| By :
Brent McCoy
The Havanese first appeared in the 15th-century Spanish colonization of Cuba, and they were originally raised for the core purpose of companionship. Just a few of their more identifiable features are seen as their cheerfulness, playfulness, intelligence and eagerness to please - which in essence make the Havanese a popular option for therapy dogs, assistance dogs for the hearing impaired, tracking, performance dogs, mold and termite detection dogs as well as companion dogs for families, apartment dwellers and allergy suffers. The Havanese is known to have originated in Cuba and was bred by the Spanish colonists of Cuba with the goal of acting as companion dogs. They are believed to be a product of cross-breeding the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana with various other Bichon types such as the Poodle. The Havanese is well-known for their curious and affectionate nature. They are generally friendly with unfamiliar people, which along with their small size can mean they are unsuitable as a guard dog. The Havanese is also known to be highly intelligent and easily trained - making them a popular choice as circus dogs, assistance dogs or in competitive obedience or agility. They are additionally well-known to be playful with kids and surprisingly sturdy - making them very suitable as a family pet. The Havanese is very pleasant with other dogs and they will often become very good playmates. The Havanese is happiest around their family and does not require a yard - so they are highly suitable for living in an apartment provided they are given daily exercise. The Havanese is made happy with activities that include playing games or running around the house. They have a medium degree of energy and have a need for daily exercise in the form of average-length walks. Grooming the Havanese can be a pretty time-consuming chore - though this depends on whether the coat is kept short or long. If they are primarily kept as companion dogs then a shorter coat will often be preferable as it is easier to groom. They require a regular level of brushing each second day. In the vein of a lot of small-sized breeds, the Havanese is typically long-lived with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. The largest health concern for Havaneses is regularly recognized to be patellar luxation and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). They can also be vulnerable to conditions which include cataracts, hip dysplasia and dry skin - but they are generally a very healthy breed. The Havanese can be the perfect dog for families, apartment dwellers, allergy sufferers or anyone looking for a small companion dog. Though they may be a bit unsuitable for a guard dog, if you are able to meet their need for regular human contact then the Havanese could be the perfect dog breed for you.
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