About the Havana Silk Dog or Havanese



Posted: Sunday, November 18, 2007

by fairyworks
The Canine Gazette

The Havanese is related to the Bichon Frise, originating in the Mediterranean and brought to Cuba by Spanish traders. The Havanese as we know it today was developed uniquely in Cuba and is considered the National dog of Cuba. The delightful little dogs were presented to Cuban women to encourage trade relations, and were often called "The Havana or Cuban Silk Dog" in recognition to their silky coats. They also became a symbol of wealth, and were introduced to certain European aristocrats as companions for their children. This dog was specifically bred for the ruling class and it was never sold; the Havanese was always acquired as a gift. During the Cuban Revolution the wealthy families sought refuge and migrated to the United States, but few were able to bring their precious pets.

The breed would have most certainly reached extinction if it had not been for Mrs. Goodale, an American in the 1970's, who sought out the refugees in Florida that had the good fortune of being able to bring their beloved dogs with them. She successfully bred the Havanese using six dogs that came from Cuba and five other dogs from Costa Rica. All the Havanese in the world today, excepting those from the "iron curtain" countries and any 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. Today, approximately 4,000 Havanese reside in America, thanks in good part to Mrs. Goodale. The AKC recognized the Havanese in 1996.

With such a friendly temperament the Havanese should be the number one choice as a pet in families with well behaved children and also other pets. Friendly, curious, and responsive, the Havanese is a joyful companion dog that becomes very attached to its family. This dog can be a loving addition to the family and is interested in every move its humans make. This breed is good with children, adults, other dogs, and other pets.

It enjoys being the center of attention, and it is generally easy to obedience train. You will never or almost never see it shy away from new things or new people and more than once it will be able to catch the attention of somebody by performing quick tricks of cleverness. The Havanese have a long reputation of being circus dogs, probably because it learns quickly and enjoys doing things for people.

Sometimes patience is required for housebreaking this breed, as it may take up to a year to successfully train. While some claim that the Havanese tends to be vocal, it can be taught not to bark unnecessarily.

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 simply increases their appeal.

The Havanese is a non-shedding double coated breed, which means that the loose hairs are caught in the outer coat. The coat of the Havanese requires regular maintenance unless it is not intended to be shown, in which case the coat can be clipped for easier grooming. If the coat is kept long, it must be brushed and combed thoroughly two to four times a week, if not daily.

It is a remarkably heat-tolerant dog, due to this unique coat. The coat is like raw silk floss, profuse, but extremely light and soft, and insulating against the tropical sun. In its native country, the coat was never clipped for this reason, and the hair never tied into a topknot, as the Cubans believe the hair protects the eyes from the harsh sun. It loves the water and is an accomplished swimmer. While full of energy, the Havanese does not require long daily walks as exercise. Short walks and play sessions will generally suffice. This dog should not live outside and it is appropriate for apartment dwellers as long as time is taken to exercise the dog properly. Overall, the Havanese is a healthy breed, but it can be prone to knee and eye problems.

Due to the relatively rare status of the Havanese, they can be considered a rather expensive addition to the family. However, remember that this also reflects the amount of careful selection shown by ethical breeders to ensure that the breed maintains its particular standards. A great deal of dedication went into saving this adorable breed, and continued on with the studied selection of breeding pair matches. With that thought in mind, please be certain to choose your future Havanese from a breeder who is not only familiar with the breed, but has a recognized standing within the show circuit. This will not only ensure the future of such a wonderful creature, but will also guarantee your continued happiness with a truly healthy, well produced family companion. Look for a breeder with the references that reflect both the knowledge of the breed, and the wisdom to know how to successfully reproduce it.

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