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Color gallery of the Havanese                                                    Information about the chocolate colour

 

Colour variety in Havanese

HopeThe Havanese exists in many colours. A Havanese is unique with regard to other breeds. An interesting difference is its coat colour. Not many breeds have such a large variety in colour shades and colour patterns as a Havanese. He can have the most colours and variations in the dog world. A Havanese can be Black, Blue, Silver, Chocolate, Brindle, Sable, Red, Gold, Champagne, Cream and White and as one colour as well as in combination with other colours. 
Because of the large colour variety it's difficult to 'predict' which colours will have the puppies; they can have all a different colour or colour combination, that can be different from the coat colour of the parents. 

 

 

 

Genetics

The genetics of the coat colour in Havanese is a very interesting topic. 

DolceAt least ten different genes control the colour of the Havanese. Different genes regulate different parts of the coat colour. Some genes make the colour pigments while other genes arrange the distribution of these pigments in the individual hairs and over the whole body. 
Dogs have two possible pigments in their coat. The dark pigment is called Eumelanine and the light pigment is called Phaeomelanine. Some genes influence the dark pigment, others the light and some influence both. The phenotype and the genotype are also important. The phenotype is how the dog looks like. The genotype is the invisible genetic code that is responsable for what you see. In some cases more than one code can give the same appearance. 
Each gene has its own denomination:  A, B, C, D, E, G, M, S, V, T and K. If two genes are dominant, the dominant one will be expressed. If one gene is dominant and the other one recessive, the dominant one will appear and the recessive one is hidden. A recessive gene can only appear when there are two of them. 

Summary of the genes:

A gene Agouti series
B gene Black or Chocolate (incl. nose and eyes)
C gene Chinchilla - pigment depth
D gene Dilution series
E gene Extension series
G gene Graying 
K gene Black (dominance)
M gene Merle (marbled, i.e. not yet shown in Havanese)
S gene White spotting 
T gene Ticking
V gene Silvering 

There is much more to say about colour genetics in Havanese and about genetics in general. 

 

 

     Color gallery : Colours, patterns, markings

 

The next collage gives a resume of the possible colours, patterns and markings in Havanese. The used terms are only an indication and rather subjective. In the breed standard they use often other terms or one term can be used to indicate several colours. The collage is inspired by the Colours of the Rainbow of Suzanne McKay. We thank her for all her useful tips while making this resume. We thank all the Havanese owner for letting us use several pictures. If you move the computer mouse over a picture you can read the origin of the picture. There can always be added other pictures and more info. 
Please mail us for comments and remarks.

 

The Havanese can occur in these colours :

* True white (rare)

Voila Clean Sweep - owned by Ashstone Havanese Canada Nevena's Havanese - photo Nevena
White Havanese (black pigment) White Havanese (brown pigment)

* Cream

A Maiden Efforts Kaiparinha - owned by Velvet Story Iparis de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Danièle Guerette - photo Kristine
Cream Havanese (black pigment) Cream Havanese (black pigment)

* Beige ~ Fawn

Disneyland's Perfect Gentleman - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène Bonita du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle
Beige Havanese (black pigment) Beige Havanese (black pigment)
Gioia mis Amores Pequenios & Massivus Angel's Dalia Hanna - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Massivus Angel's Dalia Hanna - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Beige Havanese (black & brown pigment) Beige Havanese (brown pigment)
Gioia mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Florida De Las Flores De La Vida - photo Blandine Petit
Beige Havanese (black pigment) Beige Havanese (brown pigment)

* Champagne

Hija-Hope mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Hija-Hope mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Champagne Havanese  + sable pattern (black pigment) Champagne Havanese + sable pattern (black pigment) 

* Apricot

Harley du Monde des Amours - owned by René - photo Kristine Dgill de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Apricot Havanese (black pigment) Apricot Havanese (black pigment)

* Gold

Nestor Naughtynipper - owned by Francine Lacroix Fenzo les Douceurs de Soie - owned by Karine Galloy - photo Kristine
Gold Havanese (black pigment) Gold Havanese (black pigment)

* Red

Clyde de la Tour de Senlis - owned by Nadine Rouquette - photo Nadine Baribal's Raizel - picture taken by Angelika Zimmer
Red Havanese (black pigment) Red Havanese (black pigment)
Pillowtalks Havanese puppies - photo Monika Moser
Red Havanese pups (black pigment)
Breeder/Owner : Monika Moser www.havaneser.org 

è The colors cream, beige, champagne, apricot, gold and red are named in the FCI standard as « fawn in its different shades ».

 

* Black

Itala de la Vallée du Rêve (pup) - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Baïla Babou Babilou de la Vie est Belle - owned by Mylène Mirkes
Black Havanese (always black pigment) Black Havanese (always black pigment)
Christa's Jumpy Clown Quenna "Enna" - "Pipotje" - photo by Kristine  

 

Black Havanese (always black pigment)

* Dark Silver (charcoal blue = dark shade of silver - 1 copy of the silvering gene)

Divine'Idylle du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Mylène Mirkes
Dark Silver Havanese (always black pigment)

* Silver (light shade of silver - 2 copies of silvering gene)

Valentino des Echos du Hoyoux - owned by Francine Lacroix Geena van het Vogelpark - owned by Karine Galloy - photo Kristine
Silver Havanese (always black pigment) Silver Havanese (always black pigment)

è The silver shades can lighten up and get darker over the months/years.
è The (adult) Havanese with a silver coat are born with a black coat colour. 

 

* Chocolate    (click for more information)

Carita's Sweet Amelio - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda Van den Broecke - photo Kristine Goossens
Chocolate Havanese (always brown pigment) Chocolate Havanese pup (always brown pigment)
Jolie Lucca del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens
Chocolate Havanese (always brown pigment)

* Dark Chocolate Silver (mocha or chocolate blue) ~ lightbrown

Gyongyosi Pelyhes Marcus Aurelius - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine Tearaways (Truffel) - photo Kristine
Dark Chocolate Silver Havanese (always brown pigment) Dark Chocolate Silver Havanese (always brown pigment)

* Chocolate Silver ~ greybrown

Massivus Angel's Virag Chocolate - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine
Chocolate Silver Havanese (always brown pigment) + mask

è The chocolate shades can lighten up and get darker over the months/years.
è The (adult) Havanese with a chocolate silver coat are born with a chocolate coat colour. 

 

* Blue (diluted black = not black, but greyblue at birth + diluted black = blue pigment)

Bo-Boldinger Coeur de Masaï - owned by Mylène Mirkes
Bo-Boldinger Coeur de Masaï - owned by Mylène Mirkes
Blue (always diluted black = blue pigment) Blue (always diluted black = blue pigment)

* Isabella / café-au-lait (diluted chocolate = not chocolate, but isabella at birth + diluted chocolate = isabella pigment)

 

 

The Havanese can occur in these patterns :

* Brindle 

Keep Your Smile Blue Temptation - photo Kristine Keep Your Smile Blue Temptation - photo Kristine Keep Your Smile Blue Temptation - photo Kristine

Brindle Havanese

Au printemps des Olivets - photo by Christelle A Maiden Efforts Oh My Goodness - photo Kristine A Maiden Efforts Oh My Goodness - photo Kristine
Brindle Havanese puppy Brindle Havanese puppy Brindle Havanese puppy

* Havana Brown (a variation of Brndle is Havana Brown or Tobacco Colour (reddish brown) : black, red (or mahogany / acajou) hairs mixed)

MacKenzie La Cuba Cao - owned by Marja de Visser - photo Kristine Itala de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Havana Brown Havanese (with white - always black pigment) Havana Brown Havanese (always black pigment)
Au Printemps des Olivets - photo Christelle Dahli au Printemps des Olivets - photo Christelle
Havana Brown Havanese puppy Havana Brown Havanese

* Dark Sable (darker tippings over the whole body on a lighter undercoat) 
Remark
: according to some people also called Brindle (colour between Brindle and Dark Sable)

Havami mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine à Havami mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine
Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese
A Maiden Efforts On The Red Rocks - photo Kristine à A Maiden Efforts On The Red Rocks - photo Kristine
Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese
MystykalSky's Amor Sacha - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène à MystykalSky's Amor Sacha - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Cream Brindle (Sable) Havanese Cream Brindle (Sable) Havanese
MystykalSky's Cuco - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle à MystykalSky's Cuco - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle
Brindle / Sable Havanese + mask Brindle / Sable Havanese + mask
Easy Lovly Girl du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle à Easy Lovly Girl du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle
Brindle / Sable Havanese + mask Brindle / Sable Havanese + mask
Havatilles Lillo - owned by Sanne Friborg - photo Kristine Pillowtalks Passionatly Red - owned by Monika Moser - photo Monika
Cream Brindle (Sable) Havanese Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese
Breeder/Owner : Monika Moser www.havaneser.org 
Buenos Amigos For Your Eyes Only - owned by Gerda Eilander - photo Kristine A Maiden Efforts On The Red Rocks - photo Kristine
Brindle (Sable) Havanese + parti patroon Red Brindle (Sable) Havanese

* Light Sable (darker tippings on the ears, tail and back on a lighter undercoat)
Remark : also called Sable

