| The Havanese is a shaggy little dog of ancient | | | | Grooming Equipment Needed |
| European lineage. The ancient Havanese breed has | | | | You will need a pin brush, a wide-toothed comb |
| common ancestors with the Barbichon, Bichon and | | | | and a slicker brush. The slicker brush is used on |
| Maltese. It is felt the Havanese probably traveled | | | | tough tangles, otherwise use the pin brush for |
| with Mediterranean trading ships from Europe and | | | | normal daily brushing because the slicker brush |
| the Canaries to the Caribbean islands. | | | | can be too harsh on the Havanese coat. |
| In the 1700s the Havanese was bred and owned | | | | Exercise Requirements |
| by rich landowners and the plantation aristocracy | | | | The Havanese exercise needs are easily met. A |
| of Cuba. These little dogs were also clever at | | | | short walk, a romp a day with the kids in the |
| performing in circuses during this period of time | | | | backyard is about all it needs to stay in good |
| after it lost its popularity in these prominent | | | | physical shape. |
| society circles of Cuba. | | | | Personality |
| The Havanese has always been admired most for | | | | The Havanese is sensitive, playful, friendly, |
| its intelligence and adaptability. It is an excellent | | | | accommodating, affectionate and comical. The |
| companion dog. The Havanese migranted from | | | | Havanese is outgoing and adapts easily to adults. |
| Cuba to the United States in the 1950s and was | | | | The Havanese gets along well with other pets. He |
| admitted to the AKC in 1999. | | | | is highly trainable. He does not respond well to |
| Grooming the Havanese | | | | yelling. He wants to please. The Havanese has a |
| The coat of a Havanese is long and silky and | | | | good memory and is quick to learn. |
| tangles easily. It can be wavy or slightly curled. | | | | Appearance |
| Grooming will need to be carried out frequently. | | | | The Havanese is generally about 10 inches tall and |
| The double, wavy and profuse coat isn't trimmed | | | | weighs about 10 pounds. He is a sturdy little dog. |
| for normal purposes or the show ring except for | | | | He is not delicate or frail. The Havanese is quite |
| nominal scissoring of foot hair. Havanese pets are | | | | athletic. The legs of a Havanese are usually short, |
| either clipped or scissored down to a manageable | | | | straight and strong. Pigmentation of nose, lip and |
| length. The Havanese is seen in all colors from | | | | eye margins is always black or solid dark brown |
| black to white. | | | | on chocolate brown dogs. He has a "happy" sort |
| You will want to achieve a loose, natural look for | | | | of a look with his drop ears, straight topline, high |
| the Havanese. Brush through the entire coat to | | | | tail set and animated gait. |
| removing any tangles. Then comb the coat with a | | | | The Havanese is usually good with children of all |
| wide-toothed comb. | | | | ages. They are not frail and delicate so even |
| Brush along the back. When the Havanese shakes | | | | smaller children can learn to handle a Havanese |
| his hair it should fall nautrally in a parting. Do not | | | | with ease. |
| try to make a perfectly straight part. A topknot | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource |
| can be tied up away from the eyes. Topknots | | | | box. |
| are not usually used in the show ring. | | | | |