Rare Breed Monday: Havanese

Image from akc.org

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, and the country's only native breed.  They are believed to have come with trade ships sailing from Tenerife in the early 16th century. Cuban trade was highly restricted by the Spanish and for many years Tenerife was one of their only open ports.

Every dog in the world today outside of Cuba stems from 11 dogs who fled Cuba at the time of revolution.

While their coat can look warm, it is very light and soft, and developed to insulate and protect the dogs from the tropical sun. They don't shed, but they still need regular grooming to keep the coat in good condition.

This is a small and sturdy dog who is generally friendly. They are natural companion dogs who become very attached to their human families. Known for being affectionate, intelligent, easy to train, and playful they get along well with people, dogs, cats, and other pets. They also bark very little.

The Havanese is a healthy breed and the average life span is 14-15 years. While they do require exercise they do well in apartments. They need to be with their family; this is not a breed suitable for being an outdoors dog.

They are also known under the names Bichon Havanais, Havana Silk Dog, and Bichone Havanese.

~ Maria Sadowski ~