Hija-Hope mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Gioia mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Apricot Sable Havanese Beige Sable Havanese
Hija-Hope mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Linda - photo Kristine photo Kristine
Apricot Sable Havanese Sable Havanese
Douro des Echos du Hoyoux - owned by Francine Lacroix - photo Kristine Honey Poney's For You - owned by Christine Hermans - photo Kristine
Sable Havanese Cream Sable Havanese
Massivus Angel's Dalia Hanna - owned by Linda - photo by Kristine Goossens Jolie Siena del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens
Sable Havanese (brown pigment) Sable Havanese (brown pigment)

* Tan Points (tan markings)

A Maiden Efforts Kamasutra - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Chocolate Mistica - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Black & Tan Havanese (black pigment) Chocolate & Tan Havanese (brown pigment)
Massivus Angel's Thobias - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène MystykalSky's Chocolate Havana - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Black & Tan Havanese (black pigment) Chocolate & Tan Havanese (brown pigment)
A Maiden Efforts Quelle Belle Fleur - photo by Kristine
Chocolate & Tan Havanese (brown pigment)

* Saddle Tan

Dolce - owned by Linda - photo Kristine photo Kristine
Saddle Tan Havanese (black pigment) Bicolor Havanese (black pigment)

* Agouti (wild)

 

 

The Havanese coat can have these markings :

* Extreme Piebald (no markings on the back)

GeeBee'Lee de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène MystykalSky's Havanese - owned by Nathalie Tremblay - photo Kristine
Extreme Piebald Havanese (black pigment) Extreme Piebald Havanese (brown pigment)


* Piebald (few markings on the back/tail)

Christa's Jumpy Clown Cha Cha - owned by Britt de Veer - photo Britt Indiana de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by
Piebald Havanese (black pigment) Piebald Havanese (black pigment)
MystykalSky's Daïlay - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Piebald Havanese (black pigment)

* Parti

Guendo Happy Perro z Kovárny - owned by Marja de Visser - photo Kristine MystykalSky Doll'in - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (black pigment)
Gucci van het Vogelpark - owned by Koen en Chantal Suetens - photo Kristine Dilove Anka Coeur de Masaï - owned by Blandine - photo Kristine
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (black pigment)
Eléane Milagro de Bel e Bo - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine Farelle de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (black pigment)
Pillowtalks Fire Engine Red - owned by Monika Moser - photo Monika Pillowtalks Tout En Rouge - owned by Ilona Rieck - photo Kristine
Parti Havanese (black pigment)
Breeder/Owner : Monika Moser www.havaneser.org 
Parti Havanese (black pigment)
MystykalSky's Watch Me Callit - owned by Wilma Amesz - photo Kristine Isidor de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle
Parti Havanese (brown pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)
Havane de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle MystykalSky Coccio - owned by Sanne Friborg - photo Kristine
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)
Nevena's Caramela Macchiata Belladonna - owned by Nevena - picture by Nevena Idalgo - owned by Sylvie - photo Kristine
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)
photo Kristine Julio mis Amores Pequenios - photo Kristine
Parti Havanese (black pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)
J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens Tapscott's Willie Makeit "Toto" - photo by Kristine Goossens
Parti Havanese (brown pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)
A Maiden Efforts Quenna al Paradiso - owned by Linda - photo by Kristine A Maiden Efforts Quibus Quispel "Kisha" - photo by Kristine Goossens
Parti Havanese (brown pigment) Parti Havanese (brown pigment)

* Irish Pied

MystykalSky's Havanese - owned by Nathalie Tremblay Hoppe du Monde des Amours - owned by Ilse - photo Kristine
Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment)
Belleza du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène MystykalSky Epica - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment)
Hoppe du Monde des Amours - owned by Ilse - photo Kristine Bonfire's Fantasy Havana Hurricane - owned by Mieke Kitzmann - photo Kristine
Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment)
Esméralda du Printemps des Olivets - owned by Christelle Grand - photo Christelle Iyokoono - owned by Marlène De Naeyer - photo Kristine
Irish Pied Havanese (black pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment)
Hemma-Bloo - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine Hemma-Bloo - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine
Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment)
Elroy de la Tour de senlis - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine Nevena's Chocolata Carmenita Karmen "Carmen" - photo Nevena
Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment)
Je Tiziano del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens Jolie Dafne del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens
Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment) Irish Pied Havanese (brown pigment)

* White markings

Mac Kenzie La Cuba Cao - owned by Marja de Visser - photo Kristine
Fahra-Mia de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Black Havanese & white markings (black pigment) Black Havanese & white markings (black pigment)
Feliz Let's Talk About Me "Meme" - photo by Kristine Tearaway's Havanese - photo Kristine
Black Havanese & white markings (black pigment) Chocolate Havanese pups & white markings 
Havami mis Amores Pequenios - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine Djembe des Echos du Hoyoux - owned by Francine Lacroix - photo Kristine
Red Brindle Havanese & white markings (black pigment) Brindle Havanese & white markings (black pigment)
Pillowtalks Seeing Red - owned by Monika Moser - photo Monika MystykalSky Gavroche - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Mylène
Red Havanese & white markings 
Breeder/Owner : Monika Moser www.havaneser.org 
Chocolate Havanese & white markings (brown pigment)
Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda Van den Broecke - photo Kristine Goossens Jolie Lucca del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine
Choco Havanese pup with white markings (brown pigment) Choco Havanese pup with white markings (brown pigment)

