The Havanese (aka) Bichon Havanese or Havana Silk Dog. Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, and a relative newcomer to the US dog world, having been registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995.

They're small, ranging from around seven to 13 pounds, and their long but non-shedding coat comes in a variety of colors, including White, cream, champagne, black, black and tan, blue, gold, chocolate, and tri-colored. Havanese origins can be traced to the Mediterranean.

Havanese are natural companion dogs: gentle and responsive. They become very attached to their human families and are excellent with children. Very affectionate and playful with a high degree of intelligence. These cheerful dogs are very sociable and will get along with everyone including people, dogs, cats and other pets.

The demand for Havanese pups is greater than the supply, so expect waiting lists of six months to two years. And since there aren't Havanese breeders in all states, you may have to travel in order to visit breeders and get a dog. Becoming the owner of a Havanese isn't something you do in a weekend. Give yourself the time to find the ideal puppy for you and your family.

The normal height is 8-11 inches with a weight of 7-13 pounds.