--- title: "How to Choose a Healthy Havanese Puppy: Vet Checklist" type: "post" slug: "how-to-choose-a-healthy-havanese-puppy-vet-checklist" published_at: "2026-11-04T05:23:12+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-04T05:23:25+00:00" url: "https://sagepuppies.com/how-to-choose-a-healthy-havanese-puppy-vet-checklist/" markdown_url: "https://sagepuppies.com/how-to-choose-a-healthy-havanese-puppy-vet-checklist.md" taxonomy_category: - "Guides" - "Health & Wellness" - "Puppy Buyer Guides" author: "Matt Milar" publisher: "Sage Puppies" --- # How to Choose a Healthy Havanese Puppy: Vet Checklist > **Quick Summary:** Choosing a healthy Havanese puppy depends on verified records, not promises: check both parents’ CAER eye exams, patella certifications, and BAER hearing tests in the OFA database, then review the puppy’s vaccination, deworming, and health certificate. Inspect the puppy for clear eyes, a soft clean coat, pink gums, smooth movement, and an alert personality, and read both the purchase contract and health guarantee before paying. Schedule a vet exam within 72 hours of pickup, and walk away from sellers who cannot provide records or answer health questions clearly. You can hold a Havanese puppy for thirty seconds and learn a surprising amount. Watch how the eyes track. Feel whether a knee pops out of place. Check if the coat feels like clean silk or a dull mat, and see whether the pup pushes up on its back legs when it tries to play. The hard part is knowing what else to check, because choosing a Havanese puppy involves paperwork, breeder questions and a vet exam that most first-time owners have never walked through. This guide lays out a six-step checklist: how to spot a healthy Havanese puppy through parent screening, hands-on inspection, health records and seller questions, plus what to do at pickup and in the first 72 hours. It draws on documented breeder experience at Sage Puppies in South Jordan, Utah, so you can walk into any pickup day with confidence. ## Before You Start: Gather Records, Not Promises Choosing a Havanese puppy goes more smoothly when the paperwork arrives before the puppy does. Ask the breeder for documents early, then build your vet visit around what those papers show. Words are easy to say; records are easy to check. ![Puppy health records photographed on a kitchen table](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793769627777-zdop2h.webp) Puppy health records photographed on a kitchen table ### Three Kinds of Records You Need to See Ask for three things. First, the **parents’ health screening results**, ideally verifiable in the OFA database. Second, the puppy’s own records: **vaccination and deworming dates** plus a veterinary health certificate. Third, the **purchase contract**, so you know what a guarantee actually covers before you sign anything. ### Book Your Vet Before You Fall in Love With a Puppy Good vets book out fast, so call once you’re seriously shopping, not after pickup. Ask which clinic sees puppies, what a first visit costs, and how soon they can fit you in. Aim for an exam within the first few days home, since early checks catch problems while options are widest. ### What to Bring and Photograph on the Day Pack the vaccine record, any health certificate, and your contract. Photograph every page with your phone as a backup. Snap the puppy too: clear photos of eyes, coat, and posture help your vet compare notes if anything changes later. ## Step 1: Verify the Parents’ Health Screening Yourself ### What Health Screening Should a Havanese Puppy’s Parents Have? When choosing a Havanese puppy, start with the parents’ test results, not the puppy’s cute face. Responsible Havanese breeders complete three core checks on each parent: - **Annual CAER eye exam** by a veterinary eye specialist - **Patellar luxation certification**, a vet exam of the kneecaps - **BAER hearing test** for congenital deafness The [Havanese Club of America](https://havaneseclubofamerica.org/health-issues-and-testing/) lists these in its current CHIC requirements. Eye exams must repeat yearly because some eye diseases appear later in life. ### Look the Results Up in the OFA Database Don’t take a breeder’s word for it. Ask for each parent’s registered name and CHIC number, then search the free [OFA database](https://ofa.org/health-clinics/) yourself. You’ll see exactly which exams were done, when, and whether results passed or failed. A dog earns a CHIC number once breeders complete the required tests and post results publicly, even imperfect ones. That openness is a good sign. If a breeder says “the parents are health tested” but can’t produce names you can verify, treat that as a red flag and walk away. ![Person checks OFA records beside Havanese](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793769653135-flctr.webp) Person checks OFA records beside Havanese ### DNA Results Are Useful but Not a Substitute DNA panels identify gene variants for conditions like cataracts or heart disease. They’re valuable, but they don’t prove a dog is healthy today. A parent can be clear on every variant and still fail a patella or eye exam, because structure and eye health depend on physical exams. Think of DNA as one layer. Clinical screening is the other. Serious programs, including ours at Sage Puppies, pair both for Havanese and for Cavapoo and Havapoo parents, whose test lists differ slightly by breed mix. ## Step 2: Look for These Health Signs When You Meet the Puppy A healthy Havanese puppy shows it in person. Before your Havanese puppy vet exam happens later, run these quick checks when you meet the litter: clear, even eyes; a soft, clean coat; pink, moist gums; smooth movement with no limping or skipping; and