RKC Breed Standard

General appearance

Small, sturdy, slightly longer in body than height at withers. Profusely coated, tail carried in plume over back.

Temperament

Friendly, outgoing.

Eyes

Dark, large, almond shaped, gentle expression, eye rims black. In brown shades eyes can be a slightly lighter colour, eye rims brown.

Mouth

Jaws strong with perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Forequarters

Legs straight, medium bone. Shoulders well laid.

Hindquarters

Medium boned, moderate angulation.

Tail

Set high, carried over the back; profusely feathered with long silky hair.

Coat

Soft, silky, wavy or slightly curled, full coated with an undercoat.

Size

Ideal height 23-28 cms (9-11 ins).

Note

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

This page reproduces in full the official Royal Kennel Club breed standard for the Havanese.

Characteristics

Lively, affectionate and intelligent.

Head and skull

Nose to stop and stop to occiput to be equal in length, skull broad, slightly rounded, moderate stop. Muzzle not snipy or blunt, cheeks flat. Nose and lips solid black, although for brown shades the pigment may be brown.

Ears

Moderately pointed and dropped, set on just above eye level, slightly raised, neither fly away nor framing the cheeks.

Neck

Medium length.

Body

Equal in height from withers to elbow as from elbow to ground. Slightly longer from point of shoulder to point of buttock than height at withers, level topline, slight rise over loin, well-sprung ribs, with good tuck-up.

Feet

Small, tight, hare foot.

Gait/movement

Free with a springy step, legs moving parallel along the line of travel.

Colour

Any colour or combination of colours permissible, except merle which is unacceptable.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.