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What is the Havanese Club of America?
The Havanese Club of America (HCA) is the official American Kennel Club parent breed club for the Havanese, established in 1979. In practical terms, that makes it the breed's national membership organization in the United States: a body of owners, breeders and exhibitors who agree to act as stewards of the purebred Havanese as described in the breed standard recognized by the HCA and the AKC.
What the club actually does
- Breeder referral. Its site includes a "Find A Breeder" path for people looking for a Havanese puppy, which is the main reason most newcomers visit.
- Education. It publishes materials pitched at different levels of interest, covering well-considered breeding for breed type, good health and sound temperament.
- Events and activities. It highlights club events, including a national specialty show, and answers the common owner question of what activities Havanese can do.
- Community. It gathers people who own or co-own an AKC-registered Havanese and shares member stories and photos.
Who it is for
Prospective owners use it to find a breeder and learn what the breed is like. Current owners use it for activity ideas and club events. Breeders and exhibitors use it for the breed standard, health and temperament guidance, and specialty shows. If you are simply deciding whether a Havanese suits your household, the club's own trait ratings are a useful starting point: high marks for affection with family, getting along with children and other dogs, and moderate-to-high trainability and barking, with low shedding.
A practical next step
If you are searching for a puppy, start with the club's breeder listing rather than a general classified site, then ask each breeder about health testing, temperament and how they raise their litters. For a second, independent view of breed health and rescue information, American Kennel Club is the registry the club is affiliated with, and Havanese Rescue covers rehoming.
How do I find a reputable Havanese breeder through the club?
The Havanese Club of America is the AKC parent breed club for the Havanese, and its site is set up to point prospective owners toward breeders who follow the breed standard and club expectations for health and temperament. In practical terms, the club acts as a filter and a starting point, not a marketplace: you use it to identify breeders, then do your own verification before committing.
What the club offers
- A "Find A Breeder" path for people looking for a Havanese puppy.
- Educational material on well-considered breeding for breed type, health and sound temperament, pitched at different levels of interest.
- Club events and activities where you can meet breeders and see adult dogs.
- A stated expectation that members act as stewards of the purebred Havanese under the breed standard.
How to use it
- Start with the club's breeder listing, then check each breeder against the club's own education pages so you know what questions to ask.
- Ask about health testing of the parents, not just the puppy.
- Ask to meet at least one of the puppy's parents, and see where the dogs are kept.
- Ask what the breeder does with adults after their breeding years.
- Ask about club membership, participation in events, and willingness to be a resource for the dog's whole life.
- Cross-check the breeder's claims with the AKC and with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, which maintains public health-testing records at OFA.
Where the club helps most, and where it doesn't
A parent club is strongest on breed-specific knowledge: what correct Havanese type looks like, which health issues matter in the breed, and which members are active in showing, performance events or breed rescue. It is weaker as a consumer-protection service. A listing is not a guarantee, and the club does not inspect every litter or set prices.
| Your priority | Best first move |
|---|---|
| Understanding the breed before you buy | Club education pages, then breed-standard reading |
| Finding breeders near you | Club breeder listing, then regional clubs |
| Verifying health claims | OFA records plus written test results from the breeder |
| Seeing dogs in person | Club events and shows, where you can watch temperaments |
| Considering an adult dog | Club rescue contacts and breeder rehoming |
A realistic scenario
Suppose you find three breeders through the club. One shows actively and has titled dogs, one breeds occasionally and keeps dogs as family pets, and one has several litters a year. All three can be legitimate. The show breeder may have the deepest breed knowledge but a long waitlist; the occasional breeder may be more flexible on timing but less connected to the breed community; the high-volume breeder deserves the most scrutiny about health testing and how puppies are raised. The club listing tells you they exist; your questions and the paperwork tell you which one fits you.
Decision criteria
Choose a breeder who answers health questions with documents rather than assurances, who lets you meet the dogs, who asks you questions too, and who remains available after the sale. Walk away from anyone who won't show you the parents, won't provide test results, or pressures you to decide the same day.
A useful next step: read the club's education material first, then contact two or three listed breeders with a written list of health and temperament questions so you can compare their answers side by side. For general breed health information beyond this club, the AKC's breed page at AKC is a reasonable companion reference.
What activities and dog sports can Havanese participate in?
