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All Dog Breeds >>History of Havanese

As part of the Cuban Revolution, trappings of aristocracy were culled, including the pretty but useless fluffy family dogs of the wealthy land owners. As upper-class Cubans fled to the United States, few were able to bring their dogs or had the inclination to breed them. When Americans became interested in this rare and charming dog in the 1970s, the US gene pool was only 11 animals. With dedicated breeding, the acquisition of some new dogs internationally, the Havanese has made a huge comeback and is one of the fastest growing registration of new dogs in the American Kennel Club (AKC) (+42% in 2004).

They have also acquired a certain level of trendiness due to rarity, temperament, and publicity by such famous owners as Barbara Walters. The Havanese is recognized by major registries in the English-speaking world. In addition to the American Kennel Club, it is recognized by The Kennel Club (UK), the Australian National Kennel Council, the New Zealand Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club (US), and was recognized as Bichon Havanais, breed number 250, by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 2006.