CritiCal elements oF haVanese breed type wHat make tHe Havanese uniQue among toys? 1. Topline: Straight, but not level, rising slightly from withers to rump… the result of moderate angula- tion fore and aft combined with a typically short upper arm. 2. Outline: Slightly longer than tall, with head carried high and tail arched over back. 3. Gait: Gait is springy, with moderate reach and drive, showing free reach and good extension, not stilted; may show flash of pad coming and going. The topline holds under movement, neither flattening nor roaching. 4. Coat: Soft, silky, wavy and abundant. May be corded. 5. Expression & Ears: Broad back skull and large dark, almond eyes. Correct ear set follows line of skull; full rectangular muzzle is slightly sorter than back skull. The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute. 6. Temperament: Intelligent, playful. Sweet and non-quarrelsome. important note: The six critical elements of breed type listed above are in judging order, not in order of importance. All should be given equal weight in judging, regardless of whether they are visible on the go around or only on the table.
“...be sure to look For the unique springy gait and rise oF the topline, head Carriage is high...”
pressing against the buttock, observe your two hands to determine that the measurement between your hands is “slightly longer” than the dog is tall. Check to see if the length is coming for the ribcage or loin, if you have any questions that the height of the adult dog on the table is not between 8 ½ and 11 ½ inches, request a wicket and measure the dog. The ideal height is 9 to 10 ½ to the withers, although 8 ½ to 11 ½ is acceptable. (The minimum height shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.) Assess the topline, moving the palm of your hand over the length of the topline to feel the straight but not level topline called for in the standard, with- out a roach. A flat topline is quite evi- dent if you slide your fingers over the length of the topline. A flat topline (hor- izontal) and a topline that slopes down- ward should be faulted, the slight rise of topline is a hallmark of the breed. Please be sure to feel the structure of the rear legs to be sure the hocks are well let down, short and parallel. This is a very hairy breed and unless you are willing to get under the coat to feel the structure, relying solely on a visual evaluation will deceive you. Don’t worry about the messing up of coats! A trimmed dog, trimmed other than its paws, and around the anal/geni- tal areas, should be so severely penal- ized as to preclude placement. When your table exam is concluded and you observe the dog doing his indi- vidual movement, be sure to look for the unique springy gait and rise of the
topline, head carriage is high, Havanese should always be presented at a natural step on a loose lead. Havanese coat The Havanese Club of America would like to remind judges, exhibitors and breeders, that the Havanese is a Toy breed which should be presented natu- rally. Havanese should not have their coats ironed, bleached or colored in an effort to change the natural character- istics of the coat, they should not be trimmed anywhere other than the geni- tal area or around the feet for neatness, They should’t be sculpted by trimming the edges of the coat nor should coat be removed to enhance or change the lines of the dog. The coat should never be deliber- ately parted down the back; a natural part due to the length of the hair is acceptable. Teasing the coat or brush- ing it into a “comb-over,” to create an illusions of a rising topline is becom- ing more commonplace and should be discouraged even to the point of with- holding placement. Brushed and corded coats are equally acceptable, the hair on top of the head may fall forward over the eyes or many be brushed back from the face and allowed to fall naturally to both sides of the head. Two small braids, one on each side of the head, are allowed. A Havanese should not be shown with the fall of its head groomed in any other manner. Dogs shown in any manner other than described above should be penalized to the point of withholding placement.
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