Havanese
Height22–29 cm (9–11 in)
Weight3–6 kg (7–13 lbs)
TypeToy
Life Expectancy13–15 yrs
OriginCuba
Cuba's national treasure, the Havanese is a cheerful, silky-coated companion that wins hearts everywhere. They are outgoing, funny, and thrive on human attention.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
4/5
Playfulness
5/5
Energy Level
3/5
Social
Good with Kids
5/5
Good with Dogs
5/5
Good with Strangers
5/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
5/5
Exercise Needs
2/5
Watchdog Ability
2/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
1/5
Grooming Needs
4/5
Health Robustness
4/5
Where Are Havaneses From?
The Havanese is Cuba’s only native dog breed, descended from small companion dogs brought to the island by Spanish colonists in the 1500s. Havana’s aristocratic families bred them as lap dogs and parlor performers for three centuries. When the Cuban Revolution displaced wealthy families in the 1950s and 60s, some brought their Havanese to the United States. The entire American population of Havanese descends from just 11 dogs — a genetic bottleneck that responsible breeders work to manage through careful outcrossing.
What Is It Like Living With a Havanese?
Havanese are natural entertainers with a clownish streak that never fully matures. They learn tricks quickly and perform them with obvious delight, making eye contact the entire time to confirm you’re watching. Unlike many toy breeds, Havanese are genuinely sturdy and confident — they approach strangers, children, and other dogs with cheerful curiosity rather than fear. They’re nicknamed “Velcro dogs” because they attach themselves to their person and follow everywhere, including the bathroom.
How Much Exercise Does a Havanese Need?
Forty-five to 60 minutes of daily activity suits a Havanese well. They’re adaptable — happy with a walk around the neighborhood or a vigorous play session in the living room. Havanese excel at agility and trick training, where their natural showmanship shines. They handle apartment living beautifully but do need social interaction throughout the day. Leaving a Havanese alone for eight hours reliably produces separation anxiety.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Havanese?
The silky coat doesn’t shed much but mats quickly without regular care. Daily brushing keeps it manageable in full length, or a shorter puppy clip every six weeks reduces maintenance significantly. Health issues include patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, cataracts, chondrodysplasia, and liver shunts. Deafness occurs at slightly elevated rates in the breed. Overall, Havanese are reasonably healthy for a toy breed with a lifespan of 14–16 years.
Are Havaneses Healthy?
Havanese are perfect for apartment dwellers, seniors, families with gentle children, and anyone who works from home and wants constant companionship. They’re poorly suited for people who travel frequently, work long hours outside the home, or want a dog that’s content being independent. The surprising fact: Havanese were trained as circus performers in Cuba and throughout Europe, valued for their intelligence and eagerness to learn elaborate routines. Some historians believe they’re the only breed specifically developed as professional trick dogs.
Our Honest Take on the Havanese
The Havanese is Cuba's only native breed and one of the most adaptable small dogs in existence — genuinely good in apartments, with seniors, with families, and in any climate. Their one honest weakness is that they hate being alone.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Leaving them alone for long workdays. Havanese were bred to be constant companions. Prolonged daily solitude produces anxiety, destructive behavior, and chronic stress — not a breed for 9-to-5 owners without a dog walker or daycare.
- 2Underestimating grooming. The long, silky coat is beautiful but requires daily brushing to prevent mat formation at the skin level. Most pet owners opt for a shorter trim, which still requires professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.
- 3Not monitoring for patellar luxation. Kneecap slippage is common in small breeds including Havanese — watch for a 'skipping' gait. Mild cases need monitoring; severe cases require surgery ($1,500–$3,500).
- 4Ignoring heart murmur screening. Havanese are prone to heart murmurs as they age. Annual cardiac auscultation from age 5 onward helps catch mitral valve disease early when management options are most effective.
Who Should Think Twice
Havanese are a poor match for owners who are away from home 8+ hours daily without dog-care support, anyone who won't commit to regular grooming, or people wanting a dog that can handle genuine outdoor adventure (they're companions, not athletes).
