Origin: Western Mediterranean Basin, Developed in Cuba
Date of Standard Publication: 12/10/1996
Use: Companion Dog
Class: Companion Dogs, Group 9 Section 1, Related to Bichons

BRIEF HISTORY:
This purebred dog was prominent in the Western Mediterranean Basin, and later spread out to be further developed in Spanish and Italian countries. They became rooted in Cuba. Know to be dogs of the Havanese captains of the original Havanan legends. Descendants of this dog are now in the U.S.A. originally brought here by smuggling them across the border.

GENERAL ASPECTS:
Havanese are hardy, petite dogs, with long flowing coat in great abundance. Their gait is characterizes by its springy demeanor.

IMPORTANT PROPORTION:
The length of the muzzle is equal to the distance to the stop and from the stop to the occipital bone. The body should be of longer proportion from the shoulder in front of the rump, than the height at the withers (4/3).

DEMEANOR/CHARACTER:
Alert, high trainability affectionate. Naturally joyful and charming. Enjoys being a clown. Good with young children and full of love.

HEAD:
Of medium length. The head should be in proportion to the length of the body from shoulder to rump (3/7).

CRANIAL REGION:
The crown of the head should be flat with very slight rise. The forehead should be slightly raised and rounded. Should have an almost straight crown above a distinct stop. Stop: Moderate, marked.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black. The muzzle becomes thinner as you approach the nose. It should not appear to be too long nor cut off.
Lips: Small and tight.
Jaw: Articulate scissors bite. Full dentation if preferred. The absense of premolars (PM1) and (M3) are allowed.
Cheeks: Very smooth, prominent cheek bones.
Eyes: Rather large, almond shaped, brown to dark brown in color. The eyes should have a kind expression. The pigmentation of the rim of the eyes should be black to dark brown.
Ears: A dropped ear, set neither too high or too low they are covered with long feathering. Feathering appears to give the cheeks fullness.
NECK:
Of medium length.

BODY:
The body should be long from the shoulder to the rump.

Top line: The top line is straigth with a very slight rise over the croup.

Croup: Good rounded incline.

Ribs: Good arch.

BELLY:
Good tuck.

LIMBS:
Forequarters: Legs straight and reasonably parallel, with good bone structure. The distance from the ground to the elbow should be greater than the distance from the elbow to the shoulder. Hindquarters: Good bone structure, muscular and moderately angulated. Feet: Small, well arched, well padded and compact. Gait: The Havanese gait is springy. Their movement should show their happy character. The front legs should remain straight while in stride. The back legs should follow the front legs creating the appearance of a straight line.

OUTSIDE APPEARANCE:
Hair Texture: The hair should be double coated and soft. Short hair on all but puppies is a fault. The hair is very long and profuse, shown natural. The adult coat reaches a length of 6-8 inches. The coat can be from straight to curly, the wavy coat being preferred. Any scissoring or plucking of the coat is a disqualification. Exception: To clean the hair from the pads of the feet and to slightly trim the hair around the feet to neaten their appearance is allowable.
Color of the hair (2 varieties):
1) There are rare cases when a completely white Havanese occurs. Generally they are white with black, champagne, creams, sable or tri or any combination of these colors.
2) Solid versions of any of the above mentioned colors.

WAIST:
Heights at Withers: 23 to 27 cm
Tolerate: 21 to 29 cm

DEFAULTS:
Any swerving or returning, before or during the continued movement are considered a fault and should be judge according to the seriousness of this motion.

Major Faults:
- Any differences than what appear in the general aspects of the standard.
- Blunt cut off nose, or length of muzzle not equal from stop to occiput.
- Drooping eyelids, broken or insufficient pigment. Protruding eyes.
- A body too long or too short.
- Feet turning in or out.
- Incorrect tail set. Tail not carrried over the back while gaiting.
- Short coat on all but puppies, matted unkept coat.
Disqualifications:
- Dog under 21 cm or over 29 cm.
- Missing Pigment.
- Dudley nose, nose and lips colored other than black or dark brown.
- Scissoring or plucking of the coat other than the specified trimming allowed on the feet.

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