Around 1900, when slavery was being replaced by mechanized equipment, many of the Cuban sugar Plantation owners could not afford or could not adapt to the change. Selling their plantations or other holdings for enormous prices, some returned to their ancestral countries, some fancied majestic castles, and others established homes in fashionable European cities. The dogs, having been brought on the journey with their Cuban owners, were seen at European dog shows, and viewed with enjoyment as they performed in circus acts. Unfortunately, none are known to have survived the turbulence of thes centruy in Europe.

The communist revolution from 1958-60 in Cuba threatened the breed by decimation. Three families are known to have fled Cuba to foreign shores with their Havanese--the Perez and Fantasio families, who were the first Havanese breeders in the United States; and Senor Barba, a Cuban gentlemen who was the first Havanese breeder in Costa Rica. By 1974, eleven dogs, representing three or four different bloodlines, were gathered from these sources to formulate a breeding program. In 1979, the Havanese Club of America was founded by a small group of newly involved breeders and supporters, and the club's registry was established.