(Photo Courtesy Of Pride and Joy Pups)
“Havanese Coton de Tulear Mix”
The Havaton is a playful, spunky, cute little dog. He makes the perfect companion because of his amiable, loving, and loyal nature. He can be quite stubborn at times but he responds very well to attention and praise. He is easy to train. His friendly nature enables him to get along well with kids and other pets.
Parents
This dog is a cross breed between a Havanese and a Coton de Tulear.
Cuba was colonized by the Spaniards in 1492. When the Spanish settlers came, they brought their small companion dogs with them. These dogs were eventually cross bred with the local dogs of the island. The Havanese breed was the result – a breed with a thick silky-smooth fur that offered protection from the scorching sun.
The Havanese became a favorite with the rich people of Cuba, and later with the high society of Europe. At the latter end of the 1800s, however, other breeds became more popular and the Havanese seemed to slowly disappear from the dog breeding circles.
Some of the Cubans who came to America following the 1959 revolution brought some of the remaining Havanese dogs with them. The small, gentle, and affectionate dog sparked new interest. Thanks to careful breeding, more and more families started to keep the dog as a pet.
The Coton de Tulear is widely recognized to have come from Madagascar, an island found near the southeast shores of Africa. Nobody knows how the breed came to the island. Most people believe the dogs survived a ship wreck near Madagascar.
The Colon de Tuelar, a sweet, playful, charming dog, became popular with both royalty and the masses of the island. A visiting Frenchman was so taken with the breed that he brought some with him to France where the dogs were bred and became a quite popular breed, in France and eventually in other places in the world as well.
Appearance
The Havaton is a charming small dog with a cute little face and a long fluffy coat. His appearance can be likened to that of a delightful teddy bear.
He has a small round head, dark, almond-shaped intelligent eyes with long eyebrows, floppy ears, and an adorable black button nose. His small muzzle tips slightly towards his nose. A cute fringe borders his mouth. His face is quite charming and his smile, totally endearing.
He has a rather long body and small stocky legs. He has a medium-length fluffy tail that he carries with pride.
Some Havatons have fur of a single color, usually light brown, brown, gray, white, or black. Others may have a combination of colors. A dog of mixed color usually shows a combination of white and one of the colors mentioned.
A Havaton is a naturally small dog. You can always easily pick him up or hold him in your lap. He will only grow to be 8 to 15 pounds in weight and 9 to 12 inches in height. He is an ideal dog for apartment-living and transport.
Grooming
If you want your dog’s fur to remain long and silky, you have to frequently groom your dog. Havatons are prone to moderate shedding of hair; regular brushing will take care of loose hair.
Use a gentle dog shampoo for bathing your dog so you don’t remove the natural oils in your dog’s skin that help to sustain his fur’s gloss and minimize matting.
Check his shaggy floppy ears regularly. When cleaning his ears, gently remove the dirt from the inner ears with a soft damp cloth. Do not push too deeply into his ear canals to prevent injury and infection.
Make sure that you brush his teeth carefully to keep them healthy and clean. Keep his nails short. Trim the hair around his eyes. Make sure to include the hair on his fluffy feet to keep your dog looking dapper and spruced up.
Behavior and Temperament
The Havaton tends to be a lively, playful, warm, and affectionate dog. He always wants to be by your side and to follow you around. He can get pretty lonely when left on his own. He can’t have enough of your affection and praise. In return, he is likely to remain very devoted and loyal to you.
He is good to have around kids. He is affectionate and mild-mannered. He is a very social creature. If he is not given the warmth and loving attention he seeks, he can get sad and lonely.
The Havaton makes a bad guard dog. He isn’t likely to be afraid or wary of strangers, especially of those whom he thinks you approve of. He isn’t likely to bark at a stranger either. In the few instances that he does bark, he isn’t likely to scare anyone away.
Training
Your dog is highly trainable. He responds best to positive reinforcement and a calm and encouraging tone. He can be quite stubborn at times. During these times, it is to your advantage to stay calm, firm, and patient.
Your dog is quick and light on his feet. His legs are powerful. If you start training him while he is still young, you can teach him to do a lot of entertaining tricks.
