Where Are Havanese Dogs From?
The Havanese found their way to Cuba on trips with Spanish farmers and Italian noblemen in the early 1500s. They were initially used as bargaining items, and are believed to have descended from the Bichon Tenerife and the Poodle. They became popular among the wealthiest Cubans and were named after capital city of Havana. They became the national dog of Cuba in 1993, and were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996.
Because of their trainability, they can be used as service dogs for the deaf, and to sniff out mold, bugs, and vermin.