You are serious about learning more about how to care for the Havanese puppy you wish to purchase. It may have been many years since a dog has been in your home, or perhaps this will be the first do you have ever owned, or perhaps you have never spent much time with small breeds. What questions will you want to ask your Havanese breeder before you commit to the purchase of a particular animal? What simple, regular routines will you undertake to ensure your Havense's continued good health? What are the signs of health problems in any dog? What are the signs of particular Havanese health problems?

Do you know what you would do if needed to arrange emergency care for your Havanese? What should you do if your Havanese suffers an injury such as a broken bone? Do you know how to talk to your veterinarian about the injury?

Havanese' tend to be long-lived and very healthy. However, you should know about common Havanese health problems that might affect your dog. Since all Havanese in the United States can trace their ancestry to one of eleven animals, genetic Havanese health problems can arise. Havanese' are prone to displacement of leg bones (luxating patellas), genetic deafness, and eye problems. The problems are relatively rare and not fatal. Some of the leg problems with the Havanese can be corrected for surgery, but this will render the dog ineligible to compete in shows.

Luckily, Havanese breeders regularly test their stock of sires, dams and puppies for these disorders. The Havanese Club of America recommends breeders perform annual examinations of eyes, knees and hips, and hearing for their dogs. Eye test results are registered with Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and knee and hip tests with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). An honest breeder should be able to provide you with the results concerning your Havanese.

You are the first line of defense against Havanese health problems. You should keep an eye on your Havanese and notice any changes in behavior or appearance. An animal that is usually lively and playful who becomes dull and listless may be unwell. A loss of appetite or weight may also signal illness. Regularly check your Havanese's coat for fleas and ticks. A mass under the skin may be a sign of an abscessed wound and should receive prompt veterinary care.

Keep your veterinarian's phone number readily available in case you need to arrange emergency care for your Havanese. If you need to transport your Havanese to the veterinarian, be sure to do the following. Muzzle the animal, because injured animals may bite even their owners. If you suspect a limb is broken, wrap the limb in a towel and loosely tape it. Do not splint the limb. You can lift small dogs directly under their belly. For small dogs with a suspected neck, back or hip injury, lift the dog on a board. Lift large dogs on a board.