The Announcement

On June 12, 2007, 30 days after the Havana Silk Dog Association of America was conceived,
this announcement was made on the Havanese eLists and to the world.

havanasilkdog@havanasilkdog.org wrote:
Since the Havanese began competing in the Toy Group in January of 1999, it has been noted by Judges, Exhibitors, breeders, and pet owners that it often looks like there are two different breeds in the ring. This is particularly remarkable considering the small gene pool of Foundation Dogs that began the HCA Stud Book.

Recently a small group of fanciers, reviewing pictures of Foundation dogs and current dogs and the various standards that have been used over the years, have concluded that this is in fact, the case: there are two breeds. One is the Havanese, an American breed created out of 8 Foundation dogs by Ms Dorothy Gooddale, and the other is the Havana Silk Dog, the original dog of Cuba which has a documented history of over 300 years, and which is one of the progenitors of the Havanese.

While these two breeds are similar, they are not the same, in much the same way that a Cocker Spaniel and an English Cocker Spaniel are similar but not the same. While both breeds have much to be said in their favor, it is the opinion of this group of fanciers that the original Cuban dog is in fact a historically separate breed, and it should be preserved and protected.

With this goal in mind, these fanciers have formed the Havana Silk Dog Association of America. If you would like to know more about the Havana Silk Dog, or the Havana Silk Dog Association of American, please read all the information at http://www.havanasilkdog.org.

After reviewing the information there, you can send any questions you have to questions@havanasilkdog.org [or join HSDAAQuestions at Yahoo Groups by sending email to hsdaaquestions_subscribe@yahoo.com Please note: this egroup is no longer functioning.] Until such time as the Havana Silk Dog is recognized as a separate and distinct breed, they will continue to be registered with AKC as Havanese, and shown as Havanese in AKC events.

Other than making this announcement, the Steering Committee and individuals involved in the HSDAA will not be commenting or replying on this subject to the various Havanese lists.

Thank you,
the Havana Silk Dog Association of American Steering Committee