11-17 lbs
10-11"
United States
The Havanestie is a hybrid of the Havanese and the West Highland White Terrier. The mix is bred as a companion and designer dog, and recognized by five registries; the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry. Despite its multiple registries, little is known on the Havanestie outside of its parent breeds. The purposeful breeding of the two parents is to develop a companion dog with the best traits of both parents, often including the West Highland Terrier’s confidence and energy and the Havanese’s sweet disposition and gentle heart.
The Havanestie is a hybrid of the Havanese and the West Highland White Terrier. The hybrid is a designer dog that blends many of the best traits of both parents into a well-rounded companion with high confidence and a sweet nature. The Havanese’s Bichon ancestors left Europe during the 15th Century when its close cousin, the Maltese was gaining popularity outside of Italy and Malta. The Havanese took passage to the Americas onboard Spanish ships and settled in the Cuban Isles where the breed developed over several hundred years in near isolation. Slightly larger than its Bichon relatives, the Havanese faced near extinction during the 20th Century during and after the Cuban Revolution. Interest in the national breed suffered in Cuba, and only 11 Havanese dogs found refuge in the United States following the revolution. Today, almost all Havanese living outside of Cuba can trace its lineage back to the mid-20th Century refugees. Interest in the breed sparked again in the 1970s, and the American Havanese breeding program helped restore the breed. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Havanese in 1996. The West Highland White Terrier, as its name suggests, is a Terrier dog of Scottish descent and shares a close history with other Scottish Terrier breeds including the Cairn Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont, the Skye, and the Scottish Terrier. This small earth dog is well-known for vermin hunting and gets its white coloring from a tragic story from the 19th Century in which Col. Malcolm Poltallach accidentally shot his wheaten-colored Westie believing it to be a fox. All future breeding focused on selecting the white coat. The American Kennel Club recognized the West Highland White Terrier as a separate breed from the other Scottish Terrier breeds in 1908.
The Havanestie is a well-built small dog with a double coat of white hair that resembles the West Highland Terrier though other coat colors and color combinations are also seen. This hybrid has short, muscular legs with compact feet and a tail that is set high and stands up. Plumage or longer hair along the tail is common. The Havanestie’s head is round with triangular-shaped ears that resemble the West Highland Terrier. If the ears resemble the Havanese, they will be set lower and have a fold with extensive feathering. The Havanestie has a large black nose, tight lips, and a scissor bite set in a blunt muzzle that gradually tapers to the tip.
The Havanestie is a hypoallergenic hybrid with a low level of shedding and makes grooming easy. Weekly brushing with a pin brush to remove dead and loose hair is all the Havanestie requires to keep his coat healthy and tangle-free. This mix may be prone to ear infections if its ear resembles the Havanese, but its ear are easily cleaned with a veterinarian approved solution. The Havanestie may also develop dermatitis if bathing strips its natural oils. Avoid frequent bathing and use a hypoallergenic dog shampoo if a bath is needed.
The Havanestie is an active, cheerful dog who is affectionate with its family. The over-sensitive, and sometimes needy traits of the Havanese are eased by the confident independence of the West Highland Terrier but the propensity to root around in the earth is increased in the Havanestie. The Havanestie is exceptionally fond of children, but its small size makes it better suited for older children. The Havanestie is a dog-friendly hybrid and can get along with the cat if properly socialized, but don’t expect him to get along with the neighbor’s cat. The Havanestie is an intelligent mix and easy to train. The energy levels on the Havanestie are elevated, and this hybrid needs daily exercise for a healthy body and mind.
The Havanestie is a hybrid of average energy and a with medium to high-intensity needs. The West Highland Terrier parent adds speed to the Havanese’s agile and springy nature making the Havanestie a fast, capable hybrid. Short bursts of running energy are often exhibited by this hybrid but its small size means most exercise can be had indoors. The Terrier in your Havanestie demands mentally challenging activities as well, so owners can focus on games and tricks instead of running only. Stimulating the Havanestie’s mind will help prevent destructive, digging behaviors from manifesting. A small yard is ideal for this hybrid, but if the Havanestie gets all its mental and physical exercise in, this hybrid will adapt well to apartment living. The Havanese also have a high tolerance for all climates, but extreme temperatures are not tolerated.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 11/12/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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