an alert pup that wants to meet you. ### Clear, Bright and Even Eyes should be clear, bright and the same size. Look for equal pupils and no cloudiness, redness or heavy discharge. Some tear staining is common in light-coated small breeds, but wet, crusted or smelly eyes are not normal. Both eyes should track you as you move. Squinting on one side can mean a scratch or an early problem, so ask about it before you commit. ### Coat, Skin and Body Condition Run your hands over the whole puppy. A healthy coat feels soft and even, with no bald patches, scabs or greasy spots. Part the hair in a few places and check for flakes, flea dirt or red skin. The puppy should feel solid but not chubby. Ribs you can feel with light pressure are fine; a potbelly with visible ribs often points to worms. ### Teeth, Gums and Weight Lift the lip and look. Gums should be pink and moist, not pale, white or grayish, and the breath should not smell sour. Puppies this age have small sharp teeth with no heavy tartar, because small breeds are prone to dental problems later. A round belly after eating is normal. A swollen, hard belly paired with low energy is not. ### Movement and Energy Watch the puppy walk, turn and play. The gait should look even and bouncy. A hop, skip or limp on a back leg can be an early sign of patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place, so note it and ask the vet. Puppies sleep hard, but one should wake up curious and engage with people within a few minutes. At a well-run program like ours, you see each puppy several times before pickup, so changes like these rarely surprise you. If your visit is virtual, ask for a short video of the puppy walking and playing. ## Step 3: Review the Puppy’s Own Vet Records and Health Certificate Good records show what a puppy has actually received, not just what a seller claims. Ask for the exam notes, the shot history and any health certificate before you commit. ![Veterinarian examines a Havanese puppy beside veterinary records](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793769708750-m94b7k.webp) Veterinarian examines a Havanese puppy beside veterinary records ### Vaccination and Deworming Records Ask for dated records signed or stamped by a licensed veterinarian. A healthy puppy should have its first round of puppy shots and at least one deworming by eight weeks, with boosters following on schedule. Check the dates and the vaccine names against what your own vet recommends. Handwritten notes with no clinic name are a red flag. You can see what a full shot schedule looks like in this [Havanese puppy health schedule](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-vet-visits-shots-and-health-schedule/) . ### What a Veterinary Health Certificate Does and Does Not Cover A health certificate states that a licensed vet examined the puppy on a given date and found no signs of illness at that exam. That is useful, but it is a snapshot. It does not test for genetic disease, and it says nothing about conditions that show up later, such as patellar luxation or early hip dysplasia. Certificates are also required for travel: a puppy shipped across state lines typically travels with one issued by a vet, and the USDA APHIS endorses certificates for [international pet travel](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/pet-travel-process-overview) . ### Health Guarantees vs Purchase Contracts These are two different documents. A **purchase contract** covers the sale itself: price, delivery, spay or neuter terms and what happens if you cannot keep the puppy. A **health guarantee** covers inherited or congenital conditions, usually for a set window, often one to a few years. Read both. Look for what the guarantee actually reimburses, whether a second vet exam within 72 hours is required, and which conditions are excluded. A careful breeder puts both in writing and walks you through them before you sign. ## Step 4: Ask Questions and Spot Red Flags A good breeder answers questions freely and asks plenty of their own. If answers come slowly, vaguely, or with pressure to pay quickly, that tells you as much as any health record. ### Seven Questions Worth Asking Ask these before you send a deposit. Clear, specific answers are the goal. - Which parent health tests have been done, and can I see them in the OFA database? - Have both parents passed a recent CAER eye exam? - Has either parent shown signs of patellar luxation? - What vaccination and deworming schedule has each puppy had? - Who is the puppy’s vet, and has the litter been examined? - What does the health guarantee cover, and how long does it last? - When can I visit, and can I meet the mother? Serious breeders welcome every one of these. Many will also interview you, which is a good sign, not a hurdle. ### Red Flags to Walk Away From Some answers should end the conversation. - **No parent testing.** If the breeder cannot show OFA results or makes excuses, leave. - **Multiple litters, always available.** A steady supply of puppies usually means high volume breeding. - **No vet records or health certificate.** Missing paperwork is a deal breaker. - **Meeting only in a parking lot.** Refusing a home visit hides how the dogs live. - **Payment pressure.