History of the Havanese

The Havanese is the  National dog of Cuba.  The breed originated in Cuba from an earlier breed known as Blanquito de la Habana, named after the famous port that was visited over the centuries by ships and crews from all parts of the world. They  became  integrated with other dogs in many other parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, Spain, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, England, West Indies, South America, Asia, and the US.

There is a long and involved history of the evolution of the Havanese, starting in the 16-19th centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries Poodles started to arrive in Cuba in great numbers, and the Blanquito de la Habana, and  began it’s real transformation.  The Bichon, Poodle, and Maltese, Lowchen, Coton De Tulear,  etc. all played a significant part in the evolution of the Havanese as we know it today.

In the 1970’s , systematic breeding of the Havanese, started in the US.  In 1979, the Goodle family founded the Havanese Club of America, and in 1991, the United Kennel Club in the US recognized the Havanese breed only if they were registered by the Goodles. The Havanese Club of America was then recognized by the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) and  in 1996.  The Havanese is considered to be a Toy breed, and are relatively new to the AKC registry.

Throughout the years they are becoming more well known and **** eagerly becoming a sought after breed.