Important Information before buying a puppy

The Havanese Club Of America recommends these health test to be performed for both the sire and dam and the results be submitted to OFA.org (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). Once this test are completed and passed (healthy), the dog will receive a CHIC number.

1. Patellas (free of patella luxation)

2. CAER, eyes, they need to be checked by a board certif Ophtalmologist every year.

3. BAER test, hearing test, to make sure they are not deaf (some dogs can be deaf from only one ear, this is why this specific test has to he performed)

4. HIPS (xray of the hips) and evaluated by OFA. Official hip evaluation can only be done when a dog is 2 years of age, for this reason, dogs can not receive CHIC number until they are at least 2 years old. If a dog is under two years old, preliminary hip xrays can be taken to assure this dog’s hips are going to be free of hip dysplasia

On top of the test that are mandatory to receive a CHIC number in the havanese breed, our dogs are tested for elbow dysplasia, cardiac, & Legg Calve Perthes ( a hip problem).

Before buying a havanese puppy, ask for the health results of the parents and make sure they are completed and up to date, since for example eyes are required to be tested once a year. 

No honest person will tell you that the parents are healthy WITHOUT health testing. How would they know? 

The OFA.org site offers great information, when looking at your future puppy’s parents, you can click oon vertical pedigree to see several generations behind all fully health tested as well as their results

They are wonderful little dogs that make great family dogs. They come in different colors and markings. They are called “velcro dogs” because they love to be close to their humans. 

Its important to understand that not all havanese dogs or puppies are created equal. Havanese show breeders that do all the mandatory health testing, breed to produce their next dog show star. Obviously not all puppies turn out to be that and a responsible breeder will do their best to find their puppies their best match in a wonderful home.

Please dont get a havanese if you spend long hours away from home. Havanese require daily/weekly grooming, dont get a havanese if you are not willing to do so. 

When buying a puppy its always a good idea to check the Havanese Club Of America website for a lot of very helpful information. Even though not all ethical show breeders will be members of their parent club, they will all follow their guide when  it comes to health testing and breeding practices as well as care of their dogs. 

OFA.org website is another very helpful information. The parents of your puppy should be listed on this site. There is a very helpful tool called vertical pedigree, that will show you all the health testing done to the parents, grandparents and other relatives of your puppy that will go on and on for generations. Also a reputable breeder will take any dog they bred back and any time. A reputable breeder will offer a lifetime of advice. 

Of the many havanese puppies you are going to find on the internet, never trust breeders that tell you that their dogs are healthy (but they are not health tested) or breeders that sell mixed breeds, “designer breeds”. Or colors that are not the colors recognized in the breed standard. Ethical show breeders breed for themselves and for the betterment of the breed. They care to preserve the typical characteristics of the breed that also includes health and temperament and they wont have puppies available at all times.
Be aware of ”breeders” that only breed for an specific color instead for health, temperament and conformation.

Reputable show breeders’ main goal when placing their puppies is finding the right home for their puppies looking at their personalities. You want a puppy that will fit your lifestyle and your family. As an example, if you are a retired older couple, a very energetic puppy wont be the right puppy for you. This is why temperament has to come first! Also, a reputable show breeder, will always take their puppy or adult back and any time of their lives. 

Our future possible families will fill up a questionnaire to help us knowing them better. We will talk on the phone and answer their questions and ours. If approved, we will send them two documents with the items that we recommend them to get as well with another with  recommendations for when the puppy will arrive to their homes. After the puppies are matched with the families we have Facebook/Zoom meetings to go over general care of a havanese, vaccine protocol, grooming and many things that will help them to take the best care of their puppy. Also we are available to them for the rest of the life of their puppy. We love to keep in touch with our families. 

We raise our puppies using the Puppy Culture Method, they are exposed to different stimulation and activities from birth to prepare them for their future. This method also help us evaluating the temperament of our puppies, putting them in different situations and watching how they react to them. Also, our puppies are litterbox trained, this means they know how to go potty in a litterbox, just like a cat. This method is very helpful because puppies cant hold their bladders for several hours until they are at least 6 months old, so this helps during that time. Very helpful also for the winter months or bad weather because they will always remember how to go in the litterbox for the rest of their lives.