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Havanese Club of Great Britain
Puppy Buying Advice
Finding your perfect Havanese companion is a journey that begins with responsible choices.
It is important to find a responsible, knowledgeable breeder who puts the health and wellbeing of their dogs first.
The Havanese Club of Great Britain is committed to promoting responsible breeding practices. This guide will help you understand what to look for in a breeder, what health tests you should expect, and what questions to ask before you make your decision.
A responsible Havanese breeder will...
Be a Breed Club Member
HCGB members are bound by the Club's Code of Ethics, which sets out the standards expected of responsible breeders.
Membership demonstrates a commitment to the breed and to best practice in breeding and puppy rearing.
Be Knowledgable
The breeder should have an obvious, deep understanding of the breed and its characteristics and requirements.
They should be able to discuss health issues in a transparent and non defensive way.
They should have a clear understanding of the Animal Welfare Legislation as it pertains to dog breeding.
Invite You to Meet Mum at Home
A responsible breeder will welcome you to visit their home at a mutually convenient time, and meet the puppies with their mother.
The welfare of their dogs must be quite clearly their priority. Dogs, including mum and puppies, should obviously be well cared for and in a clean, comfortable setting within the family home.
Be cautious of any breeder who suggests meeting in a neutral location or who will not allow you to see where the puppies were raised.
Use these points to help you identify a responsible Havanese breeder before you commit to buying a puppy.
Register all Litters
All puppies from a responsible breeder should be registered with Royal Kennel Club.
Registration provides a verifiable record of the puppy's parentage and lineage. You should receive registration documents when you collect your puppy or shortly afterwards.
Health Test Parents
Responsible breeders carry out the health tests recommended for the Havanese breed before using dogs in their breeding programme.
They will share certificates and documentation with you.
See the Health Testing section below for full details.
Breed for Health & Temperament
Responsible breeders select parents carefully, prioritising health, temperament and conformation to the breed standard.
They do not breed from dogs that have not passed the recommended health tests, and they do not breed excessively from the same bitch.
Thoroughly Socialise Puppies
Puppies should be raised in a home environment, not in kennels, and should be exposed to the sights, sounds and experiences of everyday life during the critical socialisation window.
Well-socialised puppies are more confident and better equipped to adapt to their new homes.
Screen Buyers Carefully
A responsible breeder cares deeply about where their puppies go.
They will ask you many, many questions to ensure the puppy will be the right fit for you and your family. This is a sign of a caring breeder, not a difficult one.
Provide Contract & Puppy Pack
A good breeder will provide a thorough puppy pack.
This should include information on the Havanese breed, how to settle your puppy into your home, care advice, toilet training, feeding, grooming, and safety in the home and garden.
They should also provide a Puppy Contract (see resources below for the RKC Puppy Contract template).
Offer Lifelong Support
A responsible breeder makes themselves available for advice for the lifetime of your puppy.
They should also offer to take the puppy back should your circumstances change, or assist in finding a suitable new home.
Questions to ask the Breeder
Use these questions when you contact or visit a breeder. A responsible breeder will welcome your questions and answer them openly and honestly. You should also expect the breeder to be asking questions of you.
About the Breeder
- ☐ Are you a Council licensed breeder, and if not, do you have evidence that you don't need a license?
- ☐ Are all your litters RKC registered?
- ☐ Are you a member of the Havanese Club of Great Britain?
- ☐ Do you follow Breed Club Health testing recommendations?
About the Parents
- ☐ Can I see the puppies with their mother?
- ☐ Is it possible to meet the father, or can I see photographs?
- ☐ Are both parents health tested? Can I see the certificates?
- ☐ Are both parents Royal Kennel Club registered?
- ☐ How old is the mother and how many litters has she had?
About the Puppies
- ☐ How have the puppies been socialised?
- ☐ Have the puppies had veterinary checks?
- ☐ Will the puppy be microchipped?
- ☐ What vaccinations have the puppies received?
- ☐ What worming and parasite treatment have they had?
- ☐ What food are they currently eating?
- ☐ At what age will the puppy be available to go home?
- ☐ When will I receive the puppy's RKC registration papers?
- ☐ Will I receive free four weeks insurance?
About Ongoing Support
- ☐ What support do you offer after the puppy goes home?
- ☐ Can I contact you with questions as the puppy grows up?
- ☐ Can I see a copy of the Puppy Contract before I commit?
- ☐ If I am unable to keep the puppy in the future, will you take it back?
A responsible breeder should only breed from health tested parents.
Health testing results should be OFFICIAL, not just 'my vet checked them over and they are healthy'.
You should be shown (or better still receive in the Puppy Pack) copies of the parents health test certificates/results.
As a minimum, you should be shown results for the tests listed below.
For additional health testing information and recommended tests, please click the 'More Health Information' Button.
The British Veterinary Association/RKC eye scheme tests dogs for a range of hereditary eye conditions, including hereditary cataracts that can affect the Havanese. Testing is carried out by a BVA-approved ophthalmologist. Results should be current (within the last 12 months for breeding dogs) and should show the dog as unaffected. Official BVA Eye test certificates should be available for both parents.
RKC GOOD PRACTICE
Patella luxation (slipping kneecap) is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions in small breeds, including the Havanese. The Putnam patella grading scheme provides a score from 0 to 4 for each knee. Dogs with a grade of 2 or above in either knee should not be used for breeding. Ask to see the patella grading certificates for both parents.
⚠️ WARNING: RED FLAGS
Unfortunately, not everyone selling puppies has the best interests of the dogs at heart.
Puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders cause immense suffering to dogs and heartbreak to puppy families. Be alert to the following warning signs:
Red Flags When Making Contact
- Puppies are always available - no waiting list
- Multiple breeds are advertised by the same seller
- The seller will not allow you to visit the puppy at their home
- They suggest meeting in a car park, motorway services or other neutral location
- They are vague about where the puppies were bred or raised
- They become evasive or impatient when you ask questions
Red Flags When You Visit
- You cannot see the mother with the puppies
- The mother looks obviously, unwell, dirty, stressed or very thin
- The puppies are kept in poor, overcrowded or unhygienic conditions
- The puppies seem fearful, lethargic or poorly socialised
- You are pressured to make a quick decision or put down a deposit on the
- They cannot or will not provide health test certificates for the parents day
Red Flags Around Documentation
- No Royal Kennel Club registration papers are available
- The paperwork does not match the puppy
- The seller wants cash payment only
- The puppy is offered for collection before 8 weeks of age
- No vaccination or health records are provided
- No Puppy Pack/information provided
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and walk away.
Buying from an irresponsible source funds the suffering of the breeding dogs and is likely to result in heartbreak for your family.
The Havanese Club of Great Britain can help direct you to reputable breeders.