* Tricolor

Dolce - owned by Linda - photo Linda
Tricolor Havanese (black pigment)
Vita - owned by Linda - photo Linda à Vita - owned by Linda - photo Kristine
Tricolor Havanese (black pigment) Tri(bi)color Havanese (black pigment)

 

 

Modifying genes and variants

* Belton = caused by the Ticking gene (T-gene)
A dog with parti pattern can have little coloured flecks in the white zones which gives a "salt and pepper" impression. The Ticking gene (T-gene) causes these spots. In the canine world the term "Belton" is used. A dog with parti pattern without the Ticking gene will have solid white zones. 

Nevena's Belladonna - owned by Nevena - photo NevenaNevena's Belladonna - owned by Nevena - photo Nevena Pillowtalks Tout En Rouge - owned by Ilona Rieck - photo Kristine
Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene
(black pigment)
Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene
(black pigment)
Guendo Happy Perro z Kovárny - owned by Marja de Visser - photo Kristine Guendo Happy Perro z Kovárny - owned by Marja de Visser - photo Kristine
Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene
(spots on back, belly and tail)
Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene
(spots on back, belly and tail)
MystykalSky's Gianduja d'ame - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Gianduja d'ame - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Gianduja d'ame - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine
Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene (brown pigment)
MystykalSky Polkadot - photo Nathalie Tremblay MystykalSky Polkadot - photo Nathalie Tremblay MystykalSky Polkadot - photo Nathalie Tremblay MystykalSky Polkadot - photo Nathalie Tremblay

Evolution Belton Havanese - parti pattern with ticking gene (black pigment)

J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Goossens

Evolution Ticking : white coat at birth with cream roots  - parti pattern with ticking gene (brown pigment)

J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine

Ticking : cream colour in the neck

Ticking : cream colour on the back

A Maiden Efforts Quenna al Paradiso - photo by Kristine A Maiden Efforts Quenna al Paradiso - photo by Kristine
Ticking : chocolate colour in the neck Ticking : chocolate colour on the back

 

 

 

 

 

Ticking : 
chocolate colour on the paws


          Ticking : chocolate colour on the foot

 

 

Examples of the roots of certain colours and patterns 

* Sable
A dog with a Sable pattern has dark (black or brown) tippins on the ears, tail and back. The roots have a lighter colour.

Jolie Siena del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Jolie Siena del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine
Sable roots on the back Sable roots on the back Sable roots on the back and ears
                 

Sable roots on the back

                              Sable roots on the back
                   Sable roots on the ears                               Sable roots on the ears

 

* Chocolate
A dog with a chocolate coat can be born with a light or dark brown coat. The colour shade can stay the way it was at birth, but it can also become lighter and darker again. Here some examples. 

Jolie Lucca del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Jolie Lucca del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine
Chocolare roots on the head Chocolare roots on the back
Chocolare roots  Chocolare roots on the back

 

 

Remark : the coat of a Havanese can be silky or wavy. 

 

Copyright © 2008-2010 Felici Animali. All rights reserved.
All content, including pictures, may NOT be reproduced in any form without our written permission.
 

 

 

The CHOCOLATE colour in Havanese



What is a chocolate colored Havanese ?

Chocolate HavanaA chocolate coloured Havanese is a dog with a chocolate or liver coloured coat AND with a brown nose, brown eyelids, brown lips and brown soles! A chocolate coloured Havanese can not have any black pigment (photo on the right)! A chocolate Havanese has brown, hazelnut or amber eyes. These dogs have the brown or liver pigment [bb]. The Havanese with a chocolate coat can't have any black hair nor black pigment. 

Chocolate Champagne DaliaThe brown / chocolate coat can vary from milk chocolate to dark chocolate and they can appear in the same variations, markings and patterns as the black pigmented dogs. Chocolate Sable, Chocolate Brindle and Chocolate & Tan Havanese exist, but also Chocolate Irish Pied, Chocolate Parti and (Extreme) Piebald. 

When two recessive genes meet [bb] and [ee] the Havanese has a brighter coat colour and a brown pigment (photo on the left). The nose can be a bit lighter of colour in harmony with the lighter coat colour. 

 

CHOCOLATE is NOT dilution !

