Portraits of Popular Breeds at Home and Abroad: Havanese dog

Dogs of this small breed are curious and full of energy. They love being at the centre of attention, so they like to show off. They are loyal and sensitive companions which do not handle separation well. 

It’s not clear how this breed emerged. It is assumed that it happened by crossbreeding Bolognese dogs and poodles. It has been known since the 17th century and its origin can be traced back to the Mediterranean. These dogs came to Cuba with Spanish settlers. They were further bred there, and the local nobles liked them a lot for a long time. A lot changed in the 1950s at the time of the revolution in Cuba when these dogs started to be exterminated by the new regime. The breed survived only thanks to a couple of individuals some nobles took with them when they emigrated to the USA. The dogs became popular there and their popularity hasn’t dropped since then. They are also popular in the Czech Republic.

And it’s no surprise. Havanese dogs are very joyful, playful and teachable. They are agile, nimble and flexible on the move. They are good at dog sports such as agility, flyball or dog dancing. They can also excel at obedience training. They are emotionally closely attached to their master and handle separation badly. They often suffer from separation anxiety if their master is often away and they also don’t handle changing their owners very well. However, they are great companions for the elderly. They are also good with kids which they like if the children get to know some limits when playing. 

In terms of appearance, they are small dogs with a sturdy figure weighing between 3 and 6 kg. Their thick, clingy fur is long and it should be slightly wavy. It can have all the colours and their combinations. It resembles hair and needs a lot of care. It should be combed every day and bathing is also often necessary, using conditioner for easier combing is the best. These dogs often have hairpins or ties on their foreheads. They should prevent eye irritation and excessive tearing. 

Besides taking care of the fur and providing the dog with enough exercise, this breed is not very demanding. In general, they are healthy and resilient dogs. Therefore, if you don’t spend a lot of time away and look for a loyal companion you will never feel alone with, a Havanese dog may be a perfect match for you.

Related articles

Diarrhoea in a dog

Every one of us has for sure encountered diarrhoea in our fuzzy friend. Usually, there’s nothing to fuss about, the body reacts to food that it isn’t capable to digest or that didn’t do it good. However, it is good to know, when we are capable of...

Dog history I: cosmonaut Laika

I have been sharing with you my experience with dogs and other animals for quite some time now and it occurred to me to wander a little bit into history as well, but into an interesting one! I’d like to introduce you to several well-known dog...

Even dog can have an allergy

Allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immunity system to common stimuli. It cannot be cured, but we can suppress its manifestations. In the last years, allergies in pets and dogs especially are on the rise. Currently, about 10% of house-dogs...

FIP, the cat killer

Today, we are going to take a look at the Feline Infectious Peritonitis - FIP, an utterly exceptional virus illness that always has a fatal end. Most of the cats get into contact with the viruses that cause FIP in their lifetime, even though the...

Dog in bed

We can divide dog owners into two groups. The ones that allow the dog in bed and those that feel that this is no option. Let’s take a look at what such bed sharing with a dog actually entails.

Geocaching with a dog

If you like going on treks with your fuzzy friends, geocaching is something precisely for you. This way, you will liven up your trips and maybe you even discover places that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I and my pack can’t get enough of it.

Moving with a cat

Contrary to dogs, cats have a strong bond with the place where they live. That’s why moving is very stressful for them and this stress may cause a number of diseases. It’s a good idea to plan everything well, so that you could make the situation of a...

Dog Instincts

Even though the dogs went through long years of domestication, they still retain fundamental instincts as we do. They might not be as strong as in wild dogs, but they still play a very significant role in the life of a dog and in their behaviour. So if...

Dog rescuers

It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together...

What to do when your dog queen is pregnant?

The usual pregnancy period in female dogs is indicated at about 58 – 65 days, the average is 63 days. In case of the nutrition of a pregnant female, possible changes in diet can be likened to the changes in diet of pregnant women. Pregnant female dogs...