The Havanese breed of dogs is descended from the breed Blanquito de la Habana, which came from the Bichon de Tenerife. Sadly, both of those dog breeds are now gone, but the Havanese is a popular little breed and will let these two breeds live on in some fashion. If you are looking for a small companion dog, they may be a good choice for you. So, what are some of the characteristics of the Havanese so you can be sure that you are getting the right dog for you?

Size

Overall, the adult Havanese isn't very big. They stand about 9 to 11 inches at the shoulder and will max out at about 16 lbs. This can make them a good choice for apartment life or if you have a small house because they don't take up a lot of room. Their size doesn't mean that they are lapdogs though. While your Havanese dog might be happy to sit on your lap, they will also want to play and take walks. 

Friendly

The dogs are generally quite friendly, and they are good with small children and other pets. It's important to make sure that the dog has been socialized well. If you get your dog from a responsible breeder, that should have been done. If you are going through a shelter or rescue, check to make sure that they did behavioral tests with the dog before you take them home. You don't want to set up either you or the dog to fail. Just because the breed trends toward being friendly doesn't mean that every single dog in the breed is going to be outgoing and friendly. Some may just be quieter and shyer than others. 

Coat

The Havanese has a long, silky double coat. While they don't shed a lot, they do need to be groomed daily. That means that you are going to have to sit with them and just brush them out to make sure that they don't have any knots or mats in their coat. You can take them to a groomer to talk about a trim that will make it easier for you to groom your dog and for them to be comfortable. That may involve trimming their tail short. 

If you are looking for a happy, friendly dog who will be happy to be with you, then you should check out the Havanese. They may be just what you are looking for. 

Reach out to a local breeder for information about Havanese puppies for sale.