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Naturally loving and social, the Bichon Havanese , has been blessed with the gift of everlasting
joy.

The Havanese has a happy and lively temperament, and he is also extremely smart.

He zealously guards all that he cares for, and in his tiny figure, he embodies all the charm and grace of a true Cuban.

A Havanese is selflessly devoted to the those who adopt him, becoming an integral part of the family in no time.

Don Ferro Sancho Sans Peraza
Dad of our baby, Candela de Los Gábatos

His daily job is to make all those around him happy. Extremely charming and a trickster, the Havanese is vivacious and very mischievous.

Despite the fact that in Spain the Havanese breed is almost unknown, those who have studied its origins tend to agree that country is the cradle of his ancestors.

The Spanish colonization of Cuba that started in the 15th Century, brings to the Island two types of settlers: the farmers, mainly from the island of Tenerife, and the "segundos" (second ones), so called because they were the second sons of the aristocratic Spanish families that traveled to the New World looking for new ventures that would increase their fortunes. Tenerife was one of the only Spanish ports allowed to trade with Cuba, due to the restrictions imposed by Spain to its colonies.

The logbooks of the ships that arrived in Cuba in the early 16th Century, reveal that these first settlers brought their dogs with them. The logbooks described what one might conclude were the fashionable European dogs of the times, i.e, the Maltese, the Barbet -or its Spanish ancestor, the Dog from Tenerife (all common ancestors of the Bichon family of dogs). These dogs were quickly accepted by the well-to-do families of Cuba, certainly because the lap dog was considered a sign of refinement.

The Havanese was the dog of the colonial aristocracy up to the 20th Century, when he became the toy of choice of Cuban families who, unconsciously, contributed to keep the breed alive.

During the 20th Century, an ever-growing interest for purebred dogs starts in Cuba. The first dog shows take place in the Island, and the breeds that stood out were the imported ones. Just a few breeders dedicated themselves to the local breed, the Bichon Havanese.

The first serious breeding program of Havanese has been attributed to a well-to-do lady of the Cuban aristocracy, Catalina Laza, who used to give as gifts to her friends what she then called "Perros de Seda de la Habana" or Havana Silky Dogs.

Following the Cuban revolution of 1959, all dog breeding in the Island takes a huge step back, because said practice was seen as a sign of the bourgeois mentality, thus against the principles of the revolution. The economic reconstruction of Cuba forces people to leave on the back burner their interest on dogs, but the breed do survive out of a very small group of dogs that were taken out of the Island by their owners, and extends from the US to Europe, specially Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Germany.

Meanwhile, in Cuba, at the beginning of the 1980's, a renewed interest on purebred dogs is revived, and the first breed clubs are founded. Notwithstanding this rebirth, the Havanese stays forgotten, far from the public's recognition, in spite of the fact that the Federation Cinologique International (FCI) had approved a standard for the breed since 1963.

In 1987, the Federación Cinológica de Cuba (Cuban Dog Federation) is created, and the Island once more becomes part of the FCI, as an associate member. It is precisely in that year when the patrimony of the Bichon Havanese is taken away from Cuba, and as per that moment on, all the technical literature, does not recognize Cuba as the birthplace of the breed but the Western Mediterranean basin, instead.

It´s at that time that those in love with the breed decide to work together and to carry on a thorough search of the breed's specimens. That's how they find most of the Havanese still in Cuba, and they begin to work with them toward the breed's rescue.

In 1991, the Cuban Club of the Bichon Havanese is founded to carry on the job of selecting the best specimens and improving the breed. They have many champions now, the first one was the famous "Puppy", winner of the Cuban Dog Show in 1993. On the other hand, in 1999, Cuba becomes full member of the FCI.

Nowadays, the Havanese is regarded as the national breed of Cuba, a breed that represents its idiosyncrasy, considered to be an important part of the Island's cultural heritage, and an unmistakable symbol of their nation's identity.

Havana's White Dog
"Blanquito de la Habana"

As a natural consequence, and just as many other things adopted by the Cubans of those times, the dog also starts to get its own distinctive traits. Due to the weather conditions, their diet, and the different crossbreeding, the European dogs start to adapt their size and shape to the New Continent. This new dog was named "Blanquito de la Habana" or Little White Dog from Havana, due to their white color.

