The Havanese dog: everything you need to know

Looking for a sweet-natured pooch that'll love you endlessly, and happily spend hours a day at your side? Meet the Havanese dog. 

The Havanese, aka, the national dog of Cuba, is a pocket-sized, real sweetheart of a pooch. Once bred to be companion dogs for Cuban aristocracy, today their pet parent repertoire is a little more diverse, and they boast being one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. And honestly, it's easy to see why!

From their roots as aristocratic lap dogs to their popularity with famed literary masterminds (more on that later), here we explore the adorable Havanese dog - and delve into their origins, breed characteristics, grooming needs, training tips, and more...

Havanese Characteristics

Origin: The Havanese breed originated in Cuba. There were originally bred to be companion dogs for the Cuban aristocracy. 

Size: A full-grown Havanese dog typically weighs between 7 - 13 pounds, and stands 8 - 11 inches tall at the shoulder.

Character: Sweet, friendly, and outgoing, these playful pups are highly affectionate - and love being around their humans! 

Grooming: Your Havanese didn't wake up looking that fabulous. Their silky coats will require regular brushing and grooming - many pet parents opt for a short-style haircut to keep their pup's locks manageable.

Health needs: Like all dog breeds, they are prone to certain health issues, including eye disorders, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg Calve Perthes disease, luxating patella, and hip dysplasia. 

Energy levels: Despite their small size, these dogs are active and highly playful. That said, 30 minutes of daily exercise is usually enough to keep your Havanese pooch happy and healthy. 

Training: These pups are clever and eager to please, which makes training a breeze. 

Intelligence: What Havanese dogs lack in size, they make up for with their big, brainy noggins! The breed is highly intelligent.

Lifespan: 14 to 16 years.

Noise levels: They do have a tendency to bark, especially to alert their pet parents to something suspicious, or if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Havanese looks & appearance

Havanese have a double coat that is long, thick, silky soft - and seriously beautiful. *sigh* If only shampoo brands could bottle the secrets of the Havanese dog! 

Their low-shedding coat can be straight or curly, and come in a range of colours including black, chocolate, cream, fawn, gold, red, silver, and white - or can be a combination of these colors.

Standing at just 8 - 11 inches high at the shoulder, they have small-yet-sturdy bodies, and expressive brown eyes that are guaranteed to have anyone in their vicinity go weak at the knees. 

Tl;dr? Think… living teddy bears!

Havanese personality

They’re not nicknamed ‘velcro dogs’ for nothing! Lapdogs in the truest sense of the word, these extroverted little pups are real social butterflies, and love being around their favourite humans. They are equal parts playful and charming, and thanks to their eager-to-please nature, are also highly trainable!

The Havanese is a great family dog, and their loyal, lovable nature means they often form strong attachments to their pet parents. Unfortunately, this does mean the breed can suffer from separation anxiety, and they don't like to be left on their own for long periods of time. If you’re a pet parent to one of these cute dogs, consider an experienced dog sitter for any trips out of town.

What's the ideal home for a Havanese?

This cute-and-compact pooch is happy more or less anywhere - from an inner city apartment to a large home in the countryside. So long as they have a warm lap to snuggle into and their beloved pet parents nearby, they're pretty happy! 

While they are an active and playful breed, they require around just 30 minutes of exercise per day - so, as long they're getting their quota of daily walkies and exercise, a yard won't be necessary. 

What's the ideal human for a Havanese?

These pups are big people-pleasers that get along well with just about anyone. They’re suitable for families with children, and even get along just fine with other dogs and cats. 

They're suitable for first-time pet owners, as well as single pet parents, couples, families, and retirees. That said, they do have a tendency to form very strong attachments to their humans (and hate being left on their own), so they're best suited to someone who can provide them with all the love, time, and attention they need.

Tips for training Havanese

Good news! Havanese are highly intelligent and eager to please - which makes training them a breeze. They respond well to positive reinforcement - patient, gentle training methods and plenty of praise are key. Like with any breed, early puppy training and socialisation classes are advised. 

During puppyhood, it’s important to introduce your Havanese puppy to a range of people, places, and situations. This is also a great time to focus on focus on separation anxiety training, to avoid any issues further down the line.  

Their high trainability means they also excel in agility training. These pooches have also been known to work as therapy dogs, have been used to sniff out mold and termites - and have even taken up jobs in the circus!

Grooming Havanese

Unfortunately, you don't get dog breeds as beautiful as the Havanese without a little work! It's true - these pups do require a bit of grooming, and they will need regular brushing (a few times a week) to prevent matting and to keep their locks looking fresh.

For a lower-maintenance look, many pet parents choose to keep their sweet Havanese short-haired, while a corded coat (similar to the Puli dog) is also popular. 

Tear staining is common with this breed, however, this can be easily remedied by regularly wiping your Havanese pup's eyes and keeping the surrounding fur clean.

Havanese history

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, named after the capital city of - yep, you guessed it - Havana. 

According to the Havanese Club of America, the origin of the Havanese began way back in the early sixteenth century, when Spanish settlers arrived in Cuba. With them, they brought along their small dogs - most likely, the dog of Tenerife, a common ancestor of the sweet Bichon.

Fast forward a few years and the Havanese we know (and love) today began to develop. They were originally bred to be companion dogs and sure enough, it didn’t take long for these little cuties to make themselves home upon the laps of Cuba’s royalty and aristocracy. 

Once known as Blanquito de la Habana (aka, "Havana Silk Dogs"), most Havanese dogs in the United States today arrived in the 1950s during the Cuban Revolution. Fun fact: all Havanese dogs (outside of Cuba) can trace their roots back to just 11 doggos, who emigrated with their pet parents during this period.

They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996, and quickly gained popularity amongst dog lovers. Today, they are one of the most popular breeds in America, and notable pet parents of this adorable breed include Ernest Hemingway, Charles Dickens, and even Queen Victoria! 

Getting a Havanese

With many pups waiting in shelters for their fur-ever home, adopting is a great way to fill the Havanese-shaped hole in your heart. 

Take a look around your local rescue shelters and register your interest with rescue staff. It's also worth researching specific Havanese rescues, such as Havanese Rescue Inc - a non-profit that is supported by the Havanese Club of America.

If you are hoping to find Havanese puppies for sale from a breeder, it’s important to look for a trustworthy and reputable breeder - and always avoid buying from a puppy mill.

A reputable breeder should allow you to meet the pup's parents and the rest of the litter, and you should be able to request records of the parent pups. Breeders should also conduct the relevant health tests as recommended by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), which includes screening for hip dysplasia, AVCO eye exam, and patellar luxation.