Real Costs in 2026
Havanese puppies from health-tested parents: $1,000–$2,500 in 2026. Annual costs: food ~$30/month, professional grooming ~$400/year, routine vet ~$400/year. Overall one of the more affordable small breeds to maintain. The main financial risk is orthopedic issues — patellar luxation surgery and cataract removal ($1,500–$3,500 each) can appear in mid-life. Pet insurance covering hereditary conditions is worthwhile.
Living With a Havanese: Year by Year
Puppyhood (0-12 months) is unusually easy for a small breed — they housetrain reasonably (most reliable by month 6), socialize well, and are not nippy. Adolescence (1-2 years) is also gentle; they are one of the few small breeds that does not develop 'small dog syndrome' if raised well. Prime adulthood (2-10) is the breed's gift: they are velcro without being needy, playful without being hyper, alert without being yappy. They develop intense routines — same nap spot, same greeting ritual, same insistence on watching you cook. Senior years start around 12, and they commonly live to 15-16. The surprises: they suffer separation anxiety more than most toy breeds. Leaving a Havanese alone for 8+ hours regularly will produce destructive behavior or chronic anxiety within a year. They also retain puppy-like playfulness into senior years — a 13-year-old Havanese will still chase a ball.
The Training Reality
One of the easiest small breeds to train. Marker training and treats work, sessions of 10 minutes hold their attention, and they retain commands well. Housetraining is reasonably fast (month 5-6), better than most toy breeds. Recall is moderate — they have low prey drive but moderate distractibility. The ceiling is genuinely high for a small dog: they excel at trick training, agility (modified for size), and even therapy work. Most are reliably housetrained by month 6, basic obedience locked in by month 12. What they cannot do: protection work, anything requiring intensity. The biggest training pitfall is over-coddling — owners carry them too much, and the dog never learns leash manners. Establish 'four on the floor' from week one. Skip aversive methods, they shut down. The honest truth: a well-raised Havanese is about 90% trained by year two, which is unusually high for a toy breed.
A Day in the Life
Morning means a 20-30 minute walk and breakfast; they actually have decent stamina for their size. Daytime they are velcro — they will reposition themselves four times to be in whichever room you are in. They sleep 12-14 hours but wake easily and follow you to the bathroom every time. They are quiet for a small breed — alarm-bark at the door, but not chronic yappers. Evening exercise can be a 20-minute play session indoors; they are surprisingly happy in apartments. Surprising things: the coat. Daily brushing is mandatory or you get pelt-mats against the skin within 5 days, and most owners give up and get a 'puppy cut' every 8 weeks ($75 minimum). They are also Velcro to the point that some owners find it claustrophobic — there is no alone time. And they have an unusual fondness for high places (back of the couch, top of the bed) that most small breeds do not share.
How Havaneses Compare to Similar Breeds
Versus the Bichon Frise: Bichons are similar in temperament but more prone to separation anxiety and require even more grooming. Versus the Maltese: Maltese are more delicate, more anxious, and harder to housetrain. Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Cavaliers are larger, gentler, but have catastrophic heart and neurological issues (MVD, syringomyelia) that Havanese largely avoid. If you want a similar personality with shorter coat care, a Coton de Tulear is the obvious alternative.
Great For
- Families with children
- Apartment living
- First-time dog owners
- Multi-pet households
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You want low grooming effort
Are Havaneses Prone to Health Issues?
Havaneses are predisposed to: patellar luxation, cataracts, deafness, heart murmurs. Overall, this is a relatively healthy breed with fewer concerns than average.
Health Robustness
4/5
How Much Does a Havanese Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,000–$2,500
Monthly Food
$30
Annual Vet
$400
Annual Grooming
$400
Est. First Year
~$2,910
Est. Annual
~$1,160
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Havanese cost?
A Havanese puppy typically costs $1,000–$2,500. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $2,910, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,160.
How long do Havaneses live?
Havaneses have an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Common health concerns include patellar luxation, cataracts, deafness, heart murmurs.
Are Havaneses good with kids?
Havaneses score 5/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Havaneses shed a lot?
Havaneses have a shedding level of 1/5. They are minimal shedders, making them a good option for people concerned about pet hair.
Are Havaneses good for apartments?
Havaneses score 5/5 for apartment friendliness. They adapt very well to apartment living and don't require a large yard.