If you’re in the market for a pint-sized pooch with personality in spades, you’d be hard-pressed to find a companion better than a Havanese. These small-breed dogs are loyal, affectionate, and oh-so playful.
So, today, we’re going to have at it and talk about all things Havanese, sharing some tidbits about their history, their general temperament, how to care for them, and, of course, how you can get your paws on a Havanese pup of your own!
History of the Havanese Dog Breed
Queue up Camila Cabello because the Havanese breed, which originated from “Havana, ooh nana,” dates back to the 1500s. Spanish conquistadors and Cuban aristocrats loved the breed, and owning a Havanese dog soon symbolized nobility.
Fast-forward to the Cuban Revolution of the mid-twentieth century. During Fidel Castro’s rise, communists targeted and assassinated Cuban nobles, so they fled to the United States. Some of them were able to bring their dogs, which introduced the Havanese breed to the American Kennel Club.
The AKC and breeders expanded the breed in the US and officially recognized the Havanese breed in 1996. Today, the Havanese dog is the official dog of Cuba and ranked as the 25th most popular dog breed in 2022.
Temperament of Havanese Dogs
If you’ve ever had the privilege of playing with one, you’d understand why the Havanese breed is so popular today. They’re sweet, affectionate, and loyal, but feisty too!
Your Havanese will love going for walks, getting one-on-one attention during playtime, or doing anything that burns off the energy they bring to the table.
While they’re very energetic, they’re also highly intelligent and respond well to training. If you keep your first training sessions short and sweet, they’ll quickly pick up basic obedience and a few party tricks without much frustration.
Exercise for Havanese Dogs
Just because they’re little doesn’t mean they don’t love getting out and about. It’s quite the opposite: most Havanese dogs move a mile a minute whenever you look their way.
Unfortunately, that means they might get up to mischief if you don’t burn off that extra energy with some good old-fashioned exercise. They love walks, chasing a ball or frisbee, tugging on a rope, or chewing something safe like a Nylabone.
They sure can be a lot to handle, so don’t be shy to call your pals at Space Coast Pet Services for a break every now and then! We’ll happily take your precious pooch out and about so you can get a little hard-earned “you time!”
Grooming Your Havanese
Because of their iconic silky coats, Havanese dogs can be spotted from a mile away. Therefore, grooming them regularly is important to preserve their pristine sheen!
Brush regularly with a long tooth comb or pin brush to remove mats and tangles and re-distribute their fur’s natural oils. When they’re especially dirty, bathe them using a dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner.
Havanese dogs can get “tear stains” in the corners of their eyes, a common problem with long-haired dogs, so using a gentle wipe and avoiding direct contact with the eye will help clean up that area and get them looking just like a show dog.
The most challenging part of all this is getting them to keep still! If you’re fortunate enough to have a buddy available to distract them with a treat, by all means!
Vet/Medical Care for Havanese Dogs
Once you find yourself a precious Havanese pup to take home, it’s important to schedule a vet visit to make sure they’re healthy and vaccinated against the most common and serious canine illnesses, including rabies, canine influenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and more.
Havanese dogs may also be susceptible to certain conditions, including cataracts, retinal dysplasia, chondrodysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and patellar luxation, to name a few. Your vet can check for these conditions and monitor their health over time to ensure they live a long, healthy, happy life.
Bringing a Havanese Puppy Home
The Havanese breed almost faced extinction during the 1900s, but the breed is a-booming today thanks to the dedicated efforts of breeders worldwide. As such, getting your paws on a Havanese pup of your own is not too challenging.
That said, they are a beautiful and sought-after breed, so you should expect to pay between $500 and $2000 for a Havanese pup with pedigree papers.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, your area may have a shelter with a Havanese dog looking for a home or a dedicated rescue organization offering Havanese dogs at a lower price.
Once you find a new Havanese pup, they take quite well to new people and places, as they’re total social butterflies. So, once they have all their vaccinations and are ready to mingle, call your friends here at Space Coast Pet Services or book online today!
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