AKC Breed 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. His plumed tail is carried loosely curled over his
rump. A native of Cuba, the Havanese 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. His presentation in the
show ring should reflect his function - always in excellent condition
but never so elaborately coifed as to preclude an impromptu romp in the
leaves, as his character is essentially playful rather than decorative.
While historically always a toy dog and therefore never overly large or
coarse, the Havanese dog 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. Likewise, the furnishings of the
head are believed to protect the eyes from the harsh tropical sun, and
have traditionally never been gathered in a topknot for this reason.
In both structure and gait, the Havanese dog is not easily mistaken for any
other breed. His characteristic topline, rising slightly from withers to
rump is a result of moderate angulation both fore and aft combined with
a typically short upper arm. The resulting springy gait is flashy rather
than far-reaching and unique to the breed. The overall impression of the
Havanese 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 and Substance
The height rangeof the Havanese dog is from 8 ½ to 11 ½ inches, with the ideal being
between 9 and 10 ½ inches, measured at the withers, and is slightly less
than the length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, creating a
rectangular outline rather than a square one. 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. The
minimum height ranges set forth in the description above shall not apply
to dogs and bitches under twelve months of age. Disqualification:
Height at withers under 8 ½ inches or over 11 ½ inches, except that the
minimum height ranges set forth in the description above shall not apply
to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.
Head
The Havanese 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 Havanese dog may have somewhat lighter eyes. The
pigment on the eyerims 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. Ears are of medium length;
the leather, when extended, reaches halfway to the nose. They are set
high on the skull, slightly above the endpoint of the zygomatic arch,
and are broad at the base, showing a distinct fold. When the dog is
alert, the ears lift at the base, producing an unbroken shallow arc from
the outer edge of each ear across the backskull. The backskull is broad
and slightly rounded. The stop is moderate. Length of muzzle is slightly
less than length of back skull measured from stop to point of occiput
and the planes are level. The nose is broad and squarish, fitting a full
and rectangular muzzle, with no indication of snipiness. 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. A scissors bite is ideal. Full
complement of incisors preferred. Disqualifications: Complete
absence of black (or chocolate in the chocolate dog) pigmentation on the
eyerims, nose or lips.
Neck, Topline, and Body
The neck of the Havanese dog 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. There is no indication of a roach back. The body,
measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, is slightly longer
than the height at the withers. This length comes from the ribcage and
not from the short, well-muscled loin. The Havanese chest is deep, rather broad
in front, and reaches the elbow. The ribs are well sprung. There is a
moderate tuck-up. 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. On the move the tail is carried loosely curled over the
rump. The long plume of the hair may fall straight forward or to either
side of the body. The tail may not be docked.
Forequarters
Shoulder layback of the Havanese dog is moderate, lying not more than 40 degrees off
vertical. Extreme shoulder layback will negatively affect proper gait,
and should be faulted. The tops of the shoulder blades lie in at the
withers, allowing the neck to merge smoothly into the back. The upper
arm is relatively short, but there is sufficient angle between the
shoulder and upper arm to set the legs well under the body with a
pronounced forechest. 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 distance from the foot to the elbow is equal to the distance
from elbow to withers. 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.
Hindquarters
The hind legs of the Havanese dog are well-boned and muscular through the thigh, with
moderate angulation. The hocks are short and turn neither in nor out. In
normal stance, the hind legs are parallel to each other from hock to
heel and all the joints are in line when viewed from the rear. 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. The hind feet fall slightly behind a perpendicular line from
point of buttock when viewed from the side. 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. The chocolate Havanese dog may also have
brown pads and nails.
Coat
The coat is double, but without the harsh standoff guard hair and
woolly undercoat usually associated with double coats. Rather, the
Havanese dog coat it is
soft and light in texture throughout, though the outer coat carries
slightly more weight. The long hair is abundant and, ideally, wavy. An
ideal coat will not be so profuse nor overly long as to obscure the
natural lines of the dog. Havanese puppies may have a shorter coat. A single,
flat coat or an excessively curly coat are equally contrary to type and
should be faulted. Disqualifications: A coarse, wiry coat. An
atypical short coat on an adult dog (atypical would be smooth, flat coat
with, or without furnishings.)
Color
All colors of the Havanese dog are acceptable, singly or in any combination. No
preference is given to one color over another. The skin may be freckled
or parti-colored.
Gait
The gait of the Havanese dog 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. While a truly
typey dog is incapable of exaggerated reach and drive, the action does
not appear stilted or hackneyed. The slightly higher rear may cause a
correctly built Havanese dog specimen to show a flash of pad coming and going. The
front legs reach forwardfreely. There is good extension in the rear and
no tendency toward sickle hocks. The topline holds under movement,
neither flattening nor roaching. Head carriage is typically high, even
on the move.
Temperament
Playful and alert. The Havanese dog is both trainable and intelligent
with a sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition.
Presentation
The Havanese 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 tassle-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.
Any other trimming or sculpting of the coat is to be severely penalized
as to preclude placement. Because correct gait is essential to breed
type, the Havanese dog is presented at natural speed on a loose lead.
Faults
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Havanese dog. Any deviation
from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the
deviation keeping in mind the importance of the contribution of the
various features toward the "original purpose of the breed."
Disqualification
Height at withers under 8½ or over 11½ inches except that the
minimum height range shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve
months of age.
Complete absence of black ( or chocolate in the chocolate dog)
pigmentation on the eyerims, nose or lips.
Coarse, wiry coat.
An atypical short coat on an adult. (Atypical refers to a smooth, flat
coat with, or without furnishings.)
Approved: May 7, 2001
Effective: June 27, 2001
| Home |
Champions Bred By Us | Puppies For Sale | Future Champions
| Photogallery | |
