HAVANESE Official Breed Standard – C.K.C.

Los Companero Havanese strives to follow these official breed standards for ALL of our dogs and puppies.

HAVANESE RECOGNIZED: 1999
Effective: January 2011
The breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed, and ensures that a dog can carry out
its original purpose. Breeders and judges should be mindful to prioritize dogs that are healthy and sound in both mind and body.
ORIGIN & PURPOSE
Originating in the Western Mediterranean region, Havanese are descended from old world Bichon types. Early sea
merchants brought these small dogs to Cuba where the breed was further developed and refined; for centuries
prized by upper social classes as children’s playmates and loving companions. Though numbers were severely
decimated by the Cuban revolution of the late 1950s, the breed has regrown from surviving descendants. No
longer a token of high society, the Havanese today is a companion dog to be enjoyed by all.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Sturdy, well-balanced, small drop-eared dog, rectangular in outline, slightly longer than tall, with long abundant,
soft and wavy hair in a variety of colours and patterns. Casual and carefree, unaffected in both manner and
appearance. Movement lively and elastic, plumed tail carried over the back.
TEMPERAMENT
Exceptionally bright and attentive, easily trained in many capacities. Affectionate, happy natured, amiable, a
charmer, playful and even a bit of a clown. An eager, lively, devoted family companion, typically good with
children.
SIZE
Ideal height at withers 23 to 27 cm (9 to 10.5 in). Tolerance from 21 to 29 cm (8.25 to 11.5 in).
Proportion and Substance: Small dog with a sense of refinement yet also sturdy; weight proportionate to height
and bone, maintaining a balanced moderate build without exaggeration towards either fragility or coarseness.
COAT
Hair: Well suited to a breed developed in the tropics, the abundant, silken double coat is fine, soft and lightweight
throughout, with a subtle airiness, less substantial at the touch than appearance suggests. Undercoat light and
may not be very developed. The topcoat, very long (12 to 18 cm [4.75 to 7 in] in adults) does not hang to the
ground, allowing light under the dog when standing on a solid surface; it enhances and reflects the lines of the
body. No preference given for extreme length or profuseness. Puppy coats shorter, softer, less full than adult’s.
Hair ideally wavy; any degree of wave permissible. Single, perfectly straight or tightly curled coats undesirable;
woolly, harsh or wiry textures incorrect. Natural coat separation is acceptable, deliberate parting is not. Head
furnishings simply brushed back or allowed to fall naturally. Scissoring and all trimming forbidden. Exceptions:
Tidying the base of the feet and minimal hygienic trimming unnoticeable on presentation. Thorough hands-on
examination helps evaluate faults and qualities concealed by coat.
COLOUR
Wide colour diversity; all colours, markings and patterns equally acceptable.
CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB • HAVANESE
HEAD
Medium length, balanced in proportion to body. Skull: Flat to very slightly rounded, broad, forehead rising; seen
from above, rounded at the back and almost straight and square on other three sides. Stop: Moderate. Nose: Fully
pigmented, colour undiluted. Black; liver/brown on chocolate dogs. Muzzle: Level, narrowing slightly towards the
nose but neither snipey nor truncated. Muzzle length equals skull length from stop to occiput. Lips: Fine, lean,
tight. Black; liver/brown on chocolate dogs. Jaws/teeth: Scissors bite. Complete dentition desirable, absence of
premolars (PM1) and molars (M3) tolerated. Cheeks: Flat. Eyes: Bright, gentle, intelligent and expressive. Quite
big, wide set, almond-shaped. Dark brown; lighter brown on chocolate dogs. Eye rims: Fully pigmented. Dark
brown/black; liver/brown on chocolate dogs. Ears: Well feathered, set relatively high; falling along the cheeks
forming a discreet fold, which raises them slightly. Ear leathers extend halfway to the nose, ending with a lightly
rounded point. Neither propeller ears (sticking sideways) nor stuck to the cheeks.
NECK
Medium length, proportionately balanced, blending smoothly into the shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs: Straight and parallel, lean; good bone structure; moderate angulations. Distance from ground to elbow
equals that from elbow to withers. Elbows: Close to body. Feet: Pointing straight forward; slightly elongated
shape; small; tight toes. Dewclaws may be removed.
BODY
Slightly longer than tall, creating a rectangular outline, never square. Length measured point-of-shoulder to point of-buttocks; height measured at withers. Topline is straight, slightly arched over the muscular loin, presenting a
gentle, gradual rise from withers to rear with smooth transition to natural lines of the rump. Forefront prominent;
ribs well sprung; chest reaching the elbow. Belly well tucked up.
HINDQUARTERS
Good bone structure; straight and parallel; moderate angulations in balance with forequarters. Rear and buttocks
well developed. Feet: Same as front.
TAIL
Plumed tail, moderately high set, furnished with long silky feathering falling over the back or to either side. Loosely
curled over the back while gaiting, may drop at rest.
GAIT
The Havanese has a strikingly light-footed and elastic gait, which contributes greatly to breed type. Movement is
lively and springy, forelegs free striding and pointing straight forward; hind legs giving the impulsion and moving
in a straight line. Topline steady in motion; head naturally carried high. Movement best evaluated at the trot with
dog moving freely on loose lead. Show of pads permissible.
FAULTS
Any departure from the aforementioned ideals shall be considered faulty to the degree in which it interferes with
the health and well-being of the dog and the breed’s traditional purpose.
 General appearance lacking in type
 Fragility or coarseness
 Excessive shyness or aggression
 Muzzle truncated or snipey, shorter/longer than skull length
 Bird of Prey eyes, eyes too deep set or prominent
 Nose or eye rim(s) partially depigmented
 Body too long/short, roached back, exaggerated rise
CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB • HAVANESE
 Straight or tightly curled tail, incorrect tail carriage
 French front, leg(s) bowed/curved, deformed feet
 Coat harsh, not abundant; hair short except on puppies, trimmed or sculpted coat
 Over-groomed or neglected coat
DISQUALIFICATIONS
 Depigmented nose
 Overshot or undershot
 Ectropion, entropion; one or both eye rims totally depigmented
 Size: under 21 cm (8.25 in) or over 29 cm (11.5 in); minimum not applicable to puppies under 12 months
Note: Males must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended.