Spend your holiday in Cuba


The Havanese, Dog of Cuba

It seems that every country has its ownhairs of the top coat are long and rather
history when it comes to dogs and which dogswavy. The A.K.C. also allows for the mature
become the particular dog which hasHavanese to be shown in a "corded" coat. A
flourished in that country. Cuba is noCorded coat will happen naturally if, as the
exception, for it is the native country ofdog is maturing, the coat is allowed to
the Havanese. Although the Havanese mostseparate itself into parted clumps of hair
probably originated with the Spanish settlerswhich gradually will wrap around themselves
of Cuba many centuries ago as descendants ofover time (usually with human interference)
the Bichon Barbichon of Southern Spain , itand develop into cords. This type of coat is
became apparent after many years ofseldom seen on a pet Havanese for it takes a
development that the dog was destined tolot of patience to "train" a coat in this
become a unique breed. Because at firstmanner. The head is furnished with a beard
there seemed to be many of these little toyand hair which is long over the eyes. This
dogs that carried a distinctive coat color oflong hair is believed to protect the eyes of
a deep brown similar in color to that of thethe dog from the hot Cuban sun and because of
cigar, it is theorized that the namethis it has become tradition for this breed
"Havanese" came from the name "Havana Brown"to leave the hair in a loose fall over the
which is the first known name of the dog.eyes rather than pulling it back into a
Eventually this name was popularized into thetopknot. The Havanese is not a large dog, at
name "Havanese" and it is under this namethe withers the height should not be over 11
that the dog is now recognized as an A.K.C.and a half inches, the minimum being 8
breed.This little dog is similar in manyinches.This little dog should be jaunty and
respects to the Bichon Frize. However thehappy in appearance and of course should have
coat color can be of any blend ora temperament to match. It is a dog that has
combination, whereas the Bichon is alwaysbeen used through centuries as a family pet
white. The coat of the Havanese is long andand also a herder and protector of the family
shaggy and the standards for the show ringchicken flock, a task which it can perform
require that the coat not be clipped,quite well. It is an active breed and not
altered, or tampered with in any way. Theone to remain quiet for long, as some small
coat is double. However, since this is alap dogs do. This little dog is quite
bred that has lived for years in the tropics,intelligent and does well at tricks and also
the double coat is not "hard" or woolly butexcels in such ring sports as obedience and
is soft and silkyin appearance and texture,agility and flyball.
rather like that of a single coat. The guard



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