AKA: Bichon Havanais, Havanese Silk Dog, Havanese Cuban Bichon, Bichon Havanes, Havaneser, Havanezer, Bichon Havanero

Description: The Havanese is a small dog with long hair that gives it a rugged impression if not groomed and clipped. It has long silky hair that is either wavy or curly. Some have short hair and are nicknamed Shavanese.

The eye rims, nose, and lips are all solid black on all colors of the Havanese except the true chocolate dog. The Chocolate Havanese has green or amber eyes. Its ears hang down and are covered with long hair.

The Havanese has a lively gait that accentuates its cheerful character, with its tail carried over its back.

Dynamics: The Havanese is a very affectionate and playful breed. It has a gentle temperament and becomes very attached to its family. It is very sociable, getting along well with people and animals. It is excellent with children and has no problem getting along with other dogs.

It is intelligent and observant, and very easy to train. It can be taught not to bark too much. It is also voice sensitive so harsh and loud words will upset it. It makes a good watch dog, alerting you of any stranger coming near.

Breed Group: Toy

Weight: 7-13 pounds (3-6 kg)

Height: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)

Color: the Havanese can come in any color and color combination. Colors include white, cream, gold, silver, blue, and black, Parti and tricolors are also common for the Havanese.

Country of Origin: The Havanese originated in Cuba, where at present it is a rare breed and is being protected by passionate dog breeders.

Activities: The Havanese has an average amount of energy. It should be taken outdoors from time to time to exercise and play.

Grooming: The coat of the Havanese can be clipped short for easier care. Nevertheless, it needs to be thoroughly brushed and combed at lest twice a week. Excess hair on between the pads of the feet should be clipped. The eyes and ears also need to be checked regularly to avoid infections.

Other Info: The Havanese has a life expectancy of 14-15 years. It is generally healthy, but is prone to PRA, cataracts, luxating patellas, poodle eye, and dry skin. The Havanese is also considered to be hypo-allergenic. The Shavanese, however, is not hypo-allergenic and not a good choice for allergy sufferers. The Havanese is fine living in an apartment. It is active wherever it is, indoors or outdoors. However, it should still be taken out for an exercise form time to time.

AKA: Bichon Bolognese

Description: The Bolognese is a small and compact dog with long and fluffy hair. Its hair is long all over the body, though shorter on the muzzle. The hair is in flocks and never form fringes. The body of the Bolognese is squarely. The neck is without dewlap. The tail is carried curved over its back.

The head of the Bolognese has an accentuated stop. It is slightly egg-shaped with the upper part flat. The nose is large and black. The jaw forms a scissors bite, although some has a pincer bite. The eyes are dark and round. The ears are set high on the head and long, hanging down.

Dynamics: The Bolognese is not a very active breed though it likes to play. It is serious, reserved, and shy. It enjoys the company of people, though, and is very attached and devoted to its owner and family. With its family and loved ones, it is playful and cheerful. It may sometimes sulk and howl mournfully when it is not given attention.

The Bolognese is very obedient and eager to please. It is timid with strangers but is generally a friendly dog. It gets along well with other animals, too.

Breed Group: Toy, Companion Dog

Weight: 4.5-9 lbs (2.5-4 kg)

Height: males 10.5-12 inches (27-30 cm), females 10-11 inches (25-28 cm)

Color: The Bolognese has a coat color of pure white. No other color patches and no other shade of white.

Country of Origin: The Bolognese comes from Italy, where it has been known since the Roman era. It is sometimes confused with the Maltese but is really more closely related to the Bichon Frise and Havanese.
Activities: The Bolognese has energy enough for a lot of play sessions. This breed generally serves as a toy or companion dog.

Other Info: The Bolognese has a life expectancy of 14 years. It is suited to live in an apartment so long as it is taken outdoors occasionally. In grooming the Bolognese, daily brushings and monthly grooming sessions are recommended.

AKA: Biewer Yorkie, Biewer Yorkshire, Biewer Terrier

Description: The Biewer is a toy terrier with long hair that hangs straight down the side of its body. Its body is neat and compact, with the tail carried up. The hair on the body is long enough to reach the ground and has a fine silky texture to it.

Dynamics: The Biewer is a very energetic dog, very eager for adventure and mischief. It is affectionate and loyal. It tends to be suspicious of strangers, though. It may not always be able to get along with other dogs and small animals. With regards to children, the Biewer takes well to older and considerate ones.

Training can be a little difficult with the Biewer. Sometimes it is easy enough to train but there are times when it becomes stubborn. It makes for an excellent watchdog. It becomes snappish when surprised or frightened despite its loving and happy temperament. The Biewer should not be overprotected to avoid it becoming neurotic.

Breed Group: Toy, Companion

Weight: 7 lbs (3.1 kg)

Height: up to 8.5 inches (22 cm)

Color: For its trunk and head piece, the Biewer’s hair is colored white, blue-white, blue, or black. For the breast, belly, and the legs, it is pure white. The Biewer’s head is white-blue-gold and symmetrically-colored.

