A unique trait of the breed is its seemingly inherent herding ability, leading to the speculation of the possible influence of one or more herding breeds--possibly those breeds that share a common origin in the Western Mediterranean area, or the breed or breeds that might have been brought to the New World by the same seafarers who brought the other postulated ancestors of the Havanese. Irreguardless of its origin, with whom, and from whence it arrived, the breed was developed in Cuba. Owned only by aristocratic families who derived their wealth from the vast sugar plantations. they loved and appreciated their country's new breed. Litters were never offered for commercial sale, but were planned for the express purpose of acquiring another Havanese family pet, or to present puppies as gifts to equally wealthy intimate friends and family members. The story related from each Cuban generation to the next describes the little dogs accompanying their fashionably attired mistresses on the Sunday promenade around the Havana waterfront, riding on the seat of a volante, a carriage uniquely Cuban with 6' to 7' wheels set widely apart, stabilized by the body of the carriage, set low between the shafts.