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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Havanese/toy breed help

21 replies

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 14:51

I'm interested in getting a havanese, as I think we make a good match. I don't work and am up for a companion dog without big commitment to walking ( for practical reasons).
We have cats, so a cat friendly/child friendly dog is essential.
I know the big concern is one of the children hurting the havanese, through dropping accidentally, and this is something I'm spending a lot of time thinking over.
Does anyone out there have a Havanese, or have close experience of them? Or any other toy breed that they recommend? (Or def don't recommend!!!)
Thanks

OP posts:

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tabulahrasa · 24/02/2015 15:30

Why would children be picking up a dog?

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 15:54

Because they are kids?

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Floralnomad · 24/02/2015 16:00

Id stick to the cats ,even toy breeds need to be treated like dogs ie being walked and not being picked up and treated like toys , or wait until your dc are old enough to leave the dog alone . Someone near me has a mini Yorkshire terrier and she likes lots of exercise ( even though she is only slightly larger than her tennis ball ) .

tabulahrasa · 24/02/2015 16:03

But it's a dog, not a toy...dogs generally don't like being picked up and there's really no need to do it.

If your children aren't old enough to understand that you don't pick up dogs, I'd wait until they're older.

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:07

The breeds I'm looking at need about 2 20 minute walks a day, (ie like a dog, just not as much as some other breeds).
This I know as a fact through talking to breeders,breed club secretaries, FB forums and hours of research. The reality is a lap dog will want company and my youngest like picking things up because they will pick up anything, not just because it's cute. My oldest (11) will want to be involved with the care of the dog, including grooming. So it's entirely likely they, like me, will have the dog.
If anyone does have a havanese or other toy breeds or close experience please do share your experience.

OP posts:

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:07

I know it's a DOG!!!

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RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:10

Yes the kids would be told not to pick up the dog. But kids may be naughty. Just like adults. Will they be allowed to pick it up or encouraged to? No?
Can children misbehave? Yes.
So that is why I am going in with my eyes open thinking what could go wrong.
None of the breeders I have spoken to struggle to understand this. Even adults have accidentally hurt toy breeds.

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Aylish1993 · 24/02/2015 16:13

I have a havanese he is fantastic. I would recommend them to anyone although I've heard they are heard to get in the uk.

Havanese/toy breed help

Aylish1993 · 24/02/2015 16:15

That was supposed to say hard to get.

Buttholelane · 24/02/2015 16:22

I don't like your opinion that they will pick up the dog 'because they are kids'.
Excellent way to end up with disfigured kids when the dog bites.

My son was 4 when we got our puppy, he was taught not to pick her up, pull her ears etc.
he was taught to treat pets with respect, not as toys

tabulahrasa · 24/02/2015 16:24

Children don't always do what they're told, neither do dogs...that's why you supervise them so that nothing goes wrong.

Just because a dog is small it doesn't mean it should have to put up with unwanted behaviour.

Buttholelane · 24/02/2015 16:28

This

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:48

Thanks Aylish.
And to the toy comments, they are a toy breed. I didn't write they are a 'toy'
Like gun dogs are a category. It is a title.
Please this is not about people's thoughts on toy breeds or designer dogs. If a dog forum is to be helpful then only constructive advise not patronising comments are helpful.
No one has mentioned the fact that they don't like to be left...surely havanese experts such as are telling me they are dogs should be pointing that out immediately.
The reason I said about dropping them was to pre empt the natural response that with children they can hurt them. Not because my children are going to dress up the dog and carry it round in a bag which I guess is what is the assumption.
Toy breeds exist, and are not toys, nor would any responsible breeder let anyone have one who thought that.

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RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:48

Thanks Aylish.
And to the toy comments, they are a toy breed. I didn't write they are a 'toy'
Like gun dogs are a category. It is a title.
Please this is not about people's thoughts on toy breeds or designer dogs. If a dog forum is to be helpful then only constructive advise not patronising comments are helpful.
No one has mentioned the fact that they don't like to be left...surely havanese experts such as are telling me they are dogs should be pointing that out immediately.
The reason I said about dropping them was to pre empt the natural response that with children they can hurt them. Not because my children are going to dress up the dog and carry it round in a bag which I guess is what is the assumption.
Toy breeds exist, and are not toys, nor would any responsible breeder let anyone have one who thought that.

