Havaton (Havanese & Coton de Tulear Mix): Pictures, Guide, Info, Care & More!

Introducing the Havaton: The Ultimate Companion Breed
Are you searching for a small, affectionate, and low-shedding dog that will steal your heart and become your loyal companion? Look no further than the adorable Havaton! This charming hybrid breed, a cross between the Havanese and Coton de Tulear, has been capturing the attention of dog lovers in recent years. With their silky soft coats, expressive eyes, and playful personalities, Havatons are hard to resist.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into all aspects of the Havaton breed, from their history and physical characteristics to their temperament, training, grooming needs, and more. By the end, you‘ll have a thorough understanding of what makes these delightful dogs so special and whether a Havaton might be the perfect addition to your family. Let‘s get started!

The Best of Both Worlds: Havaton History and Origin
The Havaton is a relatively new mixed breed that combines two beloved small companion dogs – the Havanese and the Coton de Tulear. Both parent breeds have fascinating histories of their own:

The Havanese, also known as the "Havana Silk Dog", is the national dog of Cuba and its only native breed. They were developed from the extinct Blanquito de la Habana ("little white dog of Havana") and various Bichon types brought to Cuba by Spanish colonists in the 1500s. Havanese served as devoted lapdogs to Cuban aristocrats and wealthy planters. After the Cuban Revolution, many Havanese dogs were brought to the United States where they gained AKC recognition in 1996.

The Coton de Tulear hails from the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa. According to legend, these small white dogs survived a shipwreck and swam to shore where they bred with local terriers and evolved into the Coton we know today. The breed gets its name from its long, cotton-like coat and the port city of Tulear. Cotons were beloved companions to Malagasy nobles and later became popular with French colonists. They were first imported to Europe and North America in the 1970s.

With such illustrious lineages, it was only natural that some breeders decided to cross the Havanese and Coton de Tulear to create the ultimate lap dog. The goal was to produce a small, low-shedding, affectionate dog with the best qualities of both parent breeds. Thus, the Havaton was born! While the exact origins of the first Havatons are unknown, it‘s likely this intentional cross-breeding began in the late 1990s or early 2000s in the United States.

A Small Dog with a Big Personality: The Havaton Look and Temperament
Part of the Havaton‘s appeal is their incredibly cute and cuddly appearance. These are small dogs, typically weighing between 7 to 13 pounds and standing 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown. They have sturdy but compact bodies with distinctive round heads, short muzzles, dark almond-shaped eyes, and adorable black noses.

One of the Havaton‘s most striking features is their long, silky coat which feels incredibly soft to the touch – like fine cotton or silk. While puppies may have shorter, fluffier coats, the texture and length changes as they mature into adults. Havatons can come in a variety of colors including white, cream, champagne, gold, black, and chocolate, often with some combination of two or more colors.

But Havatons are much more than just a pretty face. These little charmers pack a lot of personality into their small bodies. They are outgoing, social, and always eager to be near their favorite humans, following them from room to room. Havatons crave companionship and affection. They‘ll happily spend hours curled up on your lap or snuggled up beside you.

True to their Velcro dog nature, Havatons do not like to be left alone for long periods and can develop separation anxiety. They are sensitive souls who need a lot of attention and interaction. This makes them ideally suited for households where someone is home during the day or able to bring them along on outings.

While Havatons may be too small to serve as guard dogs, they can be alert and vocal watchdogs, quickly letting you know if someone is at the door. They tend to be friendly with everyone they meet – strangers, family members, and other pets alike. However, some Havatons may be reserved or nervous around new people if not properly socialized as puppies.

The typical Havaton temperament is happy, loving, gentle, and playful. They have moderate energy levels and love playing games like fetch or chase. At the same time, they have an "off switch" and are just as content to relax when playtime is over. These smart, curious dogs also enjoy brain games and puzzle toys to keep them mentally stimulated.

With proper training and socialization from a young age, Havatons can get along well with children and make wonderful family pets as long as kids are taught to handle them gently. Many also do well with other dogs and even cats when raised together. Their friendly, adaptable nature shines in a variety of living situations from apartments to larger homes with yards.

Training Your Clever Companion
In addition to being devoted and affectionate, Havatons are also quite intelligent dogs. They are capable of learning a wide variety of commands, tricks, and skills. However, they can sometimes have a stubborn streak or get bored with repetitive training. The key is to keep sessions short, fun, and rewarding.

Positive reinforcement methods using praise, playtime, and treats work best with this sensitive breed. Havatons should never be treated harshly as they can easily become fearful or anxious. Consistency, patience and a gentle touch will yield the best training results.

Like all dogs, Havatons need early socialization to ensure they grow into confident, well-adjusted adults. From a young age, puppies should be gradually exposed to a wide variety of people, animals, environments, and experiences. Taking them to puppy classes is a great way for them to learn important social skills and bond with you.

While eager to please and generally easy to train, Havatons can sometimes be difficult to house train. Crate training is often effective, and a consistent schedule is a must. Just remember these little dogs have small bladders and may need to go out more frequently than larger breeds. Stay patient and reward your Havaton with a favorite treat and lots of praise when they get it right.

Grooming Your Gorgeous Havaton
Havatons are considered a low-shedding and low-dander breed which makes them a good choice for some allergy sufferers. However, that luxurious coat doesn‘t stay gorgeous all on its own. Expect to spend a fair amount of time grooming your Havaton to keep them looking their best.

