The Havanese Fanciers of Canada’s (HFC) Versatility Awards Program
The Havanese Fanciers of Canada’s (HFC) Versatility Awards program is intended to stimulate interest and encourage participation of Havanese in the Canadian Kennel Club’s many varied activities; to acknowledge an individual dog’s accomplishments and to applaud the versatility of the Havanese breed.
Requirements:
The HFC Versatility Awards are available to dogs meeting the requirements below
- Dogs must be owned or co-owned by HFC Member;
- Only titles awarded by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) will be considered;
Versatility Award requirements may be added to, or amended in the future to accommodate any new disciplines/titles added by the Canadian Kennel Club;
Members must submit an application for each of the Versatility Awards and provide proof of their dogs titles (photocopy of title certificate);
The Versatility Awards shall be presented once a year at the HFC National Specialty Banquet. The Awards and Accomplishments records keeper or other designated individual shall present the awards.
The award will be mailed in a timely manner after the banquet to those unable to attend.
BRONZE VERSATILITY 10 PTS – 2 CATEGORIES
SILVER VERSATILITY 15 PTS – 3 CATEGORIES
GOLD VERSATILITY 20 PTS – 3 CATEGORIES
PLATINUM VERSATILITY 30 PTS – 4 CATEGORIES must include 1 championship title from any category
Note: The points allocated for titles in any one category should not be totalled. The highest points, applicable to the highest title obtained in that category, will be the points counted. At the initial application for a versatility award, the owner would apply for the award at the highest level the dog has currently achieved. For example, an owner making an initial application for a dog with 15 points in 3 categories will apply for Silver Versatility. To achieve the next award level, you would submit the additional requirements on the award level already earned.
Canine Good Citizen
The Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) program, offered by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), recognizes dogs that demonstrate excellent manners at home and in public. Perfect for showcasing your Havanese’s affectionate, intelligent, and trainable nature.
What it involves:
- 12 practical exercises that evaluate everyday behaviour—such as greeting a stranger, walking calmly on leash, and handling distractions.
- The test is non-competitive and emphasizes the bond between you and your dog more than precision.
Why it matters:
- Encourages responsible dog ownership and enhances community awareness of well-mannered dogs.
- Open to all dogs 12 months and older, regardless of breed or registration.
- Upon passing, your Havanese earns a CKC certificate and may add the “CGN” title to its registered name—ideal for those aiming toward therapy or other performance goals.
Steps include: Accepting strangers, polite petting, grooming, walking in crowds, commands (sit, stay, come), dealing with passing dogs/distractions, supervised isolation, and more.
Learn more and view the official CKC program details here:
CKC Canine Good Neighbour Program – Canadian Kennel Club
Tricks
Havanese are smart, eager to learn, and love to entertain—which makes them perfect candidates for the CKC Trick Dog program! Whether you're looking to teach your pup a few fun tricks or earn official titles, this activity is a fantastic way to strengthen your bond and showcase your Havanese’s talents.
About the Program:
The Canadian Kennel Club Trick Dog Program rewards dogs for learning and performing a variety of tricks. From simple skills like “spin” and “high five” to more advanced routines, there’s something for every level of experience.
Levels include:
- Novice Trick Dog (NTD)
- Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD)
- Advanced Trick Dog (ATD)
- Trick Dog Champion (TDCH)
Why Try Tricks with Your Havanese?
- Encourages mental stimulation and creativity
- Strengthens your dog’s focus, confidence, and obedience
- Great for all ages, from puppies to seniors
- Fun way to engage with family and friends—or even perform for an audience!
Many Havanese love showing off, and trick training gives them a positive outlet to do just that.
Learn more about the program and how to get started:
CKC Trick Dog Titles – Canadian Kennel Club
Therapy Dog Work
With their gentle temperament, affectionate nature, and love of people, Havanese make wonderful therapy dogs. Therapy dog work involves visiting people in hospitals, schools, senior residences, and other settings to bring comfort, joy, and companionship.
What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a well-mannered, friendly dog that provides emotional support and comfort to people in need. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs don’t have special public access rights—they work by invitation in approved settings.
Why Havanese Excel:
- Naturally sociable and affectionate
- Small size makes them non-intimidating and easy to handle
- Quick learners with a calm, confident demeanor
Getting Involved:
There’s no single certification body for therapy dogs in Canada. Instead, there are many wonderful therapy dog organizations across the country, each with their own application, evaluation, and training process. Some well-known organizations include:
- St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program
- Therapeutic Paws of Canada
- Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS)
- Ottawa Therapy Dogs
- Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta (PeTS)
Most organizations look for dogs that:
- Are at least one year old
- Are calm, gentle, and predictable
- Enjoy meeting new people
- Have basic obedience and social skills (e.g. CGN certification is often helpful)
Make a Difference:
Participating in therapy dog work is a meaningful way to share your Havanese’s sweet nature with others and strengthen your connection in the process.
Learn more about therapy dog programs in Canada:
Agility
Agility is a fast-paced, exciting dog sport that’s perfect for the playful and energetic Havanese. It involves guiding your dog through an obstacle course—think jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and seesaws—all timed for speed and accuracy.
Why Agility is Great for Havanese:
- Their small size and quick reflexes make them naturally agile and able to navigate courses with ease.
- Havanese are eager to please and quick learners, which helps with mastering complex obstacles.
- It’s a fantastic way to provide physical exercise and mental stimulation—both crucial for keeping your Havanese happy and healthy.
Puppy Caution:
For puppies, it’s important to progress slowly and carefully in agility training to protect developing joints and bones. The Havanese’s bone structure isn’t fully mature until around 12–18 months of age, so avoid high-impact jumps or repetitive strain during early growth stages.
