The Heroic Comeback of the Havanese in America
Nov 24
As the national dog of Cuba, the Havanese has had to endure a colorful and sometimes frightening past. It’s strength of character along with a strong desire to prevail allowed it to endure civil unrest and come out unscathed. Remarkably, the breed remained strong and despite the odds, has become one of the fastest growing breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Cheers to the Havanese! For anyone who has ever been lucky enough to enjoy the energy, affection and unconditional love of this stunning breed, we celebrate the heroic comeback of the Havanese in America.
A Tragic Beginning
A member of the Bichon family of dogs, the Havanese is truly a remarkable little animal, having endured more than its share of tragedy and despair. From its very beginnings in Cuba, it quickly earned a place in the hearts of many, sharing the wealth and opulence of the most fortunate. Havanese were considered part of the family and spent lazy days and peaceful nights enjoying some of the finest foods, affection and company. Unfortunately, the good life came to an abrupt end as the onset of the Cuban Revolution forced many upper class elites to leave. As the wealthy class fled to America, many of them were unable to take their beloved dogs and the poor Havanese was left behind to defend themselves in an uncertain environment.
A Heroic Reemergence
As years went by, the Havanese wouldn’t stay quiet for long. Leave it to the breed to bring attention to itself, getting people to stand up and take notice. In the 1970’s as American breeders began to take an interest in the Havanese, there were only ten or eleven in existence in the United states. Nevertheless, despite the odds, the breed began to expand its gene pool. Slowly but surely, the Havanese worked its way back into existence. Today, the headstrong Havenese has remained true to its original ancestors, keeping mostly unchanged after years of unsettled existence. Today, the Havanese breed is far from being left behind. With countless American families loving and caring for their perfect pet.
The Havanese Gives Back
As a testament to the strong will and dedication of the Havanese, many work in unusual circumstances. In fact, few people realize that in addition to the loving nature and gregarious outlook of the Havanese, they provide some pretty important support to people in need. Havanese have been known to work as therapy dogs, providing comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes or nursing homes. Creating a friendly, gentle, compassionate environment for those who may need some cheering up, the Havanese is an especially perfect caregiver. In addition, some have even served as assistance dogs or tracking dogs for the hearing impaired.
Once called the Havana Silk Dog, the modern day Havanese is one of the fastest growing breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). With a gregarious outlook complemented by a spirited dedication and compassionate nature, the Havanese should be appreciated for its colorful past and its heroic comeback.
