Origin and Purpose

Havanese originated in the Western Mediterranean region and are descended from old-world Bichon types. Early sea merchants brought these small dogs to Cuba, where the breed was refined and developed further. For centuries, Havanese were prized by the upper social classes as playmates for children and loving companions. Following the Cuban Revolution of the late 1950s, the breed’s numbers dwindled but have since rebounded, thanks to surviving descendants. No longer symbols of high society, today the Havanese is a companion dog for everyone to enjoy.

General Appearance

A sturdy, well-balanced, small drop-eared dog with a rectangular outline, the Havanese is slightly longer than tall. Its long, abundant, soft, and wavy coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns. The breed is casual and carefree, both in manner and appearance. Movement is lively and elastic, with a plumed tail carried over the back.

Temperament

The Havanese is exceptionally bright, attentive, and easily trained in various capacities. With a happy, affectionate nature, they are amiable, charming, playful, and often a bit clownish. Eager and lively, they make devoted family companions and are typically good with children.

Size

• Ideal height at withers: 23–27 cm (9.0–10.6 inches)
• Tolerance: 21–29 cm (8.3–11.4 inches)

Proportion and Substance: Small, refined, and sturdy. Weight is proportionate to height and bone structure, achieving a balanced and moderate build without exaggeration toward fragility or coarseness.

Coat and Colour

Hair: The Havanese coat is ideally suited for tropical climates. The silken double coat is abundant yet lightweight, soft, and fine throughout, with a subtle airiness. The undercoat is light and may be underdeveloped, while the topcoat is very long (12–18 cm in adults) but does not hang to the ground, allowing light to pass under the dog when standing. Puppy coats are shorter, softer, and less full than adult coats.

The coat is ideally wavy, though any wave degree is permissible. Single, perfectly straight, or tightly curled coats are undesirable, and wooly, harsh, or wiry textures are incorrect. Natural coat separation is acceptable, but deliberate parting is not. Scissoring and trimming are prohibited except for minimal tidying of the feet and hygienic areas, which should be unnoticeable during presentation.

Colour: The breed exhibits wide color diversity. All colors, markings, and patterns are equally acceptable.

Head

The head is of medium length and proportionate to the body.

• Skull: Flat to slightly rounded, broad, with a rising forehead. When viewed from above, the skull is rounded at the back and straight and square on the other three sides.
• Stop: Moderate.
• Nose: Fully pigmented and undiluted. Black; Liver/Brown for chocolate dogs.
• Muzzle: Level, slightly narrowing toward the nose. Neither snipey nor truncated. Muzzle length equals skull length from stop to occiput.
• Lips: Fine, lean, and tight. Black; Liver/Brown for chocolate dogs.
• Jaws/Teeth: Scissors bite with complete dentition desirable. Absence of premolars (PM1) and molars (M3) is tolerated.
• Eyes: Bright, gentle, intelligent, and expressive. Large, wide-set, almond-shaped. Dark brown; lighter brown for chocolate dogs.
• Eye Rims: Fully pigmented. Dark brown/black; Liver/Brown for chocolate dogs.
• Ears: Well-feathered, set relatively high, falling along the cheeks to form a discreet fold. Ear leathers extend halfway to the nose and end in a lightly rounded point. Ears should not stick sideways (propeller ears) or be stuck to the cheeks.

Neck

Medium in length, proportionately balanced, blending smoothly into the shoulders.

Forequarters

• Forelegs: Straight, parallel, and lean with moderate angulations.
• Elbows: Close to the body.
• Feet: Small, slightly elongated, and tight, pointing straight forward. Dewclaws may be removed.

Body

Slightly longer than tall, creating a rectangular outline (not square). The length is measured from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks, with height measured at the withers. The topline is straight but slightly arched over the muscular loin, gradually rising from the withers to the rear and blending smoothly with the natural lines of the rump. The ribs are well-sprung, and the chest reaches the elbows. The belly is well-tucked.

Hindquarters

• Structure: Straight, parallel, and muscular with moderate angulations in balance with the forequarters.
• Feet: Same as the forequarters.

Tail

The tail is moderately high-set and plumed with long, silky feathering. It falls over the back or to either side. During movement, the tail is loosely curled over the back but may drop when the dog is at rest.

Gait

The Havanese exhibits a strikingly light-footed and elastic gait, which is a key characteristic of the breed. Movement is lively and springy, with free-striding forelegs pointing straight forward and hindlegs providing propulsion in a straight line. The topline remains steady in motion, with the head carried naturally high. Pads may be visible during movement. Evaluation of gait is best performed at a trot with the dog on a loose lead.

Faults

The following faults should be penalized in proportion to their severity:

• General appearance lacking type
• Excessive shyness or aggression
• Fragility or coarseness
• Incorrect muzzle proportions (too short, long, snipey, or truncated)
• “Bird of prey” eyes or improper eye placement
• Depigmented nose or eye rims
• Improper body proportions
• Incorrect tail carriage or structure
• Harsh, sparse, or trimmed coat

Disqualifications

• Depigmented nose
• Overshot or undershot bite
• Ectropion or entropion
• Depigmented eyerims
• Height under 21 cm or over 29 cm (minimum does not apply to puppies under 12 months)

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What is meant by “light feeling” in the coat?
A: The Havanese coat is abundant but feels light and airy, unlike the dense coat of a Lhasa Apso, which is heavy and suited to its mountainous origins.

Q: Does the coat grow continuously? Is a ground-sweeping coat acceptable?
A: While the coat has a maximum length influenced by genetics, nutrition, and health, most Havanese coats do not reach the ground. Floor-length coats are considered excessive and undesirable.

Q: Are braids allowed?
A: The standard specifies that head furnishings should be brushed back or left to fall naturally, excluding braids or fastenings.

Q: Are corded coats permitted?
A: Corded coats are not described in the CKC standard and are considered an incorrect presentation.

Q: Is there a preferred coat color or pattern?
A: No. All colors, markings, and patterns are equally acceptable.

Q: Does the standard list all possible faults?
A: No, the standard outlines the ideal, and deviations from this ideal should be penalized according to severity.