Really helped. Thank you.

After losing my 15 year old Maltese, I took a search in earnest for my next dog. I settled on a Havanese, a breed which i'd resarched for over a year. After endless hours of on line research, I found a reputable breeder, found my little soul mate (I hope:-), and have been busy getting ready for her arrival. When this book came, I read it cover to cover. This is one of the best dog books I've ever seen! Filled with lots of great information on all aspects of the breed, including a terrific chapter on health and a fabulous rundown on grooming, including detailed explanation of cording - something i might actually try when i retire :-) I plan on keeping this book by my bedside as I begin my puppy training (funny how long ago and far away 15 years can be!!!) If you are thinking about getting a Havanese or if you've already made the plunge, I don't think you'll be disappointed in what this reference has to offer. I can hardly wait to get my girl and get started on a new relationship! Thanks, Diane and Joanne, for a great book.

It seems like years ago when I first read this book. My older 2 dogs, a 16 year old Puli named Lilly, and a 14 year old Lab mix named Max had died within 4 days of each other, and I was miserable and looking for a puppy to fill the void. As it turns, that void is never filled; other things grow up around it; nothing fills it.

But I digress. The book: The Havanese, by Diane Klumb and Joanne Baldwin DMV:

The Chapters include:
1. History of the Havanese:
In Cuba and beyond, then and now

2. Is a Havanese Right for You:
Male or female; how to judge a breeder-`Just Slip out the Back, Jack' if you feel something is wrong with the breeder you have chosen; what age should the puppy be when you take him home and why.

3. The Right Stuff:
Buying crates-to crate or not to crate;litter boxes; food dishes; water; chewy things; what to buy without actually going to the moon, financially and other ways.

4. How to Survive The First Few Months:
Picking up the puppy; who's the alpha dog; avoiding the peter principal for your dog; travel; if you have to leave your puppy at home.

5. Feeding:
Canine dog food industry and quality control; getting your Havanese to actually eat.

6. Havanese Health:
This information and analysis would apply to any breed: Ockham Syndrome; eye problems; Baer tests; hedge family signaling genes; chondropdysplasia; orthopedic problems; patella problems; dysphasia, heart and liver problems; and H.E.A.R.T.

7. Preventative Medicine:
How to keep your Havanese well: Anesthesia; parasite control; poisons.

8. The Well Groomed Havanese:
The ideal coat; puppy cut; brushing 101; nails etc.

9. The Corded Havanese:
How to cord your havanese; speed cording!

10. The Well Educated Havanese:
K(C)1 thru Westminster...

In the pages on getting your Havanese to actually eat, the author slips imperceptibly from teacher to student to subject:
Meal one: The new owner drives across town to buy the brand of dog food suggested by the breeder.
Meal two: Owner adds some cup-up chicken
Meal three: Puppy loves the lamb and rice...but everything else he now considers toxic waste.
Meal 4: Plain kibbles and rice? You're kidding right? I'd like some cottage cheese, please...

This ability to empathize with the Havanese and their (perspective) owners gives the book insight and makes it effective: we get the information we need/want in a way that we can use, and the Havanese may just understand.

The chapter on `Speed Cording' was awesome. I used it on Lucky. She was 2 years old last Christmas time when her older dogs, Max and Lilly, died. And though a Puli in ever syllable of her being, she had never corded. Lilly, the 16 year old Puli who died-she had a seizure one night that never ended-, had corded up perfectly at age 6 months. But Lucky was still a fuzzy frizzy white mess on the verge of being shaved. Now, 8 months later, with lots of spraying and dividing, Lucky is corded, a little confused around her ears still, but corded.

The section on health is very detailed and will convince any reader to look for puppies from breeders who test their breeding dogs, and only from those breeders.

In my search for the perfect Havanese, I asked one breeder for the CHIC numbers of her pups' dam and sire. Her answer was `but first tell me what is a chic number?' ...as the author might say, 'Just make a new plan, Stan!'.

If you are thinking of getting any breed of puppy, especially a Havanese, if you want a model of how to get and bring up a healthy, happy puppy, you need this book: a perfect balance of detailed reference guide and humorous, insightful, brilliant reflections.