** Rushed deposits and wire transfers protect the seller, not you. ![Family questions breeder with playful Havanese puppy](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793769726431-lnupd.webp) Family questions breeder with playful Havanese puppy Trust your gut here. Sellers who dodge straightforward questions about hips, eyes, and vet care are telling you exactly how they will handle problems later. A boutique program like Sage Puppies builds its matching process around this kind of open back-and-forth, so expect nothing less from anyone you consider. ## Step 5: Know What Healthy Looks Like on Pickup Day and the First 72 Hours A healthy Havanese puppy at pickup is bright-eyed, clean around the face and rear, curious about you, and steady on its feet. The coat feels soft, the nose is cool and slightly damp, and the puppy plays, eats, and settles without struggling to breathe. | Normal signs | Signs that need a veterinarian | | --- | --- | | Playful, sleeps hard between naps | Lethargy that lasts past a nap | | One soft stool from car stress | Watery or bloody diarrhea | | Clear eyes, clean ears, pink gums | Discharge, head shaking, pale gums | | Good appetite at mealtime | Refusing two meals in a row | ### The First Few Days After Pickup Expect some wobble. Loose stool from the car ride, a night of whimpering, and lots of sleeping are normal. Keep food, water, and routine steady, and give the puppy a quiet space to decompress before guests and kids pile in. For a fuller picture of what those early weeks look like, our [first 30 days with a Havapoo](https://sagepuppies.com/bringing-home-a-havapoo-puppy-your-first-30-days/) walks through feeding, sleep, and settling in. ### Signs That Need a Veterinarian, Not a Wait Call the same day if your puppy vomits more than once, has diarrhea lasting several hours, refuses food, or seems weak. Small breeds dehydrate fast, so [puppies who stop eating and become lethargic need care quickly](https://veteris.co.uk/petcare-advice/a-puppys-first-72-hours) . Blood in stool, a swollen belly, or wobbliness means go now, not tomorrow. ### Your 72-Hour Vet Appointment Book a vet visit within 72 hours, which most health guarantees require anyway. Bring the vaccination and deworming records and the health certificate. The exam covers weight, heart and lung sounds, eyes, ears, teeth, skin, a fecal test, and a schedule for the shots still to come. Words ~250. Good. Done. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Trusting Marketing Language Over Records Words like “home raised” and “family loved” tell you nothing about health. Ask for proof instead: OFA patella certifications, CAER eye exams on both parents, and the puppy’s own vaccination and deworming records. A breeder who screens parents will have certificates ready and will welcome an OFA database lookup. If answers stay vague, treat that as your answer. The gap between a polished website and a filed CHIC certificate is where most bad purchases begin. ### Skipping the Vet Because the Puppy Looks Fine A bright-eyed puppy can still carry a heart murmur, parasites or an early orthopedic problem. Book the first vet visit within 72 hours of pickup, even when everything looks perfect, and bring the records you were given. Your vet will compare those notes against what the exam actually finds. Some sellers promise to reimburse this visit or the exam itself; at Sage Puppies, keep the paperwork so any health guarantee terms stay easy to use. Small cost, big protection. ![Sage Puppies homepage](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sagepuppies.com-1781544698129.png) Sage Puppies homepage Ready to meet a puppy raised with this checklist in mind? Browse available Havanese, Havapoo and Cavapoo puppies at [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com) , or start the application to ask Cassie about health testing, records and matching. Wisely bred, beautifully loved, and yours within weeks. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Q1: What should I look for when choosing a healthy Havanese puppy? Start with verifiable parent screening (CAER eye exam, patella certification, BAER hearing test) in the OFA database. Then check the puppy itself: clear even eyes, soft coat, pink gums, smooth movement, and dated vet records before you commit. ### Q2: How do I know if a Havanese puppy is healthy when I pick it up? Look for bright eyes, a clean face and rear, pink gums, steady footing, and a good appetite. One soft stool after the car ride is fine; refusing two meals or lasting lethargy needs a vet the same day. ### Q3: What health screening should a Havanese puppy’s parents have? Both parents need a current CAER eye exam, patellar luxation certification, and a BAER hearing test, per the Havanese Club of America’s CHIC list. Eye exams repeat yearly, so check the dates. ### Q4: Do DNA test results prove a Havanese puppy is healthy? No. DNA panels show gene variants only, not current health. A parent can be clear on every variant yet fail a patella or eye exam, so clinical screening still matters. ### Q5: When should my puppy’s first vet visit happen? Within 72 hours of pickup. Many health guarantees require it anyway, so keep every record and receipt. ### Q6: What’s the difference between a health guarantee and a purchase contract? The contract covers the sale: price, delivery and spay or neuter terms. The guarantee covers inherited conditions for a set window. Read both before signing. Breeders like Sage Puppies put testing records and terms in writing. ## Conclusion Choosing a healthy Havanese puppy comes down to verification, not luck. Check the parents’ CAER eye exams, patella certification and BAER hearing results in the OFA database. Inspect the puppy yourself: clear eyes, pink gums, even movement. Read the vaccination records, health certificate, purchase contract and health guarantee before you sign. Then book a vet visit within 72 hours of pickup so a professional confirms what you saw. Remember that DNA results add one layer of evidence, while clinical exams add the other. Walk away from vague answers and missing paperwork, because a breeder who screens openly will have nothing to hide and everything to show you.