They faced a
crisis in the
1900s but
have made a
giant step
back.

The Havanese
is in the
companion
group with
the American
Rare Breed
Association.

OFFICAL STANDARD FOR THE HAVANESE

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Havanese is sturdy, short-legged small dog with a soft profuse, untrimmed coat. His plumed tail is carried curled over his back. He is affectionate, happy dog with lively, springy gait.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
The height ranges from 8 ½ to 11 ½ inches, the ideal being 9 to 10 ½ inches. The weight ranges from 7 to 13 pounds, the ideal being 8 to 11 pounds. Any dog whose weight deviates greatly from the stated range is a major fault. Any dog measuring under 8 ½ or over 11 ½ inches is a disqualification. The body from the chest to the buttocks is longer than the height at the shoulders and should not appear to be square. Forelegs and hindlegs are relatively short, but with sufficient length to set the dog up so as not to be to close to the ground. The Havanese is a sturdy dog, and while a small breed, is neither fragile nor overdone.

HEAD
Medium length proportionate to the size of the body. Eyes are large, almond shaped and very dark with a gentle expression. In the blue and silver coat shades, eyes may be slightly lighter color; in chocolate coat shades, the eyes may be a lighter color. However, the darker eye is preferred. Eye rims are black for all colors except chocolate shaded coats, whose eye rims are self-colored. Small or round eyes; broken or insufficient pigment on the eye rim(s) are faults. Wild, bulging or protruding eyes are a major fault. Total absence of pigment on one or both eye rims is a disqualification. Ears are set neither too high nor too low and are dropped, forming a gentle fold and covered with long feathering. They are slightly raised, moderately pointed, neither fly-away nor framing the cheeks. Skull is broad and somewhat rounded with a moderate stop. The cheeks are flat and the lips clean. The length of the muzzle is equal to the distance to the stop to the back of the occiput. The muzzle is neither snipey or blunt. Nose and lips are solid black on all colors except chocolate dog, whose nose and lips are solid, self-colored brown. Dudley nose, nose and lips other than black, except the solid self-colored brown on the true chocolate dog are a disqualification's. Scissors bite preferred; a level bite is permissible. Full dentition of incisors preferred for both upper and lower jaws. Crooked or missing teeth are faults. Overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth are major faults.

NECK, TOPLINE & BODY
Neck of moderate length, neither too long nor too short. Topline is straight with a very slight rise over the croup. Flanks are well raised. Ribs well rounded. Tail is set high, curled over the back and plumed with long silky hair. While standing, a dropped tail is permissible.

FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs are well boned and straight, the length from the elbows to the withers equal to the distance from the foot to the elbow. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are compact well arched, well padded. Any foot turning in or out is a fault.

HINDQUARTERS
Legs are relatively short, well boned and muscular with moderate angulation; straight when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are same as front feet. Fault is same as the front feet.

COAT
The Havanese is double-coated breed with soft hair, both in outer and undercoat. The hair is very long and profuse, shown completely natural. The coat type ranges from straight to curly, the wavy coat being preferred. The curly coat is allowed to cord. The adult coat reaches a length of 6 to 8 inches. No preference shall be given to a dog with an excessively profuse or long coat. Short hair on all but puppies is a fault. It is permissible to braid the hair on each side of the head above the eyes, but the coat may not be parted down the middle of the back. No scissoring of the hair on the top of the head is allowed, nor trimming or neatening of the coat of any kind permitted except for the feet which may be neatend to avoid the appearance of "boat" or "slipper" feet. Coat trimmed in any way except for neatening at the feet is a disqualification. All colors, ranging from pure white to shades of cream, champagne, gold, black, blue, silver, chocolate or any combination of these colors including parti and tri. No preference is given to one color over another.

GAIT
The gait is unique and "springy" which accentuates the happy character of the Havanese. The forelegs reach straight and forward freely from the shoulder with the hind legs converging toward a straight line. The tail is carried up over the back when gaiting. Hackney gait, paddling, moving too close in the rear, and tail not carried over the back when gaiting are faults.

TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, happy

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Any dog under 8 ½ or over 11 ½ inches. Total absence of pigment on one or both eye rims. Dudley nose, nose and lips other than black, except for the solid, self-colored brown on the true chocolate dog. Coat trimmed in any way except for neatening at the feet.

This standard is being used temporarily at all American Rare Breed Association shows until the Havanese Club of America and the American Rare Breed Association has a chance to review the new FCI Havanese Standard.