Your New Puppy

Breed Type?

Ask yourself some realistic questions in order to find the right dog.  Although this is not an exhaustive list of questions, here is a brief checklist of questions you'll want to answer.
-How big will he get?
-How busy is he going to be?
-Will he be noisy?
-What was the breed's original purpose?
-How  much work is it going to take to keep his coat tidy and your
  house free of hair?      
-Will he do as he's told?
-Is the breed good with children?

If you have tried using some of the breed selection tools found on the internet which quiz you to determine the right dog for you,  keep in mind the newness of the Havanese breed.  The breed is a recent member of the American Kennel Association (1995) and the Canadian Kennel Clubs (1999) and because of this may not be a breed that is considered in many of these selection tools.

You're going to have to live for years to come with the results of your decision, so if disasters are to be avoided, careful planning beforehand is a mandatory prerequisite.

Male vs. Female?

If you have decided on a  purebred Havanese as your new puppy, the next decision to make will be Male vs. Female.  In researching this topic I found a very good article in  March 2003 magazine, written by Suzanne McKay, who at the time was the Breedlines Coordinator of the Havanese Fanciers of Canada Club.  Please see below the last paragraph reproduced.

"If your Havanese is to be a family pet or companion dog, it will be spayed or neutered, in all likelihood, which eliminates many of the behaviors associated with hormones. Overall, whether altered or not Havanese males may be more loving and easygoing, while females may be more demanding and temperamental.  This is not to say that one makes a better pet than the other, but simply that these are generalities and something to keep in mind when evaluating puppies for a suitable companion, particularly if children are involved.  Of course, individual differences with a litter or among lines may contribute to temperament variations in both sexes. Some people have a personal preference and gravitate toward one sex over the other for assorted reasons.  If you have a preference, by all means discuss this with your breeder.  Havanese are all very sweet but also very individual.  Each is precious and wonderful and deserves the best home possible."
 

Choosing Your Breeder

Please only consider purchasing your puppy from an reputable breeder.  Give your self some time to search, talk to as many breeders as you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions.  Be patient, the breeder you prefer may not have a litter available until some time in the future and maybe not until the following year.

A good breeder will be forthright about her own dogs and the breed, willing to discuss faults as well as virtues.  She won't hesitate to invite you to her home to meet her dogs, including the mother of the litter (she may not own the sire).

A good breeder will be able to document that her breeding stock has tested clear of genetic problems that are known to appear in the breed if such tests are available.  She will provide you with a written contract, spelling out the responsibilities of both the buyer and seller, as well as the exact terms of any health or other guarantees.

A good breeder will be a mine of information - about the breed, about her own dogs, and about raising puppies in general.  She'll be as keen to find our about you as you are about her, so don't be offended if she requires references or asks probing questions about how you intend to look after your puppy.

 Bringing Your Puppy Home

-Treat him gently - loud noises, sudden grabs, etc can frighten and harm new puppies.  He will need a few days before he feels at home.
-Lift the puppy by placing one hand under his chest and the other under his hindquarters.  Teach children how to lift him and better yet, encourage children to sit on the floor and play with the pup rather than lifting him up.
-Have his own place ready for him where he can feel secure and observe some of the household activity.  A crate with some sort of playpen around it, in his corner of the room with enough room to explore (newspaper spread on the floor).
-Place his crate on a chair next to your bed the first few nights to console the puppy.  Tap lightly on his crate and sooth him with your soft voice so that he knows he's not alone.  A hot water bottle or a ticking clock is soothing as well. Including a blanket or towel that you have scented with his mother or littermates is helpful.
-If he really fusses at night, he may need to go out to his special place to relieve.  You don't want him to soil his crate, although most dogs don't do this.
-You do want to train him to not wake you up at night but this will come. It is helpful to feed and water him earlier and take him out for the last time just before going to bed.