| It seems that every country has its own history | | | | guard hairs of the top coat are long and rather wavy. |
| when it comes to dogs and which dogs become the | | | | The A.K.C. also allows for the mature Havanese to be |
| particular dog which has flourished in that country. | | | | shown in a "corded" coat. A Corded coat will happen |
| Cuba is no exception, for it is the native country of | | | | naturally if, as the dog is maturing, the coat is allowed |
| the Havanese. Although the Havanese most probably | | | | to separate itself into parted clumps of hair which |
| originated with the Spanish settlers of Cuba many | | | | gradually will wrap around themselves over time |
| centuries ago as descendants of the Bichon | | | | (usually with human interference) and develop into |
| Barbichon of Southern Spain , it became apparent | | | | cords. This type of coat is seldom seen on a pet |
| after many years of development that the dog was | | | | Havanese for it takes a lot of patience to "train" a |
| destined to become a unique breed. Because at first | | | | coat in this manner. The head is furnished with a |
| there seemed to be many of these little toy dogs | | | | beard and hair which is long over the eyes. This long |
| that carried a distinctive coat color of a deep brown | | | | hair is believed to protect the eyes of the dog from |
| similar in color to that of the cigar, it is theorized that | | | | the hot Cuban sun and because of this it has become |
| the name "Havanese" came from the name "Havana | | | | tradition for this breed to leave the hair in a loose fall |
| Brown" which is the first known name of the dog. | | | | over the eyes rather than pulling it back into a |
| Eventually this name was popularized into the name | | | | topknot. The Havanese is not a large dog, at the |
| "Havanese" and it is under this name that the dog is | | | | withers the height should not be over 11 and a half |
| now recognized as an A.K.C. breed. | | | | inches, the minimum being 8 inches. |
| This little dog is similar in many respects to the Bichon | | | | This little dog should be jaunty and happy in |
| Frize. However the coat color can be of any blend or | | | | appearance and of course should have a |
| combination, whereas the Bichon is always white. The | | | | temperament to match. It is a dog that has been |
| coat of the Havanese is long and shaggy and the | | | | used through centuries as a family pet and also a |
| standards for the show ring require that the coat not | | | | herder and protector of the family chicken flock, a |
| be clipped, altered, or tampered with in any way. The | | | | task which it can perform quite well. It is an active |
| coat is double. However, since this is a bred that has | | | | breed and not one to remain quiet for long, as some |
| lived for years in the tropics, the double coat is not | | | | small lap dogs do. This little dog is quite intelligent and |
| "hard" or woolly but is soft and silkyin appearance | | | | does well at tricks and also excels in such ring sports |
| and texture, rather like that of a single coat. The | | | | as obedience and agility and flyball. |