This is an absolutely must have book for anyone breeding Havanese, owning a pet or looking for a puppy.
This is one of the most direct and to the point dog books that I have read.It addresses important issues and doesn't have the usual general dog info that uses up half of most books.
I recommend this to all people who inquire about buying a puppy.

Thanks Diane and Doc for sharing your knowledgs and time.

Bobbi Lowy
Bonneterre Havanese

Fantastic! The perfect book for the pet owner and breeder alike. Finally a well researched and articulate book of the Havanese. Wonderful photos, insights and crucial health information! A++++

The Havanese is a wonderful reference book for future owners researching the breed, as well as established breeders and veterinarians. Written in Diane's friendly and often humorous style, it clearly provides information on everything from feeding and grooming to the all important health issues in the breed. Dr. Joanne Baldwin's photographs and veterinary information are the frosting on the cake to make this a "must have" book. Thank you, Diane and Doc for creating such a comprehensive and beautifully written book about our breed.

Susan Cunningham
Zigfield Havanese

This is a wonderful book for our Havanese! I would HIGHLY recommend it for any potential or new Havanese owner! I wish I had this book when I first got my Hav boys. It is chocked full of information on every relevant topic and it is such an enjoyable, easy read. The wonderful color photographs are an extra perk! So much expertise, love, and humor went into this book and it shows! I give this book THREE THUMBS UP!

Cynthia Trew

This is a wonderful book especially for the new havanese owner. Both Joan Baldwin and Dianne Klumb the authors are dedicated to this breed and it certainly shows in this book. I truly value their imput and guidance.

Lorrilee Slaybaugh
Belamour Havanese

Wonderful book, easy to read, comprehensive information directed to a very special breed. Thanks,
Alice

Anyone considering becoming owned by a Havanese would do themselves and their future companion a great service by reading, re-reading and reading yet again this definitive guide to a delightful breed. Diane and Doc have left a legacy that will stand the test of time.

I own 3 Havanese, and I still learned a ton from this book. Great book, great photos, great learning tool.
5 *****
Katie

Absolutely the definitive book on Havanese. Don't bother wasting time and money on any other Havanese book- none can touch the detailed breed-specific information in this one. If you are contemplating getting a Havanese, or are already "owned" by one or more Havanese, this book will be an invaluable source of information!

Kudos to Dianne and "Doc" for sharing years of experience and wisdom in putting together such a thorough, comprehensive and honest book on this wonderful breed.

Kathy Wingerd

This book is an essential for all owners or those who are contemplating getting a Havanese. Chapters carefully outline defined information in a easily understood format laced with humour and wisdom.

Both authors should be commended for the forthright discussion on health issues highlighting the importance of preserving the breed by screening for potential problems.

It's clearly evident this book was written by someone who has years of experience in breeding dogs and generoulsly passed this knowledge on to all who would own the quintessential Havanese.

Janet Shauntz

Thank you Diane and Doc for sharing your knowledge and putting together such a wonderful book. 4 paws up to you!

What a great reference tool. Everything from training, health issues and grooming are covered quite thoroughly. I'm even working on speed cording one of my Havanese after reading the steps involved!

Dear Lulu
What a great book. I was right in the middle of looking for a havanese puppy to join our family when I was made aware of this book. I got my copy and loved it from the start. It felt as though someone had sat me down in their living room and taught me all I needed to know. It is a very informative book while at the same time being a very easy read. If you are looking for a havanese or even a toy breed of any kind this is an excellent resource. Due in many ways to this book we have just brought home our healthy havanese puppy. Thanks.

I'm not sure of what to say as I've read all the current reviews about this book and I agree with them all. This is a book that will be of great help if and/or whenever I should be asked about the havanese in detail. To present this book for anyone to read and learn about the breed will definately be a pleasure of mine!

Just a wonderful book. Contains everything that I've read in many other books, plus more. Also, beautifully presented with quality photos and easy-to-read print for us "old folks", and lots of little humerous parts to keep it fun. The health section reflects MANY years of dedicated research on behalf of our breed.
I wish that I had had this book four years ago when I purchased my first Hav, and would recommend it for all current owners/breeders, prospective owners, and veterinarians.
Thanks to Diane & Doc for making this available to us.

