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Havanese Standard and History of the Breed
The Havanese are non-shedding, hypo-allergenic and odorless with a soft coat that is easy to maintain with daily brushing and regular bathing. The coat is double coated with soft hair making up both the under and outer coat. Coat types can range from very soft to a wavy coat. Both are correct, but the slightly wavy is preferred.
The Havanese are a small but sturdy short-legged dog with a plumed tail carried curled over the back. They have a soft profuse untrimmed coat. Although small they are not a fragile little dog.
The expressive eyes are large, almond shaped and very dark . The nose and lips are black except on a true chocolate dog and then the pigment will be brown. The height ranges from 8 ½" to 11 ½", the ideal being from 9" to 10 ½". The weight ranges from 7 to 13 lbs. With he ideal being 8 to 11 lbs. A major fault would be any dog whose weight deviates greatly from the above ideal range. Disqualifications would be any dog measuring under 81/2" or over 11 ½" in height.
TEMPERAMENT: The Havanese are charming, intelligent, devoted and very alert. They love children, other dogs, and are very loving. They are very smart and therefore easily trained, craving lots of attention a Havanese loves to be on your lap, if invited. Full of energy they will play tirelessly with other dogs and children. They are excellent watch dogs but love strangers once they see that you approve of them. Your Havanese doesn’t mind being left alone, but does not like to be alone for extended lengths of time.. They are truly happy little dogs. Our Havanese are "bell trained" they ring the bell at the door each time they want to go out to do their business. They truly are one of the smartest little dogs.
COAT COLOURS: Colours vary from white, champagne, chocolate, silver, black and white, sable and/or any combination of these colors, all are correct.
HISTORY: The purebred Havanese is a member of the Bichon family which includes the Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Bolognese, Maltese. This group of small long haired dogs is very old and originated in the Mediterrean many years ago.
In the early 1970's Bert and Dorothy Goodale of Colorado began looking for a small breed to raise which had a calm temperment and intelligent. After a few years of investigation the Havanese caught their attention, but they had to find a way to obtain them. Not until 1991 was anyone sure that the Havanese still existed in Cuba. A closely supervised breeding program was put into place using foundation stock of about 11 dogs. In 1997 the first Havanese was exported from Cuba to the Netherlands. In Cuba today, the Havanese can be found in great numbers in the Capital of Havana as well as in the towns throughout the countryside. Cuba chose the image of a Havanese to grace a 1992 souvenir issue postage stamp.
Thanks to the Goodales we are able to share this wonderful, affectionate, happy little dog with a lively, springy gait, and one of the best temperaments we have seen, with you.
C.K.C Havanese Breed Standard
Origin & Purpose
Originating in the Western Mediterranean region, Havanese are
descended from old world Bichon types. Early sea merchants brought
these small dogs to Cuba where the breed was further developed and
refined; for centuries prized by upper social classes as children's
playmates and loving companions. Though numbers were severely
decimated by the Cuban revolution of the late 1950's, the breed has
regrown from surviving descendants. No longer a token of high society;
the Havanese today is a companion dog to be enjoyed by all.
General Appearance
Sturdy, well balanced, small drop-eared dog, rectangular in outline,
slightly longer than tall, with long abundant, soft and wavy hair in a
variety of colours and patterns. Casual and carefree, unaffected in both
manner and appearance. Movement lively and elastic, plumed tail
carried over the back.
Temperament
Exceptionally bright and attentive, easily trained in many capacities.
Affectionate, happy natured, amiable, a charmer, playful and even a bit
of a clown. An eager, lively, devoted family companion, typically good
with children.
Size
Ideal height at withers 23-27cm (9.0-10.6 inches). Tolerance from 21-
29cm (8.3-11.4 inches). Proportion and Substance: Small dog with a
sense of refinement yet also sturdy; weight proportionate to height and
bone, maintaining a balanced moderate build without exaggeration
towards either fragility or coarseness.
Coat & Colour
Coat: Hair: Well suited to a breed developed in the tropics, the abundant,
silken double coat is fine, soft and lightweight throughout, with a subtle
airiness, less substantial at the touch than appearance suggests. Undercoat
light and may not be very developed. The topcoat, very long (12-18cm in
adults) does not hang to the ground, allowing light under the dog when
standing on a solid surface; it enhances and reflects the lines of the body.
No preference given for extreme length or profuseness. Puppy coats
shorter, softer, less full than adult's. Hair ideally wavy; any degree of wave
permissible. Single, perfectly straight or tightly curled coats undesirable;
wooly, harsh or wiry textures incorrect. Natural coat separation is
acceptable, deliberate parting is not. Head furnishings simply brushed
back or allowed to fall naturally. Scissoring and all trimming forbidden.
Exceptions: tidying the base of the feet and minimal hygienic trimming
unnoticeable on presentation. Thorough hands-on examination helps
evaluate faults and qualities concealed by coat.
Colour: Wide colour diversity; all colours, markings and patterns equally
acceptable.
Head
Medium length, balanced in proportion to body. Skull: Flat to very
slightly rounded, broad, forehead rising; seen from above, rounded at
the back and almost straight and square on other three sides. Stop:
moderate. Nose: Fully pigmented, colour undiluted. Black; Liver/Brown
on chocolate dogs. Muzzle: level; narrowing slightly towards the nose
but neither snipey nor truncated. Muzzle length equals skull length
from stop to occiput. Lips: fine, lean, tight. Black; Liver/Brown on
chocolate dogs. Jaws/Teeth: Scissors bite. Complete dentition desirable,
absence of premolars (PM1) and molars (M3) tolerated. Cheeks: flat.
Eyes: Bright, gentle, intelligent and expressive. Quite big, wide set,
almond shaped. Dark brown; lighter brown on chocolate dogs. Eyerims:
Fully pigmented. Dark brown/black; Liver/Brown on chocolate dogs.
Ears: Well feathered, set relatively high; falling along the cheeks forming
a discreet fold which raises them slightly. Ear leathers extend halfway to
the nose, ending with a lightly rounded point. Neither propeller ears
(sticking sideways) nor stuck to the cheeks.
Neck
Medium length, proportionately balanced, blending smoothly into the
shoulders.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight and parallel, lean; good bone structure; moderate
angulations. Distance from ground to elbow equals that from elbow to
withers. Elbows close to body. Feet: pointing straight forward; slightly
elongated shape; small; tight toes. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body
Slightly longer than tall, creating a rectangular outline, never square.
Length measured point-of-shoulder to point-of-buttocks; height
measured at withers. Topline is straight, slightly arched over the muscular
loin, presenting a gentle, gradual rise from withers to rear with smooth
transition to natural lines of the rump. Forefront prominent; ribs well
sprung; chest reaching the elbow. Belly well tucked up.
Hindquarters
ood bone structure; straight and parallel; moderate angulations in
balance with forequarters. Rear and buttocks well developed. Feet: same
as front.
Tail
Plumed tail, moderately high set, furnished with long silky feathering
falling over the back or to either side. Loosely curled over the back while
gaiting, may drop at rest.
Gait
The Havanese has a strikingly light-footed and elastic gait which
contributes greatly to breed type. Movement is lively and springy,
forelegs free striding and pointing straight forward; hindlegs giving the
impulsion and moving in a straight line. Topline steady in motion; head
naturally carried high. Movement best evaluated at the trot with dog
moving freely on loose lead. Show of pads permissible.
Faults
Any departure from foregoing points to be considered a fault and
penalized in proportion to degree of deviation.
- General appearance lacking in type
- Fragility or coarseness
- Excessive shyness or aggression
- Muzzle truncated or snipey, shorter/longer than skull length
- Bird of Prey eyes, eyes too deep set or prominent
- Nose or eyerim(s) partially depigmented
- Body too long/short; roached back; exaggerated rise
- Straight or tightly curled tail; incorrect tail carriage
- French front; leg(s) bowed/curved; deformed feet
- Coat harsh, not abundant; hair short except on puppies, trimmed or sculpted coat
- Over-groomed or neglected coat
Disqualification
- Depigmented nose
- Overshot or undershot
- Ectropion, Entropion; one or both eyerims totally depigmented
- Size under 21cm or over 29cm (minimum not applicable to puppies under 12 months)
N.B.: Males must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
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