Havashire Dog Breed: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you looking for an adorable, affectionate, and intelligent small dog to add to your family? The Havashire may be the perfect companion for you! This designer crossbreed combines the best qualities of the Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier into one irresistible package. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about the Havashire dog breed including their history, characteristics, care requirements, and more.
What Is a Havashire?
The Havashire is a relatively new hybrid dog breed developed by crossing a purebred Havanese with a purebred Yorkshire Terrier (often nicknamed "Yorkie"). The goal in creating the Havashire was to produce a small companion dog that is affectionate, intelligent, low-shedding, and well-suited for apartment living or families with children.
As a fairly rare designer breed, the Havashire does not have a long recorded history. The first intentional Havashire breedings likely occurred sometime in the early 2000s in the United States. Since then, the breed‘s popularity has grown thanks to its cute appearance and winning personality. However, the Havashire is not recognized as an official standardized breed by major kennel clubs at this time.
Since the Havashire is a mixed breed, there can be quite a bit of variation in appearance and temperament between individual dogs depending on which parent breed they favor. In general though, you can expect Havashires to be small in stature with soft, wavy to curly coats, dark expressive eyes, and an alert, lively demeanor. With proper socialization and training, they tend to be very affectionate with their families and good with children and other pets.
Havashire Characteristics
Here is an overview of the key physical and personality traits of the Havashire dog breed:
Size and Weight
As a toy-sized mix, the Havashire typically stands 8-12 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 7-13 pounds when fully grown. Females may be slightly smaller than males on average.
Coat and Colors
One of the most appealing qualities of the Havashire is its soft, silky coat which can range from straight to wavy or curly in texture. They have a medium-length double coat with a fine undercoat and longer outer guard hairs. The Havashire‘s coat is low-shedding and considered hypoallergenic, making this a good choice for allergy sufferers.
The breed standard allows for a variety of coat colors including black, blue, silver, cream, white, fawn, chocolate, and gold. Bi-color and tri-color coats are also common, often with tan or white markings. Puppies may be born darker and lighten up as they mature.
Temperament
Havashire dogs are known for being intelligent, affectionate, and eager to please their owners. They can have a lively, playful streak but are not usually hyperactive. Most Havashires enjoy being the center of attention and thrive on human companionship.
This breed is very people-oriented and tends to form strong bonds with their families. They typically get along well with children, other dogs, and cats when raised together. Havashires can be good watchdogs and will alert you to strangers or unusual sounds, but they are not aggressive.
Like many small breeds, Havashires may be prone to barking excessively if not trained properly. They can also suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Proper socialization and training from a young age is important to prevent behavior problems.
Caring for a Havashire
Havashires are relatively low-maintenance dogs, but they do have some specific care requirements to keep in mind:
Grooming
Although the Havashire does not shed much, regular brushing is important to prevent tangles and mats from forming in their long, silky coat. Plan to brush your Havashire at least 2-3 times per week and more often if their coat is particularly long or prone to matting. Occasional trips to a professional groomer for a bath and trim can also help keep the coat looking its best.
In addition to coat care, you‘ll need to trim your Havashire‘s nails regularly, brush their teeth daily, and check their ears weekly for signs of infection. Havashires may be prone to dental issues, so establish a dental hygiene routine early on.
Diet and Nutrition
As small dogs with fast metabolisms, Havashires require a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight. Look for a premium dry kibble formulated for toy or small breeds with real meat as the first ingredient. Avoid foods with fillers, by-products, or artificial additives.
Havashires typically eat 1/2 to 1 cup of food per day split into two meals. Monitor your dog‘s weight and adjust portion sizes as needed to prevent obesity. Be mindful of treats and table scraps, which can quickly add unnecessary calories.
Exercise and Activity
The Havashire has moderate exercise needs that can usually be met with daily walks and play sessions. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day, broken up into several short sessions. Havashires enjoy games of fetch, tug-of-war, and racing around the house or yard.
