Havanese

The Havanese is Cuba's national dog — a cheerful, gentle, and highly social companion that thrives on human interaction. They are one of the most trainable small breeds and excel at therapy work. Their hypoallergenic coat and adaptable nature make them ideal city dogs.

30-60 minutes of daily exercise. They enjoy walks and indoor play.

Brush daily to prevent tangles. Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. Many owners keep them in a short 'puppy cut.'

Coat type: Silky, wavy to curly coat in any color

Generally healthy and long-lived. Patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and cataracts are the main concerns.

The Havanese is descended from the Blanquito de la Habana ('little white dog of Havana'), a now-extinct breed brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers in the 16th century. They became the companion dogs of Cuban aristocracy and were known as 'Havana Silk Dogs' for their silky coat. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuban refugees brought their Havanese to the US, where the breed was revived from a small founding population.

• 1

  The Havanese is Cuba's only native dog breed and the country's national dog.

• 2

  After the Cuban Revolution, the breed nearly went extinct — it was revived in the US from dogs brought by Cuban refugees.

• 3

  Havanese were historically called 'Havana Silk Dogs' for their silky, flowing coat.

• 4

  They are one of the most trainable small breeds — they excel at agility, obedience, and trick training.

• 5

  Famous Havanese owners include Ernest Hemingway, who kept them during his years in Cuba.

Owning a Havanese is a long-term financial commitment. Here's a realistic breakdown of what to budget for.

* Estimates based on national averages. Costs vary by location, lifestyle, and individual health needs. Emergency vet visits are not included.

Havanese popularity has grown steadily as allergy-sensitive families discover their hypoallergenic coat and exceptional trainability. They consistently rank in the top 25 AKC breeds and are popular therapy and emotional support dogs.

Products marked with SmartPaws Recommended are ones we've independently reviewed and recommend across the site. All Amazon links include our affiliate tag — purchases support SmartPaws at no extra cost to you.