Havanese are companion dogs first, but that does not mean they sit out the fun. The breed's page highlights that Havanese are friendly, intelligent and playful, and it asks "What fun activities can Havanese do?" before pointing visitors toward club events and activities. In practice, that combination of trainability, sociability and moderate energy makes them suited to a wide range of organized dog sports and everyday activities.
Dog sports that suit the breed
- Obedience and rally — Havanese respond well to positive, reward-based training. Rally is a good entry point because it mixes obedience exercises with a more relaxed, handler-friendly format.
- Agility — Their small size, agility and eagerness to please make them capable agility partners, though jumps and contacts should be scaled appropriately for a toy breed.
- Rally and trick training — Trick titles reward the breed's playful, people-focused nature and are easy to practice at home.
- Conformation — The Havanese Club of America is the AKC parent breed club, and the page mentions a national specialty, so showing is a central club activity for owners interested in breed type and structure.
- Therapy and visiting work — Their friendly, affectionate temperament (rated 100 for affection with family and 100 for being good with children on the site's traits chart) makes them natural candidates for therapy dog programs.
- Scent work and nose games — Low-impact and mentally tiring, which suits a small dog that still wants a job.
- Canine freestyle and musical freestyle — A natural fit for a breed that enjoys attention and learns routines.
Everyday activities and cautions
Beyond titles, Havanese do well with walks, supervised play, puzzle toys and short training sessions. Because they are small and sociable, they generally enjoy being included rather than left alone. The site's traits chart rates trainability at 80 and barking at 80, so expect a dog that learns quickly but may also be vocal — good for alert work, less good for quiet apartment living unless trained. Shedding is rated low at 25, but that reflects coat shedding, not grooming needs; the breed's coat still requires regular care.
How to choose
If you want a first dog sport, start with rally or tricks, then move to agility or scent work once basic cues are solid. If your interest is in breeding, structure or the show ring, the club's conformation and national specialty events are the more relevant path. For a family that simply wants a cheerful companion for walks, games and outings, the breed's sociability is the main draw.
A useful next step is to look at the club's events and education pages, then contact a local training club that offers rally or agility classes for toy breeds. As a broader reference, American Kennel Club lists recognized dog sports and titles, and Havanese Club of America is the breed-specific source for club activities and breeder information.
What should I know about Havanese health, temperament, and breed traits before getting one?
Before getting a Havanese, focus on three things: the breed's companion-first temperament, its coat and grooming needs, and the health screening that responsible breeders do. The Havanese Club of America (HCA) describes the breed as a small, sturdy dog of immense charm, friendly, intelligent and playful — a dog bred to be with people, not to guard a yard or work independently. The club also publishes a traits chart that rates affection with family, good with children and good with other dogs at the top of its scale, trainability and barking slightly lower, protective nature lower still, and shedding low. Treat those ratings as a general breed profile, not a guarantee about any individual puppy.
Temperament and daily life
Havanese are companion dogs. Expect a dog that wants to be in the same room as you, follows you between rooms, and often prefers laps and close contact to solitary time outdoors. That makes them a strong fit for retirees, apartment dwellers, remote workers and families who are home a lot. It also means separation anxiety and nuisance barking are realistic risks if the dog is left alone for long stretches. Their trainability rating is high but not maximal: they are smart and responsive, yet easily distracted and somewhat inclined to negotiate. Short, upbeat training sessions work better than long drills, and early socialization with children, other dogs and strangers pays off because the breed is generally outgoing but can become shy if under-exposed.
The low shedding score comes with a trade-off. A Havanese coat sheds little into the house but grows continuously and mats easily, so it needs regular brushing and periodic trimming. Budget time or money for grooming before you budget for toys. That same coat also means heat sensitivity in summer and a need for coats in cold, wet weather.
Health questions to ask
The HCA frames its educational material around well-considered breeding for breed type, good health and sound temperament, and it directs puppy buyers toward breeders rather than listing health data itself. So use the club as a starting point for finding breeders, then verify specifics directly. Ask any breeder you consider:
- Which health tests they run on breeding dogs, and whether results are publicly documented.
- The ages and causes of death in their lines, not just the current litter's parents.
- Whether puppies are raised indoors with household noise and handled daily.
- What contract terms cover returns, rehoming and health guarantees.
- Whether they will let you meet the dam and, where possible, the sire.
Small breeds like the Havanese can be affected by joint issues such as patellar luxation, eye conditions, and heart concerns, and dental disease is common in toy breeds. Because this page does not list specific conditions or testing protocols, treat any named condition as something to confirm with a veterinarian and the breeder rather than as a fixed breed fact.
