Havanese (Havanese)

A delightful breed, Havanese dogs are renowned for their loving disposition and endearing personalities. These tiny pups, who were originally from Cuba, were bred as companion animals and soon gained the affection of numerous families. They are great companions for families and single people alike because of their loving and playful nature.

The stunning, silky coat of Havanese dogs, which comes in a variety of colors, is one of their most distinctive characteristics. Not only does regular grooming help your pet’s fur stay in top condition, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to strengthen your friendship with them. They are surprisingly resilient because their coat helps them adapt to different climates. It’s not just for appearances.

Training a Havanese is a rewarding experience because of their intelligence and eagerness to please. Since they are social beings by nature, early socialization is essential to their development into well-rounded adults. Havanese enjoy playing with each other and participating in family activities, whether you’re teaching them tricks or just having fun.

All things considered, many households find happiness and companionship in the Havanese breed. Their affectionate disposition paired with their lively demeanor makes them an exceptional option for anyone seeking to add a furry companion to their life.

Feature	Description
Size	Small
Weight	7-13 pounds
Coat	Silky and long
Colors	Various, including white, black, and brown
Temperament	Friendly and playful
Life Expectancy	14-16 years
Exercise Needs	Moderate, enjoys walks and playtime
Good with Kids	Yes
Grooming	Regular brushing needed

A gorgeous and loving toy breed, the Havanese is renowned for its striking, silky coat and playful nature. They are great family pets because they were originally bred in Cuba as companion dogs, which means they thrive on human interaction. Havanese are the best option for anyone looking for a loving and energetic companion because of their lively and friendly nature, intelligence, and ability to adapt to a variety of living situations.

Description of the Havanese (Havanese) breed

Another name for the Havanese is the Havanese. This breed of lapdog, known as a biston, was developed in Cuba and has long, silky hair. Given that Havana is the nation’s capital, the breed was given the name "havanese." Although they are extremely uncommon worldwide, these dogs are a representation of Cuba.

Lapdogs of the Havanese breed are incredibly gregarious, joyful, and kind. They are not prone to dominance and are simple to train. They are therefore appropriate for kids, seniors, and first-time dog owners. They are employed in canistherapy because of their sociability and sensitivity; they can serve as guide dogs and assist individuals with neuroses, depression, and panic attacks. Families with children who are visually or hearing impaired in the USA are advised to use them.

Havanese lapdogs are used to look for mold and termites despite their small size. They can act in a circus and pick up tricks quickly. In dog sports like flyball, agility, and freestyle, they perform well. Owing to their modesty and well-rounded mentality, they can make excellent traveling companions.

Parameters	Characteristics
Breed name	Havanese bichon (havanais bichon), havanese
Country	Cuba
Breed group according to the FCI classification	Decorative and companion dogs, Bichon section
Duration life	13-15 years
height	23-29 cm
weight	3-5.5 kg
aggression	no
activity	average
intelligence	very smart, easy to train
care complexity	complex grooming

Pros

Havanese are companions and decorative dogs. They are socially conscious, get along with everyone, and never act aggressively toward strangers. They are modest, easily fit into the owner’s lifestyle, and perfect for living in a tiny apartment. There are numerous benefits for these dogs:

• have a charming appearance;
• lively facial expressions and artistic abilities;
• affectionate, loving;
• positive, cheerful, playful;
• good-natured, devoid of aggression;
• balanced, with a stable psyche;
• docile, non-conflict;
• very smart, easy to train;
• love children, can be nannies;
• sensitive, understand the owner"s mood, do not impose;
• get along well with cats and other pets;
• do not require long walks;
• The wool does not smell, does not cause allergies.

Cons

Many people who own decorative dogs spoil them; many purchase Bichons not as pets but as toys. This leads to the pet becoming spoiled and erratic. The main cause of this breed’s drawbacks, if coat maintenance is not taken into consideration, is poor parenting. As a result, the Bichon Havanese can develop into:

• jealous;
• stubborn;
• lazy;
• naughty;
• disobedient;
• touchy;
• cowardly.

The breed’s description is enhanced by the video:

Havanese Bichon in video.

Havanese Bichon in video. Price, selection criteria, facts, history, care, and pros and cons

History of the origin of the breed

One official breed of Cuba is the Havanese Bichon. Spanish colonists brought the Canary Islands, where Bolognese dogs first made their appearance during the Middle Ages. Bichons crossed with poodles, the local breed. With time, a distinct breed emerged that set itself apart from other Bolognese canines.

For several centuries, both the common people and the nobility have cherished these tiny, cuddly dogs. Their nickname was "silk Cuban dogs." They were prized for their balanced, submissive personalities, activity, fearlessness, and attractive appearance. At first, farmers even used them to eradicate mice and roofs. However, over time, the Havanese evolved into a typical companion and decorative dog.

