Ralph and Christine Puetz
Rt 2 Box 249
Mansfield MO 65704
417-924-2049
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Havanese 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, 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. 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, 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. 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 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 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 8½ to 11½ inches, with the ideal being between 9 and 10½
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 8½ inches or over 11½ 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 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 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, 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. 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 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 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.
Hindquarter
The hind legs 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. Chocolate dogs 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, 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.
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 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 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. 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 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 is both trainable and intelligent with a sweet,
non-quarrelsome disposition.
From akc.org
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