Havashu – Owner’s Guide

Reviewed By Tom •  Updated: 10/21/22 •  6 min read
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Havashu

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Are you looking for a dog to adopt? It can be challenging to choose a specific dog breed, especially if you love two, such as the Havanese and the Shih Tzu. These are such adorable dogs, how can you choose just one?

Have you heard of the Havashu dog breed? If not, you’re in for a treat! These dogs are energetic, loving dogs that are full of life! This is a dog that combines the traits of both the Havanese and the Shih Tzu into one dog!

We’ve put together information about the Havashu to help you decide if this is the right dog for you and your family. Let’s get started!

What is a Havashu?

The Havashu is a hybrid dog breed that’s a cross between a purebred Havanese and a purebred Shih Tzu. As you can imagine, the result is one of the cutest small dogs around!

No one knows the history of these dogs for certain; however, it’s thought they were first bred about 30 to 40 years ago. We can learn more about the Havashu by taking a look at both purebred parents.

Quick Overview of the Havanese

The first purebred parent of the Havashu is the Havanese. The Havanese were originally from Cuba and were the result of Spanish settlers bringing their small companions dogs to the Americas. There, the dogs were bred with other small companion dogs, resulting in the adorable Havanese.

The Havanese is known for being affectionate to everyone, including strangers. The dogs also get along well with kids, other dogs, and cats. These dogs are sometimes referred to as “Velcro dogs” because they usually stick with their pet parent and follow them around everywhere! These dogs were bred to be companion dogs, and that’s what they continue to be.

The Havanese is an intelligent dog that’s easy to train and has a ton of energy! They’re often used as therapy dogs, assistance dogs, and more. Because they have so much energy, the Havanese excels at many dog sports, including agility, flyball, obedience, and more.

The Shih Tzu

The other purebred parent of the Havashu is the Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu was originally developed in China, where the dogs were bred to be companions for the royalty and nobility. This is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

The Shih Tzu is a small dog with long, flowing hair. They have an adorable faces you can’t resist. These small dogs are loving, friendly, and devoted to their pet parents. This is a dog that will not be ignored; even if you don’t like dogs, they will come and make you like them!

So, with parents like these, how could the Havashu go wrong?

The Havashu is a small dog that usually stands between 8 to 12 inches tall and weighs between 7 to 15 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 13 to 17 years.

Havashu Appearance

The Havashu is a cute, adorable dog that is sturdy in spite of his size. They’re active dogs that love to run. And they’re very alert to what’s going on around them.

The dogs have a distinctive body shape that’s higher in the back due to the dog’s longer hind legs. Their tails are either straight or curl over their back. They have rounded skulls with floppy ears and short muzzles with a cute black nose.

The Havashu has soulful eyes with black rims; their eyes are usually brown or amber. The dog’s coat can be wavy or curly; that’s also fine and long.

There’s no way around it—these are cute, beautiful small dogs. Who wouldn’t just love one of these little cuties!

Havashu Temperament

The Havashu is an intelligent small dog that is a combination of both the Havanese and the Shih Tzu. Dogs that more resemble their Havanese parent may easily develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

On the other hand, if they are more like their Shih Tzu parent, the dog may seek attention and have bit of a stubborn streak.

The Havashu may also seek attention quite a bit and are eager to please.

Is the Havashu a Good Family Companion?

The Havashu can be a great family companion. These small dogs love kids and want to be with their families most of the time.

You may see information that says these dogs are hypoallergenic. It’s important to know that no dog is hypoallergenic. Each person’s allergies are unique. However, some people who are allergic to dogs may find it easier to be with a Havashu.

What’s more, the Havashu doesn’t shed very much.

Does the Havashu Get Along with Other Pets?

The Havashu usually gets along well with cats and other pets. They don’t have a strong prey drive or a tendency to herd other animals.

Havashu Food Requirements

The Havashu is a small dog and requires about 1 cup of dog food a day, divided between two meals.

One note: it’s important to ensure these dogs don’t gain much weight. That’s because the Havashu can develop joint and other problems as they age.

Havashu Exercise Requirements

These small dogs need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. They usually enjoy a couple of walks each day.

However, if your fur baby is more like their Shih Tzu parent, the dog could have brachycephalic airway syndrome. This is a condition that’s common in dogs with short muzzles and airways. These dogs don’t do well exercising in the heat and humidity. So, it’s best to exercise the Havashu in the coolest part of the day during the summer months.

Grooming

The Havashu has a double, silky coat that needs to be brushed just about every day. And they only need a bath about once a month.

Training

The Havashu is a dog that’s eager to please and easy to train. However, if they have a stubborn streak, it’s necessary to have more patience and take your time with the dog. The Havashu responds best to positive reinforcement training methods.

Summing It Up

So, there you have it! The Havashu is an adorable small dog that has long, silky fur. They’re the result of mixing a purebred Havanese with a purebred Shih Tzu. The Havashu is a great dog for families, even if they have other pets!

We’re pretty sure if you adopt a Havashu, you’ll have an intelligent, loving companion who wants to have fun for many years to come!

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Tom

Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!

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