A marvelous book! Every Havanese pet owner should have this book in their library. I also bought one for my vet as I am the only client with Havanese in their practice at this time. Thanks so much for sharing your valuable information.
Katharine Busch

Diane and Doc have both outdone themselves on this one! I own a few other havanese books, but TOGETHER they can't even begin to touch the areas these two have covered in THE HAVANESE. It is truly a COMPLETE book. One can tell the dedication and love they have for this breed and in wanting to help others. The pictures were wonderful as well, and the whole book just seemed to flow, thus making it for easy reading for anyone. Congrats on such a wonderfully written and illustrated book..... Bonnie K.

This is the most complete and wonderful book about the Havanese that has been written! Thanks to Diane and Doc your dedication in our breed!

All havanese lovers/owners/breeders must have this book:-)
Monica

Option One: Spend a couple or three decades breeding, showing and health testing Havanese and learn everthing you possibly can from the experience.

Option Two: Purchase, read and re-read this book. Diane and Doc have already done all the hard stuff and are TELLING THEIR SECRETS!

Despite the fact that I have two earlier books on the Havanese, this one is THE essential guide to the breed! I have never read a clearer explanation of the breed standard, and the health section is invaluable. My first Havanese will be 11 in Nov., and we lived through the heartache of not knowing if she would survive the repair of a liver shunt. Thank God for a wonderful vet surgeon at UGA. At that time we were told shunts "just happened" in all breeds, from time to time, but we decided to spay her and not take a chance, even though she had an amazing coat and was the most beautiful Havanese you could imagine. This book makes it clear that we made the right choice. The medical section alone is worth the price of the book.
One of the things that I most enjoyed, since I live with two of these darlings, is discovering that some of the things that amuse me about them--for example, the "running fits" when they tear around the house in total abandon--are traits common to the breed.
The authors of this book clearly love and know this breed in a way that makes this a true "must have" for anyone who already is owned by Havanese or is considering an application to adopt one.

This book was a wonderful surprise. It is refreshing in that it is an honest approach to all aspects of the Havanese breed. It is easy to read with touches of humor. But still can be a useful reference. It is an easy read because of the way it is written: well organized and the quality of the paper and print. It has excellent picture quality also. The pictures are clear and bright, not grainy in the color edition, which I purchased.

The information is not only essential for the Havanese owner but the “would be” Havanese owner as well. It provides a step by step process on how to find a reputable Havanese breeder and what questions should be asked about health testing and suggestions on how to find the right Havanese for you or your family.

The chapters on the care of the puppy and adult dogs make the transition from a breeder or rescue a necessary read. It covers all aspects from lists of items needed for the new arrival to crate training, housebreaking, food and grooming. This information is of value not only to the Havanese breed but also to any person looking to bring a dog into their family. For first time owners, this material is essential to get you off to a good start.

The discussion on all aspects of the Havanese provides a very clear picture of what you may expect both positive and negative. Some dog breed books largely present their breed in a positive light and somewhat touch on the negative. This book provides a frank appraisal of the Havanese. It runs the spectrum from health problems to housebreaking difficulties and the time needed for grooming. Nothing is more disappointing for a person who has researched a breed and then discovers the puppy or dog does not fit into their life style or has problems that are known to exist but little information is printed about them. The authors’ honest explanation of this tells the reader, in their words, “The Unvarnished Truth”. This book, hopefully with its factual information, will be a factor in saving some Havanese from shelters.

The chapter on genetics problems is in depth and is explained in a manner that a novice can understand. This is important since it prepares new owners for meaningful discussions with their vets on the possible problems associated with this breed. It also gives insight into the recommended vet treatments that will keep your Havanese healthy. All proceeds from this book go to HEART for research into the health problems that are linked to the Havanese. My thanks to the authors for their hard work, dedication to this breed and their generosity.

I am owned by 3 Havanese and was thrilled to receive this book. The oldest is 8 years old and I was excited to learn even more about this breed. I plan to buy this book for all my Havanese friends as gifts, I am sure they will be as pleased as I am.

"The Havanese" is a must-have for anyone contemplating the addition of a Havanese to the family. This is the definitive book on the breed. Besides being absolutely full of necessary information (the chapters on Havanese eating behaviors and Havanese health alone are incredible!) it is easy to understand. The authors make the subject of genetic inheritance understandable and if I can finally 'get it', anyone can! The Havanese community has long needed a book of this calibre and at last we have it! It is a vital addition to any dog lovers library but will be especially appreciated by all Havanese owners and all who are thinking of owning this breed. I plan to purchase a second copy and give it to our veterinary practice because of all the important health information related specifically to the Havanese. I rate it Five Stars!

