Havashire (Havanese & Yorkshire Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts
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Height:
9–12 inches
Weight:
9–16 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
White, black, red and black, tan, chestnut, fawn, mahogany, tan and black, brindle, multicolored
Suitable for:
Quiet homes, families with older children
Temperament:
Bright, energetic, intelligent, loyal, affectionate, quirky
If you’re new to designer dogs, the Havashire may not be a familiar mixed breed. These fluffy, small lapdogs are the result of a Havanese crossed with a Yorkshire Terrier. While there’s no guarantee of how your Havashire’s temperament will be, many dog owners are falling in love with this cuddly creation. With the Yorkie’s bright personality and the Havanese’s affectionate demeanor, the Havashire has the potential to be the ultimate family dog. Let’s take a closer look at this designer dog breed:
Havashire Puppies
Purebred dogs often come with a hefty price tag, but designer dogs can sometimes cost just as much. For instance, a Havashire litter coming from two Havashire parents will generally cost more than the first-generation mix of a Havanese and a Yorkie. Be ready to make a financial commitment when looking into a Havashire pup as they’re not as affordable as other breeds.
When you bring a Havashire home, be ready to have a loyal and affectionate dog by your side. They might be small but they are certainly very energetic so they will need lots of walking, playtime, and mentally stimulating activities to keep them entertained.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Havashire
1. Havashires Have Thin Coats
Although they have fluffy, silky coats, Havashires’ coats are actually quite thin and will need a jacket or coat in colder temperatures. Your Havashire’s coat colors will vary, however, depending on the parents.
2. Havashires are Highly Intelligent
Coming from two smart purebred dogs, it shouldn’t be a surprise to know that Havashires are highly intelligent dogs. They do really well with positive reinforcement training with lots of treats and praise. Make sure to start training with your Havashire pup as soon as possible.
3. Havashires Don’t Bark a Lot
If you’ve ever met a Yorkshire Terrier, you’ll know how vocal they can be. Surprisingly, Havashires are not big barkers because Havanese dogs are also on the quieter side. However, each Havashire pup is different and could possibly inherit the vocalization of its Yorkshire relatives.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Havashire 🧠
Before we dive into the Havashire’s personality, it’s important to note that Havashires can vary in temperament and demeanor. Havashires are a mix of two purebred dogs, so it’s more of a guesstimate as to what kind of temperament you’re going to deal with.
Generally, Havashires are happy, energetic dogs, gaining the best qualities from both breeds. Yorkshire Terriers are known for their “terrier energy”, while Havanese dogs are calmer and quieter. Havashires are usually an even mix of quiet and hyper, but each pup is different.
Since both the Havanese and Yorkshire terriers love being social, your Havashire puppy will also love being the star of the show. Both the Yorkie and the Havanese genuinely love attention and being around people, so expect these qualities to shine through in your Havashire pup. These dogs do well with other dogs, but early socialization with both animals and people is important for proper social development.
Both Havanese and Yorkies are known for their undying loyalty, so your Havanese puppy will gladly follow you around wherever you go. These happy-go-lucky dogs will also demand your affection, so be ready to have your Havashire at your heels at all times.
Finally, Havashires can have a stubborn streak, mostly due to the Yorkshire influence. While Havanese dogs are known to be relatively easy to train and handle, Yorkies tend to have a serious stubbornness that can be difficult to manage. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for a Havashire.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Havanese dogs are generally better suited for families with older children, while the tough Yorkie does well with most families and household situations. Still, because of their size and fragile bodies, we feel the Haveshire would be best for families with older, calmer children. If you’re looking for a dog that can handle being around small children, you may want to look elsewhere for a more suitable breed.
As mentioned above, early socialization with people, dogs, and other animals is crucial to prevent fear or aggression. If your Havashire pup shows signs of anxiety or aggression, contact a professional dog trainer to prevent these signs from becoming serious issues.
Do Havashires Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes and no—it will really depend on the individual Havashire pup. This is a tough question because the Yorkshire Terrier has a natural hunting instinct. If you have smaller animals, a Havashire may not be the right mix.
Alternatively, Havanese dogs are known for fitting in well with other dogs and cats, so a Havashire could be a great addition to a household with pets. For the best outcome, it’s better to raise a Havashire puppy with other young animals so they can grow and bond together.
