Havanese

Dog Breed Profile

Havanese History

The Havanese is a toy-sized, curly-coated, bicolored dog that originated on the island of Cuba. The Havanese is believed to have descended from the Bichon Tenerife, a now-extinct cousin of the Bichon Frise. The Havanese gained recognition as a distinct breed of its own in Cuba in 1961, when breeders began showing and registering the dogs. The Havanese was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996. The Havanese is an intelligent and playful dog. They make good family pets and are often compared to cats for their intelligence, independence, and hypoallergenic nature.

Time of Origin

1600s

Country of Origin

Cuba

Ancestry

Bichon Frise, Maltese

Havanese Physical Characteristics

The Havanese is a small, medium-to-large sized, long-haired, hypoallergenic, toy breed that typically stands between 10 and 13 inches at the shoulders and weighs between 7 and 15 pounds. They have a relatively large, broad head, a rounded skull, and almond-shaped eyes. Their tail is curled over the back. They have small, erect ears. Their coat is silky in texture, soft, and wavy. Their color is white, cream, biscuit, or sable. They are playful, intelligent, loving, and entertaining.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Unknown

Coat Colors

Unknown

Height Range

Male Height Range: 9 – 12 inches

Female Height Range: 8 – 10 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 8 – 13 lbs

Female Weight Range: 7 – 12 lbs

Havanese Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

14-16 yrs

Havanese Health Concerns

Patellar Luxation, Deafness, Eye Problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Heart Murmur, Chondrodysplasia,

Havanese Temperament and Behaviour

The Havanese is a lively, agile and affectionate small breed of dog. They are very intelligent, eager to learn, and easy to train. They enjoy being around people, children, and dogs. They are generally quiet, but occasionally will bark to alert their family to visitors or unusual sounds. They love to play and are easy to keep entertained with toys and play activities such as walking, running, and fetching.

Havanese Activity Requirements

Havanese are a small, fluffy, and affectionate dog that originated in Cuba. They are intelligent and loving, and have a devoted following around the world. Havanese are relatively low-energy, but they still have basic exercise and grooming needs. They are well suited to apartment life, but they will need a daily walk. You can also keep them happy with some puzzle toys, puzzles, and games. If you are looking for a small and portable companion, you may enjoy having a Havanese. Just make sure they have room to run around and enough attention to keep them happy.