In the Havana Post 31 (August 2008) of the Havanese Club of the Netherlands an article was published about the chocolate colour of Havanese. We would like to give some comments. 
                                                                        (Our thank to Prof. Dr. L. Peelman of the University of Ghent)

Chocolate HavanaThe colour “chocolate” or brown is not caused by the pigment pheomelanine (this causes the yellow-red-orange colours). The chocolate colour is caused by eumelanine (black pigment). This black pigment is present in the “colour cells” in granules. The shape of these granules determines the colour. If the granules are elongated the colour is black, if they are rather round the colour is brown-chocolate. The quantity of present pigment doesn’t change and in this sense there is no dilution.

A connexion between the chocolate colour and immunity failure (immunity problems, skin irritations, allergies, …) is not demonstrated in the scientific literature. 

 

The colour of the eye of a brown pigmented dog

The experiences that are often referred to are old but classic and since than they have never been contested. Three alleles are recognized on the locus Ir (= Iris), in this order of dominance :

Ir+        dark iris (dark brown)
irm       hazel iris (intermediate shade)
iry        yellow iris

Between these alleles dominance is not complete, and, as a consequence, the different possible combinations correspond with different shades. To complicate things more, the interference of modification genes is almost sure. This explains the continuous series in the gradation, from pale yellow to dark brown.

It's possible to consider the idea that, in general, the colour of the iris is passed independent of the coat colour. But some influences of the coat colour are known :

-          b makes the iris brighter : with irm the eyes are light hazel coloured, with iry very pale yellow. It's useless to search for very dark iris with a brown coat ; 

-          d dilutes the colour of the eye (« smoky eyes »).  

Source: Bernard Denis, Génétique et sélection chez le chien, p. 119 et p. 125

 

Colour of the eyes and nose (pigment) in chocolate Havanese

Behind these hazel eyes ... (Havana)The iris is responsible for controlling the amount of light reaching the retina of the eye and gives the eye its colour. The iris determines the way we perceive the colour of the eye. Brown or green eyes are actually brown or green iris. Most dogs have dark to gold brown eyes. Dogs with brown pigment can also have lighter shades of color. This way hazel, amber and green can occur.

The colour of the iris is determined by the amount and type of pigments. The variations in phenotype (perceptible characteristics) are caused by differences in the proportion between the two types of Nevena's Chocolata Carmenita Karmen - owned by Nevena - photo Nevena melanine : eumelanine and phaeomelanine.

The pupil is the opening located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to enter the retina. It appears black. Influenced by light the pupil can become larger and smaller. 

click on the pictures to enlarge

The chocolate Havanese puppy has blue eyes. This can vary from medium to dark blue eyes.


eye colour (iris) of chocolate Havanese puppies

Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - photo Kristine Nevena's Princesa Chocolatina Annabelle - photo Nevena mis Amores Pequenios - photo Kristine

The blue iris gradually changes colour. The final colour of the iris of a chocolate dog can vary from different shades of brown (dark brown or chestnut brown (also called maroon brown), medium brown, hazel, light brown or amber) to different shades of green (dark green, olive green, medium green, gray green, light green). Since chocolate dogs have often lighter iris, they get a very soft and almost human expression.

We notice that the inner side of the iris (i.e. around the pupil) is often darker than the outer part of the iris (i.e. furthest from the pupil). We observe this in both black and brown pigmented dogs (see examples). The contrast can be small, but also relatively big. 

If you look closely (on pictures it's not always easy to see) you can see that black pigmented dogs have also a darker inner side of the iris (near the pupil) and a bit lighter outer part of the iris (furthest from the pupil). The contrast between the two is less pronounced than in brown pigmented dogs.


eyes of black pigmented Havanese
(black nose)

Dolce Gioia
very dark brown very dark brown dark brown dark brown

 

eyes of brown pigmented Havanese (brown nose)

Nevena's Chocolata Carmenita Karmen "Carmen"
dark brown / chestnut
(very dark brown  + dark brown)
chestnut
(dark brown + medium brown)
hazel 
(olive green + medium brown)
hazel 
(olive green  + brown)
hazel
(grey green + brown)
hazel hazel green 
(dark green + medium green)

Brown eyes

Most Havanese eyes are brown. We can observe some different shades. We propose this classification : 

° very dark brown
Most black pigmented Havanese have very dark brown eyes. They almost appear black. 

° dark brown or chestnut brown / maroon brown
Just a little lighter are the dark brown eyes. Brown eyes often consist of iris with two brown shades. Thus, the iris can be very dark brown (almost black) closer to the pupil and dark brown to a kind of warm reddish brown on the outside. Some of them have a very small inside part of the iris that is very dark, the bigger outside part is just regular reddish dark bro
wn. Some have half dark brown, half maroon brown iris. Iris that consist of two shades of brown can be called chestnut or marron brown iris.

