A championship title for a dog does not guarantee that a dog is healthy!

According to statistics pulled on January 22, 2010 from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals,  of the Havanese who have had their heath tested:
  • 9% have hip problems,
  • 8% have Thyroid problems,
  • 6.8% have problems with their elbows,
  • 6.7% have Sebaceous Adenitis (a skin disease),
  • 2.9% have problems with their patella's (knees), and
  • Less than 1% have problems with hearing (BAER), cardiac and Legg-Calve-Perthes (hip joint disease).
Health
Silk Standard
Lúdico Havana Silks
"Preserving the Original Cuban Form"
Diane Tomasevich
South King County, Washington
(206) 919-8311
Here's a brief description of the Havana Silk Dog standard. For more information visit the Havana Silk Dog Association of America.

  • Nose is always black. Muzzle is refined and cheeks are flat. Eyes are almond-shaped, set well apart, rather large and dark. Hair falls forward covering their eyes. Ears are set high on skull with a distinct fold at the line of the skull.
  • Neck moderately long allowing for high carriage of the head. The top-line is straight but not level. Body is rather long. Tail is raised in the shape of a crosier (inverted J) over the back while moving.
  • Shoulders are well laid back. Upper arm is relative short and well angled. Forelegs set well under the body and are lean, straight and parallel when viewed from any angle. Feet are round and compact.
  • Legs are strong and muscular with moderate angulation. Legs straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. Hocks are short and straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. Hind feet are slightly longer than forefeet.
  • Coat is rather flat, very soft and silky with a slight wave. Coat is long. It may be corded.
  • Any color or combination of colors is equally acceptable. Nose must be black.
  • Lively and elegant gate. Head and tail are carried high while moving.
  • Lively, playful, curious and intelligent.
  • 9-11 inches tall. Rectangular outline which is approximately 1/3 neck, 1/3 body and 1/3 leg. Not to exceed 13.5 pounds.
Updated: 1/23/2010
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As part of the Certified Havana Silk Dog breeding community, we are committed to producing healthy dogs and we are intentionally breeding away from these health issues. According to statistics pulled on January 22, 2010 from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals,  of the Havana Silk Dogs who have had their heath tested:
  • 5.8% have hip problems,
  • 3.6% have problems with their elbows,
  • 2.5% have problems with their patella's (knees),
  • Less than 1% have problems with their hearing (BAER),
  • 0% have problems with Thyroyd, Legg-Calve-Perthes and Cardiac.

This doesn't mean that a Havana Silk Dog won't won't have health problems. It does mean that as a community of breeders, we take health seriously.

VACCINATIONS

In addition to health testing, vaccinations are important. These little dogs are sensitive to vaccines which means that they could have an adverse reaction from mild to life threatening.  A vaccine protocol has been developed and used for the Havana Silk Dogs by Dr. Joanne Baldwin, DVM. For information on recommended vaccination protocols, please visit the HSDAA web site for vaccination recommendations and a downloadable form that can be discussed with your vet.
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