Havanese FAQ's
What are Havanese temperaments like?
They are affectionate, bright, bouncy, playful, and mischievous. They thrive on human companionship, and often follow you from room to room throughout the day. They have very distinctive personalities, and no two are alike. They love to perform and are highly intelligent which makes them easy to train.
Are Havanese good with other pets?
Because of their lively personality, they get along with most other animals. More than likely, your puppy will probably be the smallest animal in your household and you will need to supervise a rambunctious larger dog more closely when playing with a Havanese. Also, they generally do not fear larger animals.
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My Havanese live with a Bernese Mountain Dogs and a cat. They all get along well with each other and love to chase one another especially the cat! Our cat is declawed, but a cat with claws can cause severe eye damage.
What is a puppy cut and how to find a groomer?
It is a much shorter version of an adult coat. I recommend families take plenty of pictures of their puppy while they are growing. When you decide its time for a puppy cut, take a picture with you to your groomer. That way, they will be able to see what a true Havanese puppy cut looks like firsthand. If your breeder does not live locally, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation of a groomer in your area.
Why are pet puppies sold with limited registration?
When one adopts a Signature Bernese puppy as a pet, it will be eligible for AKC Limited Registration. This means that your Bernese can be registered as a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, but is not to be bred. If your Bernese is bred, its offspring cannot be registered with AKC. Bernese with limited registration can participate in AKC competitions such as obedience, agility, rally, etc. just not conformation classes.
Are Havanese yappy dogs?
No, but they will bark when the door bell rings, someone knocks on the door, or strangers walk by. They are great little watch dogs!
What are the colors of a Havanese?
Havanese come in a variety of colors from solids to two to three color combinations. Additionally, they may change colors as they mature. Some examples of a solid color are white, cream, sable, black, silver, blue, red, or chocolate. Parti colored Havanese are at least 50% white with spots or patches of a secondary color.
Do Havanese shed?
Yes, all dogs shed. However, Havanese do not shed their coats seasonally like other breeds. They shed much like the way people do. When their hair comes out, it looks very much like yours and mine. The dead hair collects in the coat and forms mats if it is not brushed out.
Are Havanese easy to house-train?
Not anymore than any other toy breed. They have very tiny bladders which simply cannot hold much urine. Therefore, they need to potty often. Patience and consistency are the keys to success. That is why I start litter box training once they are weaned. When my babies leave, they are well on their way to being litter box trained.
What is the life expectancy of a Havanese?
They are a breed relatively free of many serious genetic diseases that can cause premature death. With good veterinary attention and loving care from its family, they will live well into their teenage years.
Are Havanese good with children?
Absolutely! When I adopted my first Havanese, my son was very young and they adored each other. While they may look a stuffed toy, they are not. If you have children that want a dog to rough house with then you might want to consider another breed like a Berner.
How often do Havanese need to be brushed?
To keep a Havanese in full coat, they need to be brushed a minimum of 3-4 times per week and bathed every two weeks. If the coat is kept in a puppy coat (short)m you can get away with brushing once or twice a week.