Choosing where to get one
The HCA positions itself as the AKC parent breed club for the Havanese, established in 1979, with a member community that agrees to act as stewards of the purebred breed standard. That makes it a reasonable first stop for breeder referrals, breed education and events. It is not a marketplace and does not sell puppies. If you want to see how the breed is judged and presented, look at the AKC's breed page at American Kennel Club, and for general health and husbandry guidance from veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association is a useful reference. Rescue options exist as well; searching for a Havanese-specific rescue group is often worthwhile if you would rather adopt an adult dog whose temperament is already visible.
A practical next step: write down your household's daily schedule and honestly count the hours the dog would be alone, then compare that to the breed's need for company. If the number is high, either plan for daycare, a dog walker or a different breed — or consider an adult Havanese from rescue whose tolerance for alone time is already known.
How can I become a member of the Havanese Club of America?
The Havanese Club of America (HCA) is the AKC parent breed club for the Havanese, and its membership is built around people who own or co-own an AKC-registered Havanese and agree to act as stewards of the breed. The site describes the club as a community of members who follow the breed standard approved by the HCA and AKC, so joining is as much about committing to responsible breed stewardship as it is about paying dues.
What the club signals about eligibility
The clearest membership cue on the page is the phrase "Havanese lovers who own or co-own an AKC registered Havanese." That suggests ownership or co-ownership of an AKC-registered Havanese is the central qualification. If you are still looking for a puppy, the club's own path is to find a reputable breeder first; membership conversations typically follow once you have a dog.
Practical steps to take
- Confirm your dog's AKC registration or co-ownership paperwork is in hand.
- Visit Havanese Club of America and look for the membership section, which the homepage does not spell out in detail.
- Review the club's educational materials on breeding, health, and temperament, since members are expected to support those standards.
- Reach out to the club directly with questions about application requirements, dues, and any sponsorship or referral expectations.
A realistic reader scenario
Suppose you co-own a two-year-old Havanese with a breeder and want to get involved in conformation or companion events. The club's events and education pages are the natural starting point, and membership gives you a community that shares those interests. The trade-off is that club membership is not a shortcut to a puppy or a substitute for breeder vetting; it is a longer-term commitment to the breed.
Decision criterion
If your main goal is simply to enjoy your dog, the club's public education and activity pages may be enough. If you want to participate in club events, support breed health efforts, and connect with other owners and breeders, pursuing membership is the more useful step. Start by contacting the club through its official site to confirm current application details.
What happens at the HCA National Specialty event?
The HCA National Specialty is the club's flagship gathering for Havanese owners, breeders and exhibitors, built around AKC conformation competition plus breed education and social events. The club's own site treats it as a headline item, pointing visitors to a "2027 HCA National Specialty" page for details, so the exact schedule, venue and entry rules live there rather than on the homepage.
What typically fills the week
- Conformation judging, where Havanese are evaluated against the breed standard, culminating in Best of Breed and related awards.
- Sweepstakes and puppy classes, giving younger or less experienced dogs a lower-pressure ring experience.
- Performance and companion activities, matching the club's emphasis on the breed as a friendly, intelligent, playful companion rather than a showpiece alone.
- Breed education, including seminars and materials aimed at all levels of interest, from pet owners to prospective breeders.
- Health and temperament discussion, tied to the club's stated goals of sound temperament and well-considered breeding.
- Social events, dinners and informal meetups that turn an online community into a face-to-face one.
Who gets the most out of it
If you are considering a Havanese puppy, the Specialty is an efficient way to meet breeders, see adult dogs in person and judge temperament and coat for yourself — far more informative than photos. If you already own one, the performance and companion events are the realistic entry point; conformation is a serious commitment of grooming, handling and travel. Breeders and long-time exhibitors use it to compare bloodlines, track health priorities and take part in club business.
The trade-off is cost and logistics: travel, lodging and entry fees add up, and a large national show can be overwhelming for a first-timer. A single day spent watching and talking to people is usually enough to decide whether you want to enter a future event.
Practical next step
Before committing, check the club's Specialty page for dates, location, entry deadlines and whether spectators are welcome, then look at the breeder directory if your real goal is finding a puppy. Related breed and event information is also published by American Kennel Club and, for health and pedigree research, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
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