Meet the Havanese
A SMALL, STURDY DOG OF IMMENSE CHARM
“Bugatti” Wysteria’s It All Starts With A Dream
Cuba’s national dog, the Havanese is a cheerful, silky-coated companion known for its colorful coat, friendly nature, and playful gait. These extroverted little charmers were bred to be lapdogs of Cuban aristocrats—and they haven’t lost their love of attention. Known to be intelligent, sociable, and easilly trainable, their long, light, and lively coat nevertheless does require grooming, but this duty only adds to the breed’s fluffy, irresistible appeal.
Remember, the Havanese you are examining is an athletic little dog who loves to do Obedience, Agility, and Freestyle dancing, among its many talents. We want a sturdy, healthy, robust little dog. Are you feeling for the topline that rises to the rear? If you are, you can actually feel where the rise begins. Is the tail set high in a flat croup? Does the dog you are examining have a moderately laid-back shoulder with a short upper arm? Is the dog slightly longer than tall when measured from the point of shoulder to the point of rump? The key word again is “slightly.” Our Breed Standard calls for a dog slightly longer than tall, not a long-backed dog. The length should come from the rib cage and not the loin, in order to keep the back strong. Does the tail go up from the root of the tail and over the back, or is the tail so tightly curled it lies flat on the back? The Havanese Standard states: “The tail is high-set and arches forward up over the back. It is plumed with long, silky hair. The tail plume may fall straight forward or to either side of the body. While standing, a dropped tail is permissible.” It should be noted that when a Havanese moves, the tail is carried up and over the back and should not be dropped.
“Judging the Havanese” by Candace Mogaveron SHOWSIGHT September 2015
Please visit showsightmagazine.com to learn more about the Havanese.