Brushing is the most important part of the Havaton grooming routine. Their long, silky hair can easily become tangled or matted without regular attention. Most need to be brushed several times a week, if not daily. Using a pin brush or slicker brush, gently work through your dog‘s coat right down to the skin, taking care not to tug on any knots or tangles.

If mats do develop, never try to cut them out with scissors as you risk injuring your dog. Instead, use a dematting comb or take them to a professional groomer. You can also prevent tangles by keeping the hair around your Havaton‘s face, ears, and belly trimmed shorter.

In addition to brushing, Havatons typically need a bath every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on their lifestyle and coat condition. Use a mild, dog-friendly shampoo and be sure to rinse thoroughly. Applying a leave-in conditioner can help keep the coat soft and tangle-free in between baths. Gently pat your dog dry with a towel and allow their coat to air dry or use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting.

Other grooming needs include regularly cleaning your Havaton‘s ears to prevent infections, trimming their nails when you can hear them clicking on the floor, and brushing their teeth often (ideally every day) to maintain good dental health. Starting these grooming routines from puppyhood will help your Havaton feel more comfortable and create a stronger bond between you.

Potential Health Problems
Like all breeds, Havatons may be susceptible to certain genetic health conditions. However, as a hybrid dog, they typically benefit from "hybrid vigor" – meaning they are often healthier than either of their purebred parents. Still, it‘s important for potential owners to be aware of issues that could affect the breed.

Some health problems that have been seen in Havatons include:

• Patellar Luxation: Displacement of the kneecap which can cause lameness. Most common in small breed dogs.
• Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal formation of the hip socket which can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. More often seen in larger dogs but can affect small breeds too.
• Portosystemic Shunt: Congenital defect where blood bypasses the liver leading to toxin buildup. Can be managed with diet and medication.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: Degeneration of the hip joint causing pain and lameness. Seen most often in small breeds. Surgery is the primary treatment.
• Deafness: Havatons with a lot of white coloring (like Cotons) may be prone to congenital deafness.
• Dental Issues: Small breeds are more prone to dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and early tooth loss. Regular dental care is a must!

The best way to ensure you get a healthy Havaton puppy is to work with a reputable breeder who performs genetic health tests on their breeding dogs and is transparent about the results. Adopting an adult Havaton from a rescue organization that provides a full veterinary exam is another great option.

With proper care, nutrition, and regular check-ups, the average lifespan for a Havaton is around 12 to 15 years old. Many can live even longer – well into their late teens! Like people, dogs are living longer these days thanks to advances in veterinary care and nutrition.

Is a Havaton the Right Dog For You?
Now that you know all about the history, characteristics, temperament, training, grooming, and health of Havatons, you may be wondering if this adorable mixed breed is a good fit for your lifestyle and family. Here are some signs a Havaton could be your ideal canine companion:

You want a small, affectionate dog to cuddle and spend lots of quality time with. Havatons thrive on human companionship and do best with owners who are home often and include them in their daily activities. If you work long hours or travel a lot, this sensitive breed may not be the best choice unless you can bring them along or provide a trusted pet sitter.

You appreciate a dog that is friendly to all and gets along well with other people and pets. Properly socialized Havatons are typically outgoing and amiable with everyone they meet. They usually enjoy the company of other dogs and can learn to cohabitate with cat roommates too. Their gentle, playful nature makes them a wonderful family pet for households with gentle, respectful children.

You live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space. Havatons are adaptable to many living situations and do not require a large yard. They are small enough to be comfortable in cozy apartments as long as they still get plenty of interaction and a few short walks each day for exercise and mental stimulation. Of course, Havatons can also do well in bigger homes and love having a safely enclosed outdoor area to explore and play.

You don‘t mind devoting time to training, socialization, and grooming. Like any dog, Havatons need positive, consistent training from an early age to ensure they are well-behaved and confident. Plan to enroll in puppy classes and continue socialization throughout their life. Grooming is also a big part of Havaton ownership. Daily brushing and regular baths, ear cleanings, nail trims, and dental care are all necessary to keep them healthy and looking great.

You prefer a low-shedding, hypoallergenic breed. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, Havatons come pretty close thanks to their long, silky coats that produce less dander than most breeds. Brushing frequently and bathing as needed will further reduce any allergic reaction. Just remember, you‘ll still need to vacuum regularly and anyone with severe allergies should spend time with adult Havatons before deciding to get one.

Ready to Find Your Forever Friend?
If you‘ve made it this far and feel certain a Havaton will be a perfect addition to your life, congratulations! You are well on your way to years of love, laughter, and companionship with your new best friend.

When you‘re ready to begin your search for a Havaton puppy or adult dog, take your time and choose carefully. Seek out reputable Havaton breeders who perform health testing, socialize their pups, and insist on meeting potential owners to ensure a good fit. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500+ for a well-bred Havaton puppy.

You can also check with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to see if they have any Havatons or Havaton mixes available for adoption. This can be a more affordable option and a wonderful way to give a deserving dog a second chance at a happy life. Typical adoption fees range from $200 to $600.

Wherever your Havaton comes from, be prepared to provide them with a lifetime of love, care, and attention. In return, they will be your devoted companion through thick and thin, always ready with a wagging tail, a kiss, and an adoring gaze just for you. With a Havaton by your side, every day will be full of joy, laughter, and unconditional love.

Congratulations on discovering the delightful Havaton breed! Wishing you many happy, healthy years with your new best friend.