The breed nearly went extinct in the 20th century during the Cuban Revolution. Some of the dogs were brought to the US by immigrants. There, the breed was revived at the close of the 20th century and given the name Havanese Bichon. It was registered in 1998, and a standard was made. Although these ornamental dogs are becoming more and more popular in the twenty-first century, the breed is still uncommon in Russia.

Appearance standards

The Havanese Bichon looks like a cute toy. This dog has long, silky hair and is small and proportionately built. The body is stocky and powerful. The standard states that a Bichon’s height should be between 23 and 27 cm, and its weight should not exceed 6 kg.

Head

The head is nearly square in shape and medium in size in relation to the body. The stop is smooth and the forehead is wide. The muzzle tapers somewhat; it is neither blunt nor narrow. Its length is the same as the skull’s length. There is a scissor bite, strong jaws, and flat cheekbones. The lips are narrow and form a tight seal. The nose has dark or brown pigmentation that is well-defined.

The eyes are big and almond-shaped. The color of the iris is dark. The appearance is amiable and perceptive. The ears are large and elevated, with lengthy hair covering them. Tightly fitting on the head, they dangle down.

Body

The build is stocky and dense. The shape of the body is rectangular. Long and gracefully flowing into the withers is the neck. The croup is slanted, the back is straight, and the loin is slightly convex. The belly is tucked up, and the chest is broad. It has a long, high tail. The dog curls it into a half ring and tosses it over its back. Long hair covering the tail.

Limbs

The limbs are parallel, straight, and short. The Bichon’s graceful, bouncy gait is influenced by its slightly shorter front limbs than its back limbs, which raises its head in pride. Toes are tightly gathered and paws are compact.

Coat and color

The Havanese has a long, thick coat that can reach up to 18 cm, just like all lapdogs. creates fringes on its limbs, tail, and ears. To the touch, the coat feels smooth and velvety. The guard hair can occasionally take on curls and ringlets and can also be straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat is sparse and fluffy, or it might not exist at all. The standard forbids shaving or trimming one’s own hair.

The Havanese may have a variation in color. Even though these dogs’ ancestors were primarily white, this color is now uncommon. Common colors are as follows:

• cream;
• black;
• pinkish beige;
• sable;
• chestnut;
• reddish brown;
• tobacco color;
• silver.

There is a chance of white spots with any color variation. They are typically found around the nose, on the limbs, and on the chest.

The description of the appearance is enhanced by photos:

Character of the Havanese dog breed

The owner and other family members hold a special place in these dogs’ hearts. Without communication, they could not survive. They try to get involved in every matter, trailing closely behind everyone. They enjoy being the focus of attention and receiving affection and praise. To get nearer to someone, they attempt to ascend higher. They climb on laps a lot.

They are patient with kids and have a common language with them. They also enjoy playing with kids. Owing to their extreme sensitivity, they frequently take on their owners’ routines and behavioural traits. Havanese lapdogs get along well with all pets, are not easily dominated, and avoid getting into fights with other dogs. They never behave aggressively toward others. They can bark, but they are generally friendly even with strangers.

The personality of the Havanese has the following traits:

• friendliness;
• cheerfulness;
• curiosity;
• sociability;
• playfulness;
• loyalty;
• obedience.

The love of tearing paper is one of the traits of Bichons. Books, albums, and documents should thus be kept out of their reach. The dog will undoubtedly rip them to tiny bits if left alone.

Education and training

Even though Havanese are small decorative dogs, they should receive serious training. It is advised to socialize and begin training the puppy at a young age in order to prevent issues later. The house’s behavior rules ought to be explained right away.

The puppy needs to be aware of its location, name, and feeding schedule. It ought to view someone as a leader. Teaching the puppy to walk on a leash is crucial. It is advised to train it to use a tray or diaper to go to the bathroom. Although adult Havanese usually relieve themselves at home in a designated area, it will eventually become accustomed to doing so on the street.

Although these dogs don’t tend to be dominant, you shouldn’t give in to your whims or act weak. They pick up on everything fast and start playing tricks on the owner. As a result, you must be persistent and consistent in your education. The same standards must be upheld by every member of the family.

Because of their intelligence and strong memory, bichons are simple to train. They pick up a variety of tricks and comprehend instructions fast. Representatives of the breed were frequently employed as circus canines because of this trait and their artistic ability. They like to perform and be the center of attention, and their facial expressions reflect this.

