How to Find Quality Havanese Dogs

Choosing a Reputable Havanese Puppy Breeder Will Pay Off For Years

May 6, 2009 Marcy Paulson

Check out several Havanese puppy breeders before settling on a Havanese dog. Here are tips to help judge the experience and trustworthiness of a breeder.

Surprisingly, prices generally don’t differ all that much when it comes to Havanese dogs bred in puppy mills or under the care of an experienced Havanese puppy breeder. When choosing a companion for the next decade, buyers won’t want to save a few pennies by skimping on the crucial care that goes into a puppy’s most important weeks of development. Early socialization as well as knowledgeable breeding for temperament and health is desirable with the Havanese breed.

Early Socialization for Havanese Dogs

Most buyers interested in the Havanese breed are looking for a quality family pet. Early socialization is one major benefit that a reputable Havanese puppy breeder can offer.

Socialization and early training will make the introduction of a new puppy into the family a smoother one. Not only will the young Havanese dog be more accepting to attention from family members, but many Havanese puppy breeders begin their puppies on house training skills even before the pups are three months old. Unfortunately, unattended puppies raised in a puppy mill or pet store are often set back in their training by being forced to soil their kennel.

Buyers visiting a Havanese puppy breeder should pay close attention to how the pups are raised. Are the pups born in the home? Are they handled by a number of people? Have they been handled by children? These are all questions to ask a Havanese breeder.

Also, since smaller breeds take a little bit longer to mature, buyers should steer clear of Havanese puppy breeders who offer Havanese dogs younger than eight weeks. While many large breeds are cutting their teeth at four to four and a half weeks, Havanese don’t even start getting teeth till five weeks. This means pups are weaned later and need a few more weeks with their mother. The puppy will be happier to leave at around ten weeks. And the new pet owner will be happier as well, because the pup will be a little bit better socialized.

Finding Healthy Havanese Dogs

Though the Havanese breed is generally considered healthy , Havanese dogs can be prone to several serious eye and joint conditions. Fortunately, all these hereditary ailments should be screened in the stock of a conscientious breeder. Buyers will want to ask for certification concerning the parents of a pup they are interested in.

Like many toy breeds, Havanese dogs are susceptible to patella luxation, or the dislocation of the knee cap. Hip dysplasia is another common canine joint concern which plagues some Havanese. Reputable Havanese puppy breeders will have their stock inspected and rated by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA). Buyers should insist on seeing this documentation for parents of the pups they’re considering.

Juvenile cataracts are cloudy spots that form over a dog’s cornea. Though this is common in older dogs of many breeds, Havanese dogs can develop cataracts early. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another eye condition passed down through some lines of Havanese. This untreatable disease can result in total blindness.

Saving a few bucks by gambling on a Havanese puppy of unknown origin or inexperienced breeding may just end up costing far more in heartache and expensive vet bills down the road. Knowledgeable Havanese puppy breeders are aware of these genetic conditions and strive to eliminate them from their lines.

Reputable Havanese puppy breeders also offer contracts guaranteeing the health of their puppies. If a genetic condition arises during the time specified by the contract, the buyer has options. The contracts of many breeders can be found on their websites, other breeders should be happy to provide a copy by email or fax.

Reputable Havanese puppy breeders will be a valuable resource when it comes to matching the personality of a Havanese puppy to the needs of its owner. Breeders should have a fairly good idea which Havanese dogs will make the best family pets and which will do well in the show ring. Furthermore, breeders are a valuable source of information on Havanese care and whether the breed is a good fit for a family’s lifestyle.

Information gained in conversation with Lynne Brinkley of Excalibur Farms on May 1, 2009.

The copyright of the article How to Find Quality Havanese Dogs in Dogs is owned by Marcy Paulson. Permission to republish How to Find Quality Havanese Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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