If you're looking for a happy little dog with a big personality and lots of love to give, look no further than the Havanese.
You'll be hard-pressed to find any dog breed as pawsome as the Havanese puppy. This is one of our favorite dog breeds and makes an excellent watchdog. Originally hailing from Cuba, Havanese dogs were first bred to be the lapdog of Cuban aristocrats. Other than being a superb companion dog, the Havanese breed is also very intelligent and highly trainable, making these happy little dogs a good choice all around. It's no wonder why this purebred dog is ranked #24 on the American Kennel Club's (AKC) most popular dog breeds list.
Part of the Bichon family (sharing this title with breeds such as the Maltese and the Bichon Frise), the Havanese was developed from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana dog and is the only dog breed that can say they're native to Cuba. First brought to the United States by Cubans fleeing the Cuban Revolution, this small dog was once referred to as the Havana Silk Dog and the Spanish Silk Poodle.
Havanese owners will be the first to tell you: the Havanese is everything you would want in a great family dog in a small, super adorable package! Havaneses combine traits of retrievers and spaniels to develop a dog breed perfectly suited for many different lifestyles, as long as you're willing to hire a groomer. Don't just take our word for it, though. Here are 10 Havanese dogs and dog facts that will make you absolutely fall in love with this charming breed!
1. The Havanese is the National Dog of Cuba.
2. Havanese are hypoallergenic dogs and are perfect for allergy sufferers.
3. They have the softest, silkiest coat!
4. The Havanese are super affectionate and loving little dogs. Of course, with all dogs, proper early socialization must be given for them to grow up to be well-adjusted adult dogs.
5. Having earned the nickname "Velcro Dogs", the Havanese can often be found following their human from room to room. This is not a dog to leave for long periods of time.
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6. They have garnered praise and love from celebrity pet owners: most notably Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway.
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7. For a small dog, their energy level is surprisingly high. Their exercise needs are as much as a larger dog.
8. With their long, soft, and silky coat, Havanese puppies feel great to the touch! The Havanese comes in so many colors and patterns, including sable, brindle, black & tan, parti-colored, black, white, red, and fawn among others.
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9. While they are a generally healthy breed, like all dogs, Havanese can develop certain health problems. Health issues to look out for include: Hip Dysplasia, Deafness, Patellar Luxation, Chondrodysplasia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease to name a few.
10. They carry a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, on par with other small breeds like the Shih Tzu.
The Havanese puppy is the perfect little dog for city-dwellers, and can live a long and productive life with the right dog food and activity levels. We highly encourage you to look more into this delightful breed at places like the Havanese Club of America and the AKC, or speak to a Havanese breeder about breed standards. You might even end up bringing home a new friend!
Do you live with a Havanese? Share your pooch with us on the Wide Open Pets Facebook page!
