Havanese are intelligent and sociable dogs in the toy group. They were bred to be a lovely companion — not to accomplish any particular task. Instead, they thrive in front of an audience. Their comical antics will delight any crowd.
The Havanese temperament and small size make them ideal pets in many different environments.
Characteristics of Havanese
Body size. The average Havanese size is quite small. The males and females have very similar size ranges.
They’re usually between 8.5 and 11.5 inches tall, but ideal members of the breed are between 9 and 10.5 inches.
They weigh anywhere from seven to thirteen pounds. You should consult a veterinarian for diet and exercise advice if your Havanese is much lighter or heavier.
Their petite form makes them ideal for travel. Plus, they need very little space in order to be happy, so they’re a great dog for apartments.
Body shape. Havanese are slightly longer than they are tall. This gives them a rectangular shape. Their bodies are a moderate mix of bone and muscle.
Common Havanese characteristics include deep chests that reach to their elbows and short upper arms.
Their skulls are wide and gently rounded. Their ears are high up on their skull, which are soft, folded, and broad at the base.
The muzzles are slightly shorter than their skulls. They’re rectangular and tipped by a broad nose.
Their tails are plumed and arch over their backs — creating a display of long, silky hair that's frequently used to demonstrate their enthusiasm.
Lifespan. Like most small dogs, Havanese will likely live for well over a decade. In fact, the average Havanese lifespan is 14 to 16 years — and some of them can live even longer than this. If you get a Havanese dog as a puppy, be prepared for a long life with your new companion.
Fur. Havanese have something called a double coat. This means that they have two coat types that grow at different rates and can have distinct textures. In the case of the Havanese, both coats are best left long and untrimmed.
Their fur is plentiful and wavy. It should feel light to the touch. The overall effect is a luxurious, silky lapdog.
They’re also a very colorful dog breed — with at least 25 recognized coat colors. Some of these include:
- Black
- Black and silver
- Chocolate
- Cream
- Fawn
- White
- Silver brindle
- Gold brindle
The coats also come in a wide array of markings, including:
- Tan points
- Silver points
- Irish pied
- Parti-color
For a full list of coat colors and patterns, you can look at the breed information on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) website.
Eyes. Their almond-shaped eyes are large and dark brown. They also — for the most part — have solid black pigmentation around their eyes. Sometimes, their eye rims aren’t entirely pigmented. This disqualifies them from shows but is more than acceptable to most people for a pet.
Personality. Havanese are little social butterflies — true extroverts in the dog world.
People find them to be rather comic creatures. They have a willingness to entertain and love admirers of all ages.
They’re fantastic at tricks and are smart enough to learn them quickly.
The AKC rates them a five out of five for affection. They also score five out of five for openness, playfulness, and adaptability. These dogs can feel at home in any environment — as long as people are around.
Their captivating gait beautifully expresses the nature of the friendly Havanese personality.
Caring for Havanese
Grooming. Havanese care is not overly difficult. They need a moderate amount of grooming compared to other breeds. You need to brush your Havanese daily in order to keep their long coats tangle-free. Just brush them with a soft comb while they sit in your lap. This is sure to keep them happy, healthy, and lovely-looking.
You can also cut down on the time spent brushing by getting occasional trims at the groomers.
Your Havanese will only need a bath every so often. You should give them a bath whenever they become too dirty or smelly for your liking.
Clean their eyes frequently. Check their ears on — at least — a weekly basis and remove any wax and debris that you see. This will prevent any problematic infections or other health concerns.
Feeding. Make sure to always have clean water within easy reach of your pet.
Havanese need high-quality dog food in order to thrive. You can either find a brand that they like or make your own. Just make sure to talk to your veterinarian to find out what nutrients you need to include in your homemade meals.
Since these dogs don’t need to stick to strict routines, you can work out a feeding schedule that works best for your life, but make sure that you don’t overfeed your dog. The breed can struggle with obesity, so talk to your veterinarian for help keeping your dog trim and healthy.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation. Havanese have moderate energy levels. A brisk walk or playing fetch outside at least once a day will be enough for them.
They’re also small enough that simply getting them moving and playing games in the house is enough exercise for them. It also helps to provide the moderate amount of mental stimulation that they need.
Make sure that you never exhaust your pet. This breed is playful and enthusiastic enough that they’ll keep going past the point where it’s healthy. Calm them down and take them home if you notice them panting or falling behind on a walk.
You also shouldn’t leave these dogs alone for too long because they need the mental stimulation that comes from having people around. They can become very anxious if left alone for several hours at a time.
Keep these needs in mind before choosing to adopt a Havanese. Make sure that your lifestyle is compatible with their needs.
Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. Your veterinarian is the best person to determine all of the vaccinations that your pet needs, but all dogs should get a core set.
This includes vaccinations for:
- Canine parvovirus
- Distemper
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Rabies
Vaccinations can begin as early as six weeks of age. There are also other non-core vaccinations that you can discuss with your veterinarian.
Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog's weight and used as needed. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian or other distributors.
Many of these medications can be effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your veterinarian to figure out the best one for you.
Health Problems to Watch for With Havanese
Havanese are usually a healthy breed but there are some conditions to watch out for. Common Havanese health issues include:
- Eye conditions. These include cataracts and retinal dysplasia. You should have your dog’s eyes examined annually for signs of any conditions.
- Chondrodysplasia. This is a disorder that affects the development of your dog’s bones and cartilage.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This condition affects the hip joint. You should have your dog's hips regularly examined after they turn two to watch for signs of this condition.
- Patellar luxation. This is a common problem in dogs where a joint in their leg moves out of place. You should have your dog examined for this condition after they turn one year old.
- Liver disease.
- Heart disease.
With proper care and regular veterinary visits, your pet can live a long and healthy life.
Special Considerations for Havanese
Havanese are perfect for families. They’re great with kids of all ages. The AKC has scored them a five out of five for friendliness with other dogs as well as openness with strangers.
They shed very little and drool even less.
Their small size means they’re compatible with both country and city life and are more than happy to go wherever you want to take them.
One thing to keep in mind before bringing a Havanese home is that they’re a very vocal breed. The AKC gives them a four out of five for their need to bark at all kinds of stimuli.
History of the Havanese
The Havanese come from the Bichon family of dogs. They are a direct descendent of the now extinct Blanquito de la Habana — which means “little white dog of Havana”.
Their other ancestors — that the Blanquito de la Habana was bred with — likely include Bichon Frise and Maltese dogs.
Havanese are the national dog of Cuba. In fact, they’re the only breed of dog to come from Cuba.
People disagree on exactly how the ancestors of these dogs arrived on the island, but it was with either Italian or Spanish sailors who came to conquer the land in the 1600s.
These dogs were then bred to be the leisure companions of the noble and wealthy families in Cuba. The idea was that poorer families couldn’t afford to feed such a functionally useless pet.
The breed was refined in Cuba for a few hundred years before becoming the worldwide success that it is today. In 1959, the revolution on the island caused a lot of wealthy people to flee to America. They brought the Havanese with them.
The breed was slow to thrive. In the 1970s there were only 11 Havanese in the American breeding pool. However, with careful help from breeders, the dogs are now a huge success story. They were officially recognized by the AKC in 1996 and are now one of their fastest-growing breeds.
Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway are two famous writers who fell in love with this breed.
