

They were accepted into the American Kennel Club starting in 1996. when communists took over Cuba, causing Cubans to flee.Īll the U.S. Meanwhile in Cuba, Havanese were becoming family dogs and have been companions for humans ever since.Ībout 11 dogs were brought to the U.S. It is said that Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens both owned Havanese. Then, by the 18th century, European visitors to Cuba started bringing the dogs back to European courts. They adapted to the climate of Cuba and are very heat-tolerant, thanks to their unique silky coat. They probably originate from the Tenerife dog, which is the common ancestor of all Bichon family breeds. Spanish settlers going to Cuba in the 1600s brought the lap dogs with them. It is the only native dog breed of Cuba and, therefore, Cuba’s national dog. Like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, this is an old breed.

The breed standard was created in 1928, and the breed received recognition from the U.K.’s Kennel Club in 1945. He offered prizes at dog shows for the old style, but it took a long time before that type of dog returned and a breed club was founded for the newly named (but old-school) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He wanted a dog with a long face, flat skull, and a spot in the center of the forehead. Only he couldn’t find the type of dog he was looking for. American Bringing British Tradition Backīut an American named Roswell Eldridge went to England to look for the original Toy Spaniel stock. They are also called the King Charles Spaniel. Over time, though, Toy Spaniels went out of fashion.Īnd breeding was a bit haphazard, but led to a different kind of spaniel with a shorter face and domed skull. They appear in many old paintings from the 16th century on.Ĭharles II loved them so much that he decreed specimens of the breed should be accepted in any public place in England – a rule still in existence!

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel descends from the Toy Spaniels that King Charles II of England favored. So let’s take a quick look at both breeds that make up your Cavanese sweetheart! Some say they started being bred in the 1980s, when such mixes were becoming more popular.īut if you’re interested in a designer dog breed, you should know a few things.įirst, the Cavanese is a first generation mix, which means that it is half one breed, half the other. The origins of this designer dog breed aren’t clear. Let’s look at their history, their personalities, their needs, their health, and more! Where Does the Cavanese Come From? If you’re looking to add one of these pretty pooches to your family, what do you need to know? Trouble naming your pint-sized pup? Click here to find the very best small dog names!
