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Health Characteristics of the Havana Silk Dog

Dog Breeds

As the Havana Silk Dog gene pool has been selected out of the Havanese gene pool, it is possible that some of the Havanese health issues may still affect Silk Dogs. The HSD registry precludes any dog being certified if it displays chondrodysplasia, so dwarfism does not appear to be an issue in the HSD.

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Life Span

Is it not unusual for Havana Silk Dogs to reach their 15th birthdays and beyond.

Common Health Issues

As the Havana Silk Dog gene pool has been selected out of the Havanese gene pool, it is possible that some of the Havanese health issues may still affect Silk Dogs. The HSD registry precludes any dog being certified if it displays chondrodysplasia, so dwarfism does not appear to be an issue in the HSD. Other health problems affecting the Havanese include, but are not limited to:

• Liver shunts (both macro and microscopic)
• Heart disease
• Cataract
• Hip dysplasia
• Luxating patellas
• Congenital deafness

All HSD breeding dogs must also be certified free of cataracts, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia and deafness (both uni and bilateral.) HSDAA also recommends screening all breeding dogs for liver disease with bile acid panels.