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
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