Havanese

art of the Bichon family, Havanese are small dogs that first came from the Mediterranean during ancient times. Spanish traders brought the dogs to Cuba as gifts for women, allowing them to establish trading relationships. In Cuba, they were pampered as the special pets of the wealthy. 

Some found their way back to Europe where they were called White Cubans. They were popular as lap dog companions of the aristocracy as well as performing dogs in the circus. The breed declined throughout Europe and even Cuba before families left Fidel Castro’s regime to head to America with their Havanese in the 1950s and 1960s. Most present-day Havanese descend from these dogs.

Bred as companion dogs, these silky lap lovers love owners who are home most of the day. Havanese need daily exercise and have high grooming needs. They learn quickly and eagerly and are great dogs for first-time owners.

If you have a half hour a day to exercise your Havanese, they’ll be happy, especially if you vary your walks and give them plenty to see and sniff. They will adore games, training, and playtime, but most important to them is to be with their owners no matter what they are doing or where they are going.

These small dogs love playing and training, both of which can be done in smaller spaces. So long as they have access to the outdoors for potty time and walks, they’ll be happy. They are happiest so long as they’re next to their owners.

A Havanese coat is soft, silky, and long. It can be wavy or with a light curl. Daily brushing can keep the coat tangle-free and shiny. They’ll need regular baths and perhaps professional grooming, depending on how you want them cut. It’s important to train them to respond well to grooming.

They might be small pups but their personality is huge—and it shines through in training. They’re capable of high levels of training thanks to their history as circus performers, and they thrive in dog sports, heelwork, and agility competitions. They need their brains exercised to be satisfied. They’re lap dogs but ambitious about pleasing their owners and can pull off almost any task they’re asked to do.

Havanese are wonderful family dogs, affable and adaptable in most situations. So long as you meet their exercise and mental stimulation requirements, they’ll be happy. Grooming can get expensive if you have it professionally done but the trade-off is a cheerful, easygoing dog that’s perfect for first-time dog owners and families of any size.

The cost of a Havanese from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.