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Havanese (Bichon Havanais)
The Havanese is a companion dog through and through; with a friendly nature, this small breed is quiet and quick to learn. This inquisitive dog loves nothing more than to be in social situations with the family that loves him.
Breed standards
Country of origin
Cuba
Weight
4-6kg / 8-14lbs (standards may vary)
Height
21-29cm / 8-12in (standards may vary)
Coat
A woolly undercoat, the top coat is long, soft and may be flat, wavy and form curly strands
Markings
White (though rare), fawn, black, Havana-brown, tobacco, reddish-brown. Patches of the above colours can be found.
Lifespan
Average, 10-12 years
Though small in stature, he makes up for it with his presence, a beautiful coat and a happy face. These and his ability and willingness to learn have made the Havanese a popular companion breed.
Temperament
A well-behaved, gentle dog, the Havanese has carved out a niche for itself as a family dog; these dogs get attached to their families and will become unhappy if left for an entire day by themselves. They are excellent with children as they are affectionate and patient. Their quick ability to learn has helped make them excellent in obedience as well as easy to house-train. They show no cowardice in the face of larger dogs and danger, always alerting the presence of a stranger but also welcoming them as soon as they see their family has welcomed them.
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PoorChildrenGood
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VeryCombativenessNot very
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VeryDominanceNot very
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Not veryFriendlinessGood
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Not veryIndependenceVery
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LoudNoiseQuiet
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Not veryTrainabilityVery
Good to know
The Havanese is a small and sturdy breed; his long, flowing coat is a trademark. He is happy and gentle and loves to be with his family.
- Makes a wonderful family pet and is excellent with children
- Requires less exercise than most breeds
- Good for apartment living
- Adapts well to most climates
- Good for novice owners
- Regular grooming is needed
- Some trimming or stripping is required
- Quite active indoors
- Can be prone to eye and joint problems, deafness and hip dysplasia