Resources for Responsible Havanese Ownership
Finding the right breeder to help you choose your next family member is an important step in the process of welcoming a new puppy or adult dog into your life.
The Havanese Fanciers of Canada (HFC) supports and educates prospective owners and breeders to help make the addition of a new dog a successful and rewarding experience.
Our HFC Breeder Members undergo a careful screening process. They are required to complete mandatory health testing on all breeding dogs, provide written agreements and non-breeding contracts, and issue CKC certificates of registration to new owners. All Breeder Members must follow CKC and HFC policies and annually reconfirm their adherence to HFC's health testing requirements.
Health Testing Matters
HFC requires that all Breeder Members complete health testing on every dog they own or co-own in their breeding program. A minimum of four health tests must be completed. Two tests are mandatory:
- Patella certification
- Annual Eye certification
(Both must be performed in accordance with OFA guidelines.)
In addition, at least two more tests must be selected from the following list:
Approved Tests (in addition to Patellas and Annual Eye Certification):
- OFA Cardiac (or other OFA-certified cardiac exams, such as echocardiograms)
- OFA Hips or Hips with LCP combined
- PennHIP
- OFA Elbows
- OFA Thyroid
- Bile acids and other liver testing
- BAER (hearing test)
OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, recognized as the registry for verifiable canine health testing. We strongly recommend that all test results be submitted to OFA. This allows you to verify results and view related data for tested dogs in the OFA database: www.ofa.org
The OFA’s mission is:
“To promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.”
The OFA database is a trusted resource used by reputable breeders across Canada, the United States, and internationally. By searching the OFA database, you can find health testing results for your prospective puppy’s parents and tested relatives.
For more information, please visit the HAVANESE HEALTH section of our website.
Agreements Matter
It is important to thoroughly review written agreements and health guarantees so that you clearly understand what each breeder offers. Contracts can differ significantly from one breeder to another, and there is no single format that is considered best. What matters most is that you feel comfortable with the terms and clearly understand what is being offered.
Responsible breeders who health test and screen their dogs are making every effort to reduce the risk of issues, although genetics cannot always be controlled. A written contract may include a health guarantee, often covering certain genetic conditions. If a health issue arises, it's important to understand how the breeder handles such situations.
Some agreements may include provisions about the return of a dog under specific circumstances. If so, this should be clearly outlined and not used as a way to avoid supporting the family through a legitimate health concern. Open communication and mutual understanding are key to a good relationship between breeder and family.
Registration Matters
CKC registration is important. All breeders selling purebred dogs in Canada are required to provide a certificate of registration for each dog. This document helps ensure you are receiving a genuine purebred Havanese and not a mixed breed.
It is also important to understand that the CKC is a registry, not a regulatory body for breeder practices. Not all CKC-registered breeders health test or evaluate their dogs for temperament. That is why HFC helps to screen and approve Breeder Members, offering the public access to breeders who meet higher standards.
Genetic Testing
Scientific advancements have provided breeders with tools to screen for breed-specific genetic issues. Only genetic testing relevant to the Havanese breed is meaningful.
At this time, genetic testing is not a requirement for HFC Breeder Members, but it is considered a valuable tool by many breeders.
Genetic diversity testing is another tool that can help breeders identify compatible pairings of prospective parents and support the long-term genetic health within the breed.
For more information, please visit the HAVANESE HEALTH section of our website.
Titles
Some breeders choose to earn titles on their dogs in conformation and/or performance activities.
Conformation titles demonstrate that a dog meets the breed standard in structure, movement, dentition, and overall appearance. These titles also reflect sound temperament, as dogs must be confident in public, tolerate examination by unfamiliar judges, and remain composed around other dogs.
Dogs may also earn titles in events such as Obedience, Rally, Agility, Scent Detection, Sprinter, Trick Dog, and Canine Good Neighbour. These achievements reflect a dog's trainability, temperament, and versatility. These are all valuable qualities in a companion dog.
For more details, see the ACTIVITIES section of our website.
Price Matters
The cost of health testing, genetic testing, and titling breeding dogs can be significant. These expenses are often reflected in the price of a puppy from a reputable breeder. These puppies usually come from generations of health-tested dogs with thoughtful breeding behind them.
Lower-cost puppies without CKC registration or from breeders who do not test their dogs may seem appealing. However, they often carry a higher risk of health issues. What you save upfront may quickly be lost in veterinary bills and emotional stress. Investing in a well-bred, well-raised Havanese can help prevent these outcomes and lead to a more rewarding long-term experience.