7 Things You Didn’t Know About the Havanese

Coming in at #10 on PuppySpot’s list of most popular dog breeds is the cute and cuddly Havanese! Bred as companion dogs to Cuban nobility, this dog makes the pawfect breed to snuggle up with at the end of the day. He won’t be content as just a lap dog, though; Havanese are active creatures who love to learn new tricks, and training them will be a blast! Want to know more about this lovable breed? We’ve come up with 7 facts you have to know about Havanese!

1. They are the only dog breed native to Cuba.
Also known as the Havana Silk Dog, the Havanese is Cuba’s only native breed. They come from the city of Havana, after which they were named. The breed suffered from near extinction until Cubans who fled from their country during the Revolution of 1959 brought just a handful of the dogs to the US.

2. Their silky coats serve a purpose.
The coat of the furry Havanese is long, silky and seemingly quite warm. In reality, the coat is not there for warmth, but for his protection. The dog’s silky fur provides a protective barrier from the sun that prevents him from overheating.

3. They are easily trained.
While small, these dogs can be trained to do some big jobs! They’re often used as service dogs for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and they have even been used to sniff out mold and termites.

4. They’re good for people with allergies.
Because Havanese have silky hair that grows continuously instead of the typical dog fur, they can be much less irritating to people with allergies to dogs. Beware, however; like all dogs, Havanese still shed and cannot be considered hypoallergenic.

5. They have a spring to their step.
Havanese have a literal spring to their step. They have a naturally bouncy gait that is unique to the breed, almost like bunnies. They even hop!

6. They’re attached to their owners.
Havanese love sticking by their owner’s side so much that they’ve earned the name “Velcro dog.” They’re true companion dogs who have offered their cuddles to humans since warming the laps of Cuban aristocracy during the 1800’s.

7. They live long lives.
Havanese are sturdy dogs with relatively low health problems for a toy breed. They typically live from 10-15 years.

Are there any other facts about the Havanese we forgot to share? Comment below!

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