| It seems that every country has its own | | | | hairs of the top coat are long and rather |
| history when it comes to dogs and which dogs | | | | wavy. The A.K.C. also allows for the mature |
| become the particular dog which has | | | | Havanese to be shown in a "corded" coat. A |
| flourished in that country. Cuba is no | | | | Corded coat will happen naturally if, as the |
| exception, for it is the native country of | | | | dog is maturing, the coat is allowed to |
| the Havanese. Although the Havanese most | | | | separate itself into parted clumps of hair |
| probably originated with the Spanish settlers | | | | which gradually will wrap around themselves |
| of Cuba many centuries ago as descendants of | | | | over time (usually with human interference) |
| the Bichon Barbichon of Southern Spain , it | | | | and develop into cords. This type of coat is |
| became apparent after many years of | | | | seldom seen on a pet Havanese for it takes a |
| development that the dog was destined to | | | | lot of patience to "train" a coat in this |
| become a unique breed. Because at first | | | | manner. The head is furnished with a beard |
| there seemed to be many of these little toy | | | | and hair which is long over the eyes. This |
| dogs that carried a distinctive coat color of | | | | long hair is believed to protect the eyes of |
| a deep brown similar in color to that of the | | | | the dog from the hot Cuban sun and because of |
| cigar, it is theorized that the name | | | | this 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 the | | | | topknot. The Havanese is not a large dog, at |
| name "Havanese" and it is under this name | | | | the 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 many | | | | inches.This little dog should be jaunty and |
| respects to the Bichon Frize. However the | | | | happy in appearance and of course should have |
| coat color can be of any blend or | | | | a temperament to match. It is a dog that has |
| combination, whereas the Bichon is always | | | | been used through centuries as a family pet |
| white. The coat of the Havanese is long and | | | | and also a herder and protector of the family |
| shaggy and the standards for the show ring | | | | chicken 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. The | | | | one to remain quiet for long, as some small |
| coat is double. However, since this is a | | | | lap 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 but | | | | excels 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 | | | | |