The Havanese is classified as a toy dog, with a typical height of between 8 to 11 inches and a typical weight of 7 to 13 pounds (think lap dog). Full-grown, these cute little guys are usually slightly longer than they are tall. While The Havanese is small in size, it is sturdy in structure with a tail carried up over its back and ears that drop and fold.
The coat is abundant, long, and silky and comes in all colors. It is composed of hair instead of fur, therefore Havanese are classified as a hypo-allergenic breed. Their coats do not shed. Both their undercoat and outer coat are soft and feel very light to the touch (they are called “silkies” because of this).
Havanese are good natured, fun loving, smart and can be easily trained. They do not bark incessantly like some other small breeds. The Havanese has a spirited personality and a curious disposition, and is notable for its springy gait, a characteristic that distinguishes the breed from all others. Unlike some toy breeds which do not do well around very young children, Havanese have a reputation for being a suitable playmate for children of all ages. This makes it a particularly good choice of pet for families who have children. The Havanese is considered an ideal family pet and a true companion dog.
Havanese get very attached to their owners but do not mind spending time away from their owners, as they are very self-entertaining dogs. The Havanese is the ideal dog to have in a low maintenance household. This breed does not require regular exercise. They love to perform in front of others and have a great need for attention.
Recognized by: American Kennel Club & United Kennel Club.
AKC Parent Club: Havanese Club of America (HCA)
Country of Origin: Mediterranean/Cuba
Life Expectancy: 14 - 16 yrs.
Height Range: 8 - 11.5 in.
Weight Range: 7 - 13 lb.
Trainability: Easy to train; very eager to learn.
Climate: Tolerates heat well;
Indoor dog; Below average exercise required. Excellent with children & eternally playful; Good with other animals.
Colors: White, cream, gold, silver, red, blue, chocolate, black, tri-color.
Grooming: Regular brushing; for show, should have natural (non-clipped) coat.
Although it is new to the AKC, the Havanese is quite an old breed in “dog years”. Its history is fascinating and important to defining type, as it is unique in many respects. The Havanese is the National dog of Cuba and its only native breed. The flag of Spain was first raised over Cuba by Christopher Columbus in November of 1492. In the ten years following, colonization was begun on the island by Spain, who owned it for the better part of the next four hundred years.
The first settlers came from two distinct classes- farmers primarily from the island of Tenerife, and the “segundos”, or second sons of the Spanish aristocracy. Ship’s logs of the early sixteenth century reveal that dogs were brought along on these early colonists’ voyages, and logic tells us they were most likely the dog of Tenerife, common ancestor to all the Bichon family. Because of the draconian trade restrictions imposed on its colonies by Spain, Tenerife remained one of the only ports open to Cuba for trade, and it would appear these little dogs, who soon found their way into the homes of the resident Spanish aristocracy, developed without much outside influence. They did, however, develop in response to the climate of this tropical island. The Havanese of today is still a remarkably heat-tolerant little dog, due in no small part to the unique coat. Once called the Havana Silk Dog, or the Spanish Silk Poodle, the coat is like raw silk floss, profuse, but extremely light and soft, and insulating against the tropical rays in much the same way that yards of silk sari protect the women of India. In its native country, the coat was never clipped for this reason, and the hair never tied into a topknot, as the Cubans believe it protects the eyes from the harsh sun.
In spite of the trade restrictions, Colonial Cuba developed and prospered. By the 18th Century, it was the cultural center of the New World, with an elegance that surpassed anything the British had managed in ITS colonies! The aristocracy of Europe found the city of Havana to be a great vacation spot, with its operas, theatres and palacios. On their return to Europe, they brought back the little Dog of Havannah, which found favor in the courts of Spain, France and England. In both Spain and in the court of Louis XVI, they were shorn in the manner of poodles, and were much admired for their diminutive size. The English, on the other hand, appeared to leave them au natural, and called them the white Cuban, although they were as often found in parti-colors and shades of fawn. By the mid-eighteenth century, they were downright trendy in Europe. Queen Victoria owned two and Charles Dickens had one, beloved of his seven children and named Tim. They were exhibited in the early European dog shows and type was well-established.
In Cuba meanwhile, the times were changing. The aristocracy of the sugar barons was dying out and a new class was emerging, the bourgeoisie, and the little dog of Havana, adaptable as always, became a family dog extraordinaire, playmate of children, watchdog, and herder of the family poultry flock. It is a position he has held there for the past hundred and fifty years. With the advent of the Cuban revolution, the class of Cubans who owned Havanese was the first to leave. A handful of them found their way to this country, and by the end of the 70s a gene pool was being rebuilt. All the Havanese in the world today, save those from the “iron curtain” countries and those remaining in Cuba, stem from those 11 little immigrants. Remarkably, through all their travels, Havanese type has remained virtually unchanged from that of the dogs painted in the eighteenth century. To preserve it now and for the future is the challenge. Portrait of Federico II Gonzaga by Titian
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