Buying a Havanese dog sometimes takes a little patience and effort. Most breeders are very protective of the breed. You’ll find those who have havanese dogs for sale are careful who they sell to because they don’t want to see the Havanese overbred by commercial breeders.

You should know that if you are looking for a Havanese puppy from a good quality breeder that you may be put on a waiting list. Most breeders keep their dogs in their home and may only keep a few adult dogs. They may not breed very often. Since Havanese dogs are toy dogs, they do not have large litters. You may have to wait six months or up to two years if you want a puppy from a particular breeder. The wait is well worth it. Puppies obtained from these devoted breeders usually come from the very best parents — dogs which have been tested for health and which have the best temperaments and conformation. Good breeders will keep in touch with you and keep you updated on how things are going.

Sometimes you may find a show breeder who needs to re-home an adult dog. This may be a retired champion. Sometimes people simply don’t have room for all of the dogs they have and need to find a home for one. These are often lovely dogs with great temperaments who have been well-socialized. They just need a new home.

You should do plenty of research when you are looking around for a Havanese dog, whether you want a puppy or an adult. You should be aware of the potential health problems in the Havanese dog. Although they are considered a generally healthy breed these issues can occur. That does not mean that every dog will get one of these problems. It only means that they have occurred with some dogs:

• Cataracts
• Cherry Eye
• Chondrodysplasia
• Deafness
• Hip Dysplasia
• Legg Perthes (or Legg-Calve-Perthes)
• Liver Shunt
• Patellar Luxation (slipped kneecaps)

These are all issues that you should ask about when you talk to a breeder. They should be able to tell you if any of these problems have occurred in their dogs, particularly in the parents of your havanese puppy or dog you are interested in.

Havanese dogs can be tested for the following conditions:

• BAER hearing test
• Cardiac
• Elbow dysplasia
• Hip dysplasia
• Legg-Calve-Perthes
• Luxating Patellas
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Thyroid

Note that none of these tests are required but you can ask the dog breeder if they have had their dogs tested for these conditions. Asking about health conditions before you get a puppy or dog goes a long way toward preventing heartbreak after taking a puppy or dog home.

When you have chosen a breeder you like and there is a puppy or dog available you will almost certainly be asked to sign a contract. This contract will cover things such as the breeder’s health guarantees and your own responsibilities. Many Havanese breeders require owners to agree to spay or neuter their puppy or dog. They may also sell the puppy or dog on “Limited Registration” with the AKC. This means that the dog is registered with the AKC but that it is not eligible to compete in conformation events. Their offspring cannot be registered with the AKC. However, the dog may compete in performance events such as obedience, agility and rally.

Some breeders may want to keep your puppy or dog’s AKC registration papers until you provide evidence that you have spayed or neutered your puppy/dog. Strictly speaking, this is illegal under AKC rules. Registration papers are supposed to be given to the buyer at the time of sale. If the seller insists on holding onto the registration papers then they must clearly state the conditions in their bill of sale or contract and they must be delivered to you when the puppy/dog is spayed or neutered.

You should also discuss with the seller who will register the pup. Will you have the right to choose the registered name yourself? Some breeders prefer to choose the registered name themselves. If you have a problem with this you should say so.

The breeder should also discuss with you your puppy or dog’s care. They should tell you what the havanese puppy or dog has been eating, what vaccinations the puppy or dog has had and what schedule to continue with vaccinations, heartworm prevention, worming and other health care basics. And, of course, they should answer any questions that you have about grooming, housetraining and care of your puppy/dog.

Buying a Havanese puppy from a breeder should provide you with the kind of safety net that you don’t get when you obtain a dog from other sources. The breeder should be there for you for the rest of your puppy or dog’s life. Most breeders are even there for you if, for any reason, you are not able to keep your dog during his lifetime. Forming a good relationship with your breeder from the start helps both you and your Havanese puppy. Your breeder has a wealth of knowledge about the breed that they can pass on to you. Get to know them. It can be the start of a beautiful friendship.