The exact origin of the Havanese is still unknown, but the Cuban belief is that the Havanese were first brought to their homeland by the Italian sea captains who carried them on board their ships and used them for entertainment and to gain trade relationships with the rich Cuban families. The extensive trading and colour mixing has resulted in today's wide range of colours in the breed.

The Havanese are part of the Bichon family which includes the Maltese, Bichon Frise, Lowchen, Coton de Tulear and the Bolognese. The Havanese are known by several different names, some being: The Havana Silk Dog, Bichon Havanese, Bichon Havanais, Bichon Habanero and White Cuban.

The Havanese became popular as a status symbol for the wealthy residents of the island of Cuba. They were most popular in the capital city of Havana. The Havanese also found their way to Europe and it is said that you could see them in the circuses as trick dogs performing tricks and dancing.

The Cuban revolution of 1959 nearly destroyed the breed as people fled the island and left their pets behind thinking that they would soon return. Trying to smuggle them out became almost impossible. Two families are known for sure to take their Havanese with them when they fled Cuba, the Fantasio and Perez families and combining their efforts endeavored to preserve the breed from extinction.

In the early 1970's, Dorothy and Bert Goodale of Colorado began looking for a small breed to raise which would have a calm temperament and intelligence. After a few years of searching, the Havanese caught their attention. The Goodales ran across an advertisement that resulted in the purchase of six pedigreed Havanese, a dam, four daughters and an unrelated young male. Another breakthrough came some months later through an advertisement that Dorothy placed in Spanish papers. An elderly Cuban who had fled Cuba during the revolution was moving to Texas to live with a daughter. Because of failing health, he could no longer look after his Havanese. He entrusted the Goodales with five of his dogs thus giving the Goodales two new bloodlines to work with.

Based on the pedigree information, the 1963 FCI Breed Standard, and Dorothy's breeding knowledge, she carefully began a breeding program to prevent the possible extinction of the Havanese.