Havamalt

by Mary Simpson

Published: November 9th, 2017

About Havamalt

Weight

10-17 lb

Height

10-12 inches

Lifespan

12-14 years

Group

Not Applicable

Best Suited For

Temperament

alert, playful, sweet-natured, devoted

Comparable Breeds

Maltese, Havanese

Havamalt Basics

The Havamalt is a wonderful little pooch who brings together the people-loving characteristics of the Havanese and the playful personality of the Maltese for a fun, easy-going family dog that gets along with kids and other pets. He doesn’t do well when left on his own for long periods, so needs a home where his owners can dedicate time to his care and well-being.

The Havamalt brings the people-loving Havenese together with the playful Maltese for a fun family dog.

Origin

The Havamalt is a Designer Dog that likely originated in the United States in the 1980s when various mixes of pure-bred dogs were used to create smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler variations of some of the more popular breeds. Today, they can be first generation (two purebred parents) or second generation (two Havamalt parents).

Pedigree

Because he isn’t a pure-bred dog, the Havamalt is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Both parent breeds however are long-term members; the Havanese joined AKC’s “toy” group in 1996 while the Maltese joined the same group back in 1888.

Food / Diet

The Havamalt’s food should be a top quality kibble that reflects his size, age and level of activity (or lack of). Because joint issues can often plague smaller dogs as they age, obesity should always be of concern so don’t plan to free-feed your dog, provide him with 2 to 3 small meals throughout the day. The Maltese DNA in your dog means he may be prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) so care should be taken to keep to a set feeding schedule.

The affectionate Havamalt craves human companionship.

Training

The clever little Havamalt is quick to pick up commands, learn quickly and considered relatively easy to train. Early socialization is important to ensure he knows how to play nice with kids and other pets, followed by the obedience basics. As with most dogs, a firm, consistent approach that includes lots of verbal praise and rewards for a job well done, will go a long way in bringing out the best in this dog.

Weight

Your Havamalt will weigh between 10 to 17 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Havamalt is a sweet-natured, affectionate pooch who craves human companionship and has a gentle nature that makes him amenable to children and other animals alike. A great family dog, he is quite loyal to his human pack and doesn’t do well when left for long periods of time, becoming anxious and destructive. His enthusiastic personality means he loves interactive playtime and being the center of attention.

Common Health Problems

Although many Designer Dogs seem to side-step the health issues that can plague their pure-bred parents, you should always know what your new puppy could inherit. While typically very healthy, the Havamalt might be prone to patellar luxation, hypoglycemia and Legg-Perthes Disease.

Life Expectancy

You can expect to have your Havamalt with you for between 12 and 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Havamalt isn’t an overly active dog and prefers active indoor play to a lengthy walk. That said it’s important to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated so a short daily walk and interactive playtime including tossing a ball, Frisbee or games that will cause him to spend time with his humans will make him a happy boy.

The clever little Havamalt is quick to pick up commands, learn quickly and considered relatively easy to train.

Recognized Clubs

The Havamalt is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

Although he is a minimal shedder, the double-coated Havamalt is fairly high maintenance when it comes to grooming and you can expect to brush his long, silky coat out 3 to 4 times per week to keep it mat- and tangle-free. Professional trimming can be done every few months and bathing should be done only as needed to avoid drying out his skin. Because small-breed dogs can experience dental issues you should add teeth brushing to his grooming regimen.

Puppies

The Havamalt puppy is a people-pleaser from the go get but will require early socialization to ensure he gets along well with other animals. Because of his small size, handling by children should always be supervised to prevent injury to tiny joints. This dog comes from two breeds that can experience joint and bone issues so care should be taking when teaching him to walk on a lead as over-exertion can lead to joint injuries that plague him later in life.

Photo credit: michaelheim/Shutterstock; James Lui/Shutterstock.com; James Lui/Shutterstock.com

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Socializing with other pet parents over a cold one, just got easier!

What Should I Include in a Pet First Aid Kit?

As loving pet parents, we do everything possible to keep our furry companions safe and healthy. However, life is unpredictable, and accidents happen, so we must be prepared for unexpected emergencies. This includes ensuring we have a fully stocked, pet-friendly first aid kit available. In this article, we’ll discuss the essential items you should have on hand to care for your pet in those unforeseen moments. From basic cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries, you’ll be prepared to act as your pet’s first line of defense when it matters most. Can You Use a Human First Aid Kit on Dogs and Cats? Yes, sort of. Most of the items included in a human first aid kit can be used to treat your pet in the case of an emergency. You may be wondering – if they can use the same supplies, why do I need a first aid kit specifically for pets? Some items you won’t find in a human first aid kit may be necessary depending on your pet’s injury or ailment. These could address a problem that only a dog or cat could experience, or they may involve finding alternatives for human products that are unsafe for our pets, like human medications. What Human First Aid Products Can Be Used on Dogs and Cats? Most standard items in your first aid kit can be used on dogs and cats. For example, bandages, gauze pads, ice packs, and medical tape are all suitable for pets. They are the exact same items often included in both human and pet first aid kits. Tools like scissors, latex gloves, and tweezers will also be helpful when performing first aid on a pet. This means that if you currently have a standard human first aid kit at home, you are already well on your way to being prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency. To update your human first aid kit and make it suitable for pets, you will just need to add a few important items:

“One-of-a-Kind” Cat With Two Noses Searches for Her Forever Home

As rescue cat parents and rescue advocates, we know firsthand that every cat has a unique story to tell. But some cats truly stand out and make their mark on the world. Nanny McPhee, a rescue cat who recently came into the care of the Cats Protection Warrington Adoption Centre. It’s not the way this sweet girl came into the shelter or her life before that has everyone talking… It’s a VERY unique physical feature – her nose, or “noses,” in her case! The sweet kitty lived in a loving home for the first four years of her life. Unfortunately, her previous owner had to make the difficult decision to contact a rescue due to health and financial reasons. When Nanny McPhee first arrived at the rescue, volunteers and rescue workers noticed a few things about the tuxedo kitty. First, she was a very gentle lady with a love for attention.“She has proven to be a gentle lady who adores a fuss and a cuddle, and we are hopeful her new-found fame will mean she will have no shortage of potential adopters,” shared shelter manager Lindsay Kerr. “She really does deserve a home where she can settle down and become the center of a loving family.” Second, they noticed she had a surprisingly large nose. It was this unique feature that led to her being named after the popular children’s character. But that signature sniffer was hiding an even bigger secret. A check-up with a local veterinarian revealed that the cat had not one but TWO noses, creating the appearance of one large snout. When asked about the discovery, senior field veterinary officer Fiona Brockbank explained that it was the first time they had seen this but that the cat’s unique appearance resulted from a congenital malformation. Other more common examples of this include cleft palates or cleft lips. These conditions can be inherited or caused by an incident during development in utero.

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