Reviews from our wonderful puppy owners

While researching dog breeds, we came across the Havanese, a quiet and sweet, low/no shedding companion dog that is easy to train and eager to please. We searched online for an AKC registered Havanese breeder and found Island Havanese, located in Florida. After reviewing their regularly updated website, which ranges from topics of pet product recommendations, their breeding and puppy program, tons of high quality photos of Havanese dogs, owner training tips and general information about the breed, we knew them to be responsible and caring Havanese breeders. We contacted Island Havanese using the online form, and Cherie was quick to follow-up and answered all our questions as well as share even more insight about the Havanese breed. She continued this level of prompt, knowledgeable and professional communication, even after we brought our puppy home! We lived close enough to meet the sire and dams, which solidified our interest for both the breed and breeder. The dogs were very well-mannered, and we melted once they snuggled up to us and we touched their incredibly soft, silky and beautifully maintained coats. Nine months later, at posting of this review, and we have had our puppy for over a month now. When we brought her home, she slept great from night one. She was well-trained on the puppy pads, likes kids and other pets, isn’t afraid of the vacuum or storms, keeps wiggles to a minimum at bath-time, barks to announce strangers and many other things I can only attribute to the great foundation she received from the breeder and puppy program. Our puppy gets many compliments for being sweet, attentive, behaved and just a joy to be around. Buying a puppy from Island Havanese is much more than just getting a dog. The entire experience was wonderful. Cherie provided regular updates, photos and videos, and lots of information. She is very thorough, provides reasoning behind her recommendations, and truly breeds happy and healthy dogs.

The Lane Family

What an amazing experience with Island Havanese. My senior mother was seeking a puppy to keep a pep in her step. After protecting her from sending money to a fraudulent “puppy” operation, I explained what to look for in a quality breeder. She sent me the website for Island Havanese. Amazing website chock-full of fabulous detail, guidance and more - grounded in experience and knowledge for the Havanese breed. And then my mom experienced the amazing woman behind the website. Constant kind and patient communication: mommy is pregnant, mommy doing well, mommy gave birth, pictures of babies, more pictures of babies, videos of babies…along with answering a constant stream of questions along the way. I flew in to help my parents with receiving the pup and making sure all was well. What an amazingly, well adjusted, darling of a puppy. Clearly, this puppy only knew love in its life. Loving, gently playful, super silky soft, pad trained, smart. I was desperate to steal her away! I can’t thank Cherie and Island Havanese for not only being an amazing breeder of top-notch quality AKC dogs, but for being an absolute gem of a human.

The Steinmetz Family

I'm so happy I found Island Havanese! We love this breed and were looking to add a pup to our family. Cherie was so responsive with all my emails, texts, phone calls. We are so happy with our puppy, he is a great addition to our family. If you are looking for a Havanese, I highly recommend Island Havanese.

The Gershkoff Family

Our beautiful puppy Santi turned 8 months in December and he is such a gem. We have been so incredibly happy with our gorgeous puppy since day 1. He is very friendly, super sweet and stops to greet everyone who walks by (not an exaggeration). He follows us around everywhere (unless he's napping) and loves to explore the outdoors. He also gets along wonderfully with our 8-year-old Havanese and our young nieces and nephews. I have seen him go from being very excitable around another dog to gently playful with a toddler in the span of a minute. Santi never turns down a play session with people or dogs.

Cherie is an incredible breeder. She was very responsive from the beginning and it is clear that her puppies are given so much love and care in their crucial first weeks. When I went to visit Cherie to meet Santi for the first time all of the puppies from his litter looked great and her adult dogs looked healthy and happy as well. I was surprised to see how calm our puppy was in his transition to our home and how well socialized he was to sounds and things like getting his ears and paws touched. He has gotten a clean bill of health at all of his vet visits and has tolerated all of his vaccines really well. Santi has all the hallmarks of a great puppy. He's happy, playful, loving, and friendly.

Santi is truly a joy and I plan to get all of my future Havanese from Island Havanese. I recommend Island Havanese to anyone and everyone looking for a Havanese to join their family.

-V RP

We picked up our beautiful puppy Faith a month ago when she was 8 weeks old. Every day since my husband and I have been grateful that we found Island Havanese on the AKC website. Faith is absolutely the most charming and lovable puppy. She seems to love everyone she meets and everyone seems to love her back. We attribute Faith’s wonderful personality to Cherie and her family who gave her the absolute best start. Cherie’s breeding program has rewarded us with a puppy that brings smiles and laughs on a daily basis. Even when the litter was born right before Ian struck the home of Island Havanese, we had constant contact from Cherie. Her sense of calm in the middle of the worst storm ever experienced in Southwest Florida eased our worry. We could tell that the canine mom, Pandy, and the human mom, Cherie, were keeping the pups safe and stress free. After the storm Cherie even kept in contact with progress reports and photos via text. Her efforts have rewarded us with a healthy, friendly, beautiful, smart puppy . The information on the website and the mailings sent before we picked up our pup gave us valuable information which has made raising Faith so easy. Cherie’s recommendations are priceless. What a blessing!

_D. Walters