Havashire Basics
A cute, sweet fluffy pooch that will always find a way to be in the center of attention- that’s the Havashire for you. These adorable small dogs leave no one indifferent, and their affectionate personality is, in big part, responsible for their popularity. Adaptable and generally undemanding, these hybrids will fit in in families of all shapes and sizes as well as a variety of living conditions. Whether you live in a cramped condo or a house with a big backyard, the Havashire will be happy as long as he’s with you.
The Havashire, or Yorkenese Terrier, as it is also known, is a mixed breed dog. His parents are a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Havanese. Like all designer dogs, Havashire puppies also vary greatly in their looks and behavior. And considering the differences between the parental breeds in this particular mix, there’s plenty of room for some surprises! But, even with their unpredictability, Havashires have managed to capture the hearts of countless pet owners. In fact, many of them consider their uniqueness a part of their immense charm.
While it’s undeniable that the cuteness and loving nature of the Havashire make them popular with pet owners, this breed is not a perfect match for everyone. To find out if the Havanese and Yorkie mix dog is the right choice for you, read on!
The Havashire is the perfect companion- loving, cheerful, loyal, and always looking to be in the center of the attention.
Origin
The origin of designer dog breeds such as the Havashire is often unknown. The very term designer dog breeds didn’t come into use until the 1980s, when the first litter of Labradoodles set of a worldwide trend. When an Australian breeder tried to develop a new breed of a hypoallergenic service dog by mating a Lab to a Poodle, he gave them the mix puppies a new name and in doing so, inspired many others to start crossing purebreds dogs. Naturally, this doesn’t mean that mixes of purebred dogs didn’t exist before that. There have probably been more than a few unplanned litters of Yorkie and Havanese mix babies running around decades before that! However, it’s not those ‘accidental’ babies that count- it’s when breeders started intentionally developing this mix.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been anyone that claims to be the first that created the Havashire, so there’s no way to know with certainty when or where this breed had its start. What we can do, though, is guess based on the general history of the majority of designer dogs. It’s highly likely that the Havashire’s story doesn’t differ much and that the breed first saw the light of day in the United States, sometime in the last 20 to 30 years.
Pedigree
The Havashire is a hybrid dog whose parents are a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Havanese. This is a first generation mix dog, with 50-50 percent of genes from each of the parental breeds. Owing to his mixed breed lineage, he is not considered an actual breed by major canine organizations, despite the status of his parents. One of the reasons for this is that designer dogs usually lack breed standards and they can vary greatly in looks and behavior. For instance, a Havashire dog can look more like one parent than the other, or inherit a bit of both Yorkie and Havanese. Sometimes, each puppy in the litter will be different! While their varying appearance often charms prospective pet owners rather than repel them, it makes it difficult for these dogs to participate in shows or be a part of a uniform breed.
Of course, this all goes for first generation mixes, but with further multigenerational breeding, things can become more standardized. By crossing Havashires with other, unrelated, Havashires or even Yorkies and Havanese, breeders will be able to come closer to a certain universal look for the breed. However, this is still far in the future- the Havashire is still a rare and recent breed.
Food/Diet
The Havashire does best on high-quality dry food for dogs. But not just any food will do- you can’t grab the first kibble on the shelf and expect your dog to stay healthy and happy eating it. Every dog breed has its own individual nutritional needs that have to be met through proper diet. For the Havashire, kibble needs to be of premium quality, made from natural, high-grade ingredients. Cheap food full of fillers simply won’t do- it is poor in nutrients, often fattening, and will make your pet’s coat lackluster. Additionally, their kibble should suit their size and activity level, as well as their age. Choose kibble that is made for puppies, adults, or seniors, depending on your dog’s life stage and formula for small breed dogs. These usually make a great match for the Havashire.
As a small breed dog, the Havashire will be prone to plaque buildup and obesity. The first can be prevented with feeding dry food instead of wet, but the later requires portion control. Don’t overfeed your pooch or let them free feed. Usually, dogs of this size don’t need more than a cup of kibble per day. Split this into two meals for better digestion.
Havashire can be difficult to housebreak, not unlike many tiny dogs.
Training
The Havanese and Yorkie mix dog is intelligent, same as his parents are. However, with all that smarts, it’s common for a stubborn streak to come as the part of a deal. After all, what are those terrier genes for if a pooch doesn’t have a bit of an attitude! Havashire can be difficult to housebreak, not unlike many tiny dogs. Additionally, their strong will and the fact they tend to have a mind of their own will require special approach if your count on training them yourself. Still, they are eager to please their owners, so there’s a chance you won’t have to try too hard to get them focused on their training sessions.