Grooming: In grooming this breed, the owners must be ready to give it regular trimming. Bathing it every two to three weeks is also needed to maintain a healthy coat. Comb the hair with a wire comb once a week.

Country of Origin: The Biewer originated in Germany, where it was actually a piebald genetic recessive gene occurrence in two Yorkshire Terriers. In January 1984, Gertrude and Werner Biewer’s Yorkshire Terriers had one among its litter and found it attractive and cute. They then began a selective breeding process to produce more of the breed.

Activities: The Biewer is a very energetic and active dog that needs daily exercises and play sessions.

Other Info: The Biewer has a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. It is generally a healthy breed. The Biewer will do well in an apartment as long as it gets enough exercise an dot gets to play often.

AKA: Havanese, Havana Silk Dog, Havanese Cuban Bichon, Bichon Havanes, Havaneser, Havanezer, Bichon Habanero

Description: The Bichon Havanais, or more popularly known as the Havanese, looks rugged without any trims, clips, or alterations. Its coat varies from wavy to curly, with soft hair on both the outer and undercoat. The coat can reach up to 6 to 8 inches. It even covers the eyes and long tail of the dog.

There are some Havanese dogs that do have short hair, though, and are nicknamed Shavanese. Short hair on the Havanese is considered a fault in the show arena.

The Havanese has solid black eye rims, nose, and lips, except on the true chocolate dog. A chocolate Havanese, described so because of its patch of chocolate hair that is at least an inch long, has green or amber eyes and has only been recognized in recent years.

The Havanese has a unique lively gait that exudes its cheerful character, especially with its tail carried up over the back. It is physically solid and sound. While it is small, it gives an impression of being a sturdy and strong dog.

Dynamics: The Havanese is a natural as a companion dog. It is very affectionate and playful that it gets along well with children. It has a tendency to become very attached to its family. It is a very sociable dog that it can also get along with people, other pets, and other dogs. It is very easy to train and little effort is needed in socialization because the dog is already naturally sociable to others.

This is a very intelligent breed. It likes to observe and is very sensitive to a person’s tone of voice. A harsh tone would upset them. It can also be taught not to bark a lot. It is also quick to learn when a stranger is a friend or not by the way it sees its owner treat the stranger. The Havanese enjoys doing things for people and is very eager to please.

Breed Group: Toy, Companion

Weight: 7-13 lbs (3-6 kg)

Height: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)

Color: The Havanese comes in any color, most common of which are cream, gold, white, silver, blue, and black. Parti and tricolored are also common. Black chocolate colored Havanese are preferred by most breeders.

Grooming: To make caring for the coat easier, it can be clipped short. Grooming long hair, meanwhile, will need thorough brushing and combing at least twice a week. Excess hair from between the pads of the feet should be clipped. The feet can also be clipped to look round. Dead hair should be removed. The eyes and ears should also be checked, and the teeth brushed weekly.

Country of Origin: The Havanese originates in Cuba, where it is now actually rare. It went almost extinct after the Cuban and Russian revolutions, but is now presently being preserved. It was bred from the now extinct Blanquito de la Habana (Havanese Silk Dog) and the French and German Poodles.

Activities: This playful dog has a normal amount of energy for a dog. Daily walks and play sessions are enough to keep it happy and content.

Other Info: The Havanese has a life expectancy of 14-15 years. It is a generally healthy breed, but it is prone to PRA, cataracts, luxating patellas, poodle eye, and dry skin. The breed is fine living in an apartment. It is active indoors and will be okay in a small area, although it should be taken outdoors from time to time. This breed is also good for allergy sufferers.

AKA: Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, Brussels Griffon, Petit Brabancon, Belgium Griffon

Description: The Belgian Griffon is a sturdy toy dog with a domed head and an undershot jaw. It has a very short nose and lustrous eyes. It has a pouting look that almost gives a human expression. The ears can be cropped. Its tail is docked and carried high.

There are two types of Belgian Griffon: the rough-coated, and the smooth-coated or petit Brabancon variety. The petit Brabancon requires less grooming than the former.

Dynamics: The Griffon is a cheerful and intelligent dog. It makes a fine companion as it is affectionate, willful, and charming. They can be very loving, but can also get moody at times. The Griffon basically loves to be spoiled.

The Griffon can get along well with other dogs and even with cats. It can be a little hard to housebreak, though. The Griffon can also be made into a good watch dog.

Breed Group: Terrier, Toy

Weight: 6-12 lbs (2.5-5.5 kg)

Height: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)

Color: Griffons come in red, a mixture of red-brown & black, black & tan, or solid black.

Country of Origin: The Belgian Griffon originated in Belgium in the 1800s. The breed was popular among coach houses before the royal palaces recognized it as a pet.

Activities: A good walk will do for the Belgian Griffon. They are active indoors and don’t need much exercise outdoors.

Other Info: The Belgian Griffon has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. This dog is difficult to breed. It is also prone to eye and respiratory problems. The breed is fit for apartment life and is okay if the home does not have much space or a yard.

Grooming: Grooming the Belgian Griffon requires some attention, since the Griffon sheds little or no hair. But the coat can be clipped.