Crested Havanese
Hybrid Breed Description
The Crested Havanese is a cross between the Chinese Crested and the Havanese. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Crested Havanese. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested presents as a diminutive yet elegant companion, typically standing between eleven and thirteen inches at the shoulder and weighing just eight to twelve pounds. Their fine-boned structure contributes to a graceful appearance characterized by slightly rectangular proportions, with body length exceeding height at the withers. Despite their delicate frame, these dogs possess surprising athleticism and fluid movement that belies their fragile appearance. This distinctive breed exists in two coat varieties that can appear within the same litter. The hairless variety displays smooth, soft skin with characteristic tufts of silky hair adorning the head as a crest, the tail as a plume, and the feet as socks. The powderpuff variety features a complete double coat of long, fine hair with a soft, silky texture throughout. Both varieties showcase pointed muzzles, Poodle-like facial features, and almond-shaped eyes set wide apart on slightly rounded, lengthy heads. The breed's carved cheeks and long, narrow feet with elongated toes complete their unique silhouette. Coloration in Chinese Cresteds demonstrates remarkable diversity, with acceptable colors including apricot, black, chocolate, white, silver, pink, and red, often enhanced by white or palomino markings. The hairless variety's exposed skin requires special attention to environmental factors, while both varieties share the breed's signature delicate bone structure and graceful bearing that has captivated admirers for centuries.
Key Characteristics
The Chinese Crested temperament reflects a charming blend of devotion and vivacity wrapped in a small package. These dogs form extraordinarily strong bonds with their immediate family members, often selecting one special person to whom they become particularly attached. Their affectionate nature manifests in distinctive ways, including using their paws to embrace their beloved humans around the neck. However, this intense bonding comes with a tendency toward suspicion of strangers unless properly socialized from puppyhood. Despite their reputation as couch potato companions who contentedly lounge for hours, Chinese Cresteds possess surprising athletic capabilities and excel in competitive activities including agility, obedience, and lure coursing. Their intelligence combines with an eager-to-please attitude, though training requires gentle, positive reinforcement methods as these sensitive souls respond poorly to harsh correction. The breed's playful spirit and love of mental challenges make them entertaining companions who appreciate puzzle toys and interactive games requiring problem-solving skills. These alert dogs serve as effective watchdogs despite their diminutive size, readily announcing visitors with enthusiastic barking, though they quickly warm to accepted guests. Their social needs run deep, and extended periods of isolation can trigger separation anxiety and associated behavioral issues. Chinese Cresteds thrive in households where they receive abundant attention and companionship, demonstrating adaptability to various living situations from apartments to larger homes, provided their emotional needs for human connection remain fulfilled. Their sometimes stubborn streak and notoriously difficult housetraining require patient, consistent training approaches that respect their sensitive nature.
Chinese Cresteds generally enjoy excellent longevity, with lifespans typically ranging from thirteen to eighteen years when provided appropriate care. The breed demonstrates relative hardiness compared to many toy breeds, though several health concerns warrant attention from prospective owners. Dental issues represent the most significant health challenge, particularly in hairless varieties where the hairless gene correlates with incomplete or irregular dentition. Many hairless dogs develop short-rooted teeth susceptible to early loss and decay, necessitating diligent dental hygiene including regular brushing and professional cleanings to preserve oral health as long as possible. Eye conditions affecting the breed include progressive retinal atrophy leading to eventual blindness, primary lens luxation requiring immediate veterinary intervention, glaucoma causing dangerous intraocular pressure, and persistent pupillary membrane. While some conditions like PRA remain untreatable, others respond to medical management or surgical correction when caught early through routine ophthalmologic examinations. Additional orthopedic concerns encompass patellar luxation where kneecaps slip from proper position, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease affecting young dogs' hip development. The hairless variety faces unique dermatological challenges requiring specialized care protocols. Their exposed skin proves vulnerable to sunburn, necessitating protective sunscreen application or clothing during outdoor activities, particularly during peak sun intensity. Skin conditions including acne, comedones, dryness, and allergic reactions demand regular moisturizing, proper hygiene, and careful product selection to maintain healthy skin. Both varieties benefit from preventive health screening for conditions like chondrodysplasia and neurological disorders. Regular veterinary checkups, appropriate vaccination protocols, genetic health testing by responsible breeders, and attentive home care contribute significantly to maximizing this charming breed's potential for a long, comfortable life as a cherished companion.
