Havanese

You are welcome to print this flyer (back to back works well) to utilize for identification purposes in shelters or rescue efforts. Please Print the PDF version of this flyer since it is the most updated copy and is arranged for your needs.

Havanese have been appearing more frequently in shelters and puppymill raids in the past year. Because they are not widely recognized, these dogs are often misidentified as mixed breeds, Maltese, Bichon, Poodle or Shih Tzu crosses or even as "large Maltese". It is certainly true that the Havanese found in mill situations or as strays do not bear immediate resemblance to the dogs seen in the showring. This flyer is an attempt to describe the Havanese breed and assist in their identification.

Havanese are a toy breed. They are generally 8-11 1/2 inches tall and weigh generally between 7 and 14 pounds though some Havanese are as large as 20 pounds.

Havanese area double-coated long haired breed. Coat types include curly, wavy and straight. Their tail curls over the back, but the dog has control over this and it can drop behind them at times as well.

The skull is somewhat rounded and broad. The muzzle narrows progressively and slightly towards the nose but is neither snipey nor truncated. The eyes are dark and almond shaped and are not protruding. The ears are dropped and set slightly high and fall along the cheeks. They have long feathering when uncut. The tip is a slightly rounded point.

The topline of a Havanese is straight, but rises from the withers to the flank. The backlegs are slightly longer than the forelegs resulting in a springy gait.

Havanese come in a wide variety of colors including: white, champagne, black, cream, gold, chocolate, sable, silver, and blue. Various patterns are possible too with parti colors, tri color, pied and brindles.

Havanese may have cataracts in one or both eyes and may have deviated front legs.

If you have any questions regarding the identification of a dog, please contact the author of this flyer, Lu Wyland at havluv2000@yahoo.com or Sandy Twiss at kachinas-minihorse@worldnet.att.net

Further resources include:
Havanese Resource Center
Havanese ABCs
Havanese Rescue Index
Havanese Club of America
HEART
They're All Keepers

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