Havanese 101

"The Havanese are a part of the Bichon family and earliest references extend back to 23-79 BC in the Mediterranean, quite possibly from the Island of Malta, known then as Melita.  Also known as the Havana Silk Dog, the Havanese came to The United States from Cuba at the beginning of the Cuban revolution.  Popular among wealthy Cubans, the breed is thought to have had both Spain and Italy play an integral part in bringing the Havanese to the New World.  Today the Havanese is a happy, outgoing, sturdy, short-legged small dog.  Combining the outgoing temperament with their trainability, the Havanese are excellent candidates for obedience training."

The above bit of Havanese history is an excerpt from The American Kennel Club Standard, approved June 1995, effective February 1, 1996.  If you would like to read more about this subject, you can find an excellent write-up about the history of the Havanese breed on the Havanese Club of America website http://www.havanese.org/hcaHistory.htm

                Havanese and Havana Silk Dog - What's the Difference?

The Havana Silk Dog is the historical name for the Havanese.  However, the name Havana Silk Dog has recently become associated with Havanese registered to a newly formed organization, The Havana Silk Dog Association of America (HSDAA).  HSDAA members feel they have legitimate reasons for starting a new organization/registry.  This registry has created quite a stir and lots of discussion among members of our long-standing national breed organization, The Havanese Club of America.  While some Havanese breeders will seek to register their Havanese with HSDAA, there are many breeders who will not.  My personal view is that the Havanese breed will be best served by cooperative efforts of Havanese fanciers, not by splitting into two clubs and attempting to create a separate, distinct breed.  Only time will tell how this recent split will affect the future of the Havanese breed.

The Havanese Breed Standard:  For the AKC Havanese Breed Standard, click here

 Finding the Right Puppy For You

DO NOT assume that you will be getting a healthier puppy, a better socialized puppy, or a puppy truer to the breed standard because you adopt a Havana Silk Dog or a Havanese.   No matter which name the breeder chooses for their puppies, there are health issues in this breed just as there are in every breed.   Breeding is not an exact science and genes do not line up according to membership in one club or another club.   DO NOT assume that membership in an organization guarantees the integrity of a breeder, their skill in the art of breeding, or their willingness to stand behind their puppies.  What it comes down to is that YOU must take responsibility for asking the right questions when selecting a breeder.  The Havanese Club of America has guidelines to assist you in this process of selecting a reputable breeder which you can read by going to the HCA website www.havanese.org.  In a nutshell:

• Do your homework!  Read about the breed and the health issues.
• Interview prospective breeders and ask to see proof of current health test results on their foundation dogs.
• Ask about how their puppies are socialized.  Visit the breeder to see the environment where the puppies are raised. 
• Beware of the breeder who has many unkept, poorly socialized dogs.  A breeder's dogs should be well-cared for and treated as treasured family members.
• Under no circumstances should you consider buying a Havanese from a pet store or a puppy broker.  Your best source for healthy puppies is the hobby breeder who shows their dogs in AKC conformation events, health tests their foundation stock, belongs to breed organizations, and works with other breeders towards the goal of producing healthy, Havanese puppies.
• A reputable breeder will have a health warranty on their puppies, telling you, the buyer, what they will do if your puppy develops a serious health issue.
• A reputable breeder will require you to give them first option for taking the puppy back if you can no longer care for it.  This is because good breeders do not want their puppies to end up in shelters.  Their commitment to you to take a puppy back should be for the life of the dog!

There are several excellent books to help you in learning more about the Havanese breed.  One of my favorite books is The Joyous Havanese by Kathyrn Braund.  You can access ordering information for this book and other helpful books about the Havanese by clicking on the picture of The Joyous Havanese below.  It will take you to the Amazon Books website.