OP posts:

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:49

Thanks Aylish.
And to the toy comments, they are a toy breed. I didn't write they are a 'toy'
Like gun dogs are a category. It is a title.
Please this is not about people's thoughts on toy breeds or designer dogs. If a dog forum is to be helpful then only constructive advise not patronising comments are helpful.
No one has mentioned the fact that they don't like to be left...surely havanese experts such as are telling me they are dogs should be pointing that out immediately.
The reason I said about dropping them was to pre empt the natural response that with children they can hurt them. Not because my children are going to dress up the dog and carry it round in a bag which I guess is what is the assumption.
Toy breeds exist, and are not toys, nor would any responsible breeder let anyone have one who thought that.

OP posts:

RainbowLoom · 24/02/2015 16:49

Thanks Aylish.
And to the toy comments, they are a toy breed. I didn't write they are a 'toy'
Like gun dogs are a category. It is a title.
Please this is not about people's thoughts on toy breeds or designer dogs. If a dog forum is to be helpful then only constructive advise not patronising comments are helpful.
No one has mentioned the fact that they don't like to be left...surely havanese experts such as are telling me they are dogs should be pointing that out immediately.
The reason I said about dropping them was to pre empt the natural response that with children they can hurt them. Not because my children are going to dress up the dog and carry it round in a bag which I guess is what is the assumption.
Toy breeds exist, and are not toys, nor would any responsible breeder let anyone have one who thought that.

OP posts:

Aylish1993 · 24/02/2015 17:02

Rainbow I'm sure you already know this as it sounds like you've done your research but they are non shedding dog so you have to get the clipped regularly and brush them daily, they do tend to get matts in their hair which if pulled or accidentally caught can cause them pain. Just with kids can be a bit of nightmare :) if you've got any questions on the breed I can help with what I know from mine.

tabulahrasa · 24/02/2015 17:04

The toy comments have nothing to do with the size of dog...they're about the assumption that children will be picking a dog up.

It would never even cross my mind as a potential issue that a dog would be injured by being dropped by a child because I wouldn't allow a child to pick up a dog, or poke it, or pull its ears or tail.

So the fact that you seem to think it's a possible danger is why you're being told that it isn't ok.

IME toy dogs are sturdier than you'd imagine...as long as you're not doing anything inappropriate with them and are entirely fine with children as long as there is adult supervision, exactly the same as there should be with any dog.

Buttholelane · 24/02/2015 17:04

Everyone knows they are classed as a toy breed.
People were advising you not to let the kids treat it like a literal stuffed toy.

No dog likes to be left.
Sorry to be blunt but these are social creatures, some dogs may cope better than others but most dogs will show stress to some degree when left regardless of breed.

But the kids should never have the opportunity!
You need to be on the ball 24/7, drop a small puppy and the impact could KILL it and no I'm not being dramatic, happened before and will no doubt happen again.
It's not good enough to think 'accidents will happen sometimes', too many accidents and you will get a dog that bites your kids or costs you thousands in fracture and other accident surgery.

ScrappyMalloy · 24/02/2015 17:05

I have always gone for small breeds, although never had a Havanese. My tiniest was a rescue teacup yorkie who was smaller than my cat

I think everyone is trying to say that they might look teeny tiny little cute things, but they are just as capable of snapping as any other dogs, and like any dog, children need to learn how to care for them and respect their boundaries. They really shouldn't be pulled about or lifted up by children, like any dog.

My current little one (a Maltese) has two thirty minute walks a day plus longer runs at the weekend. She gets filthy on her walks as she is so low to the ground and white (WHITE!) so she has regular baths as A. She is WHITE(sob) and, B. as a toy breed we do allow her on beds and sofas so like her to be hygienic if possible.

Little companion dogs are lovely

Spaceman1 · 19/09/2020 09:26

Does anyone know of a good breeder for havanese?

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