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The Havanese are a part of the Bichon family and earliest references extend back
to 23-79 BC in the Mediterranean, quite possibly from the Island of Malta, known
then as Melita. Also known as the Havana Silk Dog, the Havanese came to The
United States from Cuba at the beginning of the Cuban revolution. Popular among
wealthy Cubans, the breed is thought to have had both Spain and Italy play an
integral part in bringing the Havanese to the New World. Today the Havanese is a
happy, outgoing, sturdy, short-legged small dog. Combining the outgoing
temperament with their trainability, the Havanese are excellent candidates for
obedience training.
General Appearance
The Havanese is a sturdy, short-legged small dog with a soft profuse, untrimmed
coat. His plumed tail is carried curled over his back. He is an affectionate,
happy dog with a lively, springy gait.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The height ranges from 8-1/2 to 11-1/2 inches, the ideal being 9 to 10-1/2
inches. The weight ranges from 7 to 13 pounds, the ideal being 8 to 11 pounds.
Any dog whose weight deviates greatly from the stated range is a major fault.
Any dog measuring under 8-1/2 or over 11-1/2 inches is a disqualification. The
body from the chest to the buttocks is longer than the height at the shoulders
and should not appear to be square. Forelegs and hind legs are relatively short,
but with sufficient length to set the dog up so as not to be too close to the
ground. The Havanese is a sturdy dog, and while a small breed, is neither
fragile nor overdone.
Head
Medium length proportionate to the size of the body. Eyes are large, almond
shaped and very dark with a gentle expression. In the blue and silver coat
shades, eyes may be a slightly lighter color; in chocolate coat shades, the eyes
may be a lighter color. However, the darker eye is preferred. Eye rims are black
for all colors except chocolate shaded coats, whose eye rims are self-colored.
Small or round eyes; broken or insufficient pigment on the eye rim(s) are
faults. Wild, bulging or protruding eyes a major fault. Total absence of pigment
on one or both eye rims is a disqualification. Ears are set neither too high nor
too low and are dropped, forming a gentle fold and covered with long feathering.
They are slightly raised, moderately pointed, neither flyaway nor framing the
cheeks. Skull is broad and somewhat rounded with a moderate stop. The cheeks are
flat and the lips clean. The length of the muzzle is equal to the distance to
the stop to the back of the occiput. The muzzle is neither snipey nor blunt.
Nose and lips are solid black on all colors except the true chocolate dog, whose
nose and lips are solid, self-colored brown. Dudley nose, nose and lips other
than black, except the solid, self-colored brown on the true chocolate dog are
disqualifications. Scissors bite preferred; a level bite is permissible. Full
dentition of incisors preferred for both upper and lower jaws. Crooked or
missing teeth are faults. Overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth are major
faults.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck of moderate length, neither too long nor too short. Topline is straight
with a very slight rise over the croup. Flanks are well raised. Ribs well
rounded. Tail is set high, carried curled over the back and plumed with long
silky hair. While standing, a dropped tail is permissible.
Forequarters
Forelegs are well boned and straight, the length from the elbow to the withers
equal to the distance from the foot to the elbow. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet
are compact, well arched, well padded. Any foot turning in or out is a fault.
Hindquarters
Legs are relatively short, well boned and muscular with moderate angulation;
straight when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are same as
front feet. Fault is same as the front feet.
Coat
The Havanese is a double-coated breed with soft hair, both in outer and
undercoat. The hair is very long and profuse, shown completely natural. The coat
type ranges from straight to curly, the wavy coat being preferred. The curly
coat is allowed to cord. The adult coat reaches a length of 6 to 8 inches. No
preference shall be given to a dog with an excessively profuse or long coat.
Short hair on all but puppies is a fault. It is permissible to braid the hair on
each side of the head above the eyes, but the coat may not be parted down the
middle of the back. No scissoring of the hair on the top of the head is allowed,
nor trimming or neatening of the coat of any kind permitted except for the feet
which may be neatened to avoid the appearance of "boat" or "slipper" feet. Coat
trimmed in any way except for neatening at the feet is a disqualification. All
colors, ranging from pure white to shades of cream, champagne, gold, black,
blue, silver, chocolate or any combination of these colors including parti and
tri. No preference is given to one color over another.
Gait
The gait is unique and "springy" which accentuates the happy character of the
Havanese. The forelegs reach straight and forward freely from the shoulder with
the hind legs converging toward a straight line. The tail is carried up over the
back when gaiting. Hackney gait, paddling, moving too close in the rear, and
tail not carried over the back when gaiting are faults.
Temperament
Affectionate, happy.
Disqualifications
bullet Any dog under 8-1/2 or over 11-1/2 inches.
bullet Total absence of pigment on one or both eye rims.
bullet Dudley nose, nose and lips other than black, except for the solid,
self-colored brown on the true chocolate dog.
bullet Coat trimmed in any way except for neatening at the feet.
Approved: June 1995
Effective: February 1, 1996
NOTE: The source of the following standard is the American Kennel Club
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