Get ready to curl your lips in a huge smile as you expand your knowledge of the cute Havanese! Native to South America, the little Cuban dog is a silky-coated bundle full of surprises. With their unique looks and traits, this pup can turn anyone into a religious doggo lover!
Before you adopt your Havanese, though, you should get to know them better. What are they like? In a nutshell, a pupper that belongs to this dog breed is a smart, goofy companion that loves playing. Social and adaptable, they like cuddling whenever they take a break from chasing toys.
The popular lapdog is also known as the Blanquito de la Habana, which translates into “little white dog of Havana.” These small dogs aren’t always white, though! Their fur comes in different colors, but it’s always soft and shiny. Likewise, these puppies’ temperament makes them great watchdogs, excellent trick-does, and playful-to-the-bone friends.
Havanese Dog Breed Pictures
Appearance
What Does A Havanese Look Like?
A curly Havanese can brighten up a room with their soft, elegant coat and dark, big eyes. Their beautiful black, red, blue, gold or white mane underlines all their movements! While it runs from one corner of the house to another, this little fella looks like a soft, fluffy teddy.
The mane’s appearance tends to change, and it becomes darker or lighter. It can also change when the doggie is about to turn one, giving them a completely different look. No matter how much their fur changes, though, the puppy always remains more hypoallergenic than other dogs. Nice, right?
While fantastic colors give the pupper its elegance, there’s so much more that hides underneath their fur. The weight, height, and bouncy walk of Havanese puppies remain a secret under their silky hairs! Being from 8.5 to 11 inches tall and weighing from 7 to 13 pounds, these doggos are adorable!
Temperament
This puppy is anything but grumpy! Super extroverted and always ready to fetch, the doggo has a cheerful personality that no one can tame. Outgoing, energetic, and easy to train, this pupper will tickle the funny bone of each family member! The doggo approaches children and pets alike with an offer they can’t refuse: top-notch playtime.
Apart from being goofballs, Havanese’ traits help these pups be fantastic therapy dogs and emotional support pets. Chewing on a ball is not all they can do! Plus, their loud barks make them awesome watchdogs! As you can see, your new black-and-white Havanese puppy knows their dog chores very well!
Living Needs
One amazing thing about Havanese pups is their ability to adapt to homes of different sizes. A big, breathtaking mansion will do, but so will a studio apartment or a medium-sized house. As long as your canine has you to keep them company throughout their daily bouncing routine, they’ll be fine.
Havanese pups hate being alone and away from their family. They don’t like boredom, and they’ll start barking the moment they begin to miss the warmness of your cozy lap! These doggos don’t bark as much as other small dog breeds, though. That’s not a surprise since they’re always on a toy-chewing mission!
People of all ages love this breed, and the doggies are superb in being affectionate as well. Because they’re not incredibly active, owners who like camping and outdoor sports might not be a good match. Thirty-minute walks and playing in the yard or inside is enough exercise for this breed.
Care
How To Groom A Havanese
Pet owners have to take good care of these canines’ coats. If you want to see your pup’s silky mane shining with no mats or tangles in it, brush them! Do this multiple times a week, or spice up your doggo’s looks with some dreadlocks. This will save your time and effort.
Havanese grooming doesn’t end there, though. Your four-legged friend needs to have a bath from time to time and get their ears checked. You should also wipe their gorgeous eyes and trim their nails! When it comes to shedding, that’s not something to worry about when owning one of these furballs.
How To Train A Havanese
The things you should consider when puppy training your furry baby is their intelligence and great reaction to positive techniques. Harsh punishments are out of the question! Havanese are easy to train because of how affectionate they are, as long as you do this thoughtfully.
One other thing you need to do for your companion dog is to start socializing them from an early age. Introduce them to different folks and places! Positive, gentle training methods will help them grow into a sweet, well-mannered dog that’s comfy around people and calm animals.
How Much Exercise Does A Havanese Need
Havanese pups need to have some exercise but can’t keep up with strenuous activities. If you see them panting, you should wrap it up! These doggos are only moderately active, so be careful not to overexercise them.
Quick walks and a nice playtime at home or in the yard are all your white Havanese dog needs. They’ll have enough activity and enjoy it! Don’t leave the animal alone, and they’ll have a blast!
How To Care For A Havanese Puppy
Because of their size, these small puppies can easily get hurt. You can accidentally step on them or drop them during innocent playtime or as you’re walking to the fridge! Be careful – they can pop out of nowhere!
Caring for a Havanese puppy also means that you have to teach your little kids how to treat the dog. Keep an eye on them every time they play with the doggo! You can join anytime!
Feeding
Give your Havanese food twice a day. Half a cup or a full cup of dry, high-quality kibble is enough for two meals! Don’t overfeed the dog, and keep an eye on their weight.
Health
How Long Do Havanese Live
The Havanese lifespan is long. Without experiencing any serious health issues, these doggies can live from 14 to 16 years!
Havanese Health Issues
Although these small-breed furballs are generally healthy, Havanese owners should know about the health problems these pups might experience. Deafness, heart disease, eye issues, and conditions affecting their bones and joints are common. Your vet can help you learn more about your Havanese’s health! If you’re getting the dog from a breeder, they should get the puppy tested for conditions listed by the OFA.
Teeth issues are also common among Blanquitos de la Habana. The doggies have as many teeth as other dogs do, but their mouth cavities are small. Because of this, their dental hygiene is a top priority. Keep each and every one of their tiny teeth healthy by letting the vet clean them or brush them yourself! Otherwise, they’ll get tartar and plaque, which is no good.
History
The history of this puppy breed is closely related to one of the pups from the Bichon family. In fact, your sweet lapdog is probably a descendant of the Bichon Frise and Maltese doggies! Back in the day, Spanish seafarers brought the little dogs to Cuba. It took very little time for them to become royal companions – wealthy aristocrats simply loved them!
Named after Cuba’s capital, Havana, the beautiful furballs have always had Havanese puppy breeders crazy about them. These people made the pups what they are today! It took 300 years of crossbreeding the doggos with Poodles to refine their looks and get their pet owners charmed. During the Cuban Revolution, many Cubans fled to America and brought the dogs with them.
Quickly after arriving in America, the Cuban dog breed became popular all over the world. In 1996, the American Kennel Club gave the breed the green light by officially recognizing it. But the sweet little pups were the favorites of famous people even before the recognition. Writers Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens are among those celebrities.
Fun Facts About Havanese Dogs
- Some people rely on Havanese puppers to sniff out termites and mold or to herd their ducks and chickens.
- These puppies are Cuba’s national dogs and their only native breed.
- In the past, people used to call this miniature dog the Spanish Silk Poodle or the Havanese Silk Dog.