I am not a big time reader, but I am in love with my 2 Havanese and when I heard that a new book was available about the breed, I knew that I had to purchase it. I began reading the book the day it arrived, and could not put it down until I read every word and viewed every beautiful picture. There are many things that I love about this book. First of all, it is very easy reading which is great for someone like me who is not a regular reader. The book is so well organized and provides so much valuable information about these amazing dogs. Even though I have 2 Havanese now, I feel like I learned so much more about them in reading this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is fortunate enough to be touched by these wonderful dogs. I am ordering another copy which I will send to my Vet so that he is familiar with all the valuable health information that is provided. This is a must read for anyone considering adopting a Havanese and breeders would really be doing a great service by providing the book to all new families that have decided to share their lives with a Havanese. It is kind of like an owners manual that you would get with a new car, only more valuable because it can be referred to whenever you have a question about your new puppy or adult dog. I don't know the author's personally but I must say they did a GREAT job with this book.

I knew this book would be great, but it's even better than I envisioned! Kudos to Diane for sharing her valuable and vast knowledge and years of experience with everyone! (and Kudos to "Doc" (Joanne Baldwin, DVM) for her contributions and putting this all together and doing such a great job with all the pictures!) Ever since I've known Diane, she is constantly bombarded with questions, questions, questions. Her phone line is busy from sun up to sun down and most times she's on the phone 'educating or mentoring' the multitude of breeders, exhibitors, puppy buyers, etc who all want to know what SHE knows in 10 mins. She has the patience of a Saint!

I have, along the way, bought every single Havanese book ever printed and NONE of them can even come close to this one. "The Havanese", covers every single aspect of owning and caring for a Havanese PLUS she has gone over all the current, to date, health information on this breed. No other Havanese book out there, until now, has this kind of comprehensive and helpful information to anyone owning a Havanese or possibly owning one in the future!

Since Veterinarian's, are for the most part, fairly clueless about this breed, I hope everyone will condsider buying one for their Vet Clinic as well. I'm sure it will be most appreciated it by them!

Thank you Diane for all you do. No one can even come close to your knowledge in this breed and it's just wonderful that you've shared some of that with all the world now! And Thank you most of all for generously donating ALL proceeds to this book to the ONLY ongoing research for Health issues in the Havanese, at Texas A&M, under direction of Keith Murphy.

You Rock!

Margie Staniszeski

When I sat down to write a review of The Havanese by Diane Klumb, I asked myself, how do you go about reviewing what will undoubtedly be THE DEFINITIVE WORK on the Havanese for generations to come? I’ll start by stating a cold hard fact. If you are thinking of purchasing a Havanese, planning to purchase a Havanese, already own a Havanese or own several; you need to purchase this book.

Anyone who’s spent any time at Kamp Klumb understands the demands on Diane’s time. Her phone rings constantly with inquiries from puppy prospects to grizzled veterans alike. Everyone wants to know something about a Havanese. Whether it is how to make a proper Havanese puppy purchasing decision to breeding and medical advice, there is no way she can tell everyone all they need to know in just one conversation. And now she doesn't need too………..we can read it all and in even greater depth!

The Havanese covers everything from the breed’s origin, through choosing the right breed and finding the right puppy. Diane includes topics like bringing your new puppy home, what to buy and what your puppy doesn’t need, what to feed your dog, and how to groom your Havanese (which is important in any long haired breed) . All of these are backed by 30 years of experience and in many instances she cites scientific research (with appropriate credits) to back up her points. Last and certainly not least, Diane discusses the health issues facing the Havanese.

Few, if any, have devoted more time, energy and money to benefit this breed than Diane Klumb. Of paramount importance to all ethical Havanese breeders are the ongoing health issues in the breed. While the Havanese does not have more health problems than other breeds, it does have a candor about what those problems are and what is being done to cure them. Diane leads this charge. If you will own or do own a Havanese, you need to have a basic understanding of these health issues, and The Havanese provides this and more.

If you are considering purchasing a Havanese or if you already own a Havanese, you need to purchase this book. It not only helps you, it helps our breed too.