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The Havanese is a toy breed and the national dog of Cuba. Their playful, affectionate personalities accompany good-natured temperaments and intelligence, making them lovely family dogs. Plus, they're quite cute, with round faces and floppy ears.

Learn more about the Havanese dog breed, including key characteristics and care tips.

Characteristics of the Havanese

If you want a small dog with a relatively easygoing temperament, the Havanese might be right for you. These dogs tend to be great with children and other pets.

The friendly and gentle personality of the Havanese makes them suitable for many types of homes, including apartments. They're also a great choice for travel and RV living because they're small and don't bark much.

It's best to adopt this breed if you have plenty of time to spend with your dog. You shouldn't leave a Havanese alone for more than a few hours. These dogs crave companionship, and they're known to develop separation anxiety or destructive habits when lonely and bored.

History of the Havanese

This old, native breed was developed when its canine ancestors came to Cuba from Spain by way of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The breed likely shares lineage with the bichon frise. The Havanese was a beloved pet of Cuban aristocrats—Havana is the country's capital—and they later became popular among prominent Europeans including Charles Dickens.

The Havanese has been in the U.S. since the Cuban revolution in 1959 when only a few dogs were left to save the breed from extinction. It has thrived in the U.S. and Europe, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1996.

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Havanese Care

The Havanese is a bit high-maintenance when it comes to their grooming and training. But because they aren’t high-energy dogs that need a lot of exercise, they can be good for families who are looking for a lapdog that will enjoy cuddling.

Exercise

As a moderately active little dog, the Havanese should get daily exercise, but this breed does not need more than about half an hour per day. Routine walks and playing inside the house are usually enough to keep the Havanese happy and healthy.

With the proper outlets for their energy, these dogs are content to cuddle on your lap when they're not playing, making them great companions for apartment living.

Grooming

Because of their silky coats, routine grooming is an absolute necessity for the Havanese. Routine grooming practices include:

• Brushing: The Havenese is a low-shedding, hypoallergenic breed. Brush your dog often—at least once or twice a week.
• Haircuts: Because they have low-shedding coats, routine haircuts are necessary. Just make sure to keep their coats longer in the winter, as it helps them fight off the cold weather.
• Nail care: To keep your dog’s nails healthy and stop them from becoming overgrown, trim them on a regular basis using high-quality nail clippers.
• Eye care: Wipe the corners of your dog’s eyes daily to prevent tear stains, especially if your Havanese has a lighter coat color.
• Ear care: Check your dog’s ears often for signs of infection, inflammation, and mites. Clean the ears when necessary with a safe product for dogs.  

Training

Like all dogs, the Havanese should receive basic positive reinforcement training. These dogs are intelligent and attentive, so they tend to learn quickly. They can be taught to do tricks and perform in dog sports like agility, flyball, obedience, and more.

General training will contribute to your dog's overall happiness and help them become a well-mannered member of the family. Start training and socializing them during puppyhood, especially since Havanese puppies may bite and it’s important to train that behavior out of them.

One drawback is that the Havanese can take a while to housebreak. You will need to be consistent during this period or provide a doggy door to give them constant access to the outdoors.

Many of these dogs don't like to get wet, so it's helpful to have a covered area available. On the other hand, if your dog grows up around water, they can be a good swimmer—but in general, the Havanese should be an indoor pet.

Common Health Problems

The Havanese is generally considered a healthy breed, but some hereditary health problems can still occur in the Havanese, including:

• Deafness: This is often a congenital condition in the Havanese. Work with a vet to determine if your dog can be treated with the help of surgery or medications. Often, though, it can’t be cured.
• Luxating patella: This is a loose knee joint that can lead to lameness and knee arthritis.
• Elbow and hip dysplasia: While dysplasia is often thought to be a problem for large dogs, Havanese are also prone to this condition in the elbows and hips. This malformation in the joints can cause pain and lameness.
• Hypothyroidism: The Havanese has a high rate of underactive thyroid gland, and it may require treatment throughout the dog's life to help regulate metabolism.
• Allergies: The Havanese can have skin allergies to fleas, grass, and pollen, causing the dog to scratch and chew themselves. Canine allergies can usually be treated with medication.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: This congenital orthopedic disorder causes degeneration of the hip joint. Symptoms include stiffness, lameness, muscle atrophy, and pain.
• Chondrodysplasia: This genetic defect causes dwarfism. It affects the growth and development of joints.

Diet and Nutrition

Feed your Havanese two meals a day, a total of 1/2 to 1 cup of dry dog food. Don't leave out food for free-feeding; this can quickly lead to weight gain. Canine obesity can reduce a dog's lifespan and lead to other health conditions. Discuss any weight gain with your veterinarian, and determine both feeding and exercise schedules based on your dog's age, weight, and activity level.

Avoid giving human food to your Havanese. Be aware that they are tricksters, and they're known to "train" their humans to share food. It's important to be consistent and ensure everyone in your family knows that the Havanese should only eat dog food.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Havanese

Check your local animal shelter and rescue groups for Havanese dogs in need of homes. There are a number of nationwide rescue groups for this breed, as well as responsible breeders for those set on adopting a puppy.

Havanese puppies typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000 from breeders, though some prices can be upwards of $3,500 depending on the dog's pedigree and availability in your area. Always research local breeders to ensure you adopt from one that provides comfortable living conditions for their dogs and shares their medical history.

Start your search with breed-specific rescues, the national breed club, and the AKC:

• Havanese Rescue
• Havanese Angel League Organization for Rescue
• The Havanese Club of America
• AKC Havanese Breeders

Havanese Overview

The Havenese can be a great choice if you’re looking for a small dog that’s also hypoallergenic. These dogs don’t shed much, but they do need to have their coat trimmed often. They can be a lot of fun for families, as they are both kid-friendly and pet-friendly.

Pros of Havanese

• Low shedding, considered hypoallergenic
• Gentle, happy, and smart
• Gets along well with children, other pets
• Great for apartment living
  

Cons of Havanese

• Housebreaking can take awhile
• Can't be left alone for too long
• High-maintenance grooming needs
  

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you think this breed is right for you, talk with other Havanese owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more about adding one to your family. If you're interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Maltese
• Papillon

There is a wide variety of dog breeds out there that can join your family. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!