FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Helpful Information
WHAT IS HAVAN ADDICTION?
We are a family that loves the Havanese breed! We breed AKC registered puppies. Our puppies are raised in our home with love and care, pre-spoiled and socialized for their forever homes. We work with our pups using early neurological stimulation and "The Rule of Sevens" to provide them with plentiful opportunities and experiences, in an effort to make certain we send each puppy to its new family as confident and secure as possible. Each puppy is started on proper vaccinations and vet checked prior to leaving to ensure the best health possible.
WHAT IS EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION?
These are exercises we do with the puppies starting at birth which impact their neurological systems by kicking it into action earlier than would otherwise be expected. These exercises help the puppies learn to adjust more readily to stimuli, the result being increased natural ability and capacity later in life. Studies have even linked these exercises to better health in the long run!
WHAT IS THE RULE OF SEVENS?
The "rule" behind "The Rule of Sevens" is that breeders should introduce pups to at least 7 new things across at least 7 different categories starting at 4 weeks old, so by the time a family is ready to pick up their new puppy, that pup has been introduced to a huge variety of different and new experiences, areas, things and changes. This improves their ability to cope with stress, socializing, and train-ability. We put a lot of time an effort into this training so that when your puppy goes home they will be a confident pup who is ready to tackle the challenge of transitioning to a new home. They will be prepared to walk across carpet, tile or wood floors, and play outside on any surface that you might have in their new yard. They will be open to playing with balls, ropes or squeaky toys, and to begin work on obedience. We hope to encourage those who purchase our puppies to continue to introduce them to new things as well, helping them learn to explore their world in a safe way.
Over time, our "Rule of Sevens" reference sheet has evolved to include more than 7 items. We keep a copy posted near the pups' den and check off new experiences each day to ensure that we don't forget any of these important experiences. Below is our current sheet, which we may continue to add to:
• Been in at least 7 different, safe locations: X-pen, outdoor exercise pen, car, kitchen, laundry room, den/family room, bathroom, back yard, porch/deck, veterinarian office
• Been on at least 7 different types of surfaces: carpet, tile, linoleum, concrete, wood, grass, dirt, gravel
• Eaten from at least 7 different containers: metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, human hands, pie tin, frying pan, elevated bowl
• Met at least 7 different people, including: children, older adults, someone walking with a cane/walking stick, someone in a wheelchair, someone tall, someone wearing a hat, veterinarian, mail/delivery person
• Ridden at least 7 times in a car (in a crate, on a lap, with siblings, alone)
• Been in a crate at least 7 times (both at will, with a crate that has no door, and enclosed in a crate for a short period of time)
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• Been played with or taken somewhere alone (without mom or litter mates) at least 7 different times
• Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys: rope toys, plush toys, big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, squeaky toys, water/pool, metal items, and sticks
• Been exposed to at least 7 new challenges: climb over an obstacle, go through a tunnel, climb steps, go down steps, have nails trimmed, get brushed, play hide and seek, run around a fence
• Been exposed to at least 7 different types of noises: garage door, car horn, doorbell, knocking at the door, music, loud children, musical toys, squeaky toys, and in all likelihood, at least a little rain...we do live in the Pacific Northwest! ​
ARE YOUR PARENTS HEALTH TESTED?
Yes! We have all of our pups tested with Embark and have 100% health/genetic clearance! We also work closely with a veterinarian who oversees our program. Each parent's eyes, heart and patellas have been tested by our veterinarian prior to being approved as part of our breeding program.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
I had no idea when I began my pursuit of a pet for myself that I would fall in love with this breed of dog! Years ago, I researched a hypoallegenic type of dog and I came across the Havanese breed. I loved everything I learned about Havanese and decided to save to get my first puppy... little did I know this tiny dog would soon own my heart. What's not to love, though? These adorable little dogs are oh-so-fun and mischievous, playful and intelligent, loyal and so attached to their people! After owning my first dog I couldn't help but see how social this breed was, so I had to get another and then the real chaos began!
Since I came from a farming and breeding backround growing up, the next step into breeding was very natural. I found a wonderful veterinarian to supervise my program and my husband and family joined in the fun, as well! We know that there are people out there that will enjoy this breed as much as we do. If that is you, and you decide you would be interested in a puppy from Havan Addiction Havanese, please contact us. We would be thrilled to help you join in the addiction!
DO YOU SHIP YOUR PUPPIES?
In an effort to give you the best possible pet, we don't ship our puppies in cargo. There are other reasonable options available to transport, however. Puppies can be transported by a puppy nanny, by a trusted ground hand-delivery program, or by myself, occasionally.  So far Havan Addiction has puppies in Alaska, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada and Washington. We are happy to try to find a way to safely and securely get your new family member to you!
HOW BIG WILL YOUR PUPPIES BE?
The Havanese size is measured from the top of the shoulders to the ground and ranges between 8-1/2 and 11-1/2 inches. Adult Havanese weights usually range between 7 and 20 pounds. Some can actually be either larger or smaller and AKC doesn’t currently have a weight requirement for the Havanese breed, actually. All of this to say, we can't really be sure! We can, however, venture a guess based on the size of the parents and past litters.
WHAT KIND OF PERSONALITY DOES A HAVANESE HAVE?
The Havanese is a very sweet and affectionate breed filled with an abundance of mischief and exceptional intelligence. They are sturdy, playful and very entertaining. They bounce around as if they have springs for legs with a comical personality, keeping you laughing a lot of the time. They are excellent with children, adults, and other pets. They are also remarkably trainable, especially for a toy breed.
WHAT COLORS ARE YOUR HAVANESE?
I have Havanese of many colors and have produced puppies of many colors! This is one of my favorite qualities of this breed. They come in a wide variety of colors and color patterns with no preference being given to one color over another. The colors can range from pure white to shades of cream, gold, black, blue, silver, chocolate, sable, brindle or any combination of these colors. There are specific patterns that may occur and sometimes no pattern at all. For an added interesting twist, many Havanese change color after birth and into adulthood. For more information, please see the site below.
DO THEY SHED?
No. Havanese have a non-shedding coat. Since the breed does not shed and has a low dander level, they are referred to as being "hypo-allergenic". Many people with asthma and other allergies (like me) have been able to own a Havanese without any adverse reaction.
WHAT KIND OF GROOMING IS REQUIRED?
If the Havanese coat is not trimmed they do require frequent brushing to keep the long hair from becoming matted. Most families prefer to keep the coat clipped shorter for easier care. They are gorgeous either way.
WHAT'S THE HAVANESE LIFESPAN?
The breed is generally very healthy and long-lived. They may live to be as old as 18 years of age when they receive proper care.
IF I PURCHASE A PUPPY FROM HAVAN ADDICTION, WHAT DOES THAT INCLUDE?
Your new adorable little addiction will come with AKC pet registration, first vet check and current vaccinations, health guarantee, puppy pack of information, food to last for 2 weeks so that you may easily switch to your choice of food if desired, a favorite toy, and a blanket with mom and litter-mates' smell.  Puppies will be started on potty training, as well.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A PUPPY AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR PURCHASE?
We try to keep the process as simple as possible. The total cost of one of our gorgeous pups is $2000. We accept a deposit of $300 to secure the puppy, with the balance due before or at the time you bring your puppy home. The deposit can be made quickly and securely through Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, check or cash. Other arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis, if needed.