° medium brown
Medium brown is a shade of brown between dark brown and light brown. The medium brown iris colour can occur in combination with a darker shade around the pupil.  

° light brown or amber
Amber eyes (iris) have a solid colour and a strong golden and russet/coppery tint. It is a warm golden brown / orange brown eye color.
The light brown iris colour can occur in combination with darker shades (medium or dark brown) around the pupil. 

° hazel
The
colour hazel is a colour between dark and light brown. It is a multicoloured iris : dark green (e.g. olive green) or dark brown around the pupil and medium brown or light brown to amber on the outside of the iris. Hazel eyes can have small spots of amber of gold. 
The iris is in fact a combination of two colours : green and brown. This makes it sometimes difficult to define the exact eye colour. This can simply be called « hazel ».  
A very common eye colour in chocolate Havanese is hazel. However, there are different nuances in the dark (around the pupil) and light  colour (outer part) of the iris. Thus, the iris can be a combination of olive green and medium brown, of olive green and amber, of medium green and medium brown, etc. The contrast between both colours (shade of green and brown) in one iris can be small or big. 

Green eyes

Green eyes are not so common. When the iris is a combination of green with brown we speak of hazel eyes. Some Havanese have solid green eyes. Some shades of green are dark green, olive green, medium green, gray green and light green. Yet it is also possible that the green colour consists of two shades of green. Just a bit darker around the pupil (inner side of the iris) and a bit lighter futher away from the pupil (outer side of the iris).  

Yellow eyes

Completely yellow or solid yellow eyes are very common in wolves. They are rare and undesirable in Havanese. Solid yellow eyes are also called « prey eyes » or « eagle eyes ». They don't look natural and should not be bred. Yellow eyes should not be confused with amber eyes that consist of darker and lighter shade of brown color.


Some examples of eyes and noses of chocolate Havanese:


eyes and noses of chocolate Havanese

Nevena's Chocolata Carmenita Karmen "Carmen" Nevena's Primadona Chocolina Vivienne - photo Nevena Nevena's Moon Goddess Luna "Luna" - photo Nevena

MystykalSky's Chocolate Mistica - owned by Linda - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Chocolate Mistica - owned by Linda - photo Kristine

MystykalSky's Chocolate Havana - owned by Linda - photo Kristine


Gyongyosi Pelyhes Marcus Aurelius - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristine Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda - photo Kristine

J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine

Jolie Siena del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine Jolie Dafne del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine A Maiden Efforts Quenna al Paradiso - photo by Kristine

Valter - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Miss Pepita - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine MystykalSky Gavroche - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine

Hemma-Bloo - owned by Mylène Mirkes - photo Kristine Nevena's Tiramisu Chocolate Cupcake Angelina - owned by Nevena - photo Nevena MystykalSky's Gianduja d'ame - owned by Anja Van Haarlem - photo Kristin

MystykalSky's Watchamacallit "Dude" - owned by Wilma Amesz - photo Kristine MystykalSky's Chocolate Julio - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine

Nevena's Hot Chocolate Lover Valentino - "Valentino" - photo Nevena Massivus Angel's Virag Chocolate - owned by Nadine Van der Mispel - photo Kristine


The colour of the nose of a brown pigmented dog (bb) is brown. This can vary from dark to light brown. 

brown noses

Carmen Havana Julio
Hemma-Bloo Angelina Gavroche
Amelio Hemma-Bloo Mocha / Truffel

What counts for black pigmented dogs, also counts for brown pigmented dogs: if the coat colour around the nose is white the pigment of the nose (resp. black or brown) comes in later on, while the pigment is already present at birth if the coat colour around the nose is dark (black or brown).

evolution
puppy with white coat around nose
Nevena's Glory - photo Nevena è Nevena's Glory - photo Nevena
puppy with dark (brown) coat around nose 
Nevena's Angelina - photo Nevena è Nevena's Angelina - photo Nevena


puppy with white coat around nose

puppy with white coat around nose

 

 

puppy with dark (brown) coat around nose  


Chocolate Sable Havanese have generally a bit lighter eyes. Though, their nose can be very dark.


nose of chocolate sable Havanese

Nevena's Iliana/Destiny - photo Nevena Massivus Angel's Dalia Hanna - owned by Linda - photo Kristine Julio mis Amores Pequenios - photo Kristine

J'Emilia del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine

Jolie Siena del Paradiso di Cani - photo by Kristine

Remark
Colour perception depends on lighting conditions!!!

In other words:
eye and nose colour can vary depending on the light (while taking the picture
).

In case that a brown pigmented dog also carries two dilution genes (bbdd), they have an effect on both eye (lighter eyes) and nose colour (diluted brown). It doesn’t often occur in Havanese. It’s normal though in the Weimaraner breed.  

