THE HAVANESE BREED STANDARD
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 8-1/2 to 11-1/2 inches, the ideal being 9 to 10-1/2 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 hind legs 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 flyaway 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 8-1/2 or over 11-1/2 inches.
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.
Approved: June 1995
Effective: February 1, 1996 HOME