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Havashu Breed Information

Paws Pattern
Cute Havashu puppy

Havashu puppies are a beautiful designer breed of a Shih Tzu crossed with a Havanese. These pups are joyful, very friendly, and quite eager to attach at the hip. As a mixed breed, Havashus come with all the qualities of their parents times two. They are intelligent, toy-sized, sweet, and entirely adorable. They are also hypoallergenic like both of their parents and make fantastic companion pets for allergy-suffering owners. They get along wonderfully with children and make the sweetest pets for retirees.  

BREED TYPE / MIX Hybrid / Havanese crossed with a Shih Tzu ENERGY Moderate SHEDDING Minimum TRAINING Determined TEMPERAMENT Cheerful, Playful, Social,Loving ADULT WEIGHT 7-15 lbs ADULT HEIGHT 8-12 in LIFE SPAN 12-16 yrs

Characteristics

  • Havashu dogs are a mix of a Shih Tzu crossed with a Havanese. They are one of the most popular designer breeds in the United States 
  • Hypoallergenic Havashu qualities with low-to-non-shedding coats 
  • Excellent temperament – these beautiful puppies make remarkable companion pets for families with children 
  • Havashu lifespan of 12 to 16 years 
  • Havashu puppies adapt quickly to their new environment 
  • Lively and fun, these dogs are ideal partners for outdoor adventures 
  • Easy to train and groom, Havashus are great pets for first-time owners 
  • Excellent health – as a mix between two purebred breeds, Havashu pups benefit from hybrid vigor  
black and white Havashu puppy

Appearance

Toy-sized and nothing short of gorgeous, the Havashu is sure to turn heads. This dog is athletic, fluffy, and quite cuddly looking. He is small, much like his parents, and inherits features from both the Havanese and the Shih Tzu.  

Havashus have the Shih Tzu’s short muzzle and the Havenses' joyful expression. They have small, rounded heads that stand between their adorable, fluffy, and feathered ears. They have dark, expressive eyes that gaze deeply. Their tails are puffy, often curled over their backs, and their bodies are well-proportioned. 

Inheriting the small size of their parents, Havashus will be small, hardy dogs that grow to 8-12 inches. Their weight may average between 7 and 15 pounds when fully grown.  

The coat of the Havashu is also a combination of the breed parents’ coats. Their coats are typically wavy, although they can be seen occasionally with straight or curly hair. The colors of this gorgeous dog include combinations of white, black, brown, cream, sable, and gray.  

Temperament

The Havashu is the type of dog that loves everyone and everything. You will find him greeting strangers joyfully, interacting with other dogs as if they’ve been friends forever, and playing with all the kids he meets. This dog lacks aggression and is never shy or reactive. He may be hyperactive at times, but this is easily fixed with a game of chase or fetch.  

Generally calm-tempered and fun, the Havashu doesn’t display destructive behavior like excessive barking or nipping. He much prefers to be doted on and will return the favor to those who give him attention. 

Havashus are also little canine explorers who like to inspect everything in their path. They like to get to know their surroundings and are quite keen on exploring the world around them. They crave adventures and want to be with their people every second of every day.  

Care

Grooming

These dogs don’t have high grooming requirements, but they do require a bit of effort put into their daily routines. Given that their coats tend to grow quite long, they will need a quick brush every day or two. Daily brushing is best as it keeps the coat tangle-free and helps stimulate the dog’s skin.  

Daily grooming routines should also include cleaning the dog’s ears, face, and teeth. Like all dogs, Havashus can be prone to several dental problems which are best avoided with the help of daily brushing. It's important to use only vet-approved toothpaste. Products that are designed for humans can be harmful to your little Havashu.  

Another part of grooming a Havashu involves bathing them. Since they are an active breed that enjoys being on the move all the time, they are likely to get dirty more often. In this case, you will need to bathe your little dog monthly. Try to avoid bathing your dog more than once a month as bathing too often can lead to other problems such as skin dryness and irritation, and loss of good natural oils. 

Trips to the dog groomer are recommended every other month for a coat trim and general care. It is a good idea to begin grooming your little puppy as soon as he arrives home. Teaching him to be ok while being handled, brushed, bathed, and inspected, will lay the foundation for easy grooming both at home and at the groomer.  

Exercise Needs

An energetic dog that enjoys being on the move, the Havashu will require routine walks every day. These dogs love indoor and outdoor activities just the same as long as fun games and sprinting are involved. They enjoy going on hikes, running alongside their furry friends, and playing ball games. The ideal daily routine for these energetic pups includes up to 60 minutes of outdoor walks. Two or three daily walks and an occasional trip to the dog park are perfect for the Havashu.   

Health

As hybrids, the Havashu dogs are less likely to inherit health problems that are typically passed down through purebred generations. Because they are a mix of two healthy, purebred dogs, they also benefit from hybrid vigor, which ensures fewer health issues than their parents. In most cases. Havashus live long, good lives without suffering from any problems. The issues they can suffer from are typically not life-threatening. These include ear infections, dental issues, hypothyroidism, and allergies.  

Lifespan

The breed’s life expectancy is typically between 12 and 16 years with some living as much as 18-20 years. Given that these puppies are a healthy, long-lived breed that combines the good health of two purebreds, they are likely to have long and happy lives.  

Training

Like most dogs, Havashu puppies are driven to please their owners, and they do that quite nicely during training. They enjoy the attention, and training sessions offer plenty.  

These cuties have a knack for learning and will pick up quickly on whatever they are taught, granted they are properly motivated. They come with a stubborn streak that they inherited from their Shih Tzu ancestors, but that can easily be overcome with the right reward system.  

These puppies need to be given a clear structure for training. This includes giving them clear commands, rewarding good behaviors with food or praise, and sticking to a daily routine. It’s also important to keep training sessions short and fun so that your little puppy doesn’t get bored.  

Havashu pups form strong attachments with their owners and often lack the capability of handling some alone time. Because of this, it’s important to teach them lessons on independence when they are still very young. Leaving them alone for longer periods of time can lead them to become destructive or suffer from separation anxiety. 

History

The Havashu is a designer breed that appeared at the beginning of the 90s when most designer pups emerged and were in vogue. These pups are a mix between a purebred Shih Tzu and purebred Havanese. One of the most popular designer puppies in the United States, the Havashu is a perfectly balanced combination of its parents. This lovely dog was created to have perfect health and be a cute, hypoallergenic lapdog.  

Although it is not yet known who was first to create this designer breed, we do know that the goal was to create a dog with the best qualities of both the Shih Tzu and the Havanese. Among these qualities, the most desirable ones include their hypoallergenic coats (which make them an ideal choice for allergy sufferers), their affectionate, cuddly nature, and their happy disposition. Their lovely appearance that combines features from both parents is a beautiful bonus.  

The Havashu is also commonly known as Havanese Shih Tzu mix, Hava-Tzu, and Havatzu. The American Kennel Club - AKC does not recognize crossbreeds, so the Havashu is not yet recognized by this club, Clubs that do recognize the Havashu include the International Designer Dog Registry, American Canine Hybrid Club, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. 

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