A Havanese should not be trained as a service dog since it is a decorative breed. It lacks the patience for extended sessions. There are a few pointers for creating an effective training program:

• training should be regular;
• the duration of the session is no more than 5 minutes;
• it is better to conduct them in a playful way;
• you should not repeat one command more than 3 times, the Bichon will get bored with it;
• you cannot be rude or use physical punishment;
• more often you need to praise and caress the pet, give it treats for each correctly performed action.

Features of maintenance and care

The Havanese Bolognese is the perfect dog for homebodies who live in apartments. She only needs to walk for thirty minutes twice a day to get her recommended amount of physical activity. It is possible to train an adult dog to use a tray or a diaper to go potty. Because Bichons don’t have a thick undercoat, they freeze quickly in the winter, so it’s best to take your pet outside in clothing during that time.

Care

Although the Havanese coat does not shed much, tangles can easily form if it is not combed several times a week. Cutting Havanese lapdogs is not advised, particularly if they are shown. The only places where trimming is allowed are the paw and muzzle hair to make them easier to clean. A ponytail is created by gathering the hair above the eyes. However, domestic dog owners who do not show their pets frequently give them haircuts. This is practical, particularly in the summer.

Your pet is clean, and their coat doesn’t smell, so you shouldn’t bathe them too frequently. For dogs with long hair, specific shampoos are required. You will also require a specific bleaching powder if the Bichon is white, as these dogs frequently have tearing eyes and red fur under their eyes.

The remaining hygienic practices are straightforward:

• wash paws and belly after each walk;
• wipe muzzle after meals;
• trim claws once a month;
• wash eyes with chamomile decoction or tea leaves;
• examine and clean ears every week, it is necessary to pluck hairs inside the auricle, otherwise they can cause inflammation;
• brush teeth several times a week or give chewing treats more often.

Havanese with various hairstyles and haircuts can be seen in the picture:

Nutrition

Havanese can be fed both natural and dry food. They are prone to weight gain, so you only need to keep an eye on the quantity and content of calories. A mature pet needs to be fed twice daily. The portion size is determined by the dog’s weight (20 g per kilogram).

Dry food shouldn’t be categorized as super premium. You must select those meant for small breeds with lengthy hair. Meat, extra vitamins, and minerals, and at least 35% of the composition should be meat.

When a pet is fed naturally, its diet consists of vegetables, sea fish, lean meat, offal, and fermented milk products. Since Bichons eat little and are not very active, adding porridge is not necessary, nor is there a need to increase the calorie content. A daily diet should contain no more than 30–40% carbohydrates. Supplementing the food with vitamins and minerals is required when feeding this way.

Health

Bichons live very long lives. They live 13–14 years on average, but with proper care, they can live 16 years or longer. Although their health is generally good, the following illnesses can occasionally strike:

• joint dysplasia;
• cataracts, retinal detachment;
• otitis;
• indigestion;
• chondroisplasia;
• patella dislocation;
• Perthes disease;
• cardiovascular pathologies.

How to buy a Havanese puppy

Get in touch with a kennel if you want to purchase a purebred Havanese. Although this breed is not widely distributed in Russia, ethical breeders can be located. A puppy typically costs between thirty and seventy thousand rubles. If a dog is offered for less money, it might be a crossbreed or an animal suffering from a genetic disease.

It’s important to consider more factors than just whether a puppy has all the required paperwork. Studying infant behavior, health, and standard compliance as well as animal keeping conditions is crucial.

A happy, inquisitive Havanese puppy should be in good health. Its eyes are not swollen or discharged, and it has a wet, well-pigmented nose. Its fur is shiny and soft, free of bald patches and dandruff.

The images depict how puppies ought to appear:

The traits of the breed are enhanced by the video:

Havanese Bichon in video

The Havanese is a delightful companion that brightens many homes, and it’s more than just a cute face. These dogs quickly win over everyone around them with their loving and playful personalities. They make excellent family pets since they are devoted and thrive on human interaction.

The adaptability of Havanese dogs is one of their most notable traits. Living in a spacious house or a small apartment, they adapt well to various living conditions. Because of their moderate exercise requirements, they are suitable for a variety of lifestyles and enjoy both indoor playtime and outdoor walks.

A key component of providing for a Havanese is grooming. To avoid tangles, their exquisite, silky coats need to be brushed frequently. Even though it might seem like a chore, many pet owners view grooming as a unique opportunity to spend quality time with their animal companion.

It can be a delightful experience to train a Havanese. They pick things up quickly because they are bright and eager to please. These dogs respond incredibly well to positive reinforcement, so you can expect them to pick up commands and tricks quickly.

Ultimately, the Havanese may be the ideal choice for you if you’re searching for a loyal, energetic dog that can adapt to a variety of lifestyles. Their upbeat disposition and close relationship with their humans add a little brightness to each day. A Havanese might be the perfect furry friend for you if you’re ready to add one to your household!

Video on the topic

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