| Topaz will always be a part of DawnGlo |
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| The Original DawnGlo Gang. Topaz. Glo, Icee,Smudge |
Hava-what?
A brief history and description.
The Havanese breed shares ancestry with the Maltese, Bichon Frise and Poodle. The ancestors of the Havanese
can be traced back to Greco-Roman times and it is believed that these dogs originated on the island of Teneriffe, although
the modern version of the breed dates to the 19th century.
Early traders who travelled from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean often carried live animals to use as
barter or, in the case of small dogs, as entree into the homes of the wealthy Island planters. These little dogs were often
given as gifts to the women of the house in the hopes that the husbands and fathers would then look favorably on the wares
offered for trade.
The Spanish aristocracy often sent second sons to the Island of Cuba to seek their fortunes in that
rich and fertile soil. These sons of Spanish "grandees" became, in turn, wealthy in their own right and vast plantations were
carved out of the island soil. The rich planters wives were offered little dogs as gifts by the traders who landed on Cuba
and it is from these ancestors that the Havanese was developed. Thought to be bred from the now-extinct Blanquito de
la Habana or Little White Dog of Havana, this little dog was also known as the Havana Silk Dog. Bred with the Poodle and other
dogs found on the Island of Cuba, by the 19th century the Havanese type had been set and the Bichon Havanese had found its
way into the hearts, not only of the Cubans, but of many residents of Europe. It is said that Queen Victoria and Charles
Dickens owned Havanese and in the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway was said to be a fancier of the breed.
In the mid 1970's the political climate in Cuba changed and many of the wealthy residents left the Island.
Most, believing that they would return soon, left their dogs behind in the care of servants. Some of the refugees,
however, fled with their dogs. In the United States, Mrs. Dorothy Goodale, a resident of Colorado, had become interested
in the breed and was able to initially acquire 6 Cuban Havanese with pedigrees. Subsequently she was able
to obtain another 5 pedigreed Cuban Havanese and it is from these 11 dogs that all Havanese in the United States are
descended. In 1991 the United Kennel Club in the United States recognized the Havanese and accepted, for registration in its
stud, any dogs bred by the Goodales. The American Kennel Club recognized the Havanese in 1996 and the Havanese Club of
America (www.havanese.org) was recognized as the Parent Club for the American Kennel Club-registered Havanese. The American
Kennel Club admitted the Havanese to the Toy Group in 1999.
The little refugee from Cuba has now found its way into the hearts and homes of many fanciers in the
United States as well as around the world. This little dog comes in all colors and color combinations. The topline of the
Havanese is distinctive, being straight but rising slightly from withers to rump rather than being level. The outline of the
Havanese is also distinctive, calling for a dog that is slightly longer than tall, carrying its head high and tail carried
arched over the back. It's silky, profuse, double coat can grow to a length of 9 inches or more if left untrimmed. The size
ranges from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches at the withers. This is a sturdy little dog who delights in being part of a family. Always
ready for a romp in the yard or a snuggle on a lap, the Havanese is equally at home in an apartment as well as the country
or suburbs. Intelligent, friendly, happy, curious and outgoing, the Havanese thrives in most situations but will
not tolerate being left alone for prolonged periods or being ignored.
Are there any drawbacks to owning a Havanese? Anyone contemplating adding a Havanese to the family must
understand that this is a breed that needs and DEMANDS human attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most behavior problems
can be traced to the dog not getting the attention it needs from its owners.
In addition to its "velcro" temperament, the Havanese coat requires a great deal of care, even if kept trimmed.
Because the undercoat is so soft and does not shed, it mats easily even when kept short and a daily session of brushing is
necessary to keep the dog looking neat and well-kept. The problem of matting is especially difficult during the transition
from puppy coat to adult coat and it is possible, during that time, that the owner will have to brush the dog more often than
just once per day to keep the mats under control.
There are some who report that their Havanese puppies are difficult to housebreak. I maintain this is because
the puppies are very small and therefore need to be taken outside more frequently than larger-breed puppies. If the new owner
is committed to giving the Havanese puppy the time and attention it needs to teach it proper house manners, I do not believe
that most Havanese puppies are any more difficult to housetrain than any other breed or mix of breeds. But yes, they do require
more time since due to their small size, they have much less 'storage capacity' and therefore do require very frequent trips
outside, at least in the first 3-4 months.
The Havanese CAN be the perfect breed for the right family, but anyone who is thinking of adding a Havanese
to the household should first take the time to properly research this breed to determine if it will be a good 'fit' for your
circumstances. The breed is far from "perfect" for all situations and it is up to you, if you are thinking of adding
a puppy to the family, to become an educated consumer BEFORE you buy!
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| Icee and Emmy 'dancing'. May 2, 2008 |
| From left:: Fred, Icee, Glo, Smudge |
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| A lazy summer afternoon. July 12, 2009 |
Please remember now and all year long:
Puppies should NEVER be an impulse purchase!
Puppies and dogs are for LIFE, not just for Christmas or a birthday!
| Our daughter, Chrissy, with her two rescues. |
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| Abbie the BoxerBabe and Cody were both starving when they found Chrissy. Look at them now! Xmas 2008 |
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| CH Smudge. She can act like a lady when she wants to - she just rarely wants to! |
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| CH Icee, the other garden fairy |
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| Emmy - DawnGlo Midsummer Morn - is the newest addition to the DawnGlo Gang! |
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