Havanese
The Havanese is a cheerful, affectionate companion that is playful, gentle, and very good with children. These small, sociable dogs are especially popular with American city dwellers, with exercise needs met by a short daily walk and a vigorous game.
8.5-11.5 inches tall, 7-13 pounds (AKC); 9-12 inches tall, 7-13 pounds (VCA)
12-16 years (AKC: 14-16; VCA: 12-14)
A walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game; brushing and combing two to four times a week
Barking rated 3 out of 5
Popular with American city dwellers; a lively housedog; many have been trained to use indoor potty systems; vulnerable to cold despite thick coat
Long, ranging from straight to curly with wavy preferred; shedding below average; may cause fewer allergies than most breeds
Lively and alert; a walk around the block once or twice daily plus a vigorous game meets exercise needs; games and tricks provide mental exercise
Temperament
The Havanese is an affectionate, exuberant companion that thrives on human closeness. Playful and gentle, the breed is very good with children and very friendly to strangers, other dogs, and other pets. They are eager to please, bright, and responsive, doing best with reward-based training that involves food or games. As a lively and alert housedog, the Havanese makes a strong lap dog and a cheerful presence in a home. Their sociable nature suits apartment and city living, and they are becoming especially popular with American city dwellers. For a working household, the breed's exercise needs are modest: a walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game, meets its physical requirements. Games and tricks provide the mental stimulation the breed needs. The Havanese barks at a moderate level, so a home with neighbors should be aware of this. They are a cheerful, vivacious companion with a spring in their step.
“Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, are cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step and a gleam in their big, brown eyes.”
AKC
Daily needs and attention
A Havanese is a lively, alert housedog and an affectionate, exuberant companion. A walk around the block once or twice a day, plus a vigorous game, meets its exercise needs beyond bathroom breaks. Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise. The Havanese does best with reward-based training involving food or games, and it is eager to please, bright, and responsive.
Grooming is a regular commitment: the long coat, which ranges from straight to curly, needs brushing and combing two to four times a week to prevent matting. Shedding is below average, and while no breed is truly non-allergenic, Havanese may cause fewer allergies than most.
In a working household, the Havanese fits well as a lap dog and a companion that is very friendly to strangers, other dogs, and other pets. Many have been trained to use indoor potty systems, which can help when a schedule is tight. The thick coat offers some cold-weather protection, but the small body size still makes the dog vulnerable to the cold.
“A walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game, will meet its exercise needs, not counting bathroom breaks.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Health and lifespan
Havanese have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. They are a small breed, standing 8.5 to 12 inches tall and weighing 7 to 13 pounds. Havanese tend to stay in good weight, though their thick coat can sometimes obscure weight changes, so regular hand-checks are a practical part of monitoring. Adult dogs do well on a balanced diet with calorie restriction if they begin to gain excess weight. Their coat is long and ranges from straight to curly, requiring brushing and combing two to four times a week to prevent matting. Shedding is below average, and while no breed is actually non-allergenic, Havanese may cause fewer allergies compared to most other breeds. Their small body size makes them somewhat vulnerable to cold weather despite their thick coat. For a working household, a walk around the block once or twice daily plus a vigorous play session meets their exercise needs.
“Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Habits and behavior
The Havanese is an affectionate and exuberant companion that thrives in close, daily contact with its people. Playful and gentle, the breed is very good with children and remains friendly toward strangers, other dogs, and other pets. It does best with reward-based training involving food or games; the breed is eager to please, bright, and responsive.
For a working household, the exercise requirement is modest: a walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game, will meet the dog's physical needs. Games and tricks provide the mental stimulation the breed also requires. Many Havanese have been trained to use indoor potty systems, which can help during long workdays.
The coat is long, ranging from straight to curly, with wavy preferred. Brushing and combing two to four times a week is necessary to prevent matting. Shedding is below average. The thick coat offers some protection against cold, but the dog's small body size makes it vulnerable to the cold. Barking is moderate.
