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 lapdog 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 the
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.
Size,
Proportion, and Substance
The height range
is from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches, with the ideal being between 9 and 10 1/2
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 or bitches under
twelve months of age.
Disqualification:
Height at withers under 8 1/2 inches or over 11 1/2 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 brown 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 backskull 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 hair may fall straight forward or to
either side of the body. The tail may not be docked.
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 the 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.
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 a 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 forward freely.
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.
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 held in two small braids
beginning above 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 in 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 so severely penalized as to preclude placement. Because
correct gait is essential to breed type, the Havanese should be presented at
natural speed on a loose lead.
Faults
The foregoing
description is that of the ideal Havanese. Any deviation from the above
described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation keeping in
mind the importance of the contribution of the various features toward the
"original purpose of the breed."
Disqualifications
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.)
