Havanese

Havanese is another ancient breed, appeared as considered in Cuba, called "pearl of the Antilles”. The Havana Bichon or Havanese is a toy sturdy dog with a lush, soft coat and a cheerful tireless disposition. The breed became known to the world relatively recently, but has already gained popularity among fans of the exotic.

THE BREED HISTORY

The first evidence refers to the end of XV century. According to one version, the ancestors of the modern Havanese came to Cuba together with Spanish traders. Forced to live in almost complete isolation from the outside world, these dogs quickly gained individual features, different from their counterparts from the "big land". The breed was formed by the XVII century and received a separate name "silk dog of Cuba".

Dogs were considered to be elite, because only the local nobility can afford to keep them. Over time, they became universal companions.

After the Cuban revolution in the mid-twentieth century, the breed had almost disappeared. Refugees seeking to start a new life were able to take to the United States only 11 purebred havaneses. It was enough to restore the breed population. In 1996, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC and was given a new name "Havanese". The FCI breed standard was adopted in 1998. Currently, there are about 8,000 Havaneses in the world. In Russia Havaneses are still considered an exotic breed because of their small number. There are about 40 purebred dogs of this breed living in Russia.

THE BREED HIGHLIGHTS

1. Havanese is a very positive dog. The main character traits are their friendliness and cheerfulness. They have an open, lively mind and a balanced disposition. They can live in an apartment or in a country house. It is a companion dog for the whole family. The only thing one should keep in mind – they hate to be left alone for long hours and suffer a lot being in isolation.  
2. Havanese adores children and can play with them for hours.
3. High intelligence and a strong nervous system allow havaneses to learn quickly any commands and tricks. The easiest way to conduct training is to arrange it in the form of a game.
4. Havanese has almost no undercoat, so there is no shedding.  
5. Long, silky coat requires a daily brushing with a soft brush or comb. 10-15 minutes.
6. With the proper care, Havaneses are able to live 15-17 years.
7. Another important aspect is their nutrition. It should be a balanced diet of super premium feed.
8. To If you take your Havanese to dog shows, it is prohibited to cut his coat.  
9. Havanese's toy size does not diminish its desire to move constantly. They are quite energetic dogs that need regular active walks. Thanks to its playful disposition, the desire to follow constantly the master, small size and mobility, you can take your pet everywhere, and if necessary, you can always put your dog in a bag or take in your hands. By the way, Havaneses have no fear of water and swim perfectly, so you can easily take your pet to the sea.