THE SIX CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF HAVANESE BREED TYPE by Adam King, DVM, MS, DACVO S ince acceptance into the AKC Toy Group in January 1999, the Havanese has steadily become an increasingly popular breed.
This is a breed of moderation, and all parts should fit together harmoniously. The silhouette of the Havanese should be rectangular, with the height being slightly shorter than the length. It is important to remem- ber that the landmarks to use for the length measurement are the point of shoulder and the point of rear. While specific measurements are not out- lined in the AKC standard, the word “slightly” is important to keep in mind. This means that while the Ha- vanese shouldn’t be square, they also shouldn’t be significantly longer than they are tall. The length of the Ha- vanese should come from the ribcage and not the loin, which should be short and muscular. The Havanese outline isn’t complete without high head carriage, whether standing or moving. While shoulder layback should be moderate, suffi- cient layback needs to be present to create the length of neck required for high head carriage while moving. The neck length should complement and balance the rest of the dog rather than be a distracting attribute. This must be evaluated during the table exam, as the abundant coat can make an adequate length of neck appear too short upon first glance. The correct Havanese tail, both in set and in carriage, is critical to the outline of the breed. The tail must be set high to finish off the straight, slightly rising topline. The carriage arching forward complements the natural high head carriage while the dog is moving or standing. As the tail is loosely arched over the back, it is also completely acceptable for it to T op N otch T oys , S eptember /O ctober 2022 • 35
characteristics with this Cuban native. The Havanese is a member of the Bi- chon family, which is also comprised of the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Lowchen, and Rus- sian Tsvetnaya Bolonka. Though some of the Havanese’s ancestors are shared with these breeds, the six critical ele- ments of Havanese breed type differ- entiate the Havanese from the other Bichon breeds: outline, topline, gait, expression, coat, and temperament. OUTLINE The Havanese should be recogniz- able by its outline alone, but no single aspect should stick out from the rest.
Their mischievous expression, small but sturdy body, silky coat that comes in a rainbow of colors, and charming personality have helped them not only win the hearts of many pet owners, but also have allowed the Havanese to become competitive in both the Toy Group as well as Best in Show rings. But what differentiates the Havanese from the numerous other small, long- haired dogs that are recognized by the AKC? At first glance, there are a number of other breeds that share
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