About the Havanese Dog
Nose to tail, a Bonita Havanese is the perfect little companion. They’re a toy dog package of brains and beauty with outsized personalities, every one. And they’re incredibly easy to care for. They can nap on your lap all day or run an agility course and win. They’ll just as happily cuddle in bed as play a rousing game of fetch. They’re great with kids, travel well, can play couch potato or hiking buddy, city slicker or country ragmop.
Our Havanese dogs tend to love people, and form close bonds with their owners. That makes them very trainable, as they’re eager to please. Havanese dogs have competed in obedience classes, agility, and more. They may be toy dogs, but they have outsized personalities and tons of canine smarts. They also have silken, non-shedding coats, so they’re great for dog lovers concerned about allergies. They’re easy to care for, with good nutrition and regular but simple grooming. And they come in luscious colors, with melting, expressive eyes.
AKC Breed Standard
AKC Havanese Information
Havanese Come in Many Colors
No two Havanese are alike in appearance or personality, but the breed has a clear range of colors, from white to cream to champagne to parti to jet black. They also have patterns and markings — they’re like a Crayola crayons jumbo set in dog shades!
Three things to know:
- The color has nothing to do with the personality of the dog. Each dog has his or her own personality and Bonita Havanese tend to be outgoing, lively, interested in everything, and loving little dogs. It doesn’t matter if they’re white, black and white, or black, or champagne or apricot or brindle — coloration will not change how they act. They are all lively, highly trainable, sweet and smart, no matter what color coat they have.
- There is no color that’s more valuable than any other. Havanese come in many different colors and marking patterns and that’s part of the AKC standard. Champion dogs have won their honors dressed in coats from chestnut to gold to copper to silver to pewter to jet to sable to pure white, with silver tips, tan spots… you get the idea. So whether you’re in love with a dog that’s creamy orange, black and tan, or Irish Pied, you’re getting a true-blue (or white, or champagne), high-value, AKC approved Bonita Havanese.
- Some colors change as puppies mature into adults, and some markings change as well. That’s true for a lot of breeds of dogs but it’s especially true for some colors of Havanese! Some examples include redheads that lighten to strawberry blondes and silver that lightens or darkens. Black puppies and some chocolate puppies may keep the same coloration, but most will change as they grow out their silkier grownup coats. One example: a solid dark sable puppy who grows up to be a cocoa sable, with a creamy undercoat, darker sable tipping, and luxurious cocoa shades. Gorgeous!
Havanese come in all colors of the dog rainbow including
White
Cream
Champaigne
Brindle
Silver
Black
Gold
Red
Sable
And mixes of all of the above!
Havanese Patterns and Markings
Colorpoint and tricolor
Havanese may have base coats of one color and points (such as their chest and legs) of another — known as colorpoint. They may come in black and tan, or cocoa and tan, for instance. If they have three colors, they’re known as tricolors, such as black, tan and white.
Piebald, particolor and Irish Pied
Havanese may also come in pinto (known as piebald), particolor and Irish Pied —a two-color coat that also has another color.
There are so many different markings! Havanese may also have different colored noses and pads, from black to lavender rose, and eyes from dark coffee brown to a yellowy amber to blue. Their nails may be different colors as well! All are considered part of the breed. It’s really a matter of taste.