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The nose bump, a unique trait to Havanese?

5K views 34 replies 18 participants last post by  krandall 
#1 ·
This is my second Havanese after 14 years. Tux announces his presence the very same way our previous Hav did.....by gently bumping our legs with his nose. It's a subtle but loving touch that is meant to say....Hey, I'm down here, now can't you get the food out of the fridge faster than that?....or "I'm here! Did you miss me?" When our first Hav died, that subtle bump was one of the things I truly missed. Now I have it again with Tux.

So, I'm wondering if this trait spans across most Havanese? Is it present in other dogs? Or is this something passed down genetically in the special bloodline I have had the privilege to encounter? How many of you out there have experienced this?
 

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#4 ·
any dog will do this for one reason. It works.
 
#7 ·
I did not mean that Tux bumps just to get something. He does it as if he is reporting in. It's an acknowledgment that we are "together" . He does it whether food is involved or not. Our other Havanese was the same way. (She has part of the same bloodline as Tux.)

I had a Boxer, a St. Bernard, a Yellow Lab, and an Akita throughout my life, but it wasn't until I lived with a Havanese that I experienced the "bump".
 
#8 ·
behaviors like this is something that would not be considered heritable or genetic. They are in most cases something that gets reinforced , and in most cases are in the form of attention. Many dogs nose bump. Quite common.
 
#10 ·
Now a tendency for Border Collies to nip ankles would be an example of genetic predisposition. In this example it is something that is inherent of the breed and something that is part of the herding instinct.
 
#12 ·
I guess I wasn't really clear with my first post. What got my attention, is that I've never reinforced the bump or encouraged it and it has a different meaning than specifically or for only wanting attention. I will get a bump and go about my business and smile to myself because it reminds me of Hanna. She did this and he does this for no more reason than as a quiet greeting or a connecting. Hanna would walk in a room, bump and continue walking away to lie down. Tux will do the same thing. When he wants attention its an entirely different M.O. He sits and stares. He brings a toy. He jumps up and down, or he'll paw at my leg. He's very overt when it comes to attention. As a retiree I lived 24/7 with Hanna and now with Tux so I know all their nuances. My Havanese "bumps" are a subtle part of their language and communication. This breed has its own subtle peculiarities that seem to be innate with the bloodline since no other different pure bred dog I have owned has done this IN THIS MANNER. I've been bumped before by my other non-Havanese and have known it's for attention. There's no question. The Hav bump is different.
 
#34 ·
We are first time owners of 2 adorable brothers. I agree there is something to the nose bumps. We have never seen this unique style of communication in any other breed. Until you experience it first hand, you cannot accurately describe it. So sweet, though. Such an endearing trait!
 
#13 ·
it is most likely something your two do. That doesn't make it genetic. One can learn it from another , just like barking.
 
#17 ·
LOL that wasn't the case then. The point I'm trying to make is that simple behaviors like this are common across the board with dogs. My daughter's two Dachshunds do it my Molly doesn't . Quite often people don't recognize one
of learning theory's Law of Effect which in simple terms states that behaviors that are repeated are do to reinforcement be it positive or negative. In some way the behavior you are talking about was reinforced in your dogs. Behavior that does not repeat or increase in frequency is the result of punishment ,positive or negative , or through extinction. by elimination of reinforcement. Certainly nothing to worry about in your case but for some people it can be something not to be reinforced.
 
#19 ·
I see what you are saying, it is a bump just to say hi and not because he or Hanna wanted something. Just a greeting. My two don't do that. What both of mine do is get a toy then say hi. If anyone comes to the house they get very excited, but before they run to say hi they have to grab a toy to take with then as part of their greeting. They do this even if a toy is not convenient, they will search one out to take to the person they are greeting. Oliver has always done this, he is the older of the two. Hershey didn't do it at first and now he does it as well.
 
#25 ·
Why am I NOT surprised that Sophie is one of those Havanese with strong herding instinct!!! :laugh: kodi does too... we used to have neighbors with chickens that got loose regularly, and without any training, he would round them up and send them back into their pen. I don't know if either of the girls are natural herders, because the chickens are (thankfully!!!!) gone! ;)
 
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#30 ·
LOL I think the ankle nips are adorable too. I always stutter step forward fast and say "she's biting her momma!" she thinks that's funny. I am wishing now she did the nose bump too. These guys are so precious.

Karen both my Great Dane and first longhaired doxie got their herding certificates on ducks. Amazing to see how even in a non herding breed, the instinct comes out.
 
#31 ·
LOL I think the ankle nips are adorable too. I always stutter step forward fast and say "she's biting her momma!" she thinks that's funny. I am wishing now she did the nose bump too. These guys are so precious.

Karen both my Great Dane and first longhaired doxie got their herding certificates on ducks. Amazing to see how even in a non herding breed, the instinct comes out.
I keep thinking it would be fun to do ducks with Kodi... when we aren't so busy with other things! ;)
 
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