How to Find Reputable Havanese Puppy Breeders
Knowledgable Breeders Can Help Match Havanese Dogs and Pet Owners
May 6, 2009
A trustworthy Havanese puppy breeder will ask buyers several pertinent questions to make the best match of owner and puppy. The Havanese puppy breeder will inquire into what perspective pet owners want to do with their pup. Do they intend to breed or show Havanese dogs? Or is the dog wanted as a loyal family pet? The answer to these questions can affect the puppy that’s right for each individual.
Havanese Dogs for Family Pets
Havanese puppy breeders will probably ask families certain personal questions pertaining to their lifestyle. How long would the puppy be alone during the day? How much time does the family spend at home during the evenings? Would the dog be kept indoors or outdoors? Are there children in the family? How active is the family’s lifestyle?
Though these questions may feel invasive, buyers should take them as a good sign that the Havanese puppy breeder is a reputable one. Breeders can spot personality traits in their puppies early. Certain Havanese dogs are a bundle of energy and can give even the most active kids a run for their money. Other Havanese are laid-back lap dogs perfect for a senior citizen searching for companionship. The wrong pup in either situation would likely be a disappointment making both the puppy and its owners unhappy. A good breeder cares about the future of her puppies and will attempt to make the best match possible.
Havanese Dogs for Show or Breeding
With any breed, the look of the dogs can vary from breeder to breeder. When buyers visit a Havanese puppy breeder, they’re seeing the qualities that individual admires.
One quality varying greatly among Havanese dogs is the color and pattern of their silky coats. The Havanese breed is also unique in that coloring changes dramatically during a puppy’s first two years of life. Silver and blue puppies for example, are born black and will acquire their true color sometime during the first few months. Sable Havanese with black tipping on each hair are likely to change the most dramatically. In the space of a few months, these puppies’ coats may turn from a dark red to a creamy off-white. Many Havanese dogs have a gene which will cause their hair to silver at an early age. Others have a gene which, when activated, masks all red pigment in the coat. And still others carry a gene which turns on and off to lighten and darken their coats during their first few years.
Knowledgeable Havanese puppy breeders will have a good guess about the adult dogs coloring, but a trustworthy breeder will be the first to admit that changes are impossible to predict 100% of the time. Fortunately, since all colors and patterns are permitted to be shown, changes in the coat’s appearance shouldn’t affect a dog’s show or breeding potential.
There are some Havanese dogs that will grow to be above or below the AKC standard. That doesn’t mean they’re an imperfect dog. These puppies will go on to be excellent family pets.
Though no Havanese puppy breeder can guarantee a puppy’s stature as an adult, experienced breeders are able to accurately judge a puppy’s development. An honest breeder will offer puppies unlikely to conform to show standards at a pet quality price.
Buyers planning to show their Havanese dog need to put some research into the AKC guidelines for the Havanese breed. They should go to some shows, see what’s in the show ring, and see what’s winning. They will also benefit by joining a Havanese club and speaking to pet owners with several shows under their belts.
Owners interested in breeding their Havanese dog will want to negotiate a contract that covers at least two years of the dog’s life. Since dogs won’t breed their first litter until this point, owners will have options if they find their dog is unable to have puppies.
Finally, a reputable Havanese puppy breeder will admit it’s unnecessary to pay exorbitant prices for a champion Havanese. A little digging and research will save thousands.
Whether prospective pet owners are searching for a Havanese dog to be a fun family pet, bring up a litter of puppies, or raise as a show dog, a knowledgeable Havanese puppy breeder is invaluable to help find the ideal dog. These breeders will have a good idea of the puppy’s temperament and health. They’ll also be an excellent source of information on Havanese care and whether the Havanese breed is a good fit for a family’s lifestyle.
Information gained in conversation with Lynne Brinkley of Excalibur Farms on May 1, 2009.
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