Desription of the Havanese dog breed including origin, appearance, temperament, grooming tips, and health concerns.
At any rate, it seems that aristocratic and elite Cubans of the 17th century loved having Havanese Silk Dogs, which are now extinct, around the house as pets and lapdogs. Over time these dogs adapted to the new climate and customs of their changed environment and began birthing smaller dogs with much silkier coats. They called these dogs Blanquito de Habanas after their completely white coats. By the 19th century these Cubans began to fancy French and German Poodles which were then crossed with the Blanquito de Habanas to form what is know as today's Havanese. During the communist revolution during the 1950s these dogs nearly became extinct but some escaped when their families fled Cuba and headed to the United States and Costa Rica. In 1974, when the dog breed was increasing again in numbers, eleven dogs from three different breeders were gathered to begin a breeding program. Through the committed efforts of some dedicated breeders the Havanese dog breed has rebounded, although it still remains quite rare. There are an estimated 11,000 or more Havanese living throughout the world today of which about 4,000 or so that can be found in the United States.
The American Kennel Club first recognized the Havanese dog breed in 1996. They classified Havanese in the Toy Group. This breed has an average height of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and an average weight of 7-13 pounds (3-6 kg). Havanese dogs come in a variety of colors including cream, white, champagne, black, black and tan, gold, chocolate, parti-color, and tri-color.
They make wonderful companion dogs since they are lovable, affectionate, and sociable. Havanese dogs are gentle, playful, and friendly, so they make great children's pets as well as furry little friends. They are fairly easy to train and don't have a tendency to bark a lot. If you adopt a Havanese, he or she will most likely become a very devoted member of the family and make a good watchdog too.
Health issues that may plague the Havanese breed include cataracts, tear staining, other eye conditions, ear infections, skin disorders, luxating patellas, and some are prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy which can by quite serious. Otherwise this breed is typically healthy and lives quite long. The life expectancy of a Havanese is about 14-16 years.
Grooming is a major time commitment when owning a Havanese since they have long coats that can reach 6 to 8 inches long on adult dogs. Brushing and combing is recommended for the longhaired dogs at least twice a week and there are special products available to keep the hair healthy so that it doesn't split. To reduce grooming needs, the coats may be trimmed back but regular brushing will still be required. The eyes and ears should also be checked on a regular basis and kept clean to prevent infections.
These dogs are well suited to live in home or apartments but should not be confined to a kennel on a regular basis. They need lots of exercise and are quite curious and active little dogs. Leisurely walks and non-strenuous play sessions are ideal to keep this dog happy and active. Havanese dogs are responsive animals that enjoy companionship of others including people and other pets. These are great all around dogs that would fit into almost anyone's home.
