Havanese
Cuba's other famous export.
- Weight
- 7–13 lbs
- Height
- 8–11 in
- Lifespan
- 14–16 yrs
In short
The Havanese is a toy breed from Cuba, its national dog, descended from Bichon-type dogs brought by Spanish settlers. Adults weigh 7–13 lbs and live 14–16 years. Sturdy and cheerful, they bond closely with their people and do best in homes where someone is around most of the day.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a small, sturdy, cheerful companion
- are home most of the day
- enjoy teaching tricks
Think twice if you…
- work long days away from home
- can't commit to regular brushing
- want a jogging partner
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 30–45 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyModerate5.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10
SheddingLight shedder3.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Long, silky coat
Soft and light, it mats easily without frequent brushing.
-
02
Sturdy little body
Less fragile than many toy breeds, so a good fit for families with gentle kids.
-
03
Springy gait
A lively, bouncy movement that matches their playful temperament.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 8–13 lbs | 7–12 lbs |
| Height | 8–11 in | 8–11 in |
| Lifespan | 14–16 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, silky double coat | |
Personality
Havanese are friendly, playful and follow you room to room. They love learning tricks and being the center of attention. Many are sensitive to loud or harsh handling.
With kids
Good with gentle kids; sturdier than many toys, but still small enough to be hurt by rough play.
With other pets
Usually friendly with other dogs and cats.
With strangers
Generally welcoming; some bark to announce visitors.
Alone time
Prone to separation stress; not suited to long days alone.
Training
Havanese are smart and eager, and love learning tricks. House-training can take longer, as with many small breeds, so be patient and consistent.
-
How often
2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
From 8–16 weeks, focus on handling, grooming and short periods alone. Early practice with brushing and baths makes grooming easy for life.
-
Self-control
Teach a calm "settle" and a quiet cue for barking. Practice short absences so they learn you always come back.
-
What it works for
Food, toys and praise all work. Use tiny, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver, kept within 10% of daily calories, since small dogs gain weight quickly.
Exercise
Havanese need daily walks and play, but much of it can happen indoors. They love games and learning tricks.
Exercise a day
30–60 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Daily walks
- Fetch indoors or in the yard
- Short agility courses
Brain work
- Trick training
- Food puzzles
- Hide-and-seek
Best home
Great in apartments; best when someone is home much of the day.
Watch for Watch for heat and cold, and avoid jumping from furniture, since small dogs can injure joints.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Havanese (7–13 lbs) lands around 275–425 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 325–525 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 35–55 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 275–425 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 30–45 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 375–575 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 40–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 225–375 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 25–40 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 325–525 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 35–55 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 275–425 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 30–45 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
| Active / Working | 375–575 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 40–60 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
| Senior | 225–375 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 25–40 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Havanese are generally healthy but can have eye problems, kneecap issues, deafness and liver shunts. Choose a breeder who screens for these.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Deafness | BAER hearing test | Once, in puppies or breeding dogs |
| Luxating kneecaps | OFA patella evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Hip and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease | OFA hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Havanese breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
Grooming Low, but mats without regular brushing
Brush to the skin 3–4 times a week (daily in a long coat), or keep a short puppy cut with a groom every 6–8 weeks. Clean eye stains daily, trim nails monthly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1500s–1600s
Spanish arrival
Bichon-type dogs came to Cuba with Spanish settlers and traders.
1700s–1800s
Cuban aristocrats' dog
The Havanese became a favorite of wealthy Cuban families.
1959 on
US revival
After the Cuban Revolution, a small number of dogs came to the US, where the breed was rebuilt; the AKC recognized it in 1996.
Questions owners ask
Are Havanese easy to train?
Yes. They are smart and eager to please, and love learning tricks. House-training can take longer, so be patient.
Are Havanese good with kids and other pets?
Usually. They are friendly with gentle kids, dogs and cats. Supervise young children, since a small dog can be hurt by rough play.
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
About 30–60 minutes a day of walks, play and training, much of it indoors. They love games.
Do Havanese shed?
Very little, but the coat mats easily, and no dog is truly allergen-free. Brush several times a week or keep a short cut with a groom every 6–8 weeks.
What health problems do Havanese have, and how long do they live?
Havanese live 14–16 years. Watch for eye disease, kneecap problems, deafness and liver shunts. Ask for eye, hearing and patella results.
Is a Havanese good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes. Their size and friendly nature suit apartments and first-timers. They need company most of the day and regular grooming.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Havanese needs only 1–2 pieces a day, well inside the 30–45 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Havanese ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Havanese
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