 

CHOCOLATE is an ACCEPTED colour

On the occasion of its meeting end of November 2008 the FCI General Committee approved an explanatory and summary document titled Breeds with permitted genetically blue or brown colour as proposed by the FCI Standards Commission. Source

Several member countries have expressed appreciation over earlier explanations by Prof. Bernard Denis about the colour and have asked to have the breeds with a possibility for genetic blue or brown colour presented individually. This is the reason for the following attempt to clarify again the breeds that can carry the diluted blue colour and the brown colour. The blue and brown are not necessarily self-coloured and they can have tan markings.

Brown: (i.e. genetic liver brown, also called chocolate). Dogs with a genetic brown colour can never have a black nose and eye colour is usually hazelnut. The intensity of coat or skin colour can range from very pale when diluted (like in Weimaraner) to a deep purple brown (like in the Deutscher Wachtelhund or the Irish Water Spaniel). 
In breeds where the brown colour occurs, but where only a black nose is permitted, the conclusion is that the brown colour is not accepted in that breed.

Havenese: GROUP 9 : Brown colour : Bichon Havanais (250) e.a. Source

Source:
Circular 14/2009 of the FCI published 17/02/2009

Links:
http://www.fci.be/circulaires2009.aspx
http://www.fci.be/circulaires/14-2009.pdf
http://www.fci.be/circulaires/14-2009-annex.pdf

 

Breeding with chocolate / brown Havanese

Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda - photo KristineThe chocolate colour is still very rare in Havanese. This colour is recessive. This means that both parents must carry (or show) the brown pigment in order to produce chocolate coloured puppies.

Legenda:
* B = dominant gene : black 
* b = recessief gene : brown
* BB = black pigmented dog
* Bb = black pigmented dog, carrier of the brown pigment
* bb = brown pigmented dog
* black pigmented dog = dog with a black nose, etc.; the coat can have any colour except chocolate
* brown pigmented dog = dog with a brown nose, etc..; the coat is mostly chocolate, but can also occur in other colors, except black
* B and b = parent 1 (e.g. male)
* B and b = parent 2 (e.g. female)
* B and b = descendants (puppies)

Possible combinations :

° If both parents are black pigmented and both do not carry the brown gene (b), all puppies are black pigmented (BB).

  B B
B BB BB
B BB BB

° If both parents are black pigmented and only one of them carries the brown gene (b), all puppies are black pigmented. In theory 50% of the puppies are carriers of the brown pigment (Bb). 

  B B
B BB BB
b Bb Bb

° If both parents are black pigmented and both carry the brown gene (b), in theory 25% of the puppies are brown pigmented (bb) and in theory 50% of the puppies are carriers of the brown pigment (Bb). 

  B b
B BB Bb
b Bb bb

° If one parent is brown pigmented (bb) and the other parent is black pigmented and does not carry the brown gene (BB), all puppies are black pigmented. All puppies carry the brown gene (Bb). 

  B B
b Bb Bb
b Bb Bb

° If one parent is brown pigmented (bb) and the other parent is black pigmented and carries the brown gene (Bb), in theory 50% of the puppies are black pigmented and carry the brown gene (Bb) and in theory 50% of the puppies are brown pigmented (bb). 

  B b
b Bb bb
b Bb bb

° If both parents are brown pigmented (bb), all puppies are brown pigmented (bb). 

  b b
b bb bb
b bb bb

 

Variations in Havanese with the brown pigment

Chocolate brown coats can vary from dark chocolate to light chocolate, from reddish chocolate to grey chocolate. The brown coat colour can also evolve over time. Thus, dark chocolate can become reddish chocolate ; dark chocolate can become lighter cream (cappuccino) and even turn silver.
Chocolate can be the dark colour in the same colour variations, markings and patterns as black. There are Chocolate Sable, Chocolate Brindle, Chocolate & Tan, Chocolate Irish Pied, Chocolate Parti, Chocolate (Extreme) Piebald Havanese, etc. 
The combination of the nose and eye colour is the most reliable indicator to know whether the dog is really chocolate, or just has a poor pigmentation, and therefore is not chocolate. If the dog has dark (black) eyes and a lighter brown nose, you have a dog with a poor pigmentation and not a chocolate dog. 

