Sunday, November 25, 2012

When Searching For Havanese Puppies For Sale Contact A Licensed Breeder

By Tameka Ware


When looking for Havanese puppies for sale, it pays to contact a registered breeder. Being a rare breed, they can be expensive to buy. It can be unwise to buy from pet shops. You will have no guarantee of the quality or health of your new pup.

When a dog breed becomes fashionable and popular, dog-lovers are willing to pay high prices. In an effort to cash in on the demand, disreputable breeders sometimes establish 'puppy mills'. Dogs are bred continually and randomly in an effort to produce progeny for a profitable market. Conditions under which the dogs are kept are sometimes very inhumane. A genuine breeder will look after his breeding animals and will want to know that pups are going to good homes. He will ensure that the necessary inoculations have been attended to.

The Bichon Havanese is the correct name for this breed. 'Bichon' means 'bearded'. Other, older names include Havana silk dog or Spanish silk poodle. The dogs were sometimes clipped like poodles. They are believed to have been brought to Cuba by early settlers from Spain. During the 18th century, the aristocracy of Europe often gathered in Havana and were fascinated with these small, white dogs with the long, silky coats. It is now the national dog of Havana although, after the Cuban revolution, it became quite rare there for some time.

The body is sturdy and solid. The breed has some unique traits apart from the silky coat. The shoulders are slightly lower than the rump so the top line rises a little. They also have a distinctive high-stepping action. This makes them agile but they are not fast.

The eyes are bright and alert and the head is carried high. They will cope with plenty of exercise. They are playful, active little dogs with a gentle, charming temperament. The six to eight inch long coat gives good insulation in tropical conditions. The coat is very profuse but soft and light like raw silk. The high-set, plumed tail coils loosely over the rump.

Shedding is minimal and the breed is regarded as hypo-allergenic. Regular grooming is needed to remove dead hair and dander. The hair around the eyes and genitalia is often clipped making maintenance much easier. Although the dogs are often seen with a topknot nowadays, the hair was once left as a protection from the fierce sun.

In kennel clubs, the breed is classed as one of the 'toy' group. Despite being so small, they are rarely timid or fearful. They have been bred to be companions and enjoy the company of people and other pets. They are tolerant of children. The longevity is listed as around 14 years. The standard for show dogs limits the height to around 11 inches.

The breed is easy to train and likes to please his owner. They enjoy obedience-type activities. Some find a place as assistance or therapy dogs. They are generally healthy. Skin and eye problems beset some and slipped kneecaps are sometimes seen. By contacting reputable breeders when looking for Havanese puppies for sale, you can be sure he will have happy, healthy dogs for you to view.




About the Author:



>
AddThis Social Bookmark Button

0 comments: