Havamalt

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Western Mediterranean <> Central Mediterranean -> Great Britain
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Havamalt

A delightful combination of Havanese spirit and playful, mischievous Maltese, the Havamalt is a distinctive crossbreed that will steal your heart. People-oriented and very affectionate, the Havamalt will form close bonds with the whole family and never say no to a cuddle. As some dogs are cautious of strangers, it's advisable to socialize them thoroughly when they're puppies. It's said that good things come in small packages and that Havamalt should be excellent, with a height of less than 30 cm. With their light bodies, they don't weigh much either and certainly won't take up much space in the home. Their sumptuous coat is their crowning glory, with flowing ears and a feathery tail. Although most are white, other color combinations are possible thanks to the Havamalt influence.

History of the Havamalt

Two breeds that share similar histories and look very much alike, Havanese and Maltese were deliberately bred to create a specific new crossbreed dog called the Havamalt. As Havanese and Maltese were already closely related, it was natural to recombine their genes into a charming little breed that inherited some of the best characteristics of each parent. Although there is little solid evidence, it is assumed that the Havamalt was first developed in the UK in the 1980s or 1990s.
        

A little of the Havanese Bichon

        
As its name suggests, the Havana Bichon originated in the Cuban city of Havana and is known as the Little White Dog of Havana. This original breed originated from dogs brought to Havana by the first settlers, but unfortunately no longer exists. From this lineage came many of the most popular dog breeds, such as the Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Maltese and Coton de Tulear. Spanish settlers in Cuba took a liking to these affectionate little dogs and quickly exported them to Europe. The breed became an endangered species in the 1950s, but subsequently became Cuba's national dog and now enjoys healthy popularity both in their native Cuba and abroad.
Standard of the Havanese Bichon

A little of the Maltese

The Maltese is another type of Bichon dog, one that originated in the Mediterranean, close to the ancestors of the Havanese. Historians debate their exact place of origin, some claiming they first came from the island of Malta, others claiming they came from the Dalmatian island of Meleda. Regardless of where they were first established, these dogs have been known to exist for thousands of years and have always been highly valued by society, particularly in ancient literature and works of art. There was a misguided attempt to reduce the dog's size in the 18th century, and it became necessary to cross them with Poodles and various Spaniels to save them from ill health and extinction.
Standard of the Maltese

Appearance of the Havamalt

The Havamalt is a plush dog with a slender, moderately robust body. It looks very much like each of its parents. It's hard enough to tell them apart. More than other hybrid dogs, this means that there's already a lot of uniformity in the Havamalt population, and it's fairly easy to predict what an individual will look like as an adult. The Havamalt's head is rounded and relatively small, with ears that hang close to the face and are set wide apart. They have circular dark-brown eyes that seem to give them a pleading expression at all times. Their muzzle is not too short and ends in a shiny black nose that rests perfectly on the front of the face. Their body is slightly rectangular and their limbs not too long. All individuals should have a tail that curves over the back and has a distinctive plume of fur. Weighing from 3 to 7 kg and measuring just 20 to 27 cm at the withers, this toy breed is both small and light. Perhaps best known for its magnificent coat, the Havamalt's fur is long and thick with a slightly stiff texture. The breed's puppies can be white like the Maltese parent or take after the Havana Bichon and have red, brown, cream or black fur. Many will have a mixture of two colors, such as brown and white.

Temperament of the Havamalt

Mischievous and cheerful, the Havamalt is a pleasure to be around and always seems to be in a good mood. Kind and loving, the Havamalt enjoys the company of its family and is keen to stay close to those it loves. Despite their good nature, some can become impatient with young children and need to be closely supervised when in their company. Alert and lively, Havamalt are excellent watchdogs and will be the first in the house to realize that someone new is arriving. They'll make the visitor's presence known with lots of barking, which can sometimes become tiresome. Their small size and gentle disposition mean they are of no use as guard dogs. Although confident and boisterous when in the company of their family, some dogs can be wary of new people and may remain indifferent in new situations. Thorough socialization can help combat this personality defect and ensure a well-balanced, confident dog who is self-assured in all situations.

Needs and activities of the Havamalt

The Havamalt has moderate energy and needs daily exercise, but does not require high-intensity training. The Havamalt is capable of satisfying a sufficient amount of indoor exercise and does not require prolonged, purposeful exercise, however, a small yard is excellent for a quick run. If exercised properly, Havamalt will be easy to keep indoors and is well suited to urban living and small spaces. When out walking in bad or hot weather, make sure your dog doesn't mind the weather elements. Havamalt dogs are known for their playful, attentive nature, which makes them easy to train. Their energy and intensity levels are moderate and, even if they need daily exercise, they can get away with running around the house.

Maintenance of the Havamalt

Havamalt is hypoallergenic and has a low excretion rate. Despite its hypoallergenic qualities, the Havamalt needs weekly grooming to maintain its long, silky coat. The Maltese parent has tear-staining problems, and lighter-colored Havamalts may need to clean their eyes to avoid staining. The long hair on and around the ears can attract and trap dirt, debris and moisture. You can avoid ear infections and foul odors by regularly cleaning their ears with a vet-approved solution. Otherwise, Havamalt is not known for having a doggy smell.

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