Some examples :

Light coat colours with brown pigment


white with brown pigment

cream with brown pigment

red with brown pigment
Nevena's Havanese Massivus Angel's Havanese MystykalSky's Havanese
sable parti + brown pigment  sable parti + brown pigment cream with brown pigment
Massivus Angel's Lady Gina - photo Anikó Beke Massivus Angel's Lady Gina - photo Anikó Beke De Las Flores De La Vida - photo Kristine

 

Dark coat colours with brown pigment


dark chocolate

light chocolate
Nevena's Havanese Nevena's Havanese MystykalSky's Havanese
reddish chocolate grey chocolate
Carita's Havanese MystykalSky's Havanese Massivus Angel's Havanese

 

Patterns with brown pigment

chocolate brindle chocolate brindle / dark sable chocolate (dark) sable
Nevena's Havanese
(with parti pattern)
Iyokoono - owned by Marlène De Naeyer - photo Kristine
(with irish pied pattern)
Bichons Havanais de la Vallée du Rêve

chocolate sable

chocolate sable

chocolate sable
Massivus Angel's Havanese
i.e. "sable" with brown pigment
Idalgo - owned by Sylvie - photo Kristine
(with parti pattern)
Nevena's Iliana - photo Nevena
(with parti pattern)

chocolate & tan

chocolate & tan

chocolate & tan
MystykalSky's Havanese
chocolate with tan points
MystykalSky's Havanese
chocolate with tan points

chocolate with tan points

 

Markings with brown pigment (dark colour = chocolate brown)

chocolate extreme piebald chocolate piebald
MystykalSky's Havanese
(no markings on the body)
Nevena's Havanese
(with few markings on the body)

chocolate parti

chocolate parti

chocolate parti
Nevena's Havanese
(lightly marked parti)

(lightly marked parti)
Nevena's King Of Chocolate Havs Casanova - owned by Nevena - picture by Nevena

chocolate parti

chocolate parti

chocolate parti
MystykalSky's Havanese
(heavily marked parti)
MystykalSky's Havanese


chocolate irish pied

chocolate irish pied

chocolate irish pied

(pattern of a Border Collie)
Nevena's Havanese Izmo de la Vallée du Rêve - owned by

chocolate with white markings

chocolate with white markings
Tearaway's Havanese Iliano del Paradiso di Cani - owned by Linda Van den Broecke - photo Kristine Goossens

 

Chocolate Brown versus Havana Brown

There is some confusion about the names « Chocolate (Brown) » and « Havana Brown »

Chocolate Brown (dog with brown pigment), also called « chocolate »
« brown » or « liver colour » (in French « marron »), is a name used to define the chocolate / brown coat colour in dogs. We use the term chocolate or chocolatebrown because « brown » is often used to name a red coat colour (often sable or brindle with black pigment) which is not correct.

Havana Brown (dog with black pigment) is an English term. It's a variation on Brindle : black, red (or red brown) hairs mixed in the coat. 

The terms « tobacco colour
» and « reddish brown » are often synonymous with Havana Brown, but they can also be used to indicate a chocolate coloured dog. So these terms are subjective.
Note : HAVANA BROWN comes always with black pigment (nose, etc.).
ATTENTION : the French name
« brun havane » is a brown pigmented dog and with a chocolate brown coat !

Some examples : 

Chocolate Brown (brown pigment) Havana Brown (black pigment)
i.e. = French « brun havane » i.e. = English « Havana Brown »

Chocolate Brown
vs Havana Brown 

 

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All content, including pictures, may NOT be reproduced in any form without our written permission.

 

 

Colour development

Havanese are real chameleons. The colour of birth is not necessarily the colour of the adult Havanese. These are some colour developments in Havanese.

8 weken
Dolce - owned by Linda - photo Linda
3 maanden
Dolce 16.06.2004
8 maanden
Dolce 19.11.2004
1 jaarDolce 31.07.2005
3 weken
Vita 10.09.2005
4 maanden
Vita 09.12.2005
8 maandenVita 29.06.2006 4 jaar
Vita 12.06.2009
3 weken
Gioia 03.03.2007
2 maanden
Gioia 05.04.2007
8 maandenGioia 09.10.2007 2 jaar
Gioia 06.08.2009
3 maanden
Havana
5 maanden
Havana 06.03.2008
1 jaar
Havana 20.12.2008
2 jaar
Havana 18.09.2009
8 weken
Dalia
4 maanden
Dalia 14.03.2008
8 maanden
Dalia 24.07.2008
2 jaar
Dalia 02.03.2010
3 maanden
Hippy 22.07.2008
4 maanden
Hippy 12.08.2008
8 maanden
Hippy 15.12.2008
2 jaar
Hippy 02.07.2010
2 weken
Mistica
4 maanden
Mistica 14.12.2008
1 jaar
Mistica 20.08.2009
2 jaar
Mistica 04.07.2010
5 weken
Itala 09.03.2009
4 maanden
Itala 31.5.2009
8 maanden
Itala 18.09.2009
1 jaar
Itala 01.02.2010
1 week
Iliano 29.10.2009
4 maanden
Iliano 02.03.2010
8 maanden
Iliano 30.06.2010
10 maanden
Iliano 27.08.2010

 

 

 

        
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