May 17, 2011
by Mike Barnes
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The Havanese breed originated in Cuba and is still recognized as the national dog of Cuba. The history of the breed is nearly as old as the exploration of America itself. Following Columbus, one group of early European settlers to Cuba came from Tenerife, itself a small island under Spanish rule in the chain of islands now collectively known as the Canary Islands. It is thought that the four-legged companions of these settlers began the breed now known as the Havanese. The breed (then known as the Blanquito de la Hablana, or Havanese Silk Dog) continued more or less unchanged until the 19th century, when they were bred with French and German poodles to produce the breed as it is today. Facing a serious threat as a distinct breed following the political and social upheaval of the Cuban Revolution, the breed was pulled back from the brink of extinction by a concerned breeder in America with a group of only 11 dogs. Their numbers have rebounded since that time, and the Havanese regularly rank in the top 50 of registered breeds in America based on total numbers. Continue reading →