The Havanese dogs are small sized canines that belong to the Toy Group of dog breeds and hail from Cuba, a Caribbean country. These dogs are quite popular because of their adorable size and endearing looks and that’s why their demand has also been gradually increasing all around the world, including India. These tiny canines can be a really good option for anyone residing in India as they are fairly easy to handle, their tolerance to both hot and cold climatic conditions is great and they are easy on the pockets too. Therefore, the simple answer to the question, whether Havanese dogs are good for Indians or not would be an emphatic Yes!
The Havanese is an immensely delightful and charming canine that might have a tiny stature but is sturdily built. This pooch is known for its lively and spirited personality and is quite famous all around the world because of its cheerful character and long and beautiful coat that catches the eye of every dog admirer out there. The official standards for the Havanese dogs are given below:
The average weight of the Havanese dogs lies somewhere between the range of 3-6 Kg and their average height is generally around 8.5-11.5 inches (at the shoulders).
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
3-6 kg |
8.5-11.5 inch |
|
FEMALE |
3-6 kg |
8.5-11.5 inch |
The Havanese canines possess a soft and light-textured double coat which is silky to touch and is fairly wavy and long in length. The outer coat is a bit heavier than the undercoat but is quite flowy in nature.
These canines have a compact and durable outer structure. Their neck is slightly arched and is of moderate length and it smoothly flows into their tiny shoulders. Their chest area is surprisingly deep and well-developed with well-sprung ribs. The back region is fairly straight and strong and it ends in a plumed tail which is decently long and is set quite high on the back. The forequarters and hindquarters are sturdy, short and straight and they provide the required balance to the rest of the body.
The Havanese dogs have a slightly rounded and broad head which is evenly covered with a good amount of hair. Their eyes are large, almond-shaped and are mostly found in a dark brown color. The ears are dropped, fairly broad at the base and are set fairly high on the head.
They possess a small but well-defined jaw region. A scissors bite is considered ideal for these canines and their overall muzzle is full and rectangular with a broad nose at the end.
The Havanese is a highly compliant and amenable breed which is fairly easy to handle and maintain. These canines are immensely affectionate and friendly towards their housemates and loved ones. They are fond of spending their time with the people who they are close to. These pooches also enjoy playing numerous games with them and are happy to rest beside their owners when they get tired. The Havanese dogs are also known to be quite amiable with the strangers as they are always ready to meet new people and make new friends. These canines also get along fairly well with other animals like cats and dogs and when it comes to training them, these pooches are always very excited to get trained and learn new things from their owners. The temperamental traits of the Havanese canines are listed below:
The National dog of Cuba and the country’s only native breed, the Havanese is a vivacious and spirited canine that is admired by every dog lover for its dynamic personality and adorable looks.
The Havanese is also known as a people-pleasing breed as these canines are tremendously devoted and faithful towards the people they love and admire. These canines can get highly attached to their loved ones and this can sometimes cause a slight problem for some people. These dogs are not meant to be left all alone for long periods of time as they can easily get anxious and frustrated and hence, they need the presence and attention of their close ones (at least one of them) almost all the time.
This breed also surprises in the energy department as considering their size, these canines are highly enthusiastic and animated in nature. They enjoy taking part in all kinds of games and physical activities like running or jogging with their owners, playing catch the ball and hide and seek with their loved ones both inside or outside the house and they also are highly positive and responsive towards any kind of training exercise. Therefore, if anyone is looking to raise a small but highly spirited pooch, then they can surely consider this delightful canine that comes from the capital city of Cuba, Havana.
The Havanese dogs are divided into different types on the basis of the various colors that their coat can be found in. These colors are as follows:
|
Adaptability |
***** |
Sensitivity Level |
**** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
*** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
***** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
** |
Energy Level |
*** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
***** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
***** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
***** |
Playfulness |
***** |
|
Exercise Needs |
*** |
Shedding Level |
** |
|
Grooming Needs |
*** |
Social Needs |
***** |
|
Good for novice owners |
***** |
Stranger Friendly |
**** |
|
Trainability |
**** |
Watchdog Ability |
*** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
**** |
Tolerates Cold |
*** |
The Havanese canines do well on a high-quality nutrition-rich diet which is both good for their health and fitness. The feeding material given to them can be either home-prepared or commercially manufactured but it should aid in the proper growth and development of these tiny canines.
These dogs have moderate exercise requirements. They enjoy brisk-paced long walks with their owners in a park or in an open area. These canines are also happy to play various games with their loved ones as well which further helps in keeping them fit and fine. But, it is important to note that over-exercising a Havanese is certainly not good for its overall health and training and exercise sessions for these dogs must be kept short and sweet by their owners.
The high level of intelligence and its eager to please nature certainly makes the training sessions effortless and unchallenging, in case of the Havanese canines. These dogs are always ready and excited to learn new tricks and commands from their owners and because of their agreeable and compliant attitude, the training sessions becomes enjoyable and amusing for the trainers/owners as well.
Considering the length and abundance of hair on their body, the grooming needs of these dogs are surprisingly quite manageable. Their coat needs to be brushed at least 2-3 times a week with a soft brush or comb. Some owners also choose to get the help of a professional groomer to save them some time and effort. These dogs also require occasional baths and trimming of nails to look well-groomed and neat. Their eyes must be cleaned daily to avoid any tear stains and their ears should be regularly checked for any signs of wax formation and must be cleaned gently if any accumulated debris is present inside the ears.
Coming to their shedding potential, then these dogs only shed on an occasional basis and that too in a limited manner.
The Havanese canines may suffer from a few health-related issues during their lifespan, but with proper care, nutrition and exercise, these canines generally remain fairly fit and healthy. Some of the common health problems found in these dogs are:
The visits to a veterinarian’s clinic are few and far between, in the case of the Havanese canines as they normally remain quite fit and fine.
In the year 1492, the Spanish settlers started to arrive on the island of Cuba after Columbus claimed it for Spain. These settlers brought small companion dogs with them which were the true ancestors of the Bichon family of dogs which now includes the likes of Maltese, Bichon Frise, Bolognese, and Coton de Tulear.
These different canines started interbreeding with each other and after several years of development and variations, the Havanese canines, that we are familiar with today, were born. These pooches were considered a symbol of royalty as they graced the laps of various members of numerous aristocratic families in Cuba. After some years, these canines began to move to other countries like England, France et cetera. They were even fancied by Queen Victoria herself.
But, after the Cuban Revolution, their numbers fell quite a lot. And, only 11 Havanese pooches were brought to the United States. But, in the year 1970, this breed saw a revival as an American couple started breeding these canines and gradually, because of their efforts and dedication, the number of Havanese canines started to increase. And, with time, this breed again became highly popular all around the world as people began to appreciate the charm and faithfulness that this breed possessed. The Havanese was finally recognized as a distinct breed by the AKC in the year 1995.
