Havenese Puppy Information

Small and fluffy, a Havanese puppy's inquisitive face can brighten anyone's day. This breed, which is native to Cuba, requires twice-weekly brushing, as well as regular baths and clipping. Because of its small size and average exercise needs, the Havanese is well suited for apartment life, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. Sensitive and good with children, a well-raised Havanese puppy will make an excellent family pet.

  1. Identification

    • Categorized by the American Kennel Club, or AKC, as a member of the toy group, the Havanese puppy should weigh between 7 to 13 pounds when he reaches adulthood. The Havanese puppy has a shorter coat than the adult, whose coat reaches 6 to 8 inches in length. The puppy's silky coat either is wavy or curly, and comes in a range of colors, including black, chocolate, cream, gold, white, silver, blue, parti and tricolor, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. "The coat of the Havanese is deceptively warm-looking; in reality, it is an insulation and barrier from the sun and overheating," according to the AKC.

    Training

    • Bred as a companion dog, Havanese puppies are friendly, affectionate, intelligent and playful, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. Training a Havanese is not difficult. Owners should start training their Havanese puppies at an early age. It's important to provide proper socialization and set boundaries for your puppy.

    Feeding

    • Feed your Havanese puppy the same food he received from the breeder. They have a sensitive digestive system, so this is a key step when incorporating the puppy into his new environment, according to the Havanese Club of America. Havanese puppies tend to have soft, loose stools if introduced to a new food too quickly, or if they are given too many treats. Feed your puppy three times a day until he is 6 months old, when you can begin to feed him twice a day.

    Considerations

    • Although the Havanese puppy is a relatively healthy dog, there are hereditary and genetic conditions owners should know about, according to the Havanese Club of America. These conditions include cataracts, deafness, cherry eye, chondrodysplasia, hip dysplasia, liver shunts and slipped kneecaps. A veterinarian can check for these problems during a puppy's regularly scheduled checkups or vaccination visits.

    Potential

    • With proper training, Havanese puppies can grow up to compete in such dog sports as agility and flyball, according to The Havanese Club of America. Well-trained Havanese puppies may be able to help people as adults, through therapy, assistance, mold detection and tracking.