WHAT IS A HAVANA SILK DOG?

o   The Havana Silk Dog is a small and sturdy dog that has been around for centuries. They originated in Cuba from the Blanquito de la Habana and it is portrait in paintings from the 1800’s. They were an elite breed, until the Cuban exile and arrival in the US, where these little creatures became the ordinary man’s dog.

·         What are Havana Silk dogs like?

o   Today, they excel in athletic competition sports and obedience trials. They are smart, playful, lovable, and people oriented from children to adults to the elderly. They love other animals, such as bigger dogs, who they like to call their own. They are friendly, spunky and love being the center of attention. They can be silly and have a clown like behavior. There is not a day that goes by without some laughter from these lovable creatures.

·         Appearance of the Havana Silk dog

o   They come in all types of colors and patterns. It is hard not to look at these creatures when they walk by. They are about 10” tall and have a beautiful flaggy tail that is hard to miss.

·         Havana Silk Dogs are best dogs for seniors

o   They are the ideal lap dogs. They weigh between 9 and 12 pounds, not too big not too small. This is the ideal size to jump up on your lap when asked to, and not too big that you can’t carry with you. Besides liking to be petted, Havana Silk dogs get very attached to their humans and they feel there is nobody else in the world is worthy enough of their love and devotion.

·         Havana Silk dogs make great alert dogs

o   They have a great hearing and they know when someone is outside of your home, even when you don’t. They will warn you and give you a bark, letting you know someone is coming, without being yappy.

·         Grooming of Havana Silk Dogs

o   The most important part of their hair is soft and silky to the touch. Their silky hair can be worn long or short. When it is long, it flows with the wind. When they are worn short, they are soft and silky. When well trained, they like to lay on their back and be brushed out.

·         Adaptability of the Havana Silk Dog

o   This is a very adaptable breed and they can enjoy the apartment life or with the outdoor enthusiast. They love their humans and make great teams. They will follow them to anywhere they go. They make create companions and are often used in Therapy work.

·         Longevity and Health of the Havana Silk Dog

o   Havana Silk dogs is a healthy breed living well into the teen years. The Havana Silk Dog Association of America is one of the few registries in the world that has established a certification process for registration that requires all breeding dogs to pass designated health clearances in addition to a hands on evaluation in order to register a litter. Dedication to this purebred goes well beyond conservation and preservation of the breed.

·         Trainability

o   Silks love pleasing their favorite person. If it is not pleasing their human, they will do anything for a treat. They perform wonderfully at agility, nose work, obedience trials and seem to love competing. Hair flying, they are a thing of beauty to observe running an agility course. This is a great way to exercise your Silk as well as yourself and meet other people at Agility Events. Silks always enjoy socializing and saying hello to other people.

·         House breaking a Havana Silk Dogs

o   Connecting, Patience, Consistency & Praise: These are the Fundamentals for raising a well-balanced dog. Happy Owners - happy puppies. Havana dogs, like any other animals from the Bichon Family, do not respond well to harsh training. However, when a consistent and kind approach is given, they tend to excel. We believe the time spent with your new puppy now, will be time well worth on the long term.