CKC STANDARD FOR THE HAVANESE
The Havanese are a part of the Bichon family and earliest references
extend back to 23-79 BC in the Mediterranean, quite possibly from the Island
of Malta, known then as Melita. Also known as the Havana Silk Dog, the
Havanese came to The United States from Cuba at the beginning of the Cuban
revolution. Popular among wealthy Cubans, the breed is thought to have had
both Spain and Italy play an integral part in bringing the Havanese to the
New World. Today the Havanese is a happy, outgoing, sturdy, short-legged
small dog. Combining the outgoing temperament with their trainability, the
Havanese are excellent candidates for obedience training.
General Appearance
The Havanese is a sturdy, short-legged small dog with a soft profuse,
untrimmed coat. His plumed tail is carried curled over his back. He is an
affectionate, happy dog with a lively, springy gait.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The height ranges from 81/2 to 111/2 inches, the ideal being 9 to 101/2
inches. The weight ranges from 7 to 13 pounds, the ideal being 8 to 11
pounds. Any dog whose weight deviates greatly from the stated range is a
major fault. Any dog measuring under 8 1/2 or over 11 1/2 inches is a
disqualification. The body from the chest to the buttocks is longer than the
height at the shoulders and should not appear to be square. Forelegs and
hindlegs are relatively short, but with sufficient length to set the dog up
so as not to be too close to the ground. The Havanese is a sturdy dog, and
while a small breed, is neither fragile nor overdone.
Head
Medium length proportionate to the size of the body. Eyes are large,
almond shaped and very dark with a gentle expression. In the blue and silver
coat shades, eyes may be a slightly lighter color; in chocolate coat shades,
the eyes may be a lighter color. However, the darker eye is preferred. Eye
rims are black for all colors except chocolate shaded coats, whose eye rims
are self-colored. Small or round eyes; broken or insufficient pigment on the
eye rim(s) are faults. Wild, bulging or protruding eyes a major fault. Total
absence of pigment on one or both eye rims is a disqualification. Ears are
set neither too high nor too low and are dropped, forming a gentle fold and
covered with long feathering. They are slightly raised, moderately pointed,
neither fly-away nor framing the cheeks. Skull is broad and somewhat rounded
with a moderate stop. The cheeks are flat and the lips clean. The length of
the muzzle is equal to the distance to the stop to the back of the occiput.
The muzzle is neither snipey nor blunt. Nose and lips are solid black on all
colors except the true chocolate dog, whose nose and lips are solid, self-colored
brown. Dudley nose, nose and lips other than black, except the solid, self-colored
brown on the true chocolate dog are disqualifications. Scissors bite
preferred; a level bite is permissible. Full dentition of incisors preferred
for both upper and lower jaws. Crooked or missing teeth are faults. Overshot
or undershot bite, wry mouth are major faults.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck of moderate length, neither too long nor too short. Topline is
straight with a very slight rise over the croup. Flanks are well raised.
Ribs well rounded. Tail is set high, carried curled over the back and plumed
with long silky hair. While standing, a dropped tail is permissible.
Forequarters
Forelegs are well boned and straight, the length from the elbow to the
withers equal to the distance from the foot to the elbow. Dewclaws may be
removed. Feet are compact, well arched, well padded. Any foot turning in or
out is a fault.
Hindquarters
Legs are relatively short, well boned and muscular with moderate
angulation; straight when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet are same as front feet. Fault is same as the front feet.
Coat
The Havanese is a double-coated breed with soft hair, both in outer and
undercoat. The hair is very long and profuse, shown completely natural. The
coat type ranges from straight to curly, the wavy coat being preferred. The
curly coat is allowed to cord. The adult coat reaches a length of 6 to 8
inches. No preference shall be given to a dog with an excessively profuse or
long coat. Short hair on all but puppies is a fault. It is permissible to
braid the hair on each side of the head above the eyes, but the coat may not
be parted down the middle of the back. No scissoring of the hair on the top
of the head is allowed, nor trimming or neatening of the coat of any kind
permitted except for the feet which may be neatened to avoid the appearance
of "boat" or "slipper" feet. Coat trimmed in any way except for neatening at
the feet is a disqualification. All colors, ranging from pure white to
shades of cream, champagne, gold, black, blue, silver, chocolate or any
combination of these colors including parti and tri. No preference is given
to one color over another.
Gait
The gait is unique and "springy" which accentuates the happy character of
the Havanese. The forelegs reach straight and forward freely from the
shoulder with the hind legs converging toward a straight line. The tail is
carried up over the back when gaiting. Hackney gait, paddling, moving too
close in the rear, and tail not carried over the back when gaiting are
faults.
Temperament
Affectionate, happy.
Disqualifications
Any dog under 81/2 or over 111/2 inches.
Total absence of pigment on one or both eye rims.
Dudley nose, nose and lips other than black, except for the solid, self-colored
brown on the true chocolate dog.
Coat trimmed in any way except for neatening at the feet.
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