Wildflower Havanese in
Performance and Therapy
Wildflower Havanese are as versatile as they are sweet. We've bred some of the fastest Havanese in the nation, as well as service and therapy dogs working across the country. Our dogs excel in FAST CAT®, dock diving, therapy work, and service roles – the result of breeding for temperament, health, and versatility.
Paco
“Daisy seems to continue to develop her depth and awareness as a companion and therapy dog. The groundwork for her heart and soul is in the connection she had with you and your intuition that Daisy’s next stage of development could take place in the healing profession with me... I can see how she enriches the healing for my patients.”
Therapy Work
Therapy dogs provide comfort and support to people in various settings – hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Our dogs work with organizations like the Delta Society and Read Aloud programs, providing emotional support to those in need.
Paco, one of our therapy dogs, works at Children's Hospital Colorado, bringing comfort and joy to patients and their families. The Havanese temperament – gentle, intuitive, and deeply attuned to human emotion – makes them natural therapy dogs.
Service & Medical Alert Dogs
Medical alert dogs are trained to detect physiological changes in their handler and provide advance warning of potentially dangerous medical episodes. Their sensitivity and attentiveness to their people, combined with their remarkable scenting abilities, make Wildflower Havanese particularly suited for this life-saving work.
Wildflower dogs have been trained to alert for:
Diabetic episodes – detecting dangerous blood sugar changes
Gluten exposure – alerting individuals with celiac disease
Seizures – providing advance warning before onset
These dogs provide not just companionship, but peace of mind and potentially life-saving intervention for their handlers.
“Piper is so smart it is scary and so in touch with how other people are feeling emotionally or physically. Chuck experienced two aneurysms a year and a half ago... In the days he was still home and not diagnosed yet, Piper never left his side at all and would lick his forehead in the exact spot they finally found the aneurysms. Unbelievable... He truly gives us laughs and love every day.”
Fast CAT ®
Fast CAT® (Coursing Ability Test) is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure – a plastic bag strung on a pulley system. Dogs chase it in a straight line within a fenced area.
We love the activity out in the open air and sunshine, and getting to see our dogs perform with such heart and enthusiasm. Race days are a lot of fun for people and dogs alike. Seeing our Havanese whip down the course chasing a plastic bag with absolute gusto is a sight to behold.
Wildflower dogs have thrived in this sport. As of March 2023, our dogs held the following national rankings among Havanese:
1st – Wildflower's Chaco: A Tidbit Of A Thing FCAT SWN – 20.88 MPH (Fastest Havanese in the Nation)
11th – Wildflower's Feliciana BCAT – 18.20 MPH
12th – Wildflower's Franchesca CDX PCDX BN GN GO VER RM RAE AX AXJ XF CA FCAT CGCA TKA – 18.20 MPH
18th – Twins Pongo Two For The Show – 17.33 MPH
24th – Wildflower's Smooth Criminal BCAT ACT1 ACT1J – 16.51 MPH
28th – CH Wildflower's Flibbertigibbet Cricket BCAT – 15.56 MPH
40th – Wildflower's Caspers' Kismet CD BN RA DCAT CGCA TKN – 13.27 MPH
Dock Diving
These athletic little dogs love to fly! Wildflower Havanese have taken to dock diving with enthusiasm – in fact, we're proud to have bred the first Havanese to be awarded a dock diving title. Big performance doesn't require a big dog, and our Havanese prove it with every leap.
Scent Work
Havanese have exceptional noses, and some Wildflower dogs have pursued AKC scent work as a sport. This activity taps into their natural tracking and detection abilities, challenging them to identify and locate specific scents in various environments. It's mentally stimulating work that these intelligent dogs excel at and thoroughly enjoy.
What Families Say
“We purchased our first puppy from Laura five years ago, then another one a year later... Her dedication to the breed is amazing as is her willingness to share her experience before, during and after the ‘adoption’ process. We could not be happier with our two little boys and how well they have turned out, not to mention the support and advice we have been receiving from Laura.”
“When she snuggles in my neck when I don’t feel well or lays in the crook of my arm with her chin up on my chest like a child, she fills my heart... Thank you both for your part in bringing me so much happiness with my wonderful little dog.”
“Laura... Are your ears ringing? Well they should be. We have been singing your praises for doing such a wonderful job with those puppies! Gromit has been so good and is settling into our house so nicely, due to you. All of your loving hard work that you have done sure makes it nice for us.”
“Laura Burgess of Wildflower Havanese is the most responsible, educated breeder I know. Her attention to genetics and conformation puts her pups above the standard breeders’ dogs. Further, she cares so much for her puppies and their adoptive families. She always wants what’s best for all concerned. Laura is the only breeder I recommend to my clients.”