"My Havanese was diagnosed with Liver Disease at a very early age. Aren't they all??"
"I lost my 4 year old Havanese to heart problems and Pancreatic disease."
"How come my 18 month old Havanese won't put weight on his back leg?"
"My Havanese has troubles climbing stairs, let alone try to jump up onto the couch."
"I had stairs made so my Havanese could get onto our bed."
"My Havanese had her front legs operated on when she was 19 months old and been on medication since then. Now my dog is 9 years old and I carry her up and down the stairs..."
These are just a few of the many comments made to me over the past couple of years. I find each of them heartbreaking because every person telling me their story about their Havanese, expected a happy and healthy long-term companion.
I have provided a loving and caring home for German Shepherds whose homes were less than kind. I've had the same dogs with serious health problems so I truly understand the emotional difficulty it is to have a dog with health problems. I know what it's like to have to put a young dog down because that was it's only option and the guilt and emotional roller-coaster for months afterward.
I also know that genetic health problems can, and should, be avoided - regardless of breed. And I also know that responsible Havanese breeders understand the health concerns and are working hard to remove those problems from their lines. I also know there are too many breeders who don't know or don't care about the genetic problems because they are breeding for other purposes. I also know too many breeders who look for the superficial appearance traits without understanding structure therefore quickly losing important structures specific to the breed.
I had no intention of becoming a Havanese breeder, instead I found myself in a position of having incredible healthy and happy dogs that are ALL of outstanding quality. I found it frustrating that too many breeders don't inform potential homes about CD, or as one breeder told me "I don't sell to show homes, I just have pets" as if that made it okay. My philosophy is every home deserves a happy, healthy companion.
So what is the health concern that the Havanese are pre-disposed to? It is known as Chondysplasia puntata and is most often referred to as CD. Chondysplasia means 'faulty cartilage' with punctata referring to the calcification's seen in the epiphyseal cartilage. CD is characterized by mild to moderate growth deficiencies, short stature, and bilateral or asymmetric shortening and/or bowing of the legs - also often referred to as 'fiddle fronts'. CD is believed to have a genetic basis.
Research done by Texas A&M University indicated that CD in the Havanese appears to be linked to other serious health issues such as:
Research done by Texas A&M University indicated that CD in the Havanese appears to be linked to other serious health issues such as:
- Juvenile cataracts, retinal abnormalities, detached lens, small eyes, nystagmus and glaucoma are all symptoms and problems associated with the eyes
- Hair loss (patchy alopecia), abnormalities of the skull, shorten neck and Patellar Luxation (rotating knee) are some visible symptoms
- There is also organ abnormalities, primarily heart, liver and kidneys and heart concerns
With the Havanese only recently introduced into the AKC (1996) & CKC (2000) as an accepted breed, there are several things to be very aware of. Rather than re-write each of the health information about the Havanese, I have chosen to provide you some of the links I have found most informative. Truly, before you purchase any breed of dog, I recommend that you research the most common health problems. With Havanese, your best research is by just typing `CD in Havanese` to your Google search engine or review the following websites:
