History of the Breed
The Havanese is a breed in its own right, part of the Bichon dog breeds family. It was officially recognised by Kennel Clubs in the UK and USA in the late 1990s, but its origins go back much further.
The Havanese breed is the national dog of Cuba, probably descended from two populations of ancestral breeds. The first was a small, white Bichon type breed which was imported into Cuba in the 16th and 17th centuries, most probably on ships from the Spanish island of Tenerife. They were often given to wealthy Cuban families as a gift by sea-faring traders. Havanese were the lapdogs of wealthy families and aristocrats.
The second group of dogs was a colourful group of poodle type breeds, which was brought into Cuba in the early 19th century by European immigrants probably from two populations of ancestral breeds.
As part of the Cuban Revolution, upper-class Cubans and others marked out for annihilation by the communists fled to the United States, but few were able to bring their dogs. Whilst it is not believed the breed came close to extinction, it did decline in numbers.
Revival and the breed today
In the United States in the 1970s, dog breeders Dorothy and Bert Goodale, acquired six Havanese and then five more from Ezekiel Barba. With these dogs, a selective breeding program from four distinct bloodlines. This began the remarkable journey of recovering the Havanese breed and preventing its extinction. In the mid 1970’s Dorothy developed the first official breed standard for Havanese in the USA, which closely mirrored the . It closely the 1963 European standard. In 1996, the American Kennel Club were officially accepted into the Toy Group in 1999. In the USA,
In the UK, Barbara Benersen imported four Havanese in 1993, establishing the breed in the UK. The Havanese is a fully recognised member of the Toy Group in the UK.
Breed Characteristics
Physical appearance
Havanese are a toy breed. They are small and sturdy, slightly longer than wide, 23 to 28 cm (9 to 11 inches) in height at the withers with a strong level topline. A weight is not specified but 4 to 7kg is typical of this lap breed. Their hallmark characteristic is their double coat, with a top coat of long, silky hair which is generally wavy to straight, and a soft undercoat. The coat should be abundant though light in texture. For the show ring , the coat should not be trimmed, except for at the feet. Many owners choose to keep the coat short.
Havanese have almond shaped eyes and a gentle and intelligent expression. Their legs are relatively short but not so short as to make the dog too close to the ground. They move in a jaunty fashion with a unique springy step, are very agile, and carry their plumed tails over their backs when on the move.
Whilst the Havanese started as a white dog, modern day Havanese come in a very wide range of colours, apart from blue, lilac and merle; this is probably as a result of crossing with poodles over the years, although this is not permitted today.
Personality
Havanese are a little dog with a big personality. Playful and affectionate, they attach strongly to their owners. They are nicknamed the “velcro dog”, as they like to stay close to their owner. They make excellent emotional support dogs.
Highly intelligent, Havanese are quick learners. Whilst they can be cheeky, they are generally obedient and not dominant. They like to sit up high like a cat and get on well with other animals and people of all ages.
In the sweetest way possible, they can be manipulative. Whilst it is hard to resist, their cute expressions and gestures, it is important to set boundaries with them and treat them like a dog not a living toy.
Exercise wise, Havanese are happy with a daily walk of circa 30 minutes, but most would prefer not to go out in wet weather! When fully grown, they can walk for longer than 30 minutes. They are well suited to either apartment living or larger gardens.
Breed Standard (RKC UK)
General appearance
Small, sturdy, slightly longer in body than height at withers. Profusely coated, tail carried in plume over back.
Characteristics
Lively, affectionate and intelligent.
Temperament
Friendly, outgoing.
Head and skull
Nose to stop and stop to occiput to be equal in length, skull broad, slightly rounded, moderate stop. Muzzle not snipy or blunt, cheeks flat. Nose and lips solid black, although for brown shades the pigment may be brown.
Eyes
Dark, large, almond shaped, gentle expression, eye rims black. In brown shades eyes can be a slightly lighter colour, eye rims brown.
Ears
Moderately pointed and dropped, set on just above eye level, slightly raised, neither fly away nor framing the cheeks.
Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Medium length.
Forequarters
Legs straight, medium bone. Shoulders well laid.
Body
Equal in height from withers to elbow as from elbow to ground. Slightly longer from point of shoulder to point of buttock than height at withers, level topline, slight rise over loin, well-sprung ribs, with good tuck-up.
Hindquarters
Medium boned, moderate angulation.
Feet
Small, tight, hare foot.
Tail
Set high, carried over the back; profusely feathered with long silky hair.
Gait/movement
Free with a springy step, legs moving parallel along the line of travel.
Coat
Soft, silky, wavy or slightly curled, full coated with an undercoat.
Colour
Any colour or combination of colours permissible, except merle which is unacceptable.
Size
Ideal height 23-28 cms (9-11 ins).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.