Designer dogs have become extremely popular recently. While purebred designer dogs are stylish, hybrid designer dogs have been stealing the show for the past decade or so. The Havatons are one of these designer hybrid dogs that has gained popularity in the last decade. While it looks familiar to some of us, the name “Havaton” doesn’t really ring a bell. Which leads us to the question, what is Havaton? Havaton is one of the many distinct types of designer crossbreed dogs that have become popular in recent years. Havatons are also known as Cotonese. Havatons are a cross between Havanese and Coton de Tulear. Their smooth, wavy fur makes them extremely attractive. They have long bodies but short limbs and rarely grow taller than 30cm. They are completely attached to their family and rely on them for their happiness. They must spend the majority of their time with them.Havatons can be a wonderful companion for you and your family, but they can be demanding at times. If you’re thinking about getting a new Havaton puppy, keep reading to find out if this is the perfect breed for you.
©Hepper
History of Havaton
The Havaton is a fairly new dog breed and because of this the breed does not have a very detailed history. It’s most likely that they were first purposely developed in the last several decades, when the popularity of designer hybrid dogs was booming at a fast rate. The Havaton, which is also referred to as the Cotonese, is a breed that was developed by crossing the outgoing Havanese with the demure Coton de Tulear. Both of these designer dogs are descended from a lengthy line of Bichon, making them extremely similar to one another.
©BeChewy
- The Havanese
Although it has only been recently that Havanese have gained popularity, this breed’s history is unique and fascinating. In the early 1500s, Spanish farmers and noblemen brought Tenerife dogs to Havana, Cuba. Over the years, these dogs developed into a distinct breed now known as Havanese. Europeans taking vacations in Havana during the 18th century were the ones who first learned about the Havanese. The noble families of Spain, France, and Britain were quick to take a liking to this new breed of an adorable dog. However, as a direct result of Castro’s Revolution, they came dangerously close to extinction. Luckily, some Cubans who escaped to the United States following the revolution imported 11 Havanese dogs, which became the foundation of Havanese today.
Fun fact: Havanese is derived from the root word “Havana,” which refers to the city in Cuba where they were developed and discovered. The Havanese is also known as the “National Dog of Cuba.”
Because they form such close attachments to their owners, Havanese dogs are sometimes referred to by the nickname “Velcro Dogs.” They have a laid-back attitude, pleasant personality, and a lot of fun, but their happiness is completely reliant on their human family. Havanese are lively, clever dogs who enjoy learning new skills and playing games with their owners.
©Huisdierengids
- Coton de Tulear
In comparison to the extensive history of Havanese, the history of the Coton de Tuléar might be described as mysterious. The Coton de Tulear is a rare breed that originated in Madagascar. There is no clear explanation for how these dogs arrived in Madagascar hundreds of years ago. Some people say that they used to accompany ladies on long sea excursions, while others say that they are the only survivors of a shipwreck that occurred centuries ago in Madagascar. In spite of the circumstances surrounding their arrival, they quickly established themselves there. Some of the dogs were kept as pets at the royal palace and in wealthy houses in Madagascar, while others were sold to beggars on the streets. However, it wasn’t until sometime in the 1970s that a Frenchman who was vacationing on the island brought some Cotons back with him to France and began working to establish them as a breed. During the same decade, Cotons were introduced to North America.Coton is a people-pleaser who loves nothing more than spending time with his humans. He builds close relationships with his family and dislikes being apart from them. He’s quick to learn and responds well to praise, play, and food rewards.
Havaton’s Appearance
Because they are a hybrid, Havaton will inherit the physical characteristics of both of their parents. Some Havatons may display more features of the Havanese parent breed, while others may show more characteristics of the Coton de Tulear parent breed, and still, others may show a mix of the two parent breeds. However, as was said earlier, the two-parent breeds share a striking resemblance to one another, which accounts for the rather uniform physical appearance of most Havatons.The Havaton is a cute little dog with an endearing face and a fluffy, long coat that makes him look like a teddy bear. Their small, round heads are adorned with sparkling eyes in the shape of black almonds. Their bodies are proportionally a little longer than they are high, and their legs are short and stocky. They carry their medium-length fluffy tail with pride. They have petite skulls and a neat muzzle that is well-defined and not snubbed. While the majority of Havatons are white, many have brown and black markings.The Havaton is a uniform size due to the comparable heights and weights of both parent breeds. Most Havatons are between 24cm and 28cm and weigh between 3 and 6 kg. Their luxurious fur seems smooth and silky to the touch, but it is prone to tangling and matting, which needs a good deal of maintenance.
©Pet Your Dog
Havaton’s Health
The Havaton is a fairly robust hybrid that often lives into its early teens, although some of them have been known to survive up to 15 or 16 years of age. However, there will always be a number of medical problems that they are more prone to than other breeds in which we need to be aware of. This is true despite of the dog’s lineage or if it is a pure or mixed breed.Here are some of the medical conditions that a Havaton is prone to:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Shunt Portosystemic
- Mitral Valve Dysfunction
Havaton’s Temperament and Intelligence
Because the Havaton is a breed of dog that takes great pleasure in remaining in close to its owners, you will most likely find it either lying at your feet or trailing closely after you. They can easily get sad and depressed when left alone for an extended period of time. If they are alone for a long time, they are more likely to feel sad, which can lead to the development of destructive behaviors. The Havaton can never have too much affection, and they will devour as much of it as you are able to offer to them. In return, they will offer you undying loyalty and devotion.The key to successful training with Havaton is to keep a good attitude and ensure that they have fun during the process. They are able to learn a range of tasks and excel in canine agility and rally competitions when given the proper training. There is little question that the most effective technique of training for these dogs is a positive reinforcement regime, in which they are rewarded for good behavior and undesirable behaviors are simply ignored rather than being penalized. This is because of the people-pleaser personality trait that they possess.However, these small dogs do have a streak of stubbornness that needs to be conquered with patience, as well as firmness combined with kindness. They have a tendency to be sensitive, so any kind of criticism has the ability to make them feel dejected and give them a negative link with being trained.
©Petite Joie Puppies
- Do these Dogs Make Good Family Pets?
The Havaton is a fantastic family dog because it is always eager to please, gets along well with other animals and pets, and is kind and affectionate with children as long as they are socialized properly. They are often more tolerant than other breeds of the same size, rarely growling or snapping at people or other animals. These dogs adore making new friends and will readily shower attention and affection on everybody they come across.
- Can these Dogs Adapt to Living in Apartments?
These dogs function well in apartments, although they do require a daily walk to stay healthy. Although having a small yard isn’t required, the Havaton will claim it as his own if you do have one.
- Does this Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Havaton gets along well with other domesticated animals and can live in harmony with other canine companions. In most cases, it is more concerned with the amount of attention that it receives from you and the other members of the family than it is with the activities of the other pets inside your home. However, Havanese have a strong predatory drive, which your Havaton puppy may have acquired, so you should use caution when introducing other pets like cats. Havanese have a strong instinct to hunt and capture prey as well.
- Do These Dogs Make Good Guard Dogs?
No. Havaton are so sociable that they would rather play with intruders than scare them away.
- Is Havaton the Right Dog for You?
Generally speaking, Havaton is a cute, cuddly pet that is almost for everyone. They thrive in most living arrangements, are friendly to all, and have a small tendency of being aggressive. However, there are certain exceptions where Havaton may not be a good fit for you.
Havaton is NOT for you if:
- If you don’t like having a dog follow your every move
- If you tend to be out all day, leaving your dog alone