What is a Havanese Dog?
Havanese History
Natalie Armitage
November 17, 2022
As is true of the history of many breeds, Havanese history is a mixture of fact and probability. The breed has existed in Cuba, the country of origin, since the 1800s. The Bichon Havanese, as it is called in Cuba, is the National dog of Cuba and its only native breed.
In her book Bichon Havanese, Cuban breed authority, Zoila Portuondo Guerra, states that Havanese descend from an earlier breed called the Blanquito de la Habana, also known as the Havana Silk Dog. She further states that the breed goes back to Spanish water dogs and Bichon-type lapdogs, although other Spanish dogs of similar type may have played a role in their development.
Havanese History: Cuban CH “Puppy” (1988-2002), the first Bichon Havanese Champion of Cuba, was honored on this 1992 commemorative postage stamp celebrating Cuba’s only native purebred dog.
The Bichons brought to Cuba adapted to the island’s diet and climate. Eventually, the conditions resulted in a different dog, smaller than its predecessors, with a completely white, silky textured coat and a very loving disposition. That dog was the Blanquito de la Habana. During the 18th century, the Blanquito de la Habana was recognized in England as the White Cuban.
In the 19th century, poodles (or Caniches) were brought to Cuba, from France, Germany, and other countries. With the arrival of these poodles, the transformation of the Blanquito de la Habana began. The result of cross-breeding poodles to the Blanquito was a slightly larger dog of various colors, but retaining the silky coat and Bichon type. That dog is the Havanese, the Cuban interpretation of the Bichon lapdogs from Europe.
Havanese History: “Portrait of a Young Woman” painted by Vincente Escobar (1757-1854), a Cuban portrait painter, shows a young woman holding a Blanquito de la Habana. The original painting is in the archives of the Salas del Museo National de Cuba in Havana.
Like the Blanquito before it, the Havanese was the pet of the Cuban colonial aristocracy until the beginning of the 20th century. After that, the Havanese became the beloved pet of the people of the island. During the Cuban Revolution, some of the dogs were brought to this country by their owners who migrated to Southern Florida, while others migrated to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico with their dogs, thereby preserving the breed. The Havanese remaining in Cuba were not as fortunate, and few survived the Revolution.
During the Cuban Revolution, some of the dogs were brought to this country by their owners who migrated to Southern Florida, while others migrated to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico with their dogs, thereby preserving the breed.
At that time in the United States, Mrs. Dorothy Goodale learned of the existence of the Havanese and began to seek information on this breed of dog that she had never heard of before. She was looking for a smaller dog as an alternate to the larger dogs she had bred when she was younger. She decided to advertise in a Miami newspaper to try to locate some of the dogs. Through these advertisements, she located two or three families who brought their Bichons from Cuba to the United States. Mrs. Goodale was able to acquire six Havanese, complete with pedigrees, from these families. They consisted of a bitch with four female puppies, plus an unrelated young male dog. Subsequently, she was able to purchase five additional male dogs from a Cuban exile who was moving from Costa Rica to Texas and was no longer able to keep his dogs.
Havanese History: An 1860 engraving from France showing the Petit Chien Havane (Little Dog of Havana).
By 1974 Havanese were being bred in the United States by American breeders, using the 1963 FCI Standard for Bichon Havanese. Mrs. Goodale subsequently modified that standard. Mrs. Goodale and a group of other breeders founded the Havanese Club of America in 1979.
Beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century, breeding of Havanese in Cuba has increased. Zoila Guerra Portuondo founded the Cuban Club of the Bichon Havanese (CCBH) in 1991. CCBH is a member of the Cuban Kennel Club which belongs to FCI.
Havanese History: Poulka de Dieghem, a chestnut brown bitch, was exhibited at the Tuileries in Paris in 1907.
The Havanese was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996, and a total of 1,307 HCA registered Havanese were granted AKC registration. As so often happens when AKC recognizes a new breed, the popularity of the breed has exploded since recognition. When Havanese began showing for championships in January of 1999, they were virtually unknown by breeders of other breeds of dogs. After a few months, the Havanese was being noticed by other breeder—a lot of other breeders. Breeders of larger breeds who were thinking of downsizing to a smaller breed were especially noticing them. According to the AKC Registration Statistics, in 1999 a total of 626 individual dogs were registered with AKC. In 2001 the Havanese was ranked 75th of 146 breeds. In 2011, Havanese were ranked 32nd of 173 breeds with 4,466 dogs registered that year.
Havanese have become popular as competitors in companion events. They train easily and are willing performers. Many now compete in Obedience, Rally and Agility, and also participate in Tracking Trials, Flyball competition, and Musical Freestyle dance. Early on in Agility competition, the Havanese were dubbed “The Flying Furballs.” There are several OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) and MACH (Master Agility Champion) titled Havanese, with others working toward those titles. With their joyful attitude, they do well in every venue. They excel in Therapy work where their small size, loving disposition and happy attitude make them favorites. Numerous Havanese have earned the AKC Therapy Dog title.
The future of the Havanese is bright, with demand for the breed as both pets and show dogs continuing to be strong.
FAmily life
Affection with Family
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Havanese are about as lovey-dovey as it gets, treating not only their owner but all those that they know as their best friend. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Interaction with Young Children
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tolerant, patient, and kind, Havanese can take just about anything from a child. They are overall great family dogs and can often come to bond most with the children in a family. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Interaction with Other Dogs
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Generally friendly towards other dogs, Havanese are innately able to get along with foreign pets both at home and in public and are able to adjust easily to homes that already house another dog. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Physical
Shedding Level
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Although Havanese can be expected to leave some hair behind, they are considered hypoallergenic, making them the perfect pet for those who normally react to pets. Havanese scored a 2 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Coat Grooming Frequency
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Because of the Havanese's long double coat, their hair should be cut short every couple of months or brushed weekly to prevent matting and skin damage. Havanese scored a 3 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Drooling Level
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Havanese almost never drool, making them a relatively clean and pleasant dog to interact with. Havanese scored a 1 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Social
Openness to Strangers
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A highly social breed, Havanese treat not only their close family but complete strangers as their best friend and are highly open to interaction with new people, places, and things. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
This is paragraph two of the answer.
Playfulness Level
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Always up for family interaction, fetch, or really any game, Havanese are just about as playful as it gets. This breed will continue to be up for a game of tug-of-war or chase well into their adult years. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Although quiet and calm most of the time, your Havanese will tend to alert you at the appearance of a stranger on the doorstep or a delivery at the door. Despite this, they are often warm to strangers that are let into the home and accepted by their family. Havanese scored a 3 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Adaptability Level
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Extremely flexible, Havanese are not perturbed by change in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, or other variations in day-to-day life. Havanese scored a 5 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Personality
Trainability
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Highly intelligent and eager to please, Havanese are extremely open to learning new things and are relatively easy to train. Havanese scored a 4 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Energy Level
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Although Havanese will spend some of their time running, jumping, and looking for a new adventure, they are also happy to snuggle you on the couch and chill if that is what you're up to. Havanese scored a 3 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Barking Level
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Great little watch dogs, Havanese will be on the lookout for any passerby and tend to draw your attention through small woofs or barking. Havanese scored a 4 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Mental Stimulation Needs
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Because Havanese are bred to be companions, they will find attending to your needs, watching your every move, and interacting with you to be all the stimulation that they need. Left alone, Havanese become bored and may find other ways of stimulation that may not be as adorable. Havanese scored a 3 out of 5 in this category according to the AKC breed standard.
Exercise
With moderate exercise needs, Havanese can benefit from a brisk walk around the neighborhood or moderate playtime in the backyard with their owner but do not need lengthy or overly fast-paced exercise. Even merely having free-range of the home can enough to satisfy the athletic needs of a Havanese. Avoid over-exercising your Havanese; if they are panting and struggling to keep up, it is time to go home. Havanese are able to thrive in both apartments and homes, although they should never be left alone for more than a couple hours at a time.
Size
The ideal height is between 9 and
10½ inches, with an acceptable height
range from 8½ to 11½ inches.
The height is slightly less than the length
from the point of shoulder to point
of the rear, creating a rectangular outline.
The Havanese is moderately boned
and should never appear coarse or
fragile with a weight of 7-13 pounds.
Coat Type
Double, Long, and Silky. The long, soft, silky double coat of the Havanese should be brushed daily and washed weekly to be kept from matting and tangling. Starting this process the day that your puppy comes home with you and continuing it daily throughout adulthoood trains your dog to accept and even enjoy being groomed. Along with daily brushing, the inner eye of the Havanese should be cleaned daily to prevent tear-staining and irritation. Many people also choose to cut their dog's hair short to reduce grooming time, something that we recommend you do at home to avoid the germy and often trauma-inducing state of professional grooming facilities.
Life Expectancy and Health
Life expectancy of a Havanese
is 14-16 years. Although generally very
healthy and long-lived, Havanese can
be prone to several conditions, including eye disorders, chondrodysplasia, deafness,
heart murmurs, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (which affects the hip joint),
and patellar luxation.
Responsible breeders do health testing on all breeding stock through Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing to insure that your puppy is as healthy as possible when you take him/her home.