Havanese are the hot new thing on the streets of Park Slope in Brooklyn, but everywhere else they're kind of hard to find. These pretty, personable pooches have a storied past: these dogs have kept luminaries like Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria company.
This breed packs a big heart and big personality in their tiny, bouncy bodies. The Havanese has a spring in its step, and unlike many Toy breeds, they're not yappy or snappy. It's easy to see why these charming canines are valued as companions.
The Havanese is both the national dog of Cuba and the only breed native to Cuba. This small-sized and medium-energy breed can grow to between 7-13 pounds and lives an average of 12-14 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and classified as a member of the Toy group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Companion |
| Origin | Cuba |
| Breed group | Toy |
| Average lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Size | Tiny |
| Bark factor | Moderate |
| AKC Ranking | 55 |
| Family | Bichon, companion |
| Date of origin | Ancient times |
| Original function | Lapdog |
| Today's function | Companion |
| Average size of male | Height: 8.5-11.5 Weight: 7-13 |
| Average size of female | Height: 8.5-11.5 Weight: 7-13 |
| Other name | None |
| Energy level | High energy |
| Exercise needs | Low |
| Playfullness | Very playful |
| Affection level | Very affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Very friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Very friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Very friendly |
| Ease of training | Hard to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Not very protective |
| Grooming needs | Moderate maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Low tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Medium tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS A HAVANESE'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
These friendly, funny furballs make good family companions and will play best with supervised children. They're lively and very affectionate, curious and cute as the dickens (and way cuter than Charles Dickens, of course — sorry, Charlie). They're surprisingly sturdy for such small dogs and are happy to meet other dogs, other pets, or strangers.
WHAT IS HAVANESE BEHAVIOR LIKE?
Havanese are compact cuties who only need moderate daily exercise. They make alert and vigilant watchdogs, but they only bark when they think it's necessary. These canine comedians like to keep you laughing — no wonder some circuses employed them as clowns!
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN A HAVANESE?
The eager to please Havanese (try saying that five times fast) is typically easy to train. But be gentle with this intelligent, sensitive soul. This breed responds best to positive reinforcement like games or food. They can also be trained to use piddle pads.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO HAVANESE SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
That fluffy Muppet coat means lots of brushing. Their hair is silky, soft, and wavy, and will look gorgeous if you take care of it. Plan to brush your Havanese every other day. They are infrequent shedders.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO HAVANESE HAVE?
This is a robust breed. Some are susceptible to cataracts and other eye diseases.
