The Havanese is a lively loyal and affectionate little dog which is why they have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people throughout the world. They are confident outgoing and they are good choice for first time owners. They are intelligent and always eager to please which means they are one of the easier small dogs to train.
However because they are so intelligent these little dogs are also quick to pick up any bad habits if they are allowed to or if they are given the wrong sort of training guidance and direction. Sharing a home with a Havanese is a real pleasure but their training and education needs to start early for them to be truly well-rounded adult dogs.
They are known to be "show-offs" and enjoy nothing more than being the centre of attention. With this said these little dogs need to be given a ton of mental stimulation or they might try to find their own way of entertaining and amusing themselves. Playing lots of interacting games with them is the best solution to preventing any boredom setting in which could result in some unwanted behaviours around the home.
These little dogs thrive on human companionship and do not do well or like being left on their own for even shorter periods of time which is why they are a good choice for people or families who spend most of their time out of the house. The Havanese is the ideal family dog for families where at least one of the household usually stays at home when everyone else is out. If left on their own these little dogs suffer from separation anxiety which can turn into a real problem for both dog and owner.
They also enjoy playing in water and they are known to be strong swimmers but care needs to be taken when they are around any deep ponds or other watercourses. These little dogs also boast having a natural herding instinct and back in their native Cuba they were often used to herd flocks of poultry.
Are they a good choice for first time owners?
The Havanese is a great choice of pet for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented loving nothing more than to please and to entertain their families. They are particularly good with older children and people too although playtime can get a bit boisterous at times. They are not the best choice for families with toddlers or very young children.
What about prey drive?
The Havanese is a very social dog by nature and they generally get on well with other animals more especially if they are well socialised from a young age. However this is not to say that a Havanese won't give chase to a smaller pet or animal if they try to run away because they do have quite a high prey drive. As with any other breed introductions should always be well supervised to make sure everything goes smoothly.
What about playfulness?
Havanese have a very playful side to their natures and love to entertain and be entertained. They are known to be a little mischievous when the mood takes them and being so clever they quickly learn what pleases an owner. They enjoy playing interactive games and like taking part in all sorts of canine sports which includes agility.
What about adaptability?
Havanese are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a house in the country.
What about separation anxiety?
As previously mentioned Havanese form strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained.
What about excessive barking?
The Havanese is known to like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them. However even with the best of training a Havanese might insist on barking for no reason which can become a problem with neighbours.
Do Havanese like water?
Most Havanese like swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot. However if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said care should always be taken when walking a Havanese off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing because they can't get out of the water on their own.
Are Havanese good watchdogs?
They are good watchdogs and would always be quick off the mark to let an owner know when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on around them. However rarely would a Havanese show any sort of aggressive behaviour when they are in watchdog mode preferring to keep their distance and bark as a way of alerting their owners.