Diet
Your dog doesn’t need too much food. He only needs about a cup of food a day to stay happy and healthy.
Most dogs are mild eaters. They exhibit sufficient self control around food. You can put his entire food allowance for the day in his bowl in the morning so he can just come around for a few nibbles every time he feels hungry during the day.
If you notice that your dog has very little self-control, however, it may be a better idea to put half a cup of food in his bowl in the morning and another half cup in the evening.
Just make sure that what you are feeding him provides him with balanced nutrition.
Exercise
The Havaton adapts well to living in an apartment although you may need to take him for his walk daily to give him the required exercise and a breath of fresh air.
He is largely an indoor animal. He is energetic and frisky and will get the exercise he needs just from running around your apartment.
If you don’t have a garden where he can play in, it is a good idea to take him for a walk in the park or around the subdivision every day. Another suggestion would be a dog treadmill. Your highly sociable pet will appreciate the exercise, as well as the chance to see or play with other dogs during your walk.
Ideal Environment
If you have a small garden, your dog will have fun running around. However, this breed can adapt well even if you have just a small apartment. You just have to take him out for daily walks.
A Havaton is flexible and adaptable. He will do better in a warm and sunny climate, though, rather than in a cold one.
Health Concerns
You will have to give your dog regular baths because of his long coat. He is likely to have skin problems if you do not regularly get rid of the dirt and grime that tend to stay trapped beneath his fur.
A Havaton puppy is usually very healthy and will need minimal attention from your veterinarian. He is likely to stay healthy even as he gets on in years.
When he does get old, however, he may indicate some problems common to aging dogs of this breed. He is likely to suffer from loss of hearing and eye cataracts. Other common health issues include heart conditions, patellar luxation, joint dysplasia, Legg-Perthes Disease, and Chondrodysplasia.
Life Expectancy
If you have a Havaton and take good care of him, you can expect him to have a long and happy life with you.
Pay attention to the food that you feed him. Make sure that you get his food, preferably organic, from a highly trustworthy source.
Make sure that he gets enough fresh air. Your dog will find it acceptable to stay indoor most of the time.
It is important to take him for regular walks outside, however.
Your dog can live up to 15 years or so, especially if he gets the attention and love and health care he craves for.
A happy Havaton tends to live long.
He is not likely to do very well if raised in isolation. A Havaton that lives alone and secluded from interaction can have his life shortened by about 30% of the usual life expectancy.
Where to Find One
A cute Havaton puppy is likely to steal your heart the moment you set eyes on him. However, he is likely to come at a stiff price.
Being a mix of the Havanese and the Coton de Tulear, the Havaton has a rich and rather exotic heritage. This may account for the rather expensive price for a puppy.
The Havaton has become popular in the United States only in recent years. This may be another factor for its costly price tag.
You can get a puppy from a reputable breeder for $1,000. Others may even cost double this amount. If you don’t have all the cash available, try to look for a breeder who understands your situation. Tell him that you really want to get the dog but are not ready with the full amount of cash he requires as payment
Ask if it is possible for you to pay a small deposit of a few hundred dollars and make monthly payments for one or two years.
Other Considerations
There are other costs to consider if you want to acquire and own a Havaton. Your dog may need to undergo tests for specific hereditary conditions. He may require services like micro chip, shots, de-worming, and neutering. He will need a carrier bag, collar, leash, and crate.
He will need food, toys, and treats. He may need professional training and grooming. He will need flea prevention services, pet insurance, regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and other medical services.
Conclusion
Most people who get a Havaton say that the dog is worth every cent they spend on him.
Your family will love getting this dog. He is a sweet, loving, playful, and cheerful dog to have around the house. He is great with children. He can play many challenging games with kids like look-for-hidden objects, tug-of-war, and ball games. Your kids will find him a playful and entertaining dog to be with. He is easy to train, groom, and manage.
The Havaton has a long life expectancy. This makes him a good choice for a young family. Get the dog while your kids are young and he is still likely to be around when the kids are almost adults.
He is a devoted companion. He is an ideal pet to have, whether you live alone or with a family.