| Havanese Standard |
General Appearance-
The Havanese is a small sturdy dog of
immense charm. He is slightly longer than
tall, and covered with a profuse mantle of
untrimmed long, silky, wavy hair. A native of
Cuba, he has evolved over the centuries
from the pampered lap-dog of the aristocracy into what he is today - the
quintessential family pet of a people living on a small tropical island.
His duties traditionally have been those of companion, watchdog, child’
s playmate and herder of the family poultry flock.
While historically always a toy dog and therefore never overly large or
coarse, he does not appear so fragile as to make him unsuitable as a
child’s pet. His unique coat reflects centuries in the tropics, and
protects against heat. It is remarkably soft and light in texture, profuse
without being harsh or woolly.
In both structure and gait, the Havanese is not easily mistaken for any
other breed. The resulting springy gait is flashy rather than far-
reaching and unique to the breed. The overall impression of the dog on
the move is one of agility rather than excessive ability to cover ground.
These characteristics of temperament, structure and gait contribute in
large part to the character of the breed, and are essential to type.
Size, Proportion, Substance-
The height range is from 8 ½ to 11 ½ inches, measured at the withers.
The Havanese is a sturdy little dog, and should never appear fragile. A
coarse dog with excessive bone is likewise contrary to type and
therefore equally undesirable.
Head-
The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute.
The eyes are dark brown, large, almond-shaped, and set rather widely
apart. Dark eyes are preferred irrespective of coat color, although the
chocolate colored dog may have somewhat lighter eyes. The pigment
on the eye rims is complete, solid black for all colors except for the
chocolate dog which has complete solid, dark chocolate pigment. No
other dilution of pigment is acceptable. The pigment on the nose and
lips is complete, solid black for all colors except for the chocolate dog
which has complete solid, dark chocolate brown pigment. No other
dilution of pigment is acceptable.
Neck, Topline and Body-
The neck is of moderate length, in balance with the height and length of
the dog. It carries a slight arch and blends smoothly into the shoulders.
The topline is straight but not level, rising slightly from withers to
rump. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks,
is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The tail is high-set and
plumed with long, silky hair. It arcs forward over the back, but neither
lies flat on the back nor is tightly curled.
Forequarters-Hindquarters
The tops of the shoulder blades lie in at the withers, allowing the neck
to merge smoothly into the back. The elbows turn neither in nor out,
and are tight to the body. Forelegs are well-boned and straight when
viewed from any angle. The pasterns are short, strong and flexible,
very slightly sloping. Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are round,
with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be
black, white, pink, or a combination of these colors. Chocolate dogs
may also have brown pads and nails.
The hind legs are well-boned and muscular through the thigh, with
moderate angulation. The hocks are short and turn neither in nor out.
The rear assembly, in which the rump is slightly higher than the
withers, contributes to the breed’s unique, springy gait. Dewclaws
should be removed. Hind feet have well arched toes and turn neither in
nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink or a combination of
these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and nails.
Coat-
The coat is double, it is soft and light in texture throughout, though the
outer coat carries slightly more weight. The long hair is abundant and,
ideally, wavy. Puppies may have a shorter coat. A single, flat coat or an
excessively curly coat are equally contrary to type and should be
faulted.
Color-
All colors are acceptable, singly or in any combination. No preference
is given to one color over another. The skin may be freckled or
particolored.
Gait-
The Havanese gait is lively, elegant, resilient, and unique, contributing
greatly to the breed’s overall essential typiness. The characteristic
"spring" is caused by the strong rear drive combined with a "flashy"
front action effected by the short upper arm. The topline holds under
movement, neither flattening nor roaching. Head carriage is typically
high, even on the move.
Temperament-
Playful and alert. The Havanese is both trainable and intelligent with a
sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition.
SHOW Presentation-
The dog should be shown as naturally as is consistent with good
grooming. He may be shown either brushed or corded. His coat should
be clean and well conditioned. In mature specimens, the length of the
coat may cause it to fall to either side down the back but it should not
appear to be artificially parted. The long, untrimmed head furnishings
may fall forward over the eyes, naturally and gracefully to either side
of the skull, or be held in two small braids beginning above the outer
corner of the eyes, secured with plain elastic bands. (No ribbons or
bows are permitted.) Corded coats will naturally separate into wavy
sections in young dogs and will in time develop into cords. Adult corded
dogs will be completely covered with a full coat of tassel-like cords. In
either coat, minimal trimming of the hair at the inside corner of the eye
is allowed for hygienic purposes only, not an attempt to resculpt the
planes of the head. Minimal trimming around the anal and genital
areas, for hygienic purposes only, is permissible but should not be
noticeable on presentation. The hair on the feet and between the pads
should be neatly trimmed for the express purpose of a tidy presentation.
