Havanese Puppies

Zoe-Roxy (Red Sable) San Francisco, CA

Our puppies are raised in our home with love and attention.

If you get a puppy from us you can be certain it has been loved and cared for EVERY step of the way.

We still learn from each litter and each puppy that we are privileged to love. We are there with our dams as each puppy is born to assist in its welcoming into the world. We ensure the sacs come off and fluids drained to ensure oxygen instantly reaches their brain. When possible we keep the placentas attached until they are breathing on their own and squeeze the cord so that every last drop of nourishment reaches their body; our puppies are stimulated, cleaned and put on a nipple so that they can get colostrum (immunity) within minutes of their birth. We track their progress and ensure that everyone is gaining daily.

At 3 days old we start the "Super Dog" program to stimulate their neurological system. Every puppy is handled daily, we breathe onto their faces before their eyes and ears open so they learn to trust the human breath, when their eyes open we ensure the lights are always dimmed so they can slowly acclimate to light, once they can hear we play the radio so they become accustomed to the new sounds, we offer fresh goats milk, rice cereal with iron and smashed pumpkin to mom from the moment the puppies are born and to the puppies when they reach 3 weeks. Puppy food with goat milk is introduced at week 3-4 weeks to ensure adequate nutrition in addition to moms milk. By week 8 the puppies are completely weaned and thriving on high quality kibble.

We worm them regularly to ensure health, all the while mom is making sure she feeds and keeps them clean and stays with them round the clock. As they mature we touch our puppies feet, mouth and ears so they are accustomed to being handled and groomed. We make intentional noises while they are safe with mom so they don't fear things like a pot falling or the sound of a vacuum.

Their area is set up with a pee pad away from their bed so they are able to follow their natural instinct of not soiling their den, thus helping them housebreak easier. We take them out on wet grass in attempts of them going out to "potty" in the rain later when they are in their forever home. We go for rides to nowhere at 4 weeks (we drive a few miles so they get used to road travel)....and this is all before 8 weeks when we go to the vets for our first complete check up and have our ears, eyes, heart, lungs and patella's checked and a fecal worm test done by our vet, as well as first vaccine & additional worming.

Putting this all down in writing (and I have left out lots of stuff we do! lol) it seems like a lot of work but it doesn't feel that way when we are doing it.. I guess this is one of those things that some would refer to as a "labor of love."

If you are seriously committed to bringing the joy and responsibility of a puppy home. If everyone in your household agrees with this decision, if you are willing to read, learn and apply how to properly care and raise a puppy with regular grooming and veterinary care then contact me to get on my waiting list, or even if you just have a question about the breed in general. Remember, the job of raising a puppy into a wonderful dog will be work, albeit I promise you, richly rewarding. I know I've mentally thought of and thanked my breeders many a nights when I've had one (or all) of my babies right beside (or on top of) me - there is no greater feeling in the world than the love of your dog, and no happier sight then their wagging tail when you enter the room..