COUNTRY: Cuba
WEIGHT: 7-12 pounds
HEIGHT: S-lOVz inches
COAT: Profuse, wavy to curly, double-coated
COLOR: Wide variety of colors or color
combinations
combinations
OTHER NAMES: Bichon Havanais, Havana Silk Dog
GROUP: Gun Dog
These charmers descended from bichon types of the Old World, but there is some argument about which specific type was the origin. Most researchers say they came with the Spanish as they colonized the West Indies, which would probably point to Tenerife and the Bichon Frise as the progenitors. But Cubans seem to feel the dog originally came to their island with Italian sea captains, thus pointing to Malta or Bologna as the source. Captains often carried illegal contraband to be sold to wealthy Cuban families. "Hence, the entree gift of one of these precious little dogs to the wealthy Sefioras [sic] opened the doors of her home to them."
The Havanese was soon a favorite of the very wealthy, and a frequent sight in the palaces and country estates. Catalina Laza, the wife of a wealthy Cuban sugar mill baron, raised the dogs for her own pleasure and to present to society friends. When the Cuban Revolution threatened the existence of these dogs and their owners, they were smuggled out by families fleeing their homeland. Quite rare today, they are now being revived and promoted by fanciers in the USA who have formed the Havanese Club of America.
Temperament for this breed is similar to all its bichon cousins—charming, intelligent and alert. Adults can be aloof with strangers. The Havanese has been known to guard children heroically and is a loving and devoted companion. Natural clowns, they are superb circus and trick dogs. Like the Bolognese, they make good watchdogs because of their alert demeanor and close relationship with their owners. One owner says they are "fantastic little friends." Their sturdiness and longevity make extra pluses as companions and their brilliance of colors, including cream, gold, silver, blue, black, chocolate (appropriately called "tobacco brown"), the rare white, or combinations of these adds to their appeal. Modern show dogs are kept free of tangles, but any trimming, fussing or coiffmg is prohibited.