General Appearance
The Havanese is a
small sturdy dog of immense charm. He is slightly longer than tall, and
covered with a profuse mantle of untrimmed long, silky, wavy hair. His plumed
tail is carried loosely curled over his rump. A native of Cuba, he has evolved
over the centuries from the pampered lap-dog of the aristocracy into what he
is today - the quintessential family pet of a people living on a small
tropical island. His duties traditionally have been those of companion,
watchdog, child’s playmate and herder of the family poultry flock. His
presentation in the show ring should reflect his function - always in
excellent condition but never so elaborately coifed as to preclude an
impromptu romp in the leaves, as his character is essentially playful rather
than decorative.
While historically
always a toy dog and therefore never overly large or coarse, he does not
appear so fragile as to make him unsuitable as a child’s pet. His unique
coat reflects centuries in the tropics, and protects against heat. It is
remarkably soft and light in texture, profuse without being harsh or woolly.
Likewise, the furnishings of the head are believed to protect the eyes from
the harsh tropical sun, and have traditionally never been gathered in a
topknot for this reason.
In both structure
and gait, the Havanese is not easily mistaken for any other breed. His
characteristic topline, rising slightly from withers to rump is a result of
moderate angulation both fore and aft combined with a typically short upper
arm. The resulting springy gait is flashy rather than far-reaching and unique
to the breed. The overall impression of the dog on the move is one of agility
rather than excessive ability to cover ground. These characteristics of
temperament, structure and gait contribute in large part to the character of
the breed, and are essential to type.
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Size, Proportion
and Substance
The height range is
from 8 ½ to 11 ½ inches, with the ideal being between 9 and 10 ½ inches,
measured at the withers, and is slightly less than the length from point of
shoulder to point of buttocks, creating a rectangular outline rather than a
square one. The Havanese is a sturdy little dog, and should never appear
fragile. A coarse dog with excessive bone is likewise contrary to type and
therefore equally undesirable. The minimum height ranges set forth in the
description above shall not apply to dogs and bitches under twelve months of
age. Disqualification: Height at withers under 8 ½ inches or over 11 ½
inches, except that the minimum height ranges set forth in the description
above shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.
Head
The expression is
soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute. The eyes are dark brown,
large, almond-shaped, and set rather widely apart. Dark eyes are preferred
irrespective of coat color, although the chocolate colored dog may have
somewhat lighter eyes. The pigment on the eyerims is complete, solid black for
all colors except for the chocolate dog which has complete solid, dark
chocolate pigment. No other dilution of pigment is acceptable. Ears are of
medium length; the leather, when extended, reaches halfway to the nose. They
are set high on the skull, slightly above the endpoint of the zygomatic arch,
and are broad at the base, showing a distinct fold. When the dog is alert, the
ears lift at the base, producing an unbroken shallow arc from the outer edge
of each ear across the backskull. The backskull is broad and slightly rounded.
The stop is moderate. Length of muzzle is slightly less than length of back
skull measured from stop to point of occiput and the planes are level. The
nose is broad and squarish, fitting a full and rectangular muzzle, with no
indication of snipiness. The pigment on the nose and lips is complete, solid
black for all colors except for the chocolate dog which has complete solid,
dark chocolate brown pigment. No other dilution of pigment is acceptable. A
scissors bite is ideal. Full complement of incisors preferred.
Disqualifications: Complete absence of black (or chocolate in the chocolate
dog) pigmentation on the eyerims, nose or lips.
Neck, Topline, and
Body
The neck is of
moderate length, in balance with the height and length of the dog. It carries
a slight arch and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The topline is straight
but not level, rising slightly from withers to rump. There is no indication of
a roach back. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks,
is slightly longer than the height at the withers. This length comes from the
ribcage and not from the short, well-muscled loin. The chest is deep, rather
broad in front, and reaches the elbow. The ribs are well sprung. There is a
moderate tuck-up. The tail is high-set and plumed with long, silky hair. It
arcs forward over the back, but neither lies flat on the back nor is tightly
curled. On the move the tail is carried loosely curled over the rump. The long
plume of the hair may fall straight forward or to either side of the body. The
tail may not be docked.