Havanese
The Havanese embodies charm in a compact package, standing eight and a half to eleven and a half inches tall at the shoulder, with ideal specimens measuring between nine and ten and a half inches. These petite companions weigh seven to thirteen pounds, featuring slightly longer bodies than height, creating a rectangular silhouette. Despite their small stature, Havanese possess surprising sturdiness with moderate bone and muscle development, deep chests reaching to their elbows, and short upper arms contributing to their well-proportioned appearance. The breed's most captivating feature remains its luxurious double coat, earning historical recognition as the Havana Silk Dog due to the coat's fine, silky texture. The adult coat grows six to eight inches in length, presenting either straight or wavy patterns that flow gracefully with movement. Unlike many double-coated breeds, the Havanese undercoat grows shorter than the overlay, facilitating easier brushing while creating their signature elegant appearance. The long, silky coat drapes to the ground when left untrimmed, though many pet owners opt for more manageable lengths. Havanese demonstrate remarkable color diversity, with at least twenty-five recognized coat colors and patterns including white, black, chocolate, cream, fawn, gold, red, black and silver, silver, champagne, blue, and numerous combinations encompassing tricolors and parti-colors. Their warm, expressive almond-shaped eyes appear large and dark brown, surrounded by characteristic dark pigmentation creating their endearing facial expression. The slightly rounded ears frame the face, while the distinctive tail curves over the back in a fluffy plume, contributing to their cheerful appearance. Their captivating gait expresses the breed's friendly, enthusiastic nature, moving with a spring in their step that reflects their vivacious personality.
Key Characteristics
The Havanese temperament radiates cheerfulness and outgoing friendliness, making these dogs exceptional companions for families, seniors, and individuals alike. Their affectionate nature manifests in strong bonds with family members, though unlike some toy breeds, Havanese typically distribute their devotion across all household members rather than selecting a single favorite. These social butterflies thrive on human companionship and genuinely enjoy meeting new people, displaying less reservation toward strangers than many toy breeds, though early socialization remains important for optimal social development. Intelligence and trainability rank among the Havanese's most appealing characteristics, as these bright dogs eagerly learn new commands, tricks, and behaviors to please their beloved humans. Their responsiveness to positive reinforcement training makes them excellent candidates for various canine activities including obedience, agility, and therapy work. However, their intelligence can manifest as stubbornness when they perceive training as boring or repetitive, necessitating creative, engaging training sessions that maintain their interest and enthusiasm. Playfulness defines the Havanese personality, with these energetic companions maintaining puppylike enthusiasm well into adulthood. They excel at entertaining their families with amusing antics and appreciate interactive games, puzzle toys, and activities that challenge their minds alongside their bodies. Despite moderate exercise requirements met through daily walks and play sessions, Havanese possess surprising stamina for their size. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in various living situations from apartments to houses with yards, provided they receive adequate attention and aren't left alone for extended periods. Without proper companionship, separation anxiety can develop, potentially manifesting as excessive barking or destructive behaviors. While generally good watchdogs who alert to approaching visitors, their friendly nature means they rarely maintain suspicion once properly introduced. Their gentle disposition combines with patience around children and compatibility with other pets, making Havanese versatile family companions who bring joy and laughter to their households daily.
Havanese generally enjoy robust health with impressive longevity, typically living fourteen to sixteen years, with females often outliving males by approximately one year. This extended lifespan reflects the breed's overall hardiness, though several health conditions require attention from prospective owners and responsible breeders. Progressive retinal atrophy represents a significant hereditary concern, causing gradual breakdown of photoreceptor cells in the retina, initially manifesting as night vision difficulties before progressing to complete blindness. While no effective treatments exist for PRA, genetic testing allows breeders to make informed breeding decisions to reduce disease transmission. Orthopedic issues affecting Havanese include patellar luxation, where kneecaps slip from proper position causing intermittent lameness and potential arthritis development. Severity ranges from mild cases requiring only anti-inflammatory medication and joint supplements to severe cases necessitating surgical correction. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease affects young Havanese under eighteen months, causing femoral head breakdown that produces pain and lameness. Treatment varies from medication for pain control in mild cases to surgical intervention for severe presentations. Hip dysplasia, though more common in larger breeds, occasionally affects Havanese when hip joints fail to develop properly, leading to painful bone rubbing, chronic discomfort, and arthritis. Additional health considerations include congenital heart abnormalities such as patent ductus arteriosus requiring cardiac examinations, congenital liver issues including shunts and microvascular dysplasia that impair liver function, and dental disease common among toy breeds due to small jaw size and crowded teeth. Cataracts and other eye conditions may develop, necessitating regular ophthalmologic examinations. The breed's predisposition to chondrodysplasia, a skeletal disorder causing shortened limbs, warrants attention from ethical breeders. Regular veterinary checkups, appropriate dental care including daily brushing, genetic health testing by responsible breeders, proper nutrition, and maintaining healthy weight all contribute to maximizing the Havanese's potential for a long, comfortable life filled with the companionship and joy this delightful breed brings to their families.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Crested Havanese may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Chinese Crested and Havanese to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.