Things to Know When Owning a Havashire:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Havashires do best on a high-quality dry kibble with some added wet food. Since they’re little, they’re prone to obesity, so keep an eye on your pup’s weight and growth. They’ll need a diet of lean proteins and healthy amounts of fats and carbs for a well-rounded diet. We recommend looking for dry kibble formulated specifically for small breeds.
Exercise 🐕
Don’t let the Havashire’s small stature fool you- these pups will have at least some of the Yorkie energy. They’ll do well with a few short, brisk walks and plenty of playtime. Although they’re not suited for long hikes and walks, Havashires enjoy the outdoors and will love having a fenced-in yard to romp around in. Exercise is especially important for small breeds since their small size makes them susceptible to obesity. Havashires naturally have energy, so maintaining a healthy size shouldn’t be too difficult.
Training 🦮
Training your Havashire pup can be a great exercise in itself and these mixed puppies are usually quite eager to learn. Positive reinforcement with lots of treats is the best method for these dogs, especially since your Havashire puppy might have the stubbornness of a Yorkie. These dogs are especially sensitive, so it’s crucial that you’re patient and gentle. If not, they will lose their trust and will refuse to listen.
Havashires are highly intelligent dogs that come from two smart breeds, so these fluffy puppies will excel in obedience training. They will love to perform and are always eager to please, especially in social situations. Register your new pup in a group obedience class, which will give your new dog the basics of obedience and a chance to socialize with other dogs.
Havanese dogs have a history of being somewhat difficult to housetrain, so your Havashire puppy might struggle in this department. However, consistency and praise are the keys to successfully potty training your new puppy. Crate training is a great option to aid in housebreaking. We don’t recommend paper or “puppy pad” training as they may confuse your puppy.
Grooming ✂️
Havashires have soft, fluffy coats that are silky and smooth to the touch. They can vary in texture, color, and length, depending on the generation and parents’ coats. Since their coats can be more comparable to hair, they don’t shed as much as dogs with fur-type coats.
Havanese dogs are prized for their luxuriously soft, fluffy coats that come in a variety of colors and patterns. They have long, silky double coats that help keep them cool in hot weather, so your Havashire will need an extra layer in the cold winter months. Yorkshire terriers have similar coat types that also range in color and texture, making it a bit difficult to guesstimate what your Havashire puppy will look like.
Havashire coats are relatively easy to take care of, but they do require some maintenance to keep them healthy and clean. Your puppy will need to be brushed daily, with the occasional bath to keep the coat free of dirt, odor, and debris.
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Health Conditions ❤️
Health concerns can be tricky with mixed breeds and designer dogs because of the mixed genetics, but taking a look at each breed may help. Here are some of the more common health issues of both breeds:
- Bronchitis
- Portosystemic Shunt
- Cataracts
- Hypoglycemia
- Legg-Perthes Disease
- Skin Allergies
- Hip Dysplasia
- Juvenile Cataracts
- Patella Luxation
- Deafness
- Liver Shunts
- Skin Allergies
These health issues range from common and treatable to some more serious concerns like hip dysplasia, so it’s important to know that these can happen to your Havashire pup. Before considering a puppy, make sure you’ll have the funds to care for your puppy 10 years from now should one of these health conditions affect your Havanese Yorkshire Terrier mix’s life.
However, it’s important to know that both the Yorkshire Terrier and Havanese dogs have relatively long lifespans, around 12–15 years. While these conditions can be scary, most of them can be treated with medication and diet changes. It’s safe to say that your Havashire puppy could have a lifespan of around 10–15 years based on the parents’ lifespan and health history.
Male vs Female
Male and female Havashires are pretty similar in demeanor and trainability, but males tend to mark anything they deem as their territory. It can be especially difficult to deter a small male dog from marking, so females may be a better option. That’s why families tend to gravitate towards female dogs, but it shouldn’t be the main deciding factor. Aside from the marking, which is not something all male dogs do, getting a female or male Havashire is up to you and your family.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a bright, lively companion that will steal the hearts of everyone, the Havashire is the perfect mixed breed for you. They’re social, loyal dogs that love to play with the family and create unbreakable bonds with their favorite people. The Havanese Yorkshire Terrier mix is quick to learn, so they’ll excel in most obedience training. These cuddly dogs also make great house pets for quiet homes, as well as for families with older children looking for a friendly, energetic family pet.
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