Mental stimulation is also important for this clever breed. Food puzzles, interactive toys, and training sessions can help keep their minds engaged and ward off boredom. Teaching your Havashire new tricks is a great way to bond while providing exercise.
Although they are adaptable to apartment living, Havashires do best with access to a securely fenced yard where they can run and explore. Just be sure to supervise them outdoors, as their small size and curiosity may get them into trouble.
Training and Socialization
Early socialization and positive reinforcement training are essential for raising a well-behaved Havashire. Expose your puppy to a variety of people, animals, environments, and stimuli to build their confidence. Puppy kindergarten and obedience classes are great ways to start training basic manners and commands.
Havashires are intelligent and eager to please, so they typically respond well to reward-based training using treats or praise. Keep sessions short and fun to hold their attention. Be patient and consistent, as some Havashires can have a stubborn streak. Housetraining may take extra time and effort.
It‘s important to establish yourself as a calm, assertive pack leader with your Havashire. Set clear boundaries and expectations for behavior to prevent Small Dog Syndrome. Avoid babying or coddling your Havashire too much, as this can lead to separation anxiety and other issues.
Health and Lifespan
As a hybrid breed, Havashires may be less prone to some of the genetic health problems that affect their purebred parent breeds. However, they can still inherit certain conditions that potential owners should be aware of, including:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Portosystemic shunt
- Tracheal collapse
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Dental problems
Many of these issues can be screened for through veterinary exams and genetic testing. Working with a reputable Havashire breeder who conducts health clearances on their breeding dogs can help minimize risk. Providing proper care throughout your Havashire‘s life is also key.
With appropriate diet, exercise, training and preventive care, the average lifespan for a Havashire is around 12-16 years old. Some may live into their late teens with excellent care and a little luck.
Is a Havashire Right for You?
The Havashire can be a wonderful companion for the right owner or family. Their affectionate, adaptable nature and small size makes them a good fit for many different lifestyles and living situations. They generally do well with children, other dogs, and cats when properly socialized.
However, the Havashire is not the ideal breed for everyone. Their long coat requires regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles. As a people-oriented breed, they need plenty of attention and do not like being left alone for long periods. Separation anxiety can be an issue if they are not trained to feel secure on their own.
Although they have moderate exercise needs, Havashires still require daily activity and can become bored or destructive if under-stimulated. They have a tendency to bark excessively if not trained out of the habit. Housetraining and obedience training require time and patience.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog or one that can be left alone while you work long hours, the Havashire is probably not the best choice. But if you want a loyal, loving companion to share your life with and are willing to put in the effort to train and care for them properly, this charming little dog may steal your heart!
Finding a Havashire
If you‘ve decided that the Havashire is the right breed for you, it‘s important to do your research and find a responsible breeder or rescue organization. Avoid pet stores or online ads from unknown sources, as these may be puppy mills or backyard breeders producing unhealthy dogs for profit.
A reputable Havashire breeder will health test their dogs, provide a written contract and health guarantee, and allow you to visit their facility and meet the parents and puppies in person. They should be knowledgeable about the breed and willing to answer all your questions. Expect to pay $1,000-$2,500 for a well-bred Havashire puppy depending on your location and the breeder‘s reputation.
You may also be able to find an adult Havashire in need of a new home through a breed-specific rescue group or animal shelter. Adopting an older dog can be a rewarding experience, as they are often already housetrained and have some basic obedience skills. Adoption fees are usually much lower than the cost of buying a puppy from a breeder.
Final Thoughts
The Havashire is a delightful designer dog with a winning personality and cute, fluffy appearance. They can make excellent companions for families with children, seniors, and apartment dwellers alike. However, they do require a fair amount of grooming, training, and attention to thrive.
If you are willing to put in the time and effort to care for a Havashire properly, you will be rewarded with a loyal, loving friend for life. Just be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder or rescue organization to ensure you are getting a healthy, well-socialized dog.
We hope this comprehensive guide has given you a better understanding of the Havashire breed and what it takes to be a responsible owner. With the right care and attention, your Havashire will bring joy and companionship to your life for many years to come!
