Havanese Fanciers of Canada...
The Havanese ("Habaneros" in Spanish) is also known as the Havana Silk Dog. These little "charmers" are a part of the Bichon Family and are descended from the same bloodlines that produced the Water Spaniel, Poodle, and Portugues Water dog...

Web Works by Faux Paws...
The purebred Havanese is a member of the Bichon family which includes the Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Bolognese, Maltese, Tvetnaya Bolonka, and perhaps the Lowchen. This group of small long-haired dogs is very old and originated in the Mediterranean in pre-Christian times...

Havanese Club of America...
Although it is new to the AKC, the Havanese is quite an old breed in "dog years". Its history is fascinating and important to defining type, as it is unique in many respects. The Havanese is the National dog of Cuba and its only native breed...