The Havanese, A Rare Miniature Dog Breed

One rare miniature dog breed is the Havanese, also known as the Bichon Havanais or the Havana Silk Dog. These dogs originated in Cuba during the 19th century. Many families in Cuba chose these dogs because of their gentle temperament, long life span, and low chance of health issues. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s this rare dog breed started showing up in the United States. Immigrants from Cuba were bringing their dogs over in small amounts, but the dogs were near to extinct. In the mid 70’s an effort was made by breeders in Florida to revive the friendly, energetic breed to a stronger population. They accomplished this and the breed was officially recognized by the UKC and the AKC in the mid 1990’s.

Grooming a rare miniature dog breed like the Havanese is no easy task. They have long, silky fur that splits easily. Lotions can be purchased to avoid this problem, but this can get costly as well as create more time in the tub for the furry friend. Because this rare miniature dog breed is recognized by major organizations, it can be shown. A show dog requires even more grooming than normal. The hair is not allowed to be trimmed short. Dead hair must be removed with brushing. The teeth of the dog must also be brushed at least weekly.

Although the grooming of this rare miniature dog breed can be tedious, they are wonderful companions for singles and families. They take instruction well, when harsh tones are not used, they are wonderful with children, and get along with an assortment of other pets, to include cats! They even like to sit up in higher places to observe what is going on around them. This rare miniature dog breed is a wonderful addition to any home, and love to be part of the group.

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The Havanese, A Rare Miniature Dog Breed