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Forequarters
Shoulder layback is
moderate, lying not more than 40 degrees off vertical. Extreme shoulder
layback will negatively affect proper gait, and should be faulted. The tops of
the shoulder blades lie in at the withers, allowing the neck to merge smoothly
into the back. The upper arm is relatively short, but there is sufficient
angle between the shoulder and upper arm to set the legs well under the body
with a pronounced forechest. The elbows turn neither in nor out, and are tight
to the body. Forelegs are well-boned and straight when viewed from any angle.
The distance from the foot to the elbow is equal to the distance from elbow to
withers. The pasterns are short, strong and flexible, very slightly sloping.
Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are round, with well arched toes, and turn
neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink, or a combination
of these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and nails.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are
well-boned and muscular through the thigh, with moderate angulation. The hocks
are short and turn neither in nor out. In normal stance, the hind legs are
parallel to each other from hock to heel and all the joints are in line when
viewed from the rear. The rear assembly, in which the rump is slightly higher
than the withers, contributes to the breed’s unique, springy gait. Dewclaws
should be removed. The hind feet fall slightly behind a perpendicular line
from point of buttock when viewed from the side. Hind feet have well arched
toes and turn neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink or
a combination of these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and
nails.
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Coat
The coat is double,
but without the harsh standoff guard hair and woolly undercoat usually
associated with double coats. Rather, it is soft and light in texture
throughout, though the outer coat carries slightly more weight. The long hair
is abundant and, ideally, wavy. An ideal coat will not be so profuse nor
overly long as to obscure the natural lines of the dog. Puppies may have a
shorter coat. A single, flat coat or an excessively curly coat are equally
contrary to type and should be faulted. Disqualifications: A coarse, wiry
coat. An atypical short coat on an adult dog (atypical would be smooth, flat
coat with, or without furnishings.)
Color
All colors are
acceptable, singly or in any combination. No preference is given to one color
over another. The skin may be freckled or parti-colored.
Gait
The Havanese gait
is lively, elegant, resilient, and unique, contributing greatly to the breed’s
overall essential typiness. The characteristic "spring" is caused by
the strong rear drive combined with a "flashy" front action effected
by the short upper arm. While a truly typey dog is incapable of exaggerated
reach and drive, the action does not appear stilted or hackneyed. The slightly
higher rear may cause a correctly built specimen to show a flash of pad coming
and going. The front legs reach forwardfreely. There is good extension in the
rear and no tendency toward sickle hocks. The topline holds under movement,
neither flattening nor roaching. Head carriage is typically high, even on the
move.
Temperament
Playful and alert.
The Havanese is both trainable and intelligent with a sweet, non-quarrelsome
disposition.
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Presentation
The dog should be
shown as naturally as is consistent with good grooming. He may be shown either
brushed or corded. His coat should be clean and well conditioned. In mature
specimens, the length of the coat may cause it to fall to either side down the
back but it should not appear to be artificially parted. The long, untrimmed
head furnishings may fall forward over the eyes, naturally and gracefully to
either side of the skull, or be held in two small braids beginning above the
outer corner of the eyes, secured with plain elastic bands. (No ribbons or
bows are permitted.) Corded coats will naturally separate into wavy sections
in young dogs and will in time develop into cords. Adult corded dogs will be
completely covered with a full coat of tassle-like cords. In either coat,
minimal trimming of the hair at the inside corner of the eye is allowed for
hygienic purposes only, not an attempt to resculpt the planes of the head.
Minimal trimming around the anal and genital areas, for hygienic purposes
only, is permissible but should not be noticeable on presentation. The hair on
the feet and between the pads should be neatly trimmed for the express purpose
of a tidy presentation. Any other trimming or sculpting of the coat is to be
severely penalized as to preclude placement. Because correct gait is essential
to breed type, the Havanese is presented at natural speed on a loose lead.
Disqualification
Height at withers
under 8 ½ or over 11 ½ inches except that the minimum height range shall not
apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.
Complete absence of
black ( or chocolate in the chocolate dog) pigmentation on the eyerims, nose
or lips.
Coarse, wiry coat.
An atypical short
coat on an adult. (Atypical refers to a smooth, flat coat with, or without
furnishings.)
Approved:
May 7, 2001 Effective: June 27, 2001
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