“Makes an affectionate and exuberant companion.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate
A Havanese is well suited to apartment living. The breed is becoming especially popular with American city dwellers, and its small frame—7 to 13 pounds, standing 8.5 to 12 inches—fits comfortably in a compact space. It makes a lively and alert housedog and a top-rated lap dog, so it will want to stay close to you rather than roam a yard. A walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game, will meet its exercise needs. A fenced yard is not required, though a safe outdoor area for bathroom breaks is helpful; many Havanese have been trained to use indoor potty systems, which works well in an apartment. If you use a crate, keep in mind that the breed's fairly small body size makes it vulnerable to cold weather despite its thick coat, so keep the crate in a warm, sheltered spot. The dog does best indoors, near its people.
“A walk around the block once or twice daily, plus a vigorous game, will meet its exercise needs, not counting bathroom breaks.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Challenges
The Havanese is a low-shedding, small companion dog popular with city dwellers, but a few practical considerations are worth noting before you bring one home. The coat is long, ranging from straight to curly, and brushing and combing two to four times a week is necessary to prevent matting. That is a regular commitment, especially in a household where both partners work full days. The breed is rated 4 out of 5 for grooming requirements, so plan for ongoing maintenance.
Because of their small body size, Havanese are vulnerable to cold weather despite their thick coat. If your winters are harsh, expect to limit extended outdoor time. The thick coat can also obscure weight changes, so regular hands-on checks are important to catch any gain early.
At the dog park, Havanese do best when they are not expected to mingle with much larger dogs. They are friendly and sociable, but their size makes them a mismatch for rough play with big breeds.
“Brushing and combing two to four times a week is necessary to prevent matting.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
The fun part
The Havanese brings a spring in its step and a gleam in its big, brown eyes into any room. These cheerful, vivacious dogs are eager to please and bright, making them a joy to work with during reward-based training involving food or games. A walk around the block once or twice a day, plus a vigorous game, meets their exercise needs. Games and tricks provide the mental stimulation they thrive on, and many Havanese have been trained to use indoor potty systems, which suits a busy household well. They rate five out of five as a lap dog and five out of five for good with children. Their friendly disposition extends to strangers, other dogs, and other pets. For a working household, the Havanese is a low-key companion that fits into apartment living, as these dogs have become especially popular with American city dwellers. Their below-average shedding keeps the mess manageable.
“Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, are cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step and a gleam in their big, brown eyes.”
AKC
Living with kids, cats and other dogs
The Havanese is rated 5 out of 5 for good with children and is described as playful, gentle, and very good with kids. It is very friendly to strangers, other dogs, and other pets, making it a natural fit for a home that already has cats or another dog. At 7 to 13 pounds with a lap-dog rating of 5 out of 5, it shares a couch or a quiet corner without crowding.
For a working household, the daily exercise requirement is modest: a walk around the block once or twice daily plus a vigorous game meets the breed's needs. Games and tricks provide the mental stimulation the Havanese enjoys, and the breed does best with reward-based training involving food or games. It is eager to please, bright, and responsive, so short sessions between work tasks work well.
One practical note: the Havanese is not expected to mingle with much larger dogs at a park. Its barking level is moderate (3 out of 5), so neighbors should expect some vocalizing.
“Very friendly to strangers, other dogs and other pets.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
What to ask the rescue
Ask the rescue about the dog's coat type (straight, wavy, or curly) and how often it currently needs brushing, since Havanese coats require combing two to four times a week to prevent matting. Confirm the dog's current weight and ask whether the rescue has felt the body underneath the thick coat, which can sometimes obscure weight changes. Inquire about the dog's exercise routine: a walk around the block once or twice daily plus a vigorous game typically meets a Havanese's needs. Ask whether the dog responds well to reward-based training with food or games, as this breed does best with that approach. If you work long hours, ask whether the dog has been trained to use an indoor potty system. Finally, ask about the dog's comfort in cold weather, since the small body size can make Havanese vulnerable to the cold despite their thick coat.
“Brushing and combing two to four times a week is necessary to prevent matting.”
VCA Animal Hospitals