Havanese

Personality

The Havanese is a true companion breed: warm, curious, playful and always looking for company. Most follow their people from room to room and settle on the couch the moment you sit down. They are often described as velcro dogs, and they thrive on closeness.

They are typically friendly with children, visitors and other pets, and many like the attention of a crowd. Barking is moderate; they will alert you to visitors but are not true guard dogs. Because they are people-oriented, they are also prone to separation anxiety and can become vocal or destructive when left alone for long hours.

Havanese are lively and clownish, and many enjoy performing tricks for applause. Early socialization and steady routines help them grow into confident, well-mannered adults. They tend to be sensitive, so gentle, positive handling brings out the best in them.

History

The Havanese is the only dog breed native to Cuba, and it is the country's national dog. It developed from the Blanquito de la Habana, a small white dog that is now extinct and was probably crossed with other bichon-type dogs, including poodles. PetMD reports that the ancestors were brought from Spain to Cuba in the 1600s, and the dogs became favorite lapdogs of upper-class Cuban families.

After the Cuban Revolution, few of the families who fled to the United States could bring their dogs. By the 1970s the American gene pool was reportedly only about eleven dogs, so breeders there had to rebuild the breed from a very small founding group.

The American Kennel Club fully recognized the Havanese in 1996, placing it in the Toy Group. Since then the breed has steadily grown in popularity as a cheerful, trainable house dog, and the AKC notes it has become especially popular with American city dwellers.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Havanese is small, sturdy and slightly longer than tall, with a distinctive springy, lively gait. The head has a broad skull, dark almond-shaped eyes and drop ears, and the tail is carried in an arch over the back with a plume of long hair.

The AKC standard gives an ideal height of 9 to 10.5 in, with an acceptable range of 8.5 to 11.5 in (22–29 cm) at the shoulder, and adults commonly weigh around 7–14 lb (3–6 kg). The coat is long, abundant and wavy, silky to the touch and soft and light in both outer coat and undercoat. All colors and marking patterns are permitted and are of equal merit, including cream, gold, black, chocolate, silver, white, parti-color and tricolor.

Show dogs are shown as naturally as is consistent with good grooming, either brushed or corded, and the standard does not allow other trimming or sculpting. Pet owners often keep the coat clipped short.

Training

Havanese are bright, eager to please and generally easy to train, particularly with food and play as motivation. They enjoy learning tricks and often excel in obedience, rally and agility. Keep sessions short and upbeat, because the breed is sensitive and can shut down under harsh correction.

Housetraining can take longer than with larger dogs, as small bladders and a love of staying warm and dry can mean accidents. Consistent timing, a crate or pen and quick rewards help; see our crate training guide. Many owners also use a covered potty area.

Because this breed is prone to separation distress, practice leaving your dog alone in short, calm stretches from puppyhood. Teach a quiet cue early to keep barking manageable. Socialize puppies widely, and use a harness for walking to avoid pressure on the neck. A well-trained Havanese is a pleasure to live with.

Exercise

The Havanese is energetic but compact, so exercise needs are modest. A daily walk or two plus indoor play, perhaps 30 to 45 minutes total, is usually enough. They like chasing toys, playing hide-and-seek and learning new games.

Many are surprisingly athletic and can excel at agility, and their natural love of attention makes them natural performers. Mental exercise is as useful as physical activity, so rotate puzzle toys and teach new tricks. For help matching activity to age and health, see our guide to how much exercise a dog needs.

The breed does not tolerate extreme weather. Avoid long outings in the heat, and use a sweater when it is cold and wet. Keep them on a leash or in a fenced yard, since they are small and easily distracted. A tired Havanese is a calm companion.

Grooming

The silky coat needs regular care. Brush and comb it down to the skin several times a week, with daily brushing for dogs kept in full coat, to prevent mats, which form quickly behind the ears, in the armpits and around the collar. A spray conditioner helps prevent breakage.

Most pet owners opt for a shorter puppy clip, which reduces maintenance to a weekly brush and a trim every six to eight weeks. Baths every few weeks keep the coat clean, and the dog should be fully dried afterward.

Shedding is light, though loose hair often stays trapped in the coat. Trim hair around the eyes, as tearing is common, and keep the face clean. Check the ears, where hair can trap moisture. Brush the teeth regularly, because PetMD calls dental disease one of the most common conditions in small breeds; our guide to brushing your dog's teeth explains how. Trim nails and the hair between the paw pads to keep your dog comfortable on slick floors.

Feeding

A Havanese does well on a complete and balanced food suited to its age, with small-breed kibble sizes. Amounts depend on weight, activity and body condition. The dog food calculator offers a rough estimate, and your vet can fine-tune it.

Because the breed is small and loves treats, weight can creep up. Extra pounds strain the joints and make exercise harder. Measure food, limit treats to about 10% of the day's calories, and use training treats in tiny pieces. Our guide on checking if your dog is overweight offers a simple hands-on test.

Puppies should eat a puppy formula in several small meals, shifting to two meals as adults. Introduce any diet change gradually. Fresh water should always be available, and dental-friendly chews should be chosen with your vet's guidance.

Health

Havanese are among the longer-lived toy breeds, with PetMD giving 14 to 16 years, but they have some inherited conditions. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place, is among the most common. Eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness, and cataracts. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the head of the femur, mostly in puppies under 18 months, is also listed for the breed.

Dental disease is common in small breeds. The Havanese Club of America's recommended tests for breeding dogs, as listed by the AKC, are patella, hip and eye evaluations, so ask breeders to show you the results.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight, schedule annual exams and dental cleanings, and report limping, cloudiness in the eyes or a persistent cough to your vet. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog collapses, has trouble breathing or seems to be in severe pain.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps that slip out of place cause skipping or limping.
• Eye disease — Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts can occur.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease — A disease of the head of the femur, seen mostly in puppies under 18 months.
• Hip problems — The parent club recommends hip evaluation of breeding dogs.
• Dental disease — Small mouths are prone to tartar and gum disease.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Havanese

Havanese adapt beautifully to apartments, condos and houses. They are small, relatively quiet and content with indoor play. A yard is nice but unnecessary, and any outdoor space must be fenced.

The most important requirement is company. These dogs are bred to be with people, and they struggle when isolated. If you work away from home, plan for a dog walker, daycare or another companion. Many do well in multi-pet homes.

They can overheat in intense heat, so keep them cool and hydrated. In winter, a sweater helