You might not have heard of the Havanese (also called the Havanese Silk Dog) before, but this is a breed that started in the 1500’s, soon after the Spanish claimed what is now Cuba. When the Spanish colonists came to the New World, they had to bring their dogs with them. And bring them they did – including their Bichons. Over the centuries, the Havanese, named after the Cuban city of Havana, developed their own characteristics and became the national dog of Cuba.

The toy dogs from Europe eventually grew into their own characteristic selves in Cuba. Their fur got long and silky, giving them a name Havana Silk Dog, which they are still sometimes called. The coat got wavy or curly with two layers. Some shorthaired were born and sometimes still are, but they are not considered show worthy dogs. The eye rims, nose and lips are always black. They were considered a luxury item and the dogs of the upper class. When the Cuban Revolution hit, the upper class had to flee Cuba to America and Europe, and brought along their dogs.

Today the Havanese is still considered a rare breed, but it is a breed that is steadily growing in numbers and popularity. As well as being show dogs they’ve staked their claims in the homes and apartments of Americans. They are comparatively long lived and healthy in comparison with some other toy breeds although some are prone to dry skin and luxating patella. Their long silky coats can be clipped for ease of grooming for companion dogs. They don’t need a yard but they will insist that you play with them indoors at least once a day…but you will be happy to do it.

The National Dog of Cuba, the Havanese, which took centuries to develop, was nearly wiped out in the Cuban Revolution. This is but a part of the story behind the Havanese that today lives mostly in the families of Americans.

The almond eyes and what could be called a smile hidden behind a fine coat of long hair can make the Havanese standard seem more mischievous more than it is cute, but its temperament of fun loving and caring makes it one of the best breed for children and older adults. Bred into aristocracy in Cuba, the Havanese standard has gone through many career changes over the years, from companion to royalty to working poultry farms, it is a breed that is making a statement in dog shows every where.

While small in stature, typically standing between 8-1/2-inches and 11-inches tall at the withers, the physical size of this toy dog breed belies its strength and muscular build. It can work as a guard dog, despite the fact that it only barks when approached by a stranger, it will quickly stop the vocal warning upon hearing it owner acknowledge the approaching person.

In the show ring, the coats of the Havanese should appear brushed and clean but any trimming of the coat, other than around the extreme bottom of the feet, will lose the dog points in competition. When judging the Havanese standards, its typical height will be between eight-and-a-half to 11-inches. Ideally, the animal should measure between nine and 10-and-a-half-inches, measured at the withers.

The profile of the dog should slop up slightly from the withers to the rump and the tail, coated with hair to match the rest of the animal, should curl downwards around its rump. The back, other than the slight rise, should be straight with no small arch in the middle. The tail should create a feather-like appearance with the hair failing either straight or to the side.

The coat types, according to the Havanese standards will be one of three types, smooth, curly or wavy, with the most sought after coat being soft and wavy. Some adults may have short hair, or short, or a short, tight curly coat, can cost points in the Havanese standard competition.

The intelligent expression on the Havanese dog’s face will draw focus to the eyes and the pigment in the eyes is solid black around the rims of the eyes, except in chocolate dogs, in which case the eye with be rimmed in chocolate colors. A Havanese without black eye rims, except the chocolate, will not meet the Havanese standards for judging. The leather of their medium length ears should reach half way to the nose and are set high on the head.

The ears, when the dog is on alert, will rise from their widest point on the skull to form a slight arch. Because the Havanese breed is playful and alert, they are extremely trainable with a cooperative disposition. Typically, they will present little feistiness during training and the Havanese standard shows them to be very docile, friendly animals.

Because of the specific breeding that Havanese dogs have undergone, understanding the history of the Havanese can help you to better work with your own pet. Although some of the history is a bit hard to trace, there is plenty of good information out there about the Havanese standard to give you a good understanding of your dog.

The Havanese dog is a very popular breed today, especially in the United States, where these puppies can sell for a premium price. This is good news to a breed that suffered a crisis in the 20th century, and has now come back with a vengeance. One of the reasons that the Havanese dog was able to regain its popularity so effectively, is the fact that this dog makes a great companion or family pet for many. He can get along well with children and other pets in many cases, and despite his toy stature, he makes a pretty fierce and vocal watch dog. This breed is always on the hunt for someone to play with, and he needs plenty of quality time with his family, and playtime to burn off his abundant energy. A Havanese will remain playful and generally happy throughout his life, unlike some breeds that tend to get grumpier as they age. Havanese pups are fiercely loyal to their families, and have plenty of love to offer.

If a person is thinking about getting a new dog for his or her family, that person may wish to consider the small dog breed called the Havanese dog. This is a dog that originates from breeding in Cuba, and has been made somewhat more famous due to celebrities such as Barbara Walters owning them. This is a very varied type of dog. Havanese dogs may come in many different fur types and colors. In fact, very few colors and fur types and combinations will exclude them from being shown.

Are you looking for a new addition to your family but you’re not sure what to get? Why not look up a Havanese breeder in your area? Havanese puppies make the best pets. They’re smart, easily trainable, they make great additions to your household and they’re great around children. If you want to see for yourself just how cute they are, look up a Havanese breeder in your area. Some of them post listings in the local phone book so you can probably find some there, or you can look in your local newspaper to see if any are listed in the classified section. Havanese breeders are also posting listings on social networking sites so you might also have some luck there. The price for new purebred Havanese puppies can be quite expensive, but the price is well worth it. Especially when you consider that you’re getting a new best friend. So hurry on over to your local Havanese breeder and see what they have waiting for you.