It is hard to be certain as to how the Blanquito de la Habana really looked like. There are some testimonial accounts from those times that describe him as follows "... the little Havanese dog that exists in Havana is smaller that the previous one (referring to the Maltese) and it's covered in sort of a long, wavy, white, shiny or silky fur. The specimens that were brought from Europe couldn´t resist for long the change of climate."

In the 19th Century, the basis for a new trade system were already in place. This paved the way for the contact between different cultures. New breeds arrive in Cuba, amongst them the Caniche -or Poodle- that accompanies the new wave of French immigrants. It is at this point in time where the true history of the Bichon Havanese starts

Oye Chico Flor de Cuba
Candela's Mom

With the import of new foreign breeds, a new stage in the development of the Cuban lap dog begins. Being bred with the Caniche or Poodle, the Blanquito de la Habana acquires different colorings and his size increases, yet he keeps his wonderful temperament. This breeding were carried on under certain control principles, which allowed for a fast development of a new type of dog, with enough uniformity to be considered a new breed

Thus a new breed emerges, the Bichon Havanese, carrier of the best characteristics of his ancestors: He keeps the characteristic lively, alert and smart temperament of the Blanquito de la Habana, and he gains sturdiness and the size thanks to the Poodle."

Without a doubt, what really distinguishes our dogs from others is their character. A mix of temperament and personality all their own, makes them stand out from the rest and truly irresistible. This usually happens with all breeds, but if our pet is a Havanese we will soon learn to recognize their own particular personality traits, their temperament and their attractive character.

The Havanese is an extremely loving dog, able to shower with love and kisses all around him, in special their owners and those who are welcomed into his territory. This small furry pet will easily recognize in you the receptor of all their care. Even though the Havanese was established as a breed more than two centuries ago, it is still not a well-known breed. That doesn´t mean that it has not been admired by all those who discover it, and it is gaining more and more fans every day.

Nowadays we live a very hectic life, always on the run, too much stress. When we get home, the only true refuge of tranquility that we have, it is wonderful to know that we have that special partner that will be there to receive us without asking any questions, just waiting for us full of joy, love and care. And he will give it to us spontaneously, so when he receives us -and all the time, for that matter- he seems to be telling us "Welcome home, my friend: I've been waiting for you all day!", but he would express this phrase jumping all around us, touching our knees with their front paws, or searching for our hands with their heads, or with their mouths, our faces. And they are able to share it with all who come home, because there is no space in their beings for selfishness, they are full of endless love.

That's right: our Havanese will welcome our visitors; he'll be the one to greet, welcome, and invite them to come in.

This days, more and more people are getting pets, specially dogs. Moreover, having a Havanese will be like having the best security alarm system installed in our home. Their hearing sensors will detect immediately the presence of a stranger close to their territory. Our canine alarms will get up real fast, with a spring-like jump, and before we even notice anything, they will let us know that there is an intruder, a stranger getting close to our house. Who can it be? We don´t know, but rest assure that there's someone just about to knock at our door or it's lurking a bit too close for comfort.

If a stranger knocks at our door, our Havanese will pay close attention to his intentions all the time, first he will bark or growl, then he'll wait to see what happens, and finally he´ll be the one to greet him if the person is welcome in our house. So be careful, my friend, because our alarm is equally efficient as a warning system or as a welcoming committee, because once he knows the person is OK, he´ll shower the visitor with love and kisses, as if he knew him all his life.

A Havanese is not at all aggressive, he would never harm someone. On the contrary, a Havanese is the best of toys, always aware of our needs, able to perceive even our wishes, loyal and model companion of our daily battles, willing to give up his tranquility and resting time, every time we call him; intelligent and determined, a Havanese is the perfect companion in today's world.

And not only at home. If we go out, no one will be happier than our Havanese. We'll see him happily strolling by our side, head and tail held high, moving with his characteristic short, fast, and tireless steps, with that undulating way, totally unique within the canine species. Because when a Havanese walks, it looks like he has tiny springs on his feet, and as if springs would move his joints, giving him a very particular way of moving. Very agile and always paying attention to everything that's going on around them, in total harmony, he will walk by our side proud of being who he is and of knowing that we are his owners, eager to let everybody know: "here we go!"

In essence, the Bichon Havanese is the product of many tropical cultures, and more: they represent the mixture of those cultures; he is also, par excellence, the true expression of his Cuban origin, he embodies their joy, their happiness, their latin warmth. A Havanese is truly Cuban: fun-loving, friendly, warm, attentive and extremely affectionate.