Over the past few years, I have become interested in changing my breeding to a toy breed. This was not an easy decision because of my devotion to the Golden Retriever. It had to be a very special breed with a few key characteristics.
1. Must be hardy
2. Must be non-shedding
3. Must be around 15 pounds
BUT MOST IMPORTANT
4. MUST love children
Do you know how hard it was to find a toy breed with all these characteristics? Near impossible.
But finally, after hours of research, I found such a breed. The Havanese. A small breed that is the National dog of Cuba and its only native breed. The dog's journey to Cuba most likely was aboard the trade ships sailing from the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It appears these little dogs found their way into homes of Cuban aristocracy and developed without much outside influence.With the advent of the Cuban revolution the class of Cubans who owned Havanese was the first to leave. A handful of them found their way to the United States and Canada. They came close to extinction but by then end of the 70's the gene pool was being rebuilt.
The Havanese is a rare blend of intelligence, personality, natural beauty and affectionate ways. Bred for its family oriented temperament and loving ways.
There is a lot to learn about this breed as with all other breeds, so this is definitely a learning curve for me.
I was able to purchase a male and 3 females and have quickly fallen in love with breed.
My first male's name was Fernando and he was quite the character. He just fit right in with my gang of Goldens that I had at that time and held his own in rough-housing. I had to get use to his exuberance but it became a very endearing trait. He is very loving and smart, although somewhat mischievous.
He loves life as all Havanese do. He is now retired and living with a loving family by Windsor.
My Falean, on the other hand, is very sweet. She loves people, other dogs and especially my cats. She also was enamored with my big male Retriever, Bear. He tolerated her hanging off his ears and lip, and could have easily make a quick snack of her if he wanted but he just shrugged it off as Goldens do. I acquired two more females from a breeder in NFLD. Their names were Fiona (chocolate and white in color) and Felicity (silver). Fiona is extremely outgoing whereas Felicity is more reserved but very loving.
I am so pleased with how these two breeds (the Goldens and the Havanese) have complimented each other and now know that my decision to acquire the Havanese was a good one.
Puppies go home with following:
>first shots and health record
>two year written guarantee
>deworming
>microchip and CKC registration
>toy and blankie
>leash and collar
>brush
>2 months supply of food
>life time support
Below are a few pictures of these little characters.
I have had some litters and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Feedback has been very encouraging. It was really hard to let them go to their new homes.
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Fernando
This was my first male and he has produced many awesome puppies
He is retired now and living with a family from down south
Little Fellow
This was taken when he was 6 months old and he is now retired
He is black and white in color
and very lovable
Was raised with Beans (my Golden)
and they were best friends
Falean
This was my first female Havenese
She is a multi colour and has a
very sweet disposition
Always waits for her cuddle in the morning
She is retired now but I've kept many
of her offspring
She lives nearby with an older single lady who adores her
My little Jailbirds
(Fernando and Falean)
Fiona
She was one of the first breeding girls that I acquired and also have kept some of her offspring
Very outgoing and social
Retired now
living nearby with a great couple
Felicity
She was Fiona's sister
This is what a silver Havanese looks like
Unfortunately she passed away at the age of five d/t a tragic accident
Very much missed but fortunately I have kept some of her offspring's
Finnegan
He is a gorgeous chocolate male who was one of my studs
A boy from Thunderbay
This picture was taken when he was 6 months of age
Now retired and with a great family
Little Frieda
or better known as
"Minnie Mouse"
She is my quietest Havanese but can play up a storm when she's in the mood
Loves to sleep in her dog dish
but only if it's empty
She is the daughter of Falean
She is now retired and living nearby
with a good friend of mine so I get to see her often
Frightful Frankie
or better known as
"Little Chubbs"
She was bottle raised by myself as she was being pushed away by her 6 siblings
I'm afraid she got very spoiled
Not too keen on sharing her food or toys with the other Havanese
but
very loving with any human
She is quite the character
I always refer to her as my "problem child"
You can just see the devilishness in her eyes
She is retired and lives with another family
Franny
She is what is known as a Havana Brown
(her fur has brown highlights in the sun)
Her temperament is very quiet and reserved but
she does like to play hard at times
She absolutely adores all puppies
She is retired and lives with an older couple
Flower
She is from Newfoundland
Produced great puppies and I have kept a few
She is retired now and lives with a couple in a nearby city who own and
operate a funeral home
She provides comfort to folks in mourning
Winter's Faith(top), Flora(right) and Fluffy(left)
Here they are in their maternity ward as all were due close to the same date
As they got closer to their due dates they were moved to their own birthing areas
Had a variety of colors
each one was a very good mamma
All three are now retired and live with other families
Fairy Dust
Very petite and quiet but lovable girl
Daughter of Finnegan and Flora
She loves this couch
Favor
Chocolate and white female and daughter of Fernando and Fiona
She is outgoing and loves everyone
Had chocolates and sables in her first two litters
Now retired
Fire Fly
She is a silver Havanese and is the daughter of
Finnegan and Winter's Faith
Extremely affectionate and has taken after her daddy in build and temperament
Aesop's Fable
Daughter of Fernando and Francis
She is a silver Havanese
This picture was taken just days before her first litter arrived and puppies were mostly black, chocolate and sable
Wonderful mommy
Frisky
This is one of my largest Havanese
and has a very gentle and quiet disposition
She had 8 puppies in her first litter!!
Absolutely awesome mom
Now retired
Ferdinand
One of my present males
He is champagne/white
Very affectionate and will wave hello
Denver
Acquired him from a breeder in Edmonton
He is a bit reserved but I'm winning him over slowly
He also like to wave hello and is very handsome
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Well, that's my gang of Havanese so far
If I acquire more I will add their pictures
