Havanese are also susceptible to juvenile cataracts, which can also impair vision, and luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps), ear infections, tearstains, and dry skin. To reduce the incidence of luxating patellas, HCA requires thatpuppy knees be checked before the age of six months; any puppy showing signs of the condition cannot be used for breeding. The Havanese is a hardy dog overall, with a tolerance for a wide range of temperatures and a relatively long life-span of 12-15 years.

Like any breed of dog, the Havanese is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Havanese puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Havanese Dogs include:

• Juvenile cataracts
• Chondrodysplasia
• Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP)
• Elbow dysplasia
• Liver abnormalities
• Cardiac problems

Again, a responsible breeder will be well educated about these problems that can occur in the Havanese breed and have their breeding dogs undergo rigorous testing to help ensure that their puppies will not have these disorders. It is extremely important that you educate yourself about health conditions affecting the Havanese so that you can be sure you are dealing with a breeder from whom you will acquire a healthy, well socialized puppy.

Havanese are generally considered healthy and sturdy dogs, and live between 12?16 years, though there is a prior history of genetic conditions with this breed. Don’t buy outside recognised breeder circles, and research the history of the breeders stock.

Havanese, even ones not to be bred, should go through several tests, including a one-time BAER hearing test, a CERF eye test annually, and a Patellar Palpation and Hip Evaluation. Soaping has also become a popular way for breeders to test health. It involves soaping up the dog to flatten the coat to its body and reveal the structure of the legs. Crooked, bowed or over short legs are a symptom related to many Havanese health issues, and dogs suffering from them should not be bred.

Because of the small genetic pool from which the Havanese were revived, Havanese organizations around the world are always on the lookout for new health and genetic issues that may come to the fore in this lovable and generally healthy breed.

The Havanese commonly has cataracts, poodle eye (which is discharge from the eye and staining), PRA (causes blindness in both eyes), dry skin, or luxating patellas (knee problem sometimes leading to lameness) but these disorders mostly appear when this breed ages. An average life expectancy for the long living Havanese is 14-15 years.