Once Upon A Havanese

Raised by Heidi G.

Certified Breeder of Havanese

  • Certified Good Dog Breeder
  • 95% response rate • Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm the breeder behind Once Upon A Havanese located in Manteca, CA. At Once Upon A Havanese, we are focused on providing socialized and healthy pets. We have been breeding only AKC Havanese for 9 years. We started out small and learned so much and continue to learn every day to be better. We now have 6 breeding dogs and a few retirees that enjoy being “grandparents”.

Heidi’s experience

  • About Heidi

    We are a family of 5 (plus 2 recent additions) that have fallen in love with the Havanese! We live in Manteca, California. We homeschool which gives us the opportunity to give our puppies much love and attention. My kids help with much of the care, they almost always have a fluffy buddy helping with their school work.

  • What makes Heidi’s program special

    We have a very pure AKC breed and have many options of color and size. Our chocolates are true chocolate with the nose and paw pads to prove. We do not believe in Kennels but instead train and love our pets. We do NeoPar, first set of shots, and deworming. We also begin puppies on potty training and how to behave while being groomed. We also give a one year health guarantee.

Litter and program updates

Getting a puppy from Heidi

Heidi has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.

Price

Puppy prices range from $2,600 - $3,800 and include a non-refundable deposit of $500.

“All puppies are $2600 pet price, regardless of color or gender. AKC registered, health guarantee included. Full registration is $3800 only upon approval. $100 deposit for waitlist, then $400 when you pick out your puppy.”

Contract and health guarantee

Heidi may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Heidi offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Heidi directly.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What's included

Enrichment and socialization

The puppies stay in our living room. We do not have outside kennels – they're always with the kids (I have three teenagers)! They get down on the floor with them, play with them, and get them used to lots of new things. We end up not getting school work or chores done because we are just playing with the puppies! I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other animals, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Socialized with other dogs, Daily handling, Scent introduction, Socialized in new places, Socialized with children, Surface & tactile stimulation, Car rides, Various sounds, Noise desensitization, Car Training , Human Interactions , Puppy Manners, Grooming Desensitization, Socialized with Children, and Socialized with Adult Dogs.

Puppy health practices

Puppies receive an extra parvo shot as well as the first combo of vaccines before puppies they leave our home in addition to receiving all their deworming on schedule.

Extras

We send our puppies home with Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Initial potty training, Puppy starter kit, Toys, Vet records, Food & treats, Registration, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Toy with Mom's Scent, Blanket with Mom's Scent, Food Starter Bag, AKC Registration, Puppy Collar, and Vaccinations.

Bringing your puppy home

Heidi offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.

Pick up your puppy in Manteca, CA or nearby

If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.

“We would rather you come pick up your puppy at our house so that you can meet us and our dogs and we can meet you. But I will consider shipping as a last option. ”

More about Heidi

  • Why Heidi started breeding

    We started with one at a time until almost each of us have our own fluffy. We love dogs and they bring us much happiness. We take pride in our well socialized pups.

  • Heidi has been a member of Good Dog for over 6 years

    Heidi was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2018.

Heidi is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Once Upon A Havanese meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Meet Heidi's parent dogs

All breeds

Havanese

Parent health testing

Havanese

Breeder-Reported Testing

Great level

Once Upon A Havanese reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Havanese.

  • Hip Dysplasia

    Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • Patellar Luxation

    Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.

Photos