History of the Havanese
The Havanese is part of the Bishon family of small breeds which originated in the Mediterranean area in pre-Christian times. They consist of several distinct breeds: Maltese, Bishon Frise, Havanese, Lowchen, Coton de Tulear and Bolognese.
During the days of the Spanish empire, Bishons were first brought to Cuba by the Italian sea captains during that island's Spanish occupation who carried them on board for entertainment and to further their personal trade. They were used as presents to the women of wealthy Cuban homes to gain entry to the aristocratic Cuban homes that were otherwise closed to the outsiders. Hence, the entrée gift of one of these precious little dogs to the wealthy senoras opened the doors of her home to them. Sea captains were able to establish lucrative trade relationships with the rich Cuban families.
These little dogs soon became known as Havanese, probably named for the large port in Havana. They lived exclusively in the mansions of the highest social class of people. They became the "added touch" to a well-bred lady's ensemble. Leaving to go for a carriage ride without your little fur ball would be like going out without your jewelry. They were only given as gifts...never sold. So precious were they to their families, Havanese dogs were never seen on the streets or public areas. They lived in the rooms and interior courtyards of the wealthy tropical homes. The tropical environment of their homeland appears to have influenced the Havanese development, specifically their unique coat texture. Once called the Havana Silk Dog, or the Spanish Silk Poodle, the coat is like raw silk floss, profuse, but extrememly light and soft, insulating and protective of the harsh tropical rays. The Havanese became a family dog extrordinaire, playmate of children, watchdog, and herder of the family poultry flock.
When life started to change in Cuba, many of the wealthy moved to other countries including Europe taking their precious dogs with them. The Havanese was known as "White Cuban" and became very popular and recognized by the European Kennel Club. For a while they were used in circuses as trick dogs throughout Europe, but eventually they became almost extinct even in their native Cuba.
Only three families were known to have left Cuba with their Havanese during the political turmoil of the 1950's and 60s - Perez and Fantasio families, who were the first Havanese breeders in the US and Senior Barba, a Cuban gentleman who was the first Havanese breeder in Costa Rica. These three exiled families worked together in Florida and Costa Rica for over a decade to preserve the breed, and by the end of the 70s a gene pool was being rebuilt. By 1974 eleven dogs, representing three different bloodlines were gathered from these sources to extablish a breeding program by Dorothy Goodale and her husband, Burt. After they spent years investigating elusive references to these little dogs, Dorothy and Burt chanced upon an advertisement for six pedigreed Havanese: a bitch with four female pups and a young unrelated male. Mrs. Goodale placed advertisements in Latin papers offering to purchase Havanese and received only one response. Senior Barba who was moving from Costa Rica to Texas couldn't manage to maintain his canine family. He agreed to sell his five males to the Goodales. An experienced breeder, she began working with the 11 Havanese she obtained. In 1996 the Havanese became a recognized breed of the AKC.
What a wonderful history and it gives us all something to live up to. These precious pups have remained virtually unchanged from the dogs painted in the 18th Century. They are still the playful, intelligent and mischievous family dogs of years past. To preserve it for the future is our challenge.
During the days of the Spanish empire, Bishons were first brought to Cuba by the Italian sea captains during that island's Spanish occupation who carried them on board for entertainment and to further their personal trade. They were used as presents to the women of wealthy Cuban homes to gain entry to the aristocratic Cuban homes that were otherwise closed to the outsiders. Hence, the entrée gift of one of these precious little dogs to the wealthy senoras opened the doors of her home to them. Sea captains were able to establish lucrative trade relationships with the rich Cuban families.
These little dogs soon became known as Havanese, probably named for the large port in Havana. They lived exclusively in the mansions of the highest social class of people. They became the "added touch" to a well-bred lady's ensemble. Leaving to go for a carriage ride without your little fur ball would be like going out without your jewelry. They were only given as gifts...never sold. So precious were they to their families, Havanese dogs were never seen on the streets or public areas. They lived in the rooms and interior courtyards of the wealthy tropical homes. The tropical environment of their homeland appears to have influenced the Havanese development, specifically their unique coat texture. Once called the Havana Silk Dog, or the Spanish Silk Poodle, the coat is like raw silk floss, profuse, but extrememly light and soft, insulating and protective of the harsh tropical rays. The Havanese became a family dog extrordinaire, playmate of children, watchdog, and herder of the family poultry flock.
When life started to change in Cuba, many of the wealthy moved to other countries including Europe taking their precious dogs with them. The Havanese was known as "White Cuban" and became very popular and recognized by the European Kennel Club. For a while they were used in circuses as trick dogs throughout Europe, but eventually they became almost extinct even in their native Cuba.
Only three families were known to have left Cuba with their Havanese during the political turmoil of the 1950's and 60s - Perez and Fantasio families, who were the first Havanese breeders in the US and Senior Barba, a Cuban gentleman who was the first Havanese breeder in Costa Rica. These three exiled families worked together in Florida and Costa Rica for over a decade to preserve the breed, and by the end of the 70s a gene pool was being rebuilt. By 1974 eleven dogs, representing three different bloodlines were gathered from these sources to extablish a breeding program by Dorothy Goodale and her husband, Burt. After they spent years investigating elusive references to these little dogs, Dorothy and Burt chanced upon an advertisement for six pedigreed Havanese: a bitch with four female pups and a young unrelated male. Mrs. Goodale placed advertisements in Latin papers offering to purchase Havanese and received only one response. Senior Barba who was moving from Costa Rica to Texas couldn't manage to maintain his canine family. He agreed to sell his five males to the Goodales. An experienced breeder, she began working with the 11 Havanese she obtained. In 1996 the Havanese became a recognized breed of the AKC.
What a wonderful history and it gives us all something to live up to. These precious pups have remained virtually unchanged from the dogs painted in the 18th Century. They are still the playful, intelligent and mischievous family dogs of years past. To preserve it for the future is our challenge.