They are a little, sturdy dog with a bouncy stride and a lot of hair which covers their entire body. The coat may be wavy or curly but the most striking kind is the corded where the coat hangs in long strands. This can come in many colours.
They are one of the "Bichon" breeds, the French word for bearded, and were popular in Cuba as a lap-dog. They are a natural companion dog: playful, affectionate, intelligent, easy to train for obedience and tricks and generally quiet. They are naturally sociable with other animals and people and are happy with moderate exercise.
If just wanted as a pet, the coats can be clipped to make grooming easier but a corded coat requires special care. They are a healthy, long-lived breed but can suffer from some age-related problems eventually.