The Havanese is a small sturdy dog of
immense charm. He is slightly longer than
tall, and covered with a profuse mantle of
untrimmed long, silky, wavy hair. A native of
Cuba, he has evolved over the centuries
from the pampered lap-dog of the aristocracy into what he is today - the
quintessential family pet of a people living on a small tropical island.
His duties traditionally have been those of companion, watchdog, child’
s playmate and herder of the family poultry flock.
While historically always a toy dog and therefore never overly large or
coarse, he does not appear so fragile as to make him unsuitable as a
child’s pet. His unique coat reflects centuries in the tropics, and
protects against heat. It is remarkably soft and light in texture, profuse
without being harsh or woolly.
In both structure and gait, the Havanese is not easily mistaken for any
other breed. The resulting springy gait is flashy rather than far-
reaching and unique to the breed. The overall impression of the dog on
the move is one of agility rather than excessive ability to cover ground.
These characteristics of temperament, structure and gait contribute in
large part to the character of the breed, and are essential to type.
Size, Proportion, Substance-
The height range is from 8 ½ to 11 ½ inches, measured at the withers.
The Havanese is a sturdy little dog, and should never appear fragile. A
coarse dog with excessive bone is likewise contrary to type and
therefore equally undesirable.
Head-
The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute.
The eyes are dark brown, large, almond-shaped, and set rather widely
apart. Dark eyes are preferred irrespective of coat color, although the
chocolate colored dog may have somewhat lighter eyes. The pigment
on the eye rims is complete, solid black for all colors except for the
chocolate dog which has complete solid, dark chocolate pigment. No
other dilution of pigment is acceptable. The pigment on the nose and
lips is complete, solid black for all colors except for the chocolate dog
which has complete solid, dark chocolate brown pigment. No other
dilution of pigment is acceptable.
Neck, Topline and Body-
The neck is of moderate length, in balance with the height and length of
the dog. It carries a slight arch and blends smoothly into the shoulders.
The topline is straight but not level, rising slightly from withers to
rump. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks,
is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The tail is high-set and
plumed with long, silky hair. It arcs forward over the back, but neither
lies flat on the back nor is tightly curled.
Forequarters-Hindquarters
The tops of the shoulder blades lie in at the withers, allowing the neck
to merge smoothly into the back. The elbows turn neither in nor out,
and are tight to the body. Forelegs are well-boned and straight when
viewed from any angle. The pasterns are short, strong and flexible,
very slightly sloping. Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are round,
with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be
black, white, pink, or a combination of these colors. Chocolate dogs
may also have brown pads and nails.
The hind legs are well-boned and muscular through the thigh, with
moderate angulation. The hocks are short and turn neither in nor out.
The rear assembly, in which the rump is slightly higher than the
withers, contributes to the breed’s unique, springy gait. Dewclaws
should be removed. Hind feet have well arched toes and turn neither in
nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink or a combination of
these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and nails.
Coat-
The coat is double, it is soft and light in texture throughout, though the
outer coat carries slightly more weight. The long hair is abundant and,
ideally, wavy. Puppies may have a shorter coat. A single, flat coat or an
excessively curly coat are equally contrary to type and should be
faulted.
Color-
All colors are acceptable, singly or in any combination. No preference
is given to one color over another. The skin may be freckled or
particolored.
Gait-
The Havanese gait is lively, elegant, resilient, and unique, contributing
greatly to the breed’s overall essential typiness. The characteristic
"spring" is caused by the strong rear drive combined with a "flashy"
front action effected by the short upper arm. The topline holds under
movement, neither flattening nor roaching. Head carriage is typically
high, even on the move.
Temperament-
Playful and alert. The Havanese is both trainable and intelligent with a
sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition.
SHOW Presentation-
The dog should be shown as naturally as is consistent with good
grooming. He may be shown either brushed or corded. His coat should
be clean and well conditioned. In mature specimens, the length of the
coat may cause it to fall to either side down the back but it should not
appear to be artificially parted. The long, untrimmed head furnishings
may fall forward over the eyes, naturally and gracefully to either side
of the skull, or be held in two small braids beginning above the outer
corner of the eyes, secured with plain elastic bands. (No ribbons or
bows are permitted.) Corded coats will naturally separate into wavy
sections in young dogs and will in time develop into cords. Adult corded
dogs will be completely covered with a full coat of tassel-like cords. In
either coat, minimal trimming of the hair at the inside corner of the eye
is allowed for hygienic purposes only, not an attempt to resculpt the
planes of the head. Minimal trimming around the anal and genital
areas, for hygienic purposes only, is permissible but should not be
noticeable on presentation. The hair on the feet and between the pads
should be neatly trimmed for the express purpose of a tidy presentation.
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