Additonal Breeds Starting
With Letter:
Sponsor
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COUNTRY:
Cuba
WEIGHT:
7-12 pounds
HEIGHT:
S-lOVz inches
COAT:
Profuse, wavy to curly, double-coated
COLOR:
Wide variety of colors or color
combinations
OTHER
NAMES: Bichon Havanais, Havana Silk Dog
REGISTRY:
FCI
GROUP:
Gun Dog
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These charmers
descended from bichon types of the Old World, but there is some argument
about which specific type was the origin. Most researchers say they came
with the Spanish as they colonized the West Indies, which would probably
point to Tenerife and the Bichon Frise as the progenitors. But Cubans
seem to feel the dog originally came to their island with Italian sea
captains, thus pointing to Malta or Bologna as the source. Captains often
carried illegal contraband to be sold to wealthy Cuban families. "Hence,
the entree gift of one of these precious little dogs to the wealthy Sefioras
[sic] opened the doors of her home to them."
The Havanese was soon a favorite
of the very wealthy, and a frequent sight in the palaces and country
estates. Catalina Laza, the wife of a wealthy Cuban sugar mill baron,
raised the dogs for her own pleasure and to present to society friends.
When the Cuban Revolution threatened the existence of these dogs and
their owners, they were smuggled out by families fleeing their homeland.
Quite rare today, they are now being revived and promoted by fanciers
in the USA who have formed the Havanese Club of America.
Temperament
for this breed is similar to all its bichon cousins—charming, intelligent
and alert. Adults can be aloof with strangers. The Havanese has been
known to guard children heroically and is a loving and devoted companion.
Natural clowns, they are superb circus and trick dogs. Like the Bolognese,
they make good watchdogs because of their alert demeanor and close relationship
with their owners. One owner says they are "fantastic little friends."
Their sturdiness and longevity make extra pluses as companions and their
brilliance of colors, including cream, gold, silver, blue, black, chocolate
(appropriately called "tobacco brown"), the rare white, or
combinations of these adds to their appeal. Modern show dogs are kept
free of tangles, but any trimming, fussing or coiffmg is prohibited.
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