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The Havanese is a Bichon Group breed, that includes Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Lowchen and Maltese The Havanese is a lively small dog, toy dog that were bred to be good companions, so are good with children. They love to have attention and will do many things to attract it. This requirement for attention means they are not the choice for a working couple. They love following owners around the apartment, however they are not possessive of their “ family”, so are great with other dogs, pets and other animals. This seeking for attention often shows when eating, as they like someone present, so if you leave the room, they will often follow, eating as they go, which can be messy. They are a “real dog”, playing games such as tug of war with gusto. Not the greatest walkers in the world, often liking breaks with games or just watching the world go by. Professional dog trainers such as London Dog Training love them, as they are so responsive to positive reinforcement.

For dog care they are straightforward. They do not shed much, so whilst not strictly non-allegenic, they may be suitable for a family with an allergic member.

The Havanese has a slight wavy double coat, which is soft and light, with a denser undercoat.

The Havanese should be groomed daily, as they have the tendency for their fur to mat. If you are not showing the dog, you can trim the coat. Whilst they have fur, they do suffer in extreme cold, so in some areas you may need to buy sweaters for them.

When you bath them, dry with a towel and allow them to dry off naturally inside, as they are susceptible to skin problems if dried with a hair drier. It is a breed that the kennel clubs, prefer and dictate a natural look, avoiding the bows and preferring the hair over the eyes, that protected their eyes from the Cuban sun.

They now come in many different colours and patterns, but were originally white.
Whilst the Havanese is a toy dog, it is solid and sturdy. The Havanese weight ranges from 4-6 Kgs ( roughly twelve lbs). Its height measured at the withers is around 250mm( roughly 10). It is an unusual dog in that the rump is higher than the withers.

The Havanese move with an agile springy gait. Whilst they are relatively good swimmers, they generally shire away from water, but careful when near water if there is something for them to chase.

The Havanese have almond eyes, with medium sized ears that are well covered and hang down. They are disposed to ear infections, so regularly inspect their ears and clean them. Sometimes they may require their inner hairs to be plucked by hand or tweezers. The tail sweeps over the back and is also well covered. The Havanese have a great sense of smell and are trained in some countries for search. The Havanese are easily trainable so are often used in circus shows, tracking, hearing assistance dogs, mould, termite and drug search.

The Havanese routinely live roughly fifteen years. They being breed from a limited gene pool suffer from some genetic diseases. These include liver disease, heart disease, cataracts and retinal dysplasia ( blots on the retina). It is advisable only to buy Havanese from parent dogs who have clear eye certificates. Havanese sometimes develop brown tear stains, which is especially noticeable on those with white or light coats.

The dog originated from the now extent Bichon Tenerife and was taken to Cuba by original settlers and traders. Being popular in Havana in Cuba. Globally the Havanese is a relatively recent breed, taking off in the 1970s from only 10 dogs in the states. Though they were common prior to the Cuban Revolution, they, like many trappings of aristocracy were culled. It is now one of the fastest growing registrations in most country kennel clubs. For this reason it may be difficult to acquire one, so the best of luck on finding one.

A great family dog that is well worth considering.

Spring is here and that means nicer weather and more opportunities for taking your dog for walks. If your dog walks amount to a jog in the park for your dog with you in tow, this article is for you!

Change Your Direction

Abruptly changing the direction you’re heading in may be enough distraction to make your dog understand that he needs to follow you. Every time your dog begins to run or walk ahead of you, quickly turn around and begin walking the other way. When he obeys and returns to your side, be sure to follow up with praise and/or a small dog treat. Its pointless to scold your dog, catching him off guard and redirecting his attention is far more effective.

To begin with, your walks may only be a few steps at a time. That's OK! You may need to repeat this process several times. The goal is to have your dog following you, and paying attention to the direction you're headed in. If you repeat this technique several times, and consistently give treats and praise, you'll find your dog will begin to pay attention to you and stop trying to play tug of war.

If you already have a remote dog trainer that offers both positive and negative reinforcement with tones, now would be a good opportunity to use it.

Consistency is Important

Once you’ve made up your mind that you want your dog to walk obediently beside you, don’t give in! Dogs can be easily confused when the rules aren’t consistent. Treat this as you would any other training session.

Practicing your dog's new skills in a familiar place, such as your driveway or backyard, is the best way to start to your training. After your dog has mastered his new leash walking skills, you can experiment with longer walks in unfamiliar places.

Perfection Comes With Practice

As with all dog training, teaching your dog to walk properly on a leash is an ongoing process. Don't expect instant understanding. Your dog may need more than one training session to fully understand what you're trying to teach him. Even after your dog has learned what is expected, you’ll still want to reinforce the behavior by occasionally using the distraction technique given above.

Don't be stingy with the praise and treats! Your dog loves receiving praise and rewards from you. The more praise you give when you “catch him” being good, the more likely he is to pay close attention to what you’re doing.