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Havanese: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Havanese personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Havanese, including these excerpts: "One of the brightest and sturdiest of the toys, the Havanese is happy and playful and enjoys clever games of dexterity such as "pull the hidden toy from under the cabinet with your paw." This curious, quick-moving sprite with the springy gait is a busy little dog who enjoys dashing around the yard and playing with other pets. The Havanese is peaceful with strangers, though he likes to sit perched on the back of a sofa or chair, looking out the window so he can announce visitors. Attentive and responsive to nonforceful training, many individuals excel in competitive obedience and agility." History Originating in the Mediterranean, he became the household pet of the wealthy ruling class in Havana, Cuba. Size 8-12 inches and 7-13 lbs

Havanese What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is small, yet sturdier (and healthier) than his Maltese cousin Is playful and entertaining Is polite with people and other animals Has a long coat that doesn't shed (often a good choice for allergy sufferers) A Havanese may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Shyness or fearfulness when not socialized enough Housebreaking difficulties Barking Frequent brushing and combing Very high price tag A Havanese may not be right for you. If I were considering a Havanese... My major concerns would be: Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Havanese need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Havanese need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution could become shyness or fearfulness, which are difficult to live with. Havanese puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Havanese puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Havanese adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. Grooming. Without frequent brushing and combing, Havanese become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short, neat, and healthy. Housebreaking problems. The Havanese belongs to the same "family" of dogs as the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Bolognese, and Coton de Tulear, all of which are difficult to housebreak. Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary. Barking. Havanese are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. To teach your Havanese to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Havanese Page discusses the program you need. High price tag. Though the Havanese is no longer uncommon, many breeders are still charging over $1000. Not all Havanese are alike! There are energetic Havanese, and placid Havanese. Hard-headed Havanese, and sweet-natured Havanese. Serious Havanese, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Havanese, and Havanese who love everyone. If you acquire a Havanese puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Havanese... There are plenty of adult Havanese who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/havanese.html">Havanese: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.