Hello! My name is Becky Roeder and I live with 3 Havanese on 1/2 acre in Bozeman, Montana. After working 30 years for Montana State University, I retired in 2019. I truly enjoyed my “path” of helping students but my passion is dogs. Havanese are a wonderful companion dog. They have a delightful personality; equally happy to lay on your lap or race through the yard, playing. Having spent the last 20 years in dogs, I have accumulated a significant amount of knowledge and experience.
But how did I come to raise and breed Havanese?
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS
It all started with a fabulous Shepherd-mix companion dog I got as a college student. I fell in love with his solid character and steadfast loyalty. Later, when I returned to Bozeman and started my professional career with MSU, I chose to purchase a purebred dog. Having researched the characteristics of various breeds, this time I selected a purebred German Shepherd Dog to train and show, for the same characteristics I admired in the Shepherd-mix I had owned as a young girl.
Lucy, my first GSD, titled in obedience and was my first therapy dog, certified through Intermountain Therapy Animals of Salt Lake City, Utah. Lucy’s daughter, Mica, came next. She titled in obedience and rally and produced some beautiful dogs, capable of therapy work, companionship, and herding. Tripp, born from Mica’s last litter, was my constant companion and faithful friend until he crossed the rainbow bridge in 2020.
HAVANESE
Ultimately I reached a point of transition. I no longer wanted to race around the ring as I did with the GSD’s, but wanted a dog to show that I could walk with. Around that same time, my Mother was in her early 90’s and eventually would want her own “lap dog” to keep her company. I researched a number of toy breeds and selected the Havanese. They are smart and easily trained; have a delightfully joyful personality, get along with all people and dogs, and have very few health issues compared to a lot of other breeds. They can also readily accompany their owner on a plane or by car when they travel, so a perfect companion for retirees. Show dogs are kept in a long coat, but many pet owners prefer to keep their Havanese in a puppy cut which makes coat maintenance relatively easy.
Dolly, my first Havanese, finished her Championship and also became an AKC certified Therapy Dog. She does a fantastic job visiting a local Assisted Living Facility. She’s extremely patient and loves sitting on people’s laps while they pet her. Dolly produced two puppies; Zuri lives with my Mother and provides endless companionship and comfort to her and Reva is my show dog and currently a new Mom herself!
DOG EXPERIENCE AND AFFILIATION
Dolly had been my first therapy dog since Lucy. During those interim years, I learned to be an evaluator for Intermountain Therapy Animals. I have also been honored to be asked to evaluate for Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response on occasion. These are teams that get called out in a crisis, such as 911 and Hurricane Katrina. In addition, I have been a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator. Evaluating dogs for these organizations has proved invaluable with regard to honing my abilities as a trainer and getting to know different breeds and breed characteristics.
Of course, you can’t really be involved in purebred dogs without being affiliated with a local AKC dog club. I am a current member of the Gallatin Dog Club, having served a number of years as President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and a brand new member (2019) of the Havanese Club of America. 2016 marked my 5th consecutive year as Show Chair for our September All-Breed AKC Show. We hosted the National Specialty for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffons; had a record entry and a fabulous time!! Currently (2021) I am still the President of the Gallatin Dog Club and becoming more active in the HCA.
My goal in breeding is to improve the breed and to provide healthy, well-adjusted pets for loving homes. I consider myself a responsible breeder; all of my dogs have their health clearances and all are shown to their championship or in the process of finishing. The most important aspect of a responsible breeder, however, is that I am your breeder for the life of the dog. If you have any questions or need assistance, I will be there for you. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it. 20+ years of dog knowledge and experience goes a long way and I am delighted to share it with you!
If you think Havanese are the right dog for you, then you’ve come to the right place. “Rosalba” means “white rose” and the white rose is often a symbol of new beginnings. I hope you enjoy my website – perhaps there is a “new beginning” here for you!
Contact me today and let’s chat
If you are thinking about a puppy, you can download and complete the Puppy Questionnaire by clicking here.