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| What differentiates you from other breeders? How do I know I'm getting the best dog? |
As breeders, we understand the science behind the creation of the ‘perfect’ companion and/or family dog. Our carefully designed program produces consistent, predictable results – wonderful, happy, socialized, loved and loving temperaments, guaranteed. We guard against all of the negative qualities so often associated with small breeds – yapping, nipping, willfulness, anti-social behavior, timidness, aggression.
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| What about the health of my puppy? Do you offer a health guarantee? |
At Havanese by Design we guarantee your puppy to be healthy and free of any contagious diseases at time of purchase. We further guarantee that your dog will be genetically free of any condition which causes the premature death of the dog. Our pups live well into their teens on average. In 12 (wonderful) years of raising these incredible little dogs, we have not had to replace a pup due to genetically caused early death.
Gypsy Jazz Havanese offers the same comprehensive guarantee.
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| What qualities can I expect in my puppy? |
Havanese and Havanese-mix puppies from Havanese by Design and Gypsy Jazz Havanese make perfect companion dogs. This means perfection in health and temperament as well as behavior and personality. Having a choice of breeding any type of dog in the world ... we chose to breed Havanese puppies!
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| What is it like to live with a Havanese puppy or dog? |
Havanese puppies and dogs are cute --- the kind of cute that makes strangers stop and chat in the park, and gathers a crowd at the pet store.
Havanese puppies (and Havanese-mix puppies) are easy to train and eager to please, smart and keen to learn. We recommend taking a Basic Training or Leash 101 type of class with a certified instructor. Such classes taken through a community center or parks and recreations department are inexpensive - - - and your Havanese puppy may be the star of the class!
Havanese puppies have NO genetically-coded bad habits. That means no hole-digging, furniture-chewing, high-pitched yapping or similar deal-breaking behaviors. And these hypoallergenic non-shedding puppies are non-yappy and non-smelly, too!
Havanese puppies are loving. This is the kind of dog who thinks you're the center of the universe, and you are - their universe. Puppy will sit on your lap through a movie marathon or Sunday football.
Havanese puppies are athletic; they love to swim, boat, hike, jog, beachcomb, camp, travel - as long as they are with you.
Havanese puppies are entertaining. Everyone loves to watch a clown. This is a dog who will actually play with his toys, the cat, the old dog, the kids, an empty box, a roll of toilet paper .... And a Havanese puppy has a great senses of humor!
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| I've heard of health issues within the Havanese breed. Do I need to worry about these issues? |
A responsible breeder will have researched potential health issues within their specialty breed and should have chosen bloodlines free of these pitfalls. Much research goes into the purchase of our breeding stock, with each dog meeting our long list of requirements - genetically, health-wise and conformationally and temperamentally.
Choosing a great breeder is your job. Providing you with a great pup is our job.
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| What can I expect from my new puppy? |
| Our Havanese and Havanese-mix puppies are sweet, sweet, sweet. These dogs get along with little kids, big kids, other dogs of all sizes, cats, the neighbors - everyone. |
| How big will my puppy get? |
| Havanese are small but not too small. This means that they're easy to carry, fit easily into homes and lives, and that air-travel is friendly for them. But they are not fragile or too delicate. |
| Do Havanese puppies shed? |
| Havanese and Havanese-mix puppies are non-shedding and hypo-allergenic. No one loves dog hair everywhere, and in today's harsher environmental climate a dog who makes you wheeze and sneeze is not acceptable. |
| What items will I need for my new puppy? |
Your Havanese or Havanese-mix puppy has simple needs: Food, water, a safe and warm place to sleep - perhaps on your pillow? - some exercise, and entertainment when you’re not available. You may feel that a place to pee when you’re not available is also important! We’ve compiled this list to help you prepare for your new pup. But keep in mind that you can spend a little or a lot – it’s up to you.
Food: Dry puppy kibble of a high quality. In dog food, spending more does mean a higher quality of food. We like locally-sourced, organic or partly organic, natural foods for Havanese and Havanese-mix puppies and dogs.
Water: Fresh clean water changed a few times daily.
Bed: A blanket placed somewhere that the puppy perceives to be safe. A place where he can’t get stepped on or snuck-up on will do nicely for your Havanese puppy. Most people prefer a crate or dog bed, both available from the national pet-supplies chains (and at Mud Bay or Maser's in the Seattle area).
Crate: We LOVE the Port-A-Crate and similar brands of soft-sided, collapsible crates which can be opened from the front like a regular crate or from the top like a playpen. Havanese puppies like a 'den' to call their own, and the hard-plastic kennel also will do, as will the black-wire kennels (which are like the corral - aka "exercise pen" as described below - that we recommend for Havanese and Havanese-mix puppies).
Toys: Havanese puppies love plush toys which squeak and latex toys which squeak. Again, Walmart is an affordable source, but PetSmart had an amazing selection. Mud Bay and Maser's and any good pet store will have good toys for your puppy!
Potty-Training Pads: A wonderful product which attracts the pup and then absorbs the smell. We advise using these as a back-up system until you are completely convinced that you are well past the "accidents" stage with your Havanese puppy.
Chews: No rawhide – it can plug up their digestive system and that can mean a medical emergency. Pigs' ears or feet - the dried kind from the pet store - work well and will save shoes (and other items you prefer unchewed) during the teething stage (from 4 to 6 months). Our own puppies have always enjoyed appropriate bones - the real thing - and Nylabones in puppy size.
Corral: An eight-section fence (often called an "exercise pen") which can be joined onto itself to make a ‘safe area’ into which you can place food, water, puppy pads, toys, bed (or bed in crate with open door) and Havanese pup – excellent when you need to be out of range.
Collar and Leash: We highly recommend the harness-type collar while your pup is learning his ABC’s. We are very strongly opposed to expandable/retractable leashes as your puppy can run and be 20 feet away from you and into traffic before you can hit the stop button. A 6-foot leash should meet the needs of your Havanese puppy until he is trained. Long leashes (20 feet or so) are also available and can be excellent tools for use in teaching some commands (come, stay, long sit, to name a few) to your Havanese or Havanese-mix puppy.
Wardrobe: OK, you can be as silly as you want with this one! There are great stores catering to those of us who have nothing better to do than shop for bling for our babies. If you’re interested, you’ll find them. (Hint: check out the magazine section at Barnes & Noble or Chapters.) Your Havanese or Havanese-mix puppy will have preferences, but these dogs generally are cooperative and eager to please. Some of them are happy to wear bows and other decorative items in their hair.
Purse: As silly as it sounds, this is a great tool for keeping your Havanese puppy with you as you get through your day. If you want to smuggle pup into lunch, this is the item you’ll need. Again, the pet boutiques have a wide range but even the pet-supplies stores are getting in on this act.
It's Up To You: Again, you can spend a small fortune on your Havanese puppy and, if you - like me - find this fun then go ahead! But it is not necessary. Your puppy really wants only to be with you, and the most valuable gift you can give your puppy is lots of your time. |
| How do Havanese puppy colors change over time? |
| Please stand by for our update re sables and other colors of Havanese puppies. |
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