogs of this type were bartered around the world by seafaring merchants since the earliest days of civilization.
Small, clever dogs that did no useful work were among the possessions that set royals and aristocrats apart and the native lapdog of Cuba's aristocrats and wealthy planters was named for Havana.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 2 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 4 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 5 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |