All animals may have health problems, but the Havanese is fortunate in that most of the health issues that face this breed are not serious enough to be life threatening in most cases. This, unfortunately, also makes them highly desirable for high volume output by puppy mills.
So, if the dogs are generally healthy, why not save $500 to $1000 on your puppy? First of all, the Havanese is a very people oriented breed and as such need a great deal of companionship to remain viable dogs. Havanese left alone for days and weeks on end will, just like humans, eventually turn negative, overly shy, and possibly anti-social all together. You may not end up with the wonderful, loving companion that you paid for. The canine mother plays an extremely important role in the social development of her puppies. Not only that, but the human bonding starts very early in life and if the breeder has multiple litters left in a building, or barn then how does each puppy receive the stimulation and human interaction that it needs to develop fully its personality and intelligence. Research during WWII and subsequent research by therapy dog institutions show that puppies who received physical and emotional stimulation early in their lives, grew up to be more responsive and trainable by humans.
You may luck out and get a healthy, happy dog from a puppy mill but if you don't, then the possibility of getting any money back for your puppy's illness is slim. After care and advice will be non-existent. A single vet visit for any major illness can start at $500 and go up from there. Not only can it cost a great deal of money to cope with the illness, but also the emotional cost of losing your beloved pet can be even higher. I have had so many people say that they wish they knew better before purchasing their dogs because of the heartbreak they suffer when the puppy dies, or is not suitable. What is needed is a huge educational campaign but that is costly.
So, can a breeder, no matter how conscientious, guarantee that your dog will be healthy? No, but they can increase the probability of that puppy being healthy and they can guarantee the health testing that was done on your puppy's parents and what they will do if something does go wrong. A good breeder belongs to organizations such as the Havanese Fanciers of Canada, the Havanese Club of America, and/or the Ontario Havanese Club (HOLA). Being a member of CKC guarantees nothing.
The most common health issues for the Havanese include cataracts, hearing loss, luxating patella and hip dysplasia. While there are many genetic factors involved in any health issue, not all illnesses have genetic causes and many are a result of environmental factors. Diet, for example, is a major cause of some diseases and it has been proven that excessive food, even good quality food, will shorten the life span of a dog. It is extremely important to keep your pet on the thin side.
All our breeding dogs are tested for, and certified clear of, any health issues including hearing, patella, hips, elbows, liver function, heart, and thyroid. They are tested regularly and especially before breeding.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Our Number One All Breeds Dog
Here is a photo of Sonrisas' Tiny Thomas who was number one ALL Breeds in Canada for the year 2007.
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