Havanese
Quick Facts:
- AKC recognized in 1996
- Lifespan: 13 - 15 years
- Size: Small
- Energy: Medium
- Recommended Crate Size: 24" dog crate*
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Havana, Cuba is a very popular tourism destination with people all over the world. In the past, European people often brought back Havanese dogs from their Cuban vacation. The dog became popular mainly in England, France, and Spain. Mainly, people loved Havanese dogs due to their tiny size. The dog became a popular breed during the mid-18th century. Charles Dickens got one for himself while Queen Victoria had two. Today, the dog has become a popular breed for the average family.
Breed
The Havanese dogs belong to the Bichon breed group. They are considered Cuba’s national dog. Prior to this Cuba had the Blanquito as their national dog. They choose Havanese as the new one due to the extinction of its predecessor. There’s a belief that the Blanquito was the part of a cross-breed with the Poodle. The dog has a long and thick coat. They are an ideal pet to have in the home. Havanese dogs are also quite adaptable to many different environments. This breed has excellent social skills.
Appearance
This breed has a small, but sturdy physical appearance. The coat is wavy, silky, and long and they come in many different colors. Their long facial hair is designed to protect against the harsh tropical light. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are cute and provide an intelligent expression. The nose is squared off and wide. Their teeth are very sharp and their ears are average in size. On average, Havanese dogs weigh between 9 and 13 pounds with a height of around 9-11 inches. Most Havanese are gray, tan, black, sable, and white.
Nutrition
Before buying dry foods from the stores, people should read the label closely. For additional information, the Havanese is quite picky when it comes to food. Providing homemade dog food doesn’t always satisfy. It often requires some experimentation with recipes before finding the best combination of nutrients for the dog. They belong to a dog breed that prefers companionship from people at most times, even during mealtimes.
Grooming
Not many of Havanese dogs like bathing. Some of them love swimming though. The owner should maintain a regular bathing schedule for the dog. This is for the sake of both appearance and health. Those who breed Havanese dogs for show need to pay attention more on how much they must bathe the dog. A regular frequency is twice a week. This will make their coat shiny and healthy. Both conditioner and shampoo are important to keep the dog’s coat dry and their skin moist. The owner should ensure with the products are veterinarian-approved.
Exercise
Even though Havanese dogs are small, their energy is relatively high. The dog will be happy to do activities such as fly ball, obedience training, and other appropriate games for small dogs. This dog is considered, by some, a great con artist. They often eat people’s food while pretending nothing happened (others would say this is pure cunning intelligence). Regardless of some of their bad habits, Havanese dogs are perfect as house pets. They are quite affectionate to most, including kids and even strangers. Overall, they are medium active dogs so the owners must keep them happy with regular exercise.
Pet Crate Size
Pet Crates Direct recommends 24" dog crates* for most adult Havanese.
* Links for crate sizes will bring you to the most appropriate Amazon page.
