Havashu Breed Information
Havashu puppies are an adorable toy designer breed that enchants the world with sweet teddy-bear looks and a delightful personality to match. These puppies are a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese, both purebreds. They make the most amazing companion pets for kids, seniors, and everyone in between. They're extremely loyal, loving, and fun, and they provide beautiful companionship with the pure love they give unconditionally. They are also fantastic partners for outdoor adventures.
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 puppies are a designer breed, a mix between the Shih Tzu and Havanese
- Havashu hypoallergenic qualities – these lovely pooches shed very little if at all and are a fantastic choice for owners who suffer from sensitivities, asthma, and pet-related or dander allergies
- These lovely dogs are friendly and incredibly playful. They make excellent pets for families with children
- Perfect health record thanks to hybrid vigor. Crossbreed puppies like the Havashu enjoy excellent health. The conditions that their parents are prone to are typically canceled out in the process of crossbreeding. These puppies have good health and longevity
- Sweet Havashu temperament – non-aggressive, calm, friendly, and very affectionate
- An excellent pet for couples, singles, seniors, and new or experienced owners
- Unique appearance with gorgeous color combinations from both the Shih Tzu and the Havanese breeds. Havashu dogs sport various combinations of white, brown, black, gray, cream, and sable
- Havashu dogs are smart and easy to train, however they may carry a stubborn streak that they inherit from their Shih Tzu parent. They may lose patience during training and will require extra motivation from their trainers
- Their grooming requirements are non-time-consuming
Appearance
Havashus are small, compact toy dogs that inherit features from both the Shih Tzu and the Havanese. They are fluffy, often resembling both parents in coat textures, and quite athletic. Their size is small to toy, ranging from 8 to 12 inches in height and weighing on average 7 to 15 pounds.
Some adorable features these dogs inherit from their parents include a short muzzle, dark, soulful eyes, adorable floppy ears, and a tiny button nose. Their coats are typically wavy, although they can be seen with curly or straight hair, and they have the same colors as both of their parents. More often than not, Havashus come in combinations of black, white, gray, cream, sable, and brown with various patterns and markings.
Temperament
As a Shih Tzu and Havanese mix, the Havashu is a very well-balanced dog. He gets his need for attention from his Shih Tzu parent and his love for all things fun from the Havanese. This dog is also very outgoing and adventurous. He enjoys being outdoors meeting new people and interacting with other dogs. He gets along great with kids and adores meeting his four-legged friends at the dog park.
More often than not, Havashus are hyperactive dogs that love to spend their energy going on adventures with their friends and family. They thrive with owners that pamper them and give them all the attention they need.
One of the things these dogs don’t handle well is being without their owners. Because they get quite attached to their humans, they tend to suffer when left alone for too long. Separation anxiety is common for Havashus. These dogs should receive training during puppyhood to ensure they become a bit more independent.
Care
Grooming
Havashus aren’t a high-maintenance breed, but they do require frequent grooming to ensure their coats stay mat-free. Because they have long, luxurious coats, they can easily form tangles and hair knots, which can in turn be uncomfortable and unattractive. Brushing is essential for these dogs, preferably daily. A quick and thorough brushing in the morning will suffice to keep them looking fresh and fluffy.
They also require a bath every 4 to six weeks, or more often if they get particularly dirty, and trimming of the coat every two months. Their ears should be checked and cleaned a few times per week, and their teeth brushed every day, if possible.
The earlier you begin these grooming steps, the easier it will be for your puppy to adjust and accept being handled and inspected. If you begin in early puppyhood, your dog will also have an easier time transitioning from home grooming to professional grooming.
Exercise Needs
Active, and occasionally even hyperactive, the Havashu requires plenty of exercise every day to stay healthy and happy. This is a dog that loves to run and burn excess energy by having fun. He enjoys long daily walks but can also do with more frequent and shorter daily walks. Ideally, the Havashu should get about an hour of daily walks and active playtime. Two or three short walks and a few minutes of running freely or playing a game of fetch are recommended.
Health
Renowned for their good health, these dogs are likely to live their entire lives without suffering from any health problems. Although small dogs generally have a few issues to look out for, Havashus have fewer health concerns than most. They may be prone to cataracts, ear infections, dental issues, and allergies, most with old age.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Havashu dog is typically between 12 and 16 years. These dogs are a long-lived breed. They have excellent health records and tend to live long, healthy lives, sometimes exceeding their life expectancy.
Training
Training a Havashu puppy is not always easy, but it is well worth the effort. Given their Shih Tzu lineage, they can be stubborn at times, making training them a little bit more difficult. However, with patience and persistence, you can train your puppy to do the cutest tricks. All you need to train these puppies is the right motivation. They respond quite well to positive reinforcement, treats, and most types of reward systems. They also love puppy treats, so make sure you have plenty on hand.
To train a Havashu puppy, you first need to get the basics down. Teaching a dog basic commands is essential in helping them learn how to behave properly and develop good habits. The basics include "sit," "stay," "come," and "leave it." Once your little puppy has learned these commands, you can start teaching them tricks. Teaching your pups tricks will help them both mentally and physically because they get to do something fun and be praised for it. It is beneficial to practice one trick until your puppy masters it before moving to the next one.
History
Havashus are gorgeous little designer dogs that have a purebred Shih Tzu parent and a purebred Havanese parent. They originate from the United States where they were first bred during the 90s. These adorable dogs were created to be a perfect mix of their parent breeds. Although not much else is known about this designer breed, we can look at its parents to better understand it.
Shih Tzus are dogs of royalty, as many call them, having been raised among the kings and queens of Europe and the Emperors of China. They are sweet dogs that live to be pampered and doted on. The Shih Tzu was chosen to be one of the Havashu’s parents thanks to its delightful personality and immense affection.
Havanese dogs have been a popular breed for well over a century. They are loved worldwide for their energetic and playful personalities. These dogs are incredibly sociable, often making best friends with every stranger they meet. They were chosen as the second parent of the Havashu mix to pass on their outgoing nature and athletic build.
Both parent breeds are hypoallergenic, so this is a trait that Havashus also inherited.
A breed that goes by many names such as Hava-Tzu, Shih Tzu and Havanese mix, and Havatzu, the Havashu is one of the most popular designer pups in the United States. The clubs that recognize this breed include the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).