About - Gemstone Havanese

About Us

HOME GROWN HAVANESE

OUR GIRLS - Windy, CeCe, Shimmer

Cheers and CH ChaCha Coconut

Why We Love Havanese

Throughout the years our family has bred many different types of dogs. For our enjoyment, we breed top quality dogs and nothing less. After our first Havanese, we knew this was the breed for us. Havanese are warm, intelligent, and fun loving all packed into a small body. Havanese enjoy being with the family.

We raise our puppies in our home with us and they are part of our family. We do OFA health testing. Gemstone Havanese is an AKC registered breeder.

Gemstone Havanese is an AKC registered breeder.

Terri McGuire, owner Gemstone Havanese

The Little Dog From Havana

When American breeders became interested in this rare and charming dog in the 1970s, the US gene pool was only 11 dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Havanese breed in 1996. Although Havanese is a relatively newly registered breed, these little dogs have a long, colorful background. Over 300 years ago, ship records show early Spanish explorers brought small dogs to Cuba. Because of trade restrictions at that time, these dogs were probably from the Canary Islands. In Cuba, the little dogs lived with the Spanish aristocracy and became very adept at performing tricks to please their audience.

Over time they developed a unique layered coat to protect them from the tropical climate. The thick inner coat provides insulation from the extreme heat while the long outer coat is a soft, silky hair as opposed to fur. In Cuba, their coat was never clipped and left long over the face to protect the dog’s eyes from the sun.

In the 1800s, Cuba became the cultural center of the New World and a favorite vacation destination for wealthy Europeans. Travelers often brought back these little “dogs of Havana.” They soon found favor in the courts of Spain, France, and England. Paintings of French King Louis XVI, Spain indicated their coats were clipped short like poodles. The English preferred to leave them au natural and referred to them as “white Cubans” although often they were brown or multi-colored. They became well-established and were exhibited in early European dog shows. Queen Victoria owned two Cubans and Charles Dickens had one named Tim. It is rumored Dicken’s little dog was his inspiration for Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol.”

Buckwheat became Bronze Grand Champion Frazier

*Frazier
HAVANESE are…

Happy
Adorable
Vivacious
Affectionate
Neat
Effervescent
Smart
Entertaining

When the aristocracy of the sugar barons began dying out a new class emerged, the bourgeoisie, and the little dog of Havana, adaptable as always, became a family dog extraordinaire. That position was held for one hundred and fifty years. In 1959, when Fidel Castro launched his socialist revolution, symbols of the past were destroyed and the little Cuban dogs were in danger. Fortunately, several people leaving Cuba brought their dogs with them and, by the 70s, efforts were being made to re-establish the breed in America. We owe the current Havanese breed to those 11 little refugee dogs and the people who cared enough to prevent Havanese from becoming extinct. CLICK HERE to read the Havanese Standard.

*Frazier is now Bronze Grand Champion Gemstone’s Gold Digger 4 Mt Breeze. Click to see him as the puppy “Buckwheat” in our Lil Rascals Litter.

Lido, Teddy, and Maddie

Recommended Vaccine Schedule

by W. Jean Dodds, DVM

This schedule is the one I recommend and should NOT be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.

Age of Pups & Vaccine Type

9 Weeks – MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
12 Weeks – MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
16-20 Weeks – MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
Total of 3 doses ONLY (see above for first 3)

24 weeks or older – Killed Rabies Vaccine (if allowable by law)
1 year – MLV (modified-live virus) Distemper/Parvovirus (booster only)
1 year – Killed 3-year Rabies vaccine (give 3-4 weeks apart from Dist/Parvo booster)

After 1 year – ask your vet for titer tests to annually measure the level of serum antibody against specific canine infectious agents such as distemper and parvovirus. This is especially recommended for animals previously experiencing adverse vaccine reactions or breeds at higher risk for such reactions (small breeds; also Weimaraner, Akita, American Eskimo, Great Dane).

Another alternative to booster vaccinations is homeopathic nosodes. This option is considered an unconventional treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be efficacious. One controlled parvovirus nosode study did not adequately protect puppies under challenging conditions. However, data from Europe and clinical experience in North America support its use. NOTE: if veterinarians choose to use homeopathic nosodes, their clients should be provided with an appropriate disclaimer and written informed consent should be obtained.

I use only killed 3-year rabies vaccine for adults and give it separated from other vaccines by 3-4 weeks. In some states, they may be able to give titer test results in lieu of booster.
I do NOT use Bordetella, coronavirus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic in the local area or specific kennel. Furthermore, the currently licensed Leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today.
I do NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation. Do not vaccinate during times of stress such as surgery, travel, illness or infection.