My First Havanese

My first experience with a Havanese was in 1999 and a lovely little black girl owned by a dear friend of mine, Karen. The puppy was so soft and sweet with a lovely coat that I instantly fell in love. I had never heard of the breed Havanese before but she was what I thought a companion dog should be.

Over the next few years, as Karen and I teamed up to lead our local Equine 4-H club, I got to know the breed better and learn more of the history and the breed standards. Karen impressed upon me that I really should get only a purebred American Kennel Club (AKC) or Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) registered dog - so I started looking.

I searched different Internet engines for breeders in Alberta and sent my 'application form' away to many who never got back to me. I then made phone calls and managed to talk with a very helpful breeder in the Edmonton area with the kennel name Camilla Havanese. I had a hard time selling my husband on the idea of purchasing a $1500 - $2000 dog so I kept dreaming and researching.

Just before Christmas in 2005 there was Havanese puppies advertised in the local paper. At that point I was still hoping for a sable companion dog as one of the things I love about my German Shepherds is their coloring. After talking with the breeder and arranging a date and time to come see the female sable pup, I went back to call Camilla Havanese to ask Margaret some more questions. Margaret asked me where I lived and directed me to Chris of Pixc Havanese who lived 15 minutes south of us.

I then called Chris and we chatted for just about 2 hours. I learned more about the genetic health problems that some Havanese carry, I learned about the silvering gene that would take the sable puppy and eventually turn her into a cream, and decided right then that the health of my dog was more important than color. After all, I had rescued two German Shepherds in the past who carried genetic health problems and wanted to avoid the pain and anguish of dealing with another unhealthy dog.

Chris also explained to me about a group of Havanese owners in the US who were making a difference in the genetics of the breed. They referred to their dogs as 'Havana Silk Dogs'. One of the many qualities that they offered was a 'LIFETIME Health Guarantee' against genetic disorders. That piqued my husbands interest! After all $2000 (US funds worked out to about $2500 CDN at the time) was a lot of money for a dog.

From there I talked with Diane of ByDand Havana Silk Dogs and met her approval for a show-quality female Havanese. Trouble was, Diane didn't have any females available and wouldn't for several months. I was okay with waiting but Chris, who had seen something in me, searched and found another breeder of the 'Havana Silk' type of dog in Toledo, Ohio. Beth and Bob of Feliz Havana Silk Dogs had a 3 month old female that they would allow me to adopt. It's very unusual for someone like me to receive a show-quality female but because Chris had agreed to be my mentor and I was willing to show the pup with hopes for a CKC Conformation title, Bob and Beth entrusted me with their lovely little 'Joy'.

I soon made arrangements to fly to Toronto and drive to Windsor, Ontario to meet Beth as she came across the border to deliver Joy to me. I had my first Havanese <3

Jenga (previously Joy) at 3 1/2 months with Beth, her breeder