Maplewood Silks
Maplewood Havana Silk Dogs
Breed Info
The Havana Silk Dog is a big dog personality in a small companion dog’s body. They are extremely smart, playful, and lovable, and excel as companions, scent trial champions, and in competitions such as agility and obedience. They are hypoallergenic and do not shed, although their coats do require regular grooming.
Silks get along well with children, and they're not so tiny that they can't live in a household with a toddler. Our puppies are raised in our home beside our four children ranging in age from pre-school to teenager.
If you want an outdoor dog who can be left alone for long periods, the Silk is not the breed for you. Silks are happiest when they can be with their families, and are portable enough to take nearly anywhere!
Havana Silk Dogs are a non-shedding, hypoallergenic breed. Their coats require regular grooming to stay in optimal shape.
Havana Silk Dogs do not need a lot of exercise, but they do enjoy daily walks to keep them at a healthy weight.
Personality
This is a smart, loving dog who wants and needs to spend lots of time with their people. A fun-loving clown, the Havana Silk Dog takes well to training when it’s done in a positive manner with lots of food rewards, praise, and play. Silk Dogs enjoy the challenges of activities like scent work and agility, but are also happy to just spend time with their people.
Health
All breeding Havana Silk Dogs are required to pass health testing from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (score of fair or better), patellar luxation, cardiac screening, and BAER hearing test; from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal; and blood chemistry panel with bile acid tests to ensure overall and liver health. Health clearances for all dogs are publicly available at the OFA website, ofa.org. All puppies will have had a well puppy veterinary exam including BAER hearing testing, stool test with deworming if necessary, first round of distemper/parvo vaccination, and microchip implantation. We recommend bringing the puppy to your veterinarian within 7 days of taking them home.
Care and Feeding
Although they enjoy going on walks or playing in the yard, Havana Silk Dogs do not need a lot of exercise. Many Havana Silk Dogs enjoy playing and will spend much of their time in various activities, but they are not so high energy that they need a large yard or long periods of exercise. Silk Dogs are social and need to be with their family, and should never be left outside alone. They are not heavy eaters; we feed our Silks about 1/4 cup of high-quality kibble in the morning and 1/4 cup in the evening, along with supplementing with fish oil.
Grooming
If kept in a show (long hair) coat, the Havana Silk Dog requires a daily brushing, preferably with a detangling or brushing spray, as well as baths approximately every 1-2 weeks. The length of time between baths will vary based on whether you allow them to play outside in the rain and snow, or if you are vigilant about keeping them out of messes and the elements. For an easier grooming experience, you can keep their hair trimmed in a short “puppy coat”. The coat maintains its non-shedding nature but it’s less brushing for you. Our puppies are raised to be accustomed to having their hair and teeth brushed and toenails trimmed.
More information?
Please visit the Havana Silk Dog Association of America website at havanasilkdog.org for more information on this wonderful breed!
We also encourage you to join the Havana Silk Dog Lovers group on Facebook, an unofficial gathering of Silk owners and breeders, as well as the Havana Silk Dog Official Group (HSDAA) on Facebook, the official face of the HSDAA breed club.
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