Havanese: Cuba's national dog, brought back from extinction out of Miami

In 1959, when the Cuban revolution upended life on the island, thousands of families emigrated to the United States carrying only the essentials. A few of them boarded with their dog: a small silky bichon that had spent more than two hundred years at the side of Havana's aristocracy and merchant class. On the island the national dog drifted toward extinction over the next two decades, undone by the loss of breeders and the change in the country's social makeup. What saved the breed was a count carried out in Florida in the late 1970s by two American breeders, Dorothy and Bert Goodale, who tracked down eleven surviving dogs in the homes of Cuban exiles in Miami. From those eleven descend, through breeding coordinated with European breeders during the 1980s, the thousands of Havanese found around the world today. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed under FCI Standard No. 250 in 1963, and the American Kennel Club admitted it to the Toy Group in 1996. The history matters because the genetic bottleneck of eleven founders explains much of the hereditary disease the breed still carries.

What the breed looks like

Small, sturdy for its size, slightly longer than tall, with a distinctive look that comes from the long silky coat. Males and females stand 8.5 to 11.5 inches (23 to 29 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 7 to 13 lb (3 to 6 kg). The length-to-height proportion of roughly 9 to 8, visibly longer than tall, sets the Havanese apart from the other bichons (Maltese, Bolognese, Bichon Frise) that read as more square.

The coat is the breed's signature. Double, with a sparse undercoat and a long outer coat (5 to 7 in on adults), soft, straight or slightly wavy, never tight-curled. The AKC standard accepts all colors and combinations: pure white, fawn in every shade, black, chocolate, silver, tobacco, parti-color. Coat pigment can lighten with age, a phenomenon known as "color change" that surprises owners who buy a chocolate puppy and find a coffee-with-milk adult two years later.

The eyes are large and dark (hazel in chocolate or cream dogs), with a lively expression. The ears are medium, dropped, covered in long hair. The tail rides in an arc over the back, forming a silky plume.

What the temperament is like

Cheerful, bonded, sociable, playful, adaptable. The Havanese temperament is the lap dog in its fullest sense: it lives to keep its human company, reads their mood, seeks physical contact, and settles into the rhythm of the household without complaint. Standardized canine temperament testing places it among the toy breeds with the strongest sociability toward strangers, similar to the Bichon Frise and ahead of the Maltese.

With the family the bond is intense and shared. Unlike the Chihuahua, which tends to pick one primary owner, the Havanese spreads its affection across everyone in the house. With visitors it is welcoming rather than a defensive barker, except in poorly socialized dogs. With other dogs and with cats it usually lives well when introduced from puppyhood. It is one of the few toy breeds that gets along reasonably with large, calm dogs.

Trainability is high. The breed scores above average in obedience for toy dogs, based on AKC rally and obedience competition results. Historically the Havanese worked as a circus dog: the Havana circus presented these dogs in balancing and jumping acts in the late 19th century. That aptitude survives, and it shows up as an easy grasp of tricks, basic commands, and complex sequences under positive reinforcement. Physical punishment destroys its motivation fast.

Separation anxiety is the breed's most documented behavior problem. Centuries of selection as a constant companion mean that more than six to eight hours alone at a stretch exceeds what most individuals tolerate. Continuous barking, obsessive paw licking, and inappropriate urination are the typical signs.

What health problems the breed has

The genetic bottleneck of eleven founders left its mark. Seven hereditary conditions show up at prevalence above the canine average.

Patellar luxation. The Havanese Club of America puts prevalence around 6 to 8 percent in evaluated dogs. Intermittent lameness when jumping. Corrective surgery in grades III to IV. OFA evaluation recommended before breeding.

Hereditary cataracts. The most common eye condition in the breed, per breed health committee reporting. Onset from age two in untested lines. Annual ophthalmologic exam of sire and dam before breeding. Phacoemulsification surgery carries success rates of 85 to 90 percent in small dogs.

Hip and elbow dysplasia. Surprising in a dog under 13 lb, but OFA documents prevalence around 10 percent in the hip and 6 percent in the elbow, high numbers for the size. Official radiographs before breeding are standard among serious breeders.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Progressive blindness in adults. A breed-specific DNA test has been available since 2014. Any breeder should hand over the result.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, typical of small breeds. Onset between 4 and 12 months. Progressive one-sided lameness. Femoral head excision surgery resolves most cases.

Unilateral congenital deafness. Associated with extensive white coat and lack of pigment at the base. The BAER test (brainstem auditory response) is available in puppies from four weeks. Unilateral deafness is compatible with a near-normal life; bilateral deafness calls for adjusted handling.

Atopy and food allergies. Rising prevalence reported in veterinary dermatology over the past decade. The long coat traps environmental allergens.

Documented lifespan runs 14 to 16 years, with verified cases of 17 to 18. The Royal Veterinary College VetCompass study places the Havanese among the longest-lived breeds. Longevity holds up when the screening tests above are done before breeding and when the individual dog lives at a healthy weight.

What grooming looks like

Grooming is the factor first-time buyers most underrate. The Havanese coat needs daily or near-daily brushing when kept at full length. Mats form within days in the armpits, behind the ears, on the chest, and in the leg feathering. Once formed, they do not brush out: they have to be cut.

Two realistic options:

Full coat, traditional Cuban presentation. Daily brushing with a bristle brush and a pin comb. Bath every two to three weeks with a paraben-free shampoo and a gentle conditioner. Full blow-dry on low heat. Time invested: 15 to 20 minutes a day plus an hour for the biweekly bath and dry. This is the canonical option for the show ring.

Puppy cut, 1 to 2 in uniform. Scissored or clipped every six to eight weeks. Brushing two or three times a week. Bath every three or four weeks. This is the majority choice among non-show owners. Professional grooming runs about $50 to $90 per session in the US, five or six sessions a year.