Havashire will respond best to positive reinforcement method combined with a firm hand. Use rewards such as yummy treats and praise to motivate them, but don’t be lax. Assert yourself as the leader of the pack and be consistent in your training sessions. Be patient and persistent and all your efforts will pay off! And, in any case, if your tiny Havashire ends up having more attitude than you can handle, you can always hire a pro to teach them the essentials.
Weight
The Havashire is a small breed dog that weighs 7 to 11 pounds on average.
Temperament/Behavior
The Yorkie and Havanese have both been bred for generations to become ideal companions that they are today, and their mix gets to inherit all those lovely traits right away. The Havashire is the perfect companion- loving, cheerful, loyal, and always looking to be in the center of the attention. Not only that these hybrids are sweet and cuddly, but they love nothing more than to be fussed over. Your Havashire will never leave your side and will expect to be a part of all family activities.
Lively and energetic, Havashire can have a clownish side to him. After all, what better way to be in the spotlight than to make everyone laugh to your silly antics? These designer dogs are not very vocal and won’t make a problem for the neighbors. They are very alert and protective, but not yappy- so there shouldn’t be any issues for pet owners who live in an apartment.
Common Health Problems
The Havashire is a generally healthy breed, but it doesn’t mean that these dogs are not prone to any issues. People often assume that mixed breed dogs are healthier than their purebred fellows, but it’s not a rule written in stone. It all mostly depends on the ‘pedigree’ of an individual pooch- or, in other words, their family tree. To make sure your dog is healthy as can be, avoid pet stores and dubious breeders.
As a breed, the Havanese and Yorkie mix will be prone to several issues owing to his parentage. These include patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg Calve Perthes disease, chondrodysplasia, mitral valve disease, cataracts, skin sensitivity, and allergies. Furthermore, like all small breed dogs, the Havashire is at a greater risk for diabetes and early tooth loss.
Life Expectancy
The lifespan of these dogs is quite impressive- they usually live for 13 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
Lively, energetic, and curious, the Havashire will always be on the go. These tiny dogs will be glued to you and if you’re an active person, you can count on your petite companion to keep up! However, even though they do have a lot of spirit and love to explore the world around them, these hybrids are not too active. Their exercise requirements are moderate- 45 to 60 minutes of deliberate exercise will be more than enough for them. Take them for walks, play a game of fetch or make a trip to the dog park- as long as they get to spend time with you, they’ll cherish any activity.
As a small dog, Havashire doesn’t need strenuous exercise, but it’s important not to neglect their activity needs. They are prone to obesity and need to move to stay in shape. Additionally, their curious nature ensures they get bored easily- and destructive if they are not entertained. Puzzle toys will give your pooch some much needed mental exercise!
As a small dog, Havashire doesn’t need strenuous exercise, but it’s important not to neglect their activity needs.
Recognized Clubs
The American Kennel Club and other major canine organizations don’t recognize designer dogs, including Havashire. However, there are many other clubs that do. The Havashire is recognized by American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
Both the Yorkie and the Havanese have fine, soft coats that are lovely to pet. Their mixed breed baby won’t stray far- these hybrids have lovely velvety hair that doesn’t shed much. However, their silky fur will not be enough to keep them warm in the winter, though, so count on having to dress up your Havashire in cute coats and jackets if you live in an area where winters get really cold. As for the colors, all bets are off. Yorkies are usually two-toned, with a combo of blue or black with tan and gold, but the Havanese comes in many shades. The Havashire can inherit the color of the coat from either of the parents, so there’s plenty variety within the breed.
As for the upkeep, the Havashire is not too high-maintenance. They will need regular brushing to make sure there are no tangles or matting. If you want, you can cut their hair in the summer, but it’s best to leave the scissors to the pros- take your pampered pooch to the salon for a trendy haircut.
Puppies
Havashire puppies will be cute, lively, and full of mischief. You might melt at the sight of tiny fluffy designer dogs, but it doesn’t mean you should neglect their upbringing. It’s important to start with training and socialization as early as possible. Teach your puppy where to go potty and how to behave on a leash, and make sure to expose them to other animals and people outside of the family. This way, you’ll be molding your adorable puppy into an all-around great dog.
Photo credit: Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock; michaelheim/Shutterstock; Savicic/Shutterstock
