If you are considering the addition of a pet to your family how about choosing a Havanese mix? The Havanese breed has been crossed with numerous other breeds for the purpose of producing dogs that are less expensive than a purebred and incorporate the positive characteristics of two different breeds. If bred properly, Havanese mix breeds may also be healthier than the purebred Havanese, since inherited health issues may be successfully bred out through the cross breeding process.

There are many choices in Havanese mixes today, and the American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes some. There are also many breeders that will specialize in specific crosses of Havanese and another breed, so that you can rest assured that you are getting a dog from two good lineages that can be traced. However, if you have your heart set on a Havanese mix, there are some basic guidelines that you should be prepared to follow in selecting your puppy.

When you begin researching the Havanese mixes that are available through breeders, you may be surprised to find the number of crossbreeds that are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club. Registration through this organization will give dog owners peace of mind in knowing where their dog came from in terms of the lineages of both parents. Without that knowledge, your "designer dog" becomes a plain old mutt that can be a mix of many different breeds.

In the case of a mutt, there is no way to know for sure which breeds, or how many breeds, comprise the genetic makeup of the dog. These designer dogs have become popular because they can bring the best of two different breeds into a single family pet.

Some of the most popular Havanese mixes include the Havanese/Shih Tzu combination, which is also known as a Havashu, the Havanese/Maltese mix that is called the Havamalt and the Havanese mixed with a Lhasa Apso, known as the Hava-Apso. If you are considering one of these Havanese mix breeds, keep in mind that it is impossible to predict which characteristics your dog might exhibit. For example, you might end up with a feisty, Lhasa-like pup or a mild-mannered Havanese temperament. There is no way to know for sure.

A Havanese mix breed can bring years of enjoyment and companionship to everyone in your family. There are many advantages to these designer dogs today, including the lower risk of genetic problems that will typically follow a line of purebred dogs. However, there are factors to watch out for with your Havanese mix as well.

First, you cannot predict precisely which breed will be the dominant one in your dog's health and temperament. For this reason, it is a good idea to research both breeds quite thoroughly so that you are prepared for the type of dog that you end up with.

This will help you to know exactly what you can expect from your Havanese mix breed.