Havanese Dog Breed Information & Characteristics

The national dog of Cuba was once known as the Blanquito de la Habana ("little white dog of Havana") or the Havana Silk Dog for his soft, flowing locks. Now known simply as the Havanese, this toy breed is smart, affectionate, and loves to clown around. The Havanese doesn't need much space and he doesn't require a lot of exercise; he's a portable lapdog that fits well into the lives of people living in cities and apartments.

"The Havanese is very popular," says Scott Neabore, DVM, who owns Neabore Veterinary Clinic in Haddonfield, N.J. "I often see Havanese mixed with other things, like poodles and Cavaliers. It's a nice little small-breed dog." Common Havanese hybrids include the Havachon (Havanese plus bichon frise), Hava-Apso (Havanese plus Lhasa apso), Havapoo (poodle plus Havanese), and many others.

Appearance

Their long, fluffy coats tend to hide just how small Havanese dogs—and Havanese puppies—are. Under that luxurious mane, the breed stands at just 8.5–11 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 7–13 pounds. His body is a bit longer than it is tall, and the tail is set high and arches over his back. The soft, wavy coat, which comes in many different colors, is sometimes "corded," or formed into dreadlocks.

A Havanese's large, dark brown eyes seem to glint with a hint of mischief, cluing passersby into his playful, intelligent nature. The walk of the Havanese is distinctive in its bounciness; that spring in the step first manifests in puppies and doesn't disappear with age.

Havanese puppies tend to change colors, with their coats darkening, lightening, or changing hue entirely around 1 year old. Because of that, it's not always possible to predict what a puppy might look like as an adult.

Temperament

Charming is an understatement when it comes to the Havanese. This smart, sweet, eager-to-please, and easy-to-train dog is a natural extrovert who loves entertaining.

He's an excellent addition to a family and gets along well with children and pets of all sizes, including family cats. This dog's loving nature also makes him popular as a therapy dog and emotional support animal.

Despite his diminutive size, a Havanese has a confident bark and often alerts his family to anything he deems scary—including the mailman. Socializing a Havanese puppy early, plus lots of positive reinforcement training, will help him be comfortable around new people, animals, and new situations.

Living Needs

Havanese dogs will be happy in a studio apartment, a sprawling mansion, or anywhere in between. They don't care so much about where they live—mostly, these sociable animals want to have others by their side and prefer being in a lap to pretty much any other place.

If left alone for long periods, a Havanese pup can get bored and barking can become an issue. (Although, Neabore says this breed does tend to bark less than many other small dog breeds). The breed is an excellent choice for seniors, families, and anyone looking for a constant companion.

While the Havanese is energetic, he's not especially active—he generally gets the workout he needs just by bouncing around the house. Owners looking for canine camaraderie while hiking, backpacking, camping, and other outdoor endeavors may want to consider other options. But these pups will like to stretch their legs on a daily 30-minute walk or playtime in a fenced-in yard.

Care

Daily grooming is critical when it comes to the Havanese—that flowing coat isn't going to brush itself! He should be brushed a few times a week so his fur stays free of mats and tangles. To save time and effort, some Havanese owners opt to get the hair trimmed or corded. Though his coat is high-maintenance, Havanese shedding is low, so you won't have to worry about flying fur.

Along with caring for his long locks, Havanese owners need to trim his nails regularly, give him occasional baths, check and clean his ears, and wipe his eyes to prevent tear staining.

Havanese dogs respond well to training. It's an excuse to spend time with—and please—their owners, and positive reinforcement (with treats, head pats, and an enthusiastic "good boy!") works well with this sensitive breed. But Neabore warns not to overdo it with treats. With small dogs, a little indulgence goes a long way, and as such a Havanese can easily become obese. "People tend to feed them a lot of treats, and they don't realize that giving a 12-pound dog a potato chip is like you eating a whole bag of potato chips," he says. "They tend to get overweight more easily than… a large-breed dog."

Neabore adds that smaller breeds are naturally more fragile; if a Havanese dog is stepped on or dropped, injury may easily occur. So owners need to be especially careful when handling them and even when walking around the house. If a Havanese lives with small kiddos, always supervise their playtime and teach children to properly interact with pets.

Health

When you adopt this sprightly pup, you can expect him to be around for a long time—the Havanese lifespan is a lengthy 14–16 years. While this breed is known to be fairly healthy, they are prone to a few diseases, including deafness, eye disorders, heart disease, and bone and joint issues including hip dysplasia, according to the Havanese Club of America (HCA). Havanese owners should talk to their veterinarians about potential issues and how to minimize risks.

Before bringing home a Havanese puppy, your breeder should conduct all health tests recommended by the OFA.

In addition, as a small breed, Havanese can be susceptible to dental issues, says Neabore, and regular teeth cleaning at the vet's office—or brushing teeth at home—can help. "These small-breed dogs have the same number of teeth as any other dog, including those giant breeds, but they're all smooshed into a tiny little mouth. They get a lot of plaque and tartar between the teeth, so they get dental disease really easily," Neabore says. "That's something people need to pay really close attention to."

History

Named for the capital city of Cuba—Havana—the Havanese dog was once commonly found in the laps of Cuban aristocrats and wealthy residents.

It's thought that this small, entertaining breed was brought to Cuba by Spanish seafarers, according to the HCA. Ancestors of the Havanese hail from the Bichon family (he's likely a cousin to the white bichon frise), while the Havanese itself has been further refined thanks to centuries of doting by the Cuban elite.

Many Havanese arrived in the U.S. in the late 1950s, under the arms of those fleeing the Cuban Revolution. In fact, according to the HCA, all Havanese dogs today (aside from the ones still in Cuba) can trace their lineage back to 11 pups who emigrated with their owners. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996.

Fun Facts

• Two famous authors who have fallen for the Havanese are Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens. (Dickens named his pup Tim.) Other famous owners include Barbara Walters, Jane Fonda, and Venus Williams.
• Thanks to their trainability, Havanese dogs have been used in jobs such as sniffing out mold and termites, and they can even herd chickens and ducks.
• These natural clowns also make excellent circus performers.