Havanese History, Form and Function, Livability and Lovability

The Havanese is in the Toy Group with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier ( Yorkie) not all Terriers are in the AKC Terrier Group, and the Silky Terrier - speaking of silky that is the perfect word to describe the Havaneses' coat.  In fact,  the Blanquito de la Habana, - which was the Cuban breed before the Havanese, was also called the "Havana Silk Dog".  But, it seems that I've gotten a little ahead of myself.  Let's start at the first problem, Cuba didn't have any native dogs, so all the Cuban dogs are actually from elsewhere.  Do you care to guess?  The most likely conquistadors that brought a dog to Cuba was 1. Italians or 2. Spanish - and maybe both brought pooches along -we'll never know.  The dog that was brought was a Bichon - which translates to "small dog with curly hair".  But the Bichon is not a sporting dog like a labrador, that could be used for hunting wild game.  So why did they bring a "small dog with curly hair"? Well, Cuba's natural resources include sugarcane, tobacco, fruits and coffee just to name a few.  And the conquistadors sure would like those to take back home in trade.  But what could they trade that they could easily put on a ship?  And with little practical value - a Bichon type of dog was given in trade to Cuban aristocrats, and they named them the Blanquito de la Habana - or Havana Silk Dog.  But the Blanquito de la Habana went extinct, or more likely they were frolicking around with a new dog breed to Cuba - the poodle, and probably by happenstance the Havanese was born...literally.  So, the 1958 Cuban Revolution was happening and everybody wanted to get out of Cuba, and would you leave your dog behind?  No.  And neither did a few Cuban families leaving Cuba - and thankfully they did, because without their efforts and compassion, the breed would have gone extinct.  The revolutionaries wouldn't kill the Havanese intentionally, like the Chinese Communist Revolutionaries did the Shih Tzu; but widespread famine hastened Havanese's demise in Cuba. But a breeder named Mrs. Dorothty Goodale found the 3 Cuban families that still had their beloved Havanese dogs, and Dorothy started the Havanese's revival in the early 1970's.  A real Havanese advocate, Mrs. Goodale even spearheaded the Havanese Club of America which she formed in 1979, and her efforts paid off when the Havanese became recognized by the AKC in 1986.  Can you guess where the Havanese ranks in popularity according to the AKC?  24.  Proving that the Havanese is still a great companion dog breed today.  Now let's dive into what makes the Havanese so desirable, and what events you can enjoy together.  Obviously the Havanese is not a sporting dog, so they were not historically for the average person.  But today you and I can enjoy the Havanese companionship without being an aristocrat, and that's a good thing because they really are a wonderful dog breed. The Havanese companionship includes; playing peek-a-boo around the furniture, throwing and retrieving small stuffy toys, and having your Havanese lay on the top back of the couch as you take a break from the daily grind.  The Havanese is low maintenance but does require going outdoors for potty breaks and leashed strolls around the neighborhood.  The Havanese is a happy and playful dog that is ideal for people who need mental breaks -  The Havanese requires minimal upkeep, such as grooming, nail clipping, and puppy training.  The Havanese is a smart, intelligent dog and you'll need to be smart and intelligent too, by 1) finding a Havanese breeder or rescue who loves and supports the Havanese 2) Taking your Havanese to a veterinarian for vaccinations, 3) Socialising with other friendly dogs and 4) cleaning your Havaneses' dog bowls and food containers.