Many dog owners have found that the Havanese can be a wonderful choice for a family pet. These compact creatures get along well with adults, kids and other animals, are generally friendly, inquisitive animals that are usually ready to play. If you are thinking about bringing one of these cute puppies home to your family, the first thing you will want to do is brush up on the basics of Havanese care. This way, you will be prepared to give your pup the best environment possible for him to grow up healthy and happy.

Like any breeed, these dogs come with specific Havanese health concerns that can be genetic problems for the breed. By becoming familiar with these potential problems, you can find a breeder that offers dogs without the genetic predisposition to some of them. You can also remain vigilant with your own Havanese, so that you can head to the vet at the first sign of a problem. Other Havanese care to educate yourself about include grooming issues and diet and exercise.

The first step in assuring good Havanese health is to educate yourself about some of the genetic medical issues that are typical for this breed. While the Havanese is a relatively healthy breed with a long life expectancy, all breeds have a few problems that you will need to watch out for.

By having a knowledge of these Havanese health problems before you select your puppy, you can screen breeders to find out if they have had experienced any of these health problems in their lines of dogs. A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with documentation to show whether these health concerns might be a problem with your puppy.

Grooming is a very important routine with these dogs, with daily brushings and monthly baths. You might prefer to clip the coat of your Havanese to keep it shorter and easier to maintain, and this can be done through a professional groomer or at home if you learn how to give doggy haircuts.

When it comes to the relationship between diet and Havanese health, there are two options that you can follow. The first is to use a high-quality manufactured pet food right from the pet store. If you are unsure of which food is best, you can ask your breeder or veterinarian for a recommendation.

If you decide to switch foods for any reason, gradually transitioning your pup to his new food by adding a little at a time to his dish will help to prevent tummy troubles from the change. Some dog owners are finding too many unhealthy ingredients in manufactured dog food, and are changing their pets to a raw food diet instead.

With regular grooming, daily exercise and a healthy diet, you are doing everything possible toward the best Havanese health practices for your pet.