Side-by-side comparison: temperament, exercise, grooming, health, and cost of ownership.
A popular Golden Retriever-Poodle cross combining the best of both breeds. Goldendoodles are friendly, intelligent, and often low-shedding, making them a top choice for allergy-conscious families.
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.
Quick Answer
Choose Goldendoodle if you want easier to train. Choose Havanese if you want more apartment-friendly.
Goldendoodle
Attribute
Havanese
Size
Weight
Height
Lifespan
Trainability
Energy
Good with Kids
Shedding
Grooming
Apartment
Health
Price
Havanese is less expensive to own annually.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Be prepared for sticker shock: the Goldendoodle costs $1,500–$5,000 from a reputable breeder — significantly more than the Havanese's $1,000–$2,500. That's a $1,500 difference just to bring your puppy home.
Goldendoodle needs more exercise; Havanese is lower-maintenance.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Energy Level
Exercise Needs
Apartment Friendly
These breeds sit on opposite ends of the activity spectrum. The Goldendoodle (energy: 4/5, exercise: 4/5) was built for action and thrives on physical challenges.
Goldendoodle is the larger breed; Havanese is more compact.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Weight (kg)
Height (cm)
These two breeds look nothing alike. The Goldendoodle is a medium breed at 14–30 kg (31–66 lbs) and 43–61 cm (17–24 in), while the Havanese is a small breed at just 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs) and 22–29 cm (9–11 in).
Havanese is calmer; Goldendoodle is more energetic.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Playfulness
Barking Level
Energy
When you live with a Goldendoodle, you'll notice their friendly, intelligent and gentle character in everything they do. A Havanese, by contrast, shows a cheerful, intelligent and outgoing nature.
Goldendoodle is generally easier to train.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Trainability
Intelligence
The Goldendoodle has a slight training edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Both respond to positive reinforcement, but the Goldendoodle tends to catch on a bit faster.
Both breeds have similar health profiles.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Lifespan (years)
Health Robustness
Both breeds have comparable lifespans — 10–15 years for the Goldendoodle and 13–15 years for the Havanese. You can expect a similar length of companionship from either breed, all else being equal.
Both breeds have similar grooming needs.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Shedding
Grooming Needs
Both breeds shed at the same rate (1/5), so fur management will be identical for either choice. Neither breed will leave much hair around the house.
Both breeds are similarly family-friendly.
Goldendoodle
Havanese
Good with Kids
Good with Dogs
Strangers
Both breeds score 5/5 with children, making them equally suitable for families. Either breed would make an excellent family dog.
Neither breed is objectively "better" — it depends on your priorities. Choose the Goldendoodle if you value easier to train (5/5 vs 4/5).
Question 1 of 3
Do you have children at home?
The Goldendoodle and Havanese are both popular breeds, but they suit different lifestyles. The key differences: Havanese is considerably better suited to apartment living. Annual ownership costs are lower for the Havanese by roughly $500/year.
Choose Goldendoodle if...
Choose Havanese if...
Looking for more options?
The Goldendoodle scores 5/5 for being good with kids, tying with the Havanese at 5/5. The Goldendoodle is specifically recommended for families.
The Goldendoodle is easier to train with a score of 5/5, compared to the Havanese's 4/5. The Goldendoodle is recommended for first-time owners thanks to its cooperative nature.
A Goldendoodle puppy costs $1,500–$5,000 while a Havanese costs $1,000–$2,500. Annual maintenance runs about $1,610 for the Goldendoodle and $1,160 for the Havanese. The Goldendoodle is the more expensive breed to own long-term.
The Goldendoodle lives 10–15 years on average, while the Havanese lives 13–15 years. The Havanese tends to live longer. Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet care help maximize lifespan for either breed.
The Havanese adapts better to apartment living (5/5) than the Goldendoodle (3/5). The Havanese ranks among our best apartment breeds.