Dogs Todays Information about dog breeds, food and training
The Havanese is a toy dog breed that originates from the Island of Cuba. They are classically known for their long coat, pricked ears, and fox-like face.
The Havanese originated in Havana, Cuba in the 1850s when it was developed by crossing several breeds including Bichon Frisé, Poodle (Toy), Maltese, and Terrier to produce a small white dog with curly hair. This breed has an alert expression; lively disposition; soft silky coat; compact body; round muzzle; black nose; dark eyes with full eyelashes over deep set eyes that give them a sweet appearance.
The Havanese is intelligent and easy to train because they love pleasing their owners – which is rare in toy breeds. Training should be done with respect, patience and encouragement to maintain the dog’s love for training. They do not like being left alone and will become destructive if they are isolated too long without human companionship.
But despite their small size, they have a big heart and lots of love to give! Havanese can be great family dogs as long as they get enough mental exercise through constant playtime with their owners. They also need daily walks and socialization because they tend to cling on their owners when frightened by outside stimulus such as other people or animals.
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Adaptability
Havanese are a highly adaptable breed of dog. They can live in a wide array of climates, from the tropics to the frozen tundra. Havanese can be found living in many different environments all over the world. This is because they have been bred for centuries to have a coat that can protect them from colder weather as well as tropical temperatures.
Trainability
Havanese are highly trainable dogs. They are often called the “Einsteins” of the dog world because of their ability to understand and execute new commands easily, usually with one or two repetitions (though some require more).
Physycal Needs
Havanese dogs do not require a lot of physical exercise. They are also very small so their need for physical space is low.
They do need mental stimulation and socialization, which can be achieved through training and playtime.”
History Havanese
Spanish explorers began settling on Cuba in 1492, after Columbus claimed it for Spain. With them came their diminutive companion canines, the forefathers of today’s Bichon dogs.
In the 1800s, as a result of interbreeding with other dogs on the island and later trade restrictions imposed on Cuba by Spain, they evolved into today’s Havanese. Their distinctive coat was thick and silky, which aided to keep the dog cool (the coat is like raw silk floss, profuse but extremely light and soft).
By the mid-nineteenth century, Havanese dogs had begun to grace the laps of many Cuban aristocracy. Dogs were brought back from Cuba by European tourists who became smitten with the breed. In the mid-nineteenth century, Europe became enamored with the breed, and Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens were among his famous fans at that
Like most breed trends, this one petered out. At one point the Havanese became almost extinct, even in his native Cuba. A few Cuban families still bred and kept the dogs, however, and with the Cuban Revolution in 1959, 11 Havanese were brought to the U.S. in the arms of their owners.
These canine refugees are the ancestors of most of the Havanese outside of Cuba today.
The renaissance of the breed began in the 1970s,when an American couple who bred dogs found a few descendents of the 11 dogs who were brought from Cuba. Charmed by their intelligence and affectionate nature, they began tracking down other Havanese and working to reestablish the breed.
Because most Havanese outside of Cuba today can trace their ancestry to just 11 dogs, breeders are working to widen the gene pools of the American-bred Havanese.
The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1995.
Size
Havanese are typically medium sized dogs with a weight between 14 to 18 pounds.
Size Havanese are often 10-14 inches in height.
The color of the coat is white with black, brown, gray, or cream patches on the head, ears, back, muzzle, feet, and tail.
The Havanese has a compact and dense double coat which is very soft and thick. The undercoat can be seen when the Havanese sheds.
Personality
A Havanese is a breed of dog that is recognized as a “companion” breed. They are friendly, gentle, and outgoing animals. Their temperament can be likened to that of a cat as they are not aggressive and socialize well with humans as well as other animals.
These dogs love to play and can be found in multi-dog households where they will play with the other animals without incident. They love having fun and always seem to be smiling or laughing even when it’s just basic stuff like just walking around the house. They enjoy spending time on the couch and cuddling up next to their owners at night for after work snuggles. These dogs are happy with pets and affection without asking for anything else in return.
People who have experience with these dogs will often say that a Havanese is a special breed because they can actually sense when someone is upset or sad and won’t leave their side until they have cheered the person up. Their personality seems to be contagious as others around them start smiling more readily as soon as they’re around the breeds happiness, cheeriness, and positive demeanor is felt by those near it.
Reviews from those who have been around these breeds for long periods of time seem to wholeheartedly agree that this is an excellent breed that has been bred to always see the good in every situation and living being they encounter. They are not easily offended by anything and love to make new friends no matter who or what they come in contact with.
Health
Havanese are generally healthy, although like all breeds, they are vulnerable to a variety of diseases. Not all Havanese will get any or all of these illnesses, but it’s vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about adopting one.
Find a reputable breeder who can supply you with both of your puppy’s parents’ health clearances if you’re buying a pup. A health clearance is an indication that a dog has been tested and found to be free of a specified illness.
Hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand’s disease are all expected to be clear by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in Havanese. Auburn University has certified thrombopathia; and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) has verified that Havanese eyes are normal on its website (offa.org).
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a debilitating condition in which the hip joint becomes weak as a result of faulty growth and development. This disease affects many sorts of dogs. Although it is a hereditary disorder that can be detected through pedigree research, it may appear in a puppy born to parents free of the condition. Medication, weight reduction if required, nutritional supplements, and occasionally surgery are all used to treat it.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia is a similar kind of hip disease in which the elbow joint deteriorates due to degenerative illness. It’s thought to be caused by misaligned growth and development, resulting in the joint being deformed and weakened. Some dogs only get a little stiffness; others become lame as a result of the illness. Surgery, weight reduction, and drug therapy are all used to treat it.
Chondrodysplasia: This is a genetic condition that is frequently mislabeled as “dwarfism.” Dogs with this condition have limbs that are abnormally short for their breed. This can range from nearly normal to completely debilitating. Dogs may live full and healthy lives in less severe situations, but no dog with this disorder should be bred.
Legg-Perthes Disease: Legg-Perthes affects the hip joint ball, causing a deformation. It starts with a reduction in blood supply to the head of the femur bone, until it finally dies off and becomes deformed. Arthritis or inflammation of the hip joint may be diagnosed as a consequence. The cause is unknown, but it may be hereditary or caused by an accident. Physical therapy and surgery to remove the deformed femoral head and neck are used in treatment. Dogs usually recover well following surgery, although many only experience minor lameness during weather changes.
Cataracts: A cataract is an opacity on the eye’s lens that causes vision loss. The affected eye has a hazy appearance. It is an inherited disease that usually affects people over the age of 60, although it can affect anybody at any age. Cataracts are removed surgically by surgeons.
Deafness: Deafness has a number of difficulties for both the dog and its owner. Medication and surgery can help some types of deafness and hearing loss, but deafness generally cannot be treated. A deaf dog requires patience and time, as well as numerous goods on the market, such as vibrating collars, to make life easier for both of you.
Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation is a situation in which the patella, which has three parts — the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf) — is not properly aligned. This causes lameness or an unusual gait. Surgery is typically required to treat patellar luxation.
Portosystemic Shunt: A portosystemic shunt occurs when the blood from the digestive tract bypasses the liver and goes to the systemic venous circulation. When this happens, poisons that should be eliminated by the liver are circulated throughout the body, causing other illnesses such as hepatic encephalopathy. Shunts usually occur as a result of another illness, and symptoms include poor balance, loss of appetite, sluggishness, blindness, sadness, weakness, convulsions , disorientation , and coma. A change in diet or surgery may help cure it.
Heart Murmur: Heart murmurs are caused by a disruption in blood flow. Heart murmurs have five degrees of severity, ranging from barely audible to very loud. Heart murmurs indicate an illness and must be treated with medicine, special food, or exercise limitations.
Mitral Valve Insufficiency: When the mitral valve, which is found between the left atrium and ventricle, begins to fail in older dogs, it is known as mitral valve insufficiency. The failure of the mitral valve to prevent blood flow into the left atrium when this happens causes heart failure. Hypertension, fluid in the lungs, and a weakening of the cardiac muscle’s strength are all signs of disease. Treatment includes medicine, dietary change, and exercise limitations.
Care
The Havanese is a toy breed that originated in Cuba. They have a fluffy, long fur coat and they are often considered to be one of the most dog-friendly breeds in the world. They love to play with children and other animals, and will form deep bonds when raised from a young age with kids or other Havanese.
In order to care for your Havanese, you’ll need to regularly brush them to get rid of tangles and keep them shiny. As they are an active breed, they should also get plenty of exercise every day.
Feeding
The Havanese breed is a small and sturdy dog. They are typically in the range of 5-9 pounds and 16-20 inches tall. The Havanese needs plenty of food, but it is necessary to monitor their caloric intake to prevent obesity and subsequent health problems.
Some breeds’ coats require more maintenance than others, such as the Havanese. They need grooming at least once a week for their fur to stay healthy and beautiful. Brushing the fur is best done when it’s dry; otherwise, it can lead to tangles in the fur.
Coat Color And Grooming
Havanese dogs have a dense coat that can be found in apricot, white, silver, and patches of any of those colors. They will lay on top of the body as opposed to outside of it. The coats are long and fluffy with a medium sheen. Coat lengths usually range from a quarter to a half inch. Havanese dogs live between 13-16 years and the life span may be shortened due to health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, and kidney problems.
Havanese dogs are also known for their very bad allergies which is something that the owners must be aware of. Havanese dogs come in many different sizes and it will depend on the health of the dog as well as its parentage. There are no actual breed standard when it comes to size, but they tend to range between 7-15 inches tall at the shoulder. This is not standardized though so they may vary!