What to Expect:
Agility training focuses on teamwork between handler and dog, improving communication, trust, and coordination. Beginners start with simple obstacles and gradually progress to more challenging courses.
Getting Started in Canada:
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) sanctions agility trials and offers titles based on your dog’s performance. Many local clubs provide classes and practice opportunities where you can train and compete with your Havanese.
Ready to jump in? Learn more about agility with CKC here:
Canadian Kennel Club Agility
Obedience and Rally
Havanese dogs shine in both obedience and rally competitions thanks to their intelligence, eagerness to please, and quick learning abilities. These sports are fantastic for building strong communication and teamwork between you and your dog.
Obedience:
This classic sport tests your dog’s ability to perform precise, controlled exercises such as heeling, sits, downs, recalls, and stays—often at increasing levels of difficulty. It requires discipline, focus, and consistency, making it a great way to reinforce everyday good manners.
Rally:
Rally is a fun, fast-paced obedience variation where handlers and dogs navigate a course with signs that instruct the next skill or command. Unlike traditional obedience, rally allows more verbal praise and encouragement, making it a positive and engaging experience for both handler and dog.
Why Havanese Excel:
- Their quick wit and natural enthusiasm help them learn and enjoy complex commands.
- They thrive on positive interaction and working closely with their handler.
- Both sports provide excellent mental stimulation and structured exercise, which are key for a happy, balanced Havanese.
Getting Started in Canada:
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) hosts obedience and rally trials with official titles and levels for all skill sets—from beginner to advanced. Many local clubs offer training classes to prepare you and your Havanese for competition or just to improve your everyday relationship.
Learn more about Obedience and Rally with CKC here:
Canadian Kennel Club Obedience
Canadian Kennel Club Rally
Sprinters
Sprinter racing is a fast and thrilling dog sport that highlights your Havanese’s speed, enthusiasm, and athleticism. In sprint racing, dogs race over a short distance (usually 25 to 50 yards), chasing a lure or running a straight course to reach the finish line as quickly as possible.
Why Sprinters Suit Havanese:
- Their lively, energetic nature makes them eager participants.
- Despite their small size, many Havanese have quick bursts of speed and agility.
- It’s a great way to provide focused physical exercise and satisfy their playful spirit.
What to Expect:
Sprint racing is a simple, fast-paced event requiring minimal equipment. It’s often an exciting way to introduce your dog to competitive sports, build confidence, and enjoy active bonding time.
Getting Started in Canada:
Sprinter racing is growing in popularity across Canada, with clubs and events organized by various dog sport groups. While not directly overseen by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), many local organizations support sprint racing and related activities.
Conformation
Conformation shows are dog events where purebred dogs, like the Havanese, are evaluated based on how closely they meet the breed’s official standard. These standards cover physical structure, movement, and temperament—helping judges assess the dog’s quality as a representative of the breed.
Purpose:
The main goal of conformation is to evaluate breeding stock. Judges look for dogs with proper build, gait, coat, and temperament that align with the Havanese breed standard. This helps breeders make informed decisions to preserve and improve the breed’s health, appearance, and character.
Important Consideration:
When purchasing a Havanese intended for conformation showing, it’s essential to have a contract that explicitly allows participation in dog shows. This contract ensures that the dog can be entered in CKC-sanctioned events and helps protect the rights of both the breeder and owner regarding the dog’s use in the show ring and breeding programs.
Why Participate:
Conformation can be a rewarding experience for owners who enjoy presenting their Havanese and contributing to the breed’s future. It promotes responsible breeding and provides a community of enthusiasts passionate about maintaining breed standards.
Scent Work
Havanese dogs may be small, but they have keen noses and love a good challenge! Scent Work and Barn Hunt are exciting nose-based activities that tap into your dog’s natural scenting abilities and curiosity.
Scent Work:
Inspired by professional detection dog work, Scent Work involves training your Havanese to find specific scents hidden in various environments—indoors or outdoors. This sport is great for mental stimulation and builds your dog’s confidence as they learn to search systematically for targets like essential oils.
Barn Hunt:
Barn Hunt simulates hunting for rats (safely contained in tubes) hidden in a course filled with hay bales. Dogs must find and alert their handler to the rat tubes while navigating the course. It’s a fun, fast-paced activity that encourages natural hunting instincts, agility, and problem-solving.
Why Havanese Excel:
- Their sharp noses and curiosity make scent work a perfect mental workout.
- Their playful, intelligent nature helps them quickly learn and enjoy both sports.
- Both activities provide positive outlets for energy without requiring strenuous physical impact.
Getting Started in Canada:
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) offers official Scent Work trials and titles. Barn Hunt events are popular across the country through the Barn Hunt Association, with local clubs often hosting training and trials.
Explore more:
Tracking
Tracking is a fascinating dog sport that taps into your Havanese’s natural scenting abilities by teaching them to follow a specific scent trail left by a person. This activity combines mental focus, scent discrimination, and teamwork, providing both physical and mental exercise.
What Is Tracking?
In tracking, your dog learns to follow a path made by a person walking through grass, fields, or urban environments, locating objects placed along the way. The goal is for the dog to stay on the trail, ignore distractions, and find the “article” items as proof of a successful track.
Why Havanese Are Great Trackers:
- Despite their small size, Havanese have sharp noses and a strong desire to please, ideal for scent-based work.
- Tracking helps build focus, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
- It’s a rewarding way to bond while engaging your dog’s instincts in a controlled, fun environment.
Getting Started in Canada:
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) offers tracking tests and titles. Local clubs and trainers often hold tracking workshops and practice sessions to help you and your Havanese get started.