Dental care three times a week at a minimum. Veterinary dental cleaning once a year from age three: the breed builds tartar easily. Tear-duct care matters too: white or cream dogs develop reddish-brown stains in the hair under the eye unless it is wiped daily with saline.

How much exercise it needs

30 to 45 minutes a day is enough. Two short walks beat one long walk, as with the rest of the toy breeds. The Havanese enjoys indoor play and learns quickly to entertain itself with fetch toys. It makes a good candidate for mini-agility, advanced tricks, and rally obedience.

Apartment adaptation is excellent. It needs company far more than square footage. A small apartment with frequent human presence is a better environment than a large house with a yard where the dog spends long hours alone.

Is it good with children?

Yes, with two caveats. The breed is patient, playful, and attentive to children. Veterinary emergencies from crushing or falls are less common than in the Chihuahua because the Havanese carries a bit more body mass (7 to 13 lb) and a sturdier frame, but the risk is still real with very young children. The practical recommendation: households with children over six, active supervision with anyone younger.

The second caveat is logistical: children usually lose interest in daily brushing within a few weeks. If the decision to get a Havanese rests on a child's promise of "I'll brush it," the responsible adult should assume the job will fall to them.

What it costs and how to choose a good breeder

A well-bred Havanese from health-tested parents costs $1,500 to $3,500 in 2026 from an AKC-registered breeder. The breed is uncommon in the US, and serious breeders typically run a 6 to 12 month waitlist. Below $1,000, suspect informal breeding or import without testing.

The questions a serious breeder answers without hesitation:

Official hip and elbow certification (OFA) on both parents.
Annual ophthalmologic exam with current certificate.
PRA DNA test and BAER hearing test.
Patellar evaluation (OFA).
Placement age no younger than 9 weeks, with a socialization protocol between weeks 4 and 8.
Line longevity history: how many dogs in the last two generations passed 14 years?

Estimated annual cost for a healthy adult in the US:

Premium small-breed food: $400-700.
Routine veterinary care: $400-800.
Professional grooming (cut every 8 weeks plus biweekly bath if outsourced): $400-900.
Care products and toys: $150-250.
Pet insurance: $250-450.

Total: $1,600-3,100 a year without unexpected conditions.

Havanese fact sheet

Block	Item	Value
Identification	Canonical name	Havanese
	Other names	Havanese, Bichon Havanais, Havaneser
	Country of origin	Cuba
	AKC group	Toy Group (recognized 1996)
	FCI standard	No. 250
	FCI group	9 (Companion and Toy Dogs)
	FCI section	1 (Bichons and related)
	FCI recognition	1963
Physical	Weight	7-13 lb (3-6 kg)
	Height at shoulder	8.5-11.5 in (23-29 cm)
	Length-to-height ratio	9 to 8 (slightly long)
	Coat	Double, long silky outer coat
	Accepted colors	All colors and combinations
Health	Lifespan	14-16 years
	Maximum lifespan	17-18 years
	Patellar luxation	6-8 percent
	Hereditary cataracts	Most common bichon eye condition
	Hip dysplasia	About 10 percent in untested dogs
	Unilateral congenital deafness	Associated with extensive white coat
	Recommended pre-breeding tests	OFA hip and elbow, BAER, PRA DNA, ophthalmologic
Temperament	Energy	Moderate
	Trainability	High
	Barking	Moderate (alerting, not compulsive)
	Reactivity to strangers	Low (welcoming)
	Gets along with other dogs	Good
	Gets along with cats	Good
	Gets along with children	Good (over 6 preferred)
	Tolerance for being alone	Low (separation anxiety common)
Lifestyle	Daily exercise	30-45 minutes
	Apartment-friendly	Yes, ideal
	Heat tolerance	Moderate
	Cold tolerance	Moderate
	Coat care	Daily or near-daily brushing, biweekly bath
	Tooth brushing	3 times a week minimum
US market	Puppy price 2026	$1,500-3,500
	Reputable breeder waitlist	6-12 months
	Estimated annual cost	$1,600-3,100

Is the Havanese for you?

It fits if you live in an apartment or house with frequent human presence, have 15 minutes a day for brushing (or the budget for monthly professional grooming), want a cheerful, well-socialized companion that lives without drama alongside other animals and children, and accept the upfront investment in a puppy from a reputable breeder to minimize hereditary disease. It does not fit if you spend more than six hours at a stretch away from home, if daily brushing strikes you as an unbearable chore, or if you expected a low-maintenance coat.

FAQ

How long does a Havanese live? 14 to 16 years on average, with verified cases of 17 to 18 in carefully screened lines. VetCompass places the Havanese among the longest-lived toy breeds.

Is it hypoallergenic? It tends to be tolerated better than breeds with seasonal shedding because it sheds little, but it produces normal dander and saliva. People with mild allergies generally do fine; people with severe allergies should spend several hours with an adult dog before deciding.

Is it a good breed for seniors? Excellent, as long as the person has the hands for brushing or the budget for professional grooming. The breed's intense bonding and tolerance for small spaces make the Havanese one of the best companions for active retirees.

Why is it called Havanese if the breed came from the Mediterranean? The original ancestors are the Maltese and Bolognese that Spanish colonists brought to Cuba during the 18th century. Two hundred years of selection in Havana's tropical climate produced a distinct breed, adapted to heat and carrying the characteristic silky coat. The name honors the Cuban capital.

Are there still Havanese in Cuba? Few. The Cuban kennel federation has tried to rebuild local breeding since the 1990s with support from the Havanese Club of America, which has donated dogs from American lines. The current Cuban population of pedigreed Havanese is in the range of 300 to 400 active breeding dogs.