What bichon-type breed is the national dog of Cuba?

The Havanese is the bichon-type breed that is the national dog of Cuba.

The breed developed in Cuba from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana, or “little white dog of Havana.” That earlier dog was associated with bichon-type dogs brought by Spanish colonists, and the Havanese became a cherished companion of Cuban families and the aristocracy.

The breed’s modern history was nearly derailed by the Cuban Revolution. Only a small number of Havanese reached the United States, and American breeders reportedly worked with a gene pool of just 11 dogs in the 1970s. Careful breeding and later imports helped rebuild the population, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1996.

A common mix-up is the name “Havana Silk Dog.” Although the terms sound similar, the Havanese and Havana Silk Dog are treated as separate breeds. Havanese are also not the same as Maltese or other bichon relatives, even though their small size and silky coats can look alike.