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Havaco |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Western Mediterranean <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Havaco |
| The Havaco is a hybrid of the Havanese Bichon and the English Cocker Spaniel. Bred as a companion dog and specific crossbreed recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, this mix is little known. Both parent breeds enjoy relatively high popularity as breeds, but the Bichon havanais is considered a rare breed and may also explain the Havaco's rarity. The Havaco is a small dog, bordering on the size of a toy, and is an excellent companion for apartment living, as well as being highly tolerant of all weather conditions. |
History of the Havaco |
| The Havaco is a specific cross between the Havanese Bichon and the English Cocker Spaniel. The hybrid is a designer dog and makes an excellent companion, but not much is known about the Havaco. Owners interested in understanding the Havaco's possible physical and character traits should review the histories of the parent breeds to gain a better understanding. |
A little of the Havanese Bichon |
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| The Havanese Bichon is a Bichon type that developed in Cuba. Spanish settlers brought the small dogs to the Cuban islands in the 15th century, where they developed in isolation. The Havanese Bichon was a dog of choice for Cuban aristocrats, but the Cuban revolution forced many to flee Cuba, leaving their dogs behind. Only 11 Havanese Bichon were known outside Cuba in the 1970s, and all Havanese Bichon living outside Cuba can trace their history back to the original 11. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Havanese Bichon in 1996, and although popular, it remains a rare breed. | ||
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| Standard of the Havanese Bichon | ||
A little of the English Cocker Spaniel |
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| The English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the terrestrial group of Spaniels, the other division being the aquatic group. The English Cocker Spaniel is smaller than the Water Spaniel, for example the American Water Dog, and is known for its hunting abilities. In particular, the English Cocker Spaniel hunted woodcock, hence the name Cocker. The English Cocker Spaniel originated in Spain, and once in North America continued to excel at hunting, but also became a favorite in the show ring. The English Cocker Spaniel has been part of the American Kennel Club's sporting group since 1878. | ||
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| Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel |
Appearance of the Havaco |
| The Havaco has a compact body but is not a delicate dog. They have strong, robust muscles and generally weigh no more than 9 kilos as adults. The head is round with a medium-length muzzle and proportionate black nose. The face most resembles the Havanese Bichon with almond-shaped black eyes, but the silky, soft ears are distinctly English Cocker Spaniel with a long length falling over the head and a curly look. The Havaco's legs are slightly shorter than the length of its body. The tail has a sickle curve on the back and a large plume if it resembles the Havana. |
Temperament of the Havaco |
| The Havaco is an active, friendly dog that is more sensitive to human emotions than most other dogs. They are very affectionate with their families and have a gentle disposition. The Havaco is very active and ignores its small size, making it an excellent companion for older children rather than young children who may accidentally hurt the dog while playing. This mix can be frightened of noises and noisy children, which can lead to behavioral problems. However, the Havaco will do well with strangers and will be very friendly. A soft, cheerful voice communicates the safety of this hybrid. The Havaco is an exceptional companion for other dogs and even cats. They love to play and may chase the family cat for a few minutes, but will quickly settle down. The Havaco is an intelligent mix that's easy to train because of its eagerness to please. However, their sensitivity requires gentle training. The Havaco needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation every day to lead a healthy life. |
Needs and activities of the Havaco |
| The Havaco is a mix of high- and moderate-energy breeds and needs a good amount of daily exercise, given its small size. However, exercise intensity is considerably reduced in the Havaco. Instead of focusing on wearing out your Havaco, engage in mentally stimulating games and exercises to keep them happy. Mental training can include learning new tricks that make the body and mind work together. This energy production will help your Havaco develop a healthy personality without underlying behavioral disorders. If the Havaco can satisfy all its daily mental and physical exercise needs indoors, then it is well suited to apartment living. This mix also has a high tolerance for hot and cold weather, but with the right interior design, it can live anywhere. |
Maintenance of the Havaco |
| The Havaco is not a hypoallergenic hybrid, although the parent Havanese Bichon is considered so, so your Havaco will lean towards allergy-free. This hybrid sheds moderately and requires frequent grooming and brushing to keep its medium to long-length coats shiny and mat-free. This is particularly true if the Havaco's cost resembles the coat of the English Cocker Spaniel parent. This mix is prone to ear infections, so clean the ears with a vet-approved solution to remove any dirt, wax or debris when brushing your Havaco. Avoid bathing your Havaco, and brush frequently to distribute the natural oils, remove dead and loose hairs, and remove dirt and debris from the coat. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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