Dualanese
Hybrid Breed Description
The Dualanese is a cross between the Bolognese and the Havanese. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Dualanese. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small companion dog with a distinctive appearance characterized by its stocky, square build and long, fluffy pure white coat. Standing between eight and twelve inches at the shoulder, these toy-sized dogs typically weigh between five and fourteen pounds, making them perfectly suited for both apartment living and larger homes. Their body length equals their height at the withers, creating the breed's characteristic square proportions. The breed's most striking feature is its luxurious single coat that lacks an undercoat, falling in loose, open flocks or ringlets that give the dog a slightly unkempt yet charming appearance. The Bolognese coat is always white, though very slight shades of ivory are occasionally acceptable. This long, soft coat feels like fine silk to the touch and stands off the body slightly while flowing with movement, creating an elegant appearance. The breed has a medium-length head with a broad, slightly rounded skull and well-developed frontal bones. Their round, dark eyes are expressive and set forward on the face, while their black nose and eye rims provide striking contrast against their white coat. The ears are set high and hang down alongside the head without touching the face, and when alert, they lift slightly at the base. Other distinctive features include a straight topline, a deep chest, and a tail that curves gracefully over the back without touching it. The breed's black nails, nose, and eye rims are standard, giving them a refined appearance. Despite their small size and delicate looks, Bolognese dogs are surprisingly sturdy with strong jaws and well-aligned teeth. Their compact, muscular build beneath all that fluff makes them more robust than many other toy breeds, though they retain an air of nobility and elegance in their carriage and movement.
Key Characteristics
The Bolognese is renowned for its gentle, affectionate temperament and unwavering devotion to family members. These intelligent companion dogs form extraordinarily strong bonds with their humans and are often described as velcro dogs because they prefer to stay close to their owners at all times. They thrive on human companionship and are happiest when included in all family activities, whether that's relaxing on the couch or accompanying their owners on errands. Their people-oriented nature makes them excellent companions for retirees or individuals who work from home, though this same trait means they do not tolerate long periods of alone time well and may develop separation anxiety if left isolated for extended periods. Bolognese dogs possess calm, easygoing personalities combined with playful and curious natures. They are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train despite occasional stubborn streaks. These dogs excel at learning tricks and commands, particularly when training incorporates praise and affection rather than food rewards, as many Bolognese are not particularly food-motivated. While they enjoy playtime and can be quite entertaining with their goofy antics, they are not high-energy dogs and are content with moderate exercise. Their adaptable nature allows them to adjust well to various living situations, and they generally get along excellently with children and other pets when properly socialized from a young age. While friendly and social with family, Bolognese can be somewhat reserved or shy around strangers initially, though they typically warm up quickly with proper socialization. They are vigilant watchdogs who will alert their owners to unusual sounds or visitors with barking, but they are not aggressive by nature. Some individuals may be prone to small dog syndrome if not given proper boundaries and leadership. Their sensitive nature means they respond best to gentle, positive training methods rather than harsh corrections. Overall, the Bolognese temperament combines sweetness, loyalty, intelligence, and just enough independence to keep things interesting, making them delightful companions for those who can provide the attention and companionship these devoted dogs crave.
The Bolognese is generally considered a healthy breed with a relatively long lifespan of twelve to fourteen years, and some individuals living even longer with proper care. The breed benefits from a low coefficient of inbreeding and responsible breeding practices, which have helped maintain overall health. However, like all purebred dogs, Bolognese can be predisposed to certain health conditions that prospective owners should be aware of. The most common issues in the breed include patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, potentially causing lameness and discomfort over time. This condition is particularly common in small breeds and may require surgical intervention in severe cases. Eye problems represent another area of concern for the Bolognese, with cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy being the most prominent genetic eye disorders. Cataracts often develop between three and seven years of age and can lead to vision impairment, while progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative condition that can ultimately result in blindness. Other eye issues that may affect the breed include cherry eye, distichiasis, and excessive tearing that can cause staining around the eyes. Regular veterinary eye examinations are recommended for early detection and management of these conditions. Dental disease is particularly common in Bolognese and other small breeds due to the crowding of teeth in their small mouths. Without proper dental care, including regular brushing and professional cleanings, dogs can develop periodontal disease leading to tooth loss and systemic infections. Hip dysplasia, while less common than in larger breeds, can still occur in Bolognese and may require medical or surgical management. Other health concerns that may affect the breed include Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which impacts the hip joint in young dogs, hypothyroidism, allergies, and obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is crucial for preventing or managing many of these conditions. Working with reputable breeders who conduct health screenings and choosing dogs from lines with minimal health issues can significantly reduce the risk of inherited problems.
Havanese
The Havanese is a small, sturdy toy dog with an elegant yet charming appearance that reflects its heritage as a companion to Cuban aristocracy. These dogs typically stand between eight and a half to eleven and a half inches tall at the withers, with the ideal height ranging from nine to ten and a half inches. Weight generally falls between seven and thirteen pounds, making them substantial enough to be sturdy playmates while remaining perfectly portable. The body is slightly longer than tall, creating a rectangular rather than square profile, and the breed features a distinctive topline that rises slightly from the withers to the croup, remaining straight during movement. The Havanese is perhaps best known for its beautiful, long, silky double coat that flows gracefully with movement and can reach six to eight inches in length on adults. Often called the Havana Silk Dog, the coat feels incredibly soft and lightweight, almost cool to the touch like fine silk. While the undercoat is sometimes absent, when present it is soft and provides gentle insulation. The coat may be straight or wavy and comes in an impressive array of colors including white, cream, champagne, gold, black, blue, silver, chocolate, and red, as well as any combination of these colors in parti-color, tricolor, or other patterns. This variety makes each Havanese unique in appearance. The breed's head is moderately long with a broad, slightly rounded skull and a slightly shorter muzzle. Their expressive almond-shaped eyes are typically dark brown, though chocolate-colored dogs may have lighter brown eyes. The eyes are surrounded by solid black pigmentation except in chocolate dogs, which have brown pigmentation. The ears are set high on the skull, dropping alongside the head with a distinctive fold, and when extended they reach halfway to the nose. The breed's plumed tail, carried arched forward over the back, is one of its most distinctive features. The hair falls elegantly from the tail but the tail itself never touches the back. Their springy, lively gait results from the breed's unique structure, with short upper arms combined with strong rear drive creating the characteristic bouncy movement that makes Havanese so recognizable.
Key Characteristics
The Havanese possesses an exceptionally affectionate and outgoing temperament that has earned them the nickname velcro dog for their tendency to stay constantly close to their beloved humans. These intelligent, playful dogs are known for their friendly disposition toward everyone, including strangers, children, other dogs, and even cats, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. They thrive on human interaction and companionship, forming deep emotional bonds with family members and displaying remarkable sensitivity to their owners' emotions. This people-oriented nature means Havanese are happiest when included in all family activities and should not be left alone for extended periods, as they are prone to developing separation anxiety and may become destructive, noisy, or distressed when isolated. Havanese dogs are highly intelligent and eager to please, characteristics that generally make them easy to train using positive reinforcement methods. They learn tricks and commands quickly and often excel in various canine sports including agility, obedience, rally, and flyball. Their natural playfulness and love of attention make them entertaining family members who enjoy performing and making their owners laugh with amusing antics. While not particularly high-energy dogs, Havanese are surprisingly lively for their size and require regular mental stimulation and moderate daily exercise to remain content. They adapt well to various living situations including apartments, as long as they receive adequate attention and activity. Despite their many wonderful qualities, Havanese can present some behavioral challenges. Their strong attachment to family means they genuinely struggle with alone time and may bark, howl, or become destructive if their needs for companionship are not met. They can be somewhat vocal, using their bark to alert owners to anything unusual, though with proper training excessive barking can be managed. Some individuals may exhibit small dog syndrome if not given appropriate boundaries and consistent leadership. While generally outgoing, Havanese may be initially reserved with strangers without proper early socialization. Their intelligence combined with occasional stubbornness means training requires patience and consistency, though their desire to please typically wins out. Havanese have a playful, sometimes mischievous streak and may test boundaries, but their sweet, gentle nature and devotion to their families make them exceptional companions for those who can provide the attention and interaction these social butterflies require.
The Havanese is generally a healthy, robust breed with an impressive average lifespan of fourteen to sixteen years, with many individuals living well into their late teens. The breed benefits from responsible breeding practices and a relatively diverse gene pool, which contributes to overall good health. However, like all breeds, Havanese are predisposed to certain health conditions that potential owners should understand. One of the most significant concerns is patellar luxation, a common orthopedic issue in small breeds where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position. This condition can cause lameness, pain, and difficulty walking, with severe cases potentially requiring surgical correction. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding over-exercise during puppyhood can help reduce the risk and severity of this condition. Eye problems represent another area of concern for Havanese, with progressive retinal atrophy being among the most serious. This inherited degenerative disease causes gradual vision loss, beginning with night blindness and eventually progressing to complete blindness with no cure available. Cataracts, often appearing between three and seven years of age, are the most common genetic eye disorder in the breed. Other eye issues include cherry eye, distichiasis where eyelashes grow abnormally and irritate the eye, and excessive tearing that can cause staining. Regular veterinary eye examinations are essential for early detection and management of these conditions. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease affects some Havanese, particularly in young dogs under eighteen months of age. This condition involves degeneration of the femoral head, causing pain and lameness that may require surgical treatment. Portosystemic shunt, a serious congenital liver condition where blood bypasses the liver and allows toxins to accumulate, occurs more frequently in Havanese than many other breeds. Signs may appear in puppyhood or remain subtle until later in life, and treatment often involves dietary management and sometimes surgery. Heart disease, particularly mitral valve disease, hip dysplasia though less common than in larger breeds, hypothyroidism, allergies, and dental disease due to crowded teeth are additional concerns. Chondrodysplasia, a bone and cartilage development disorder, has been identified in some lines. Regular veterinary care, maintaining ideal body weight, providing proper nutrition, and working with health-testing breeders can help manage these risks and ensure Havanese enjoy long, healthy lives.
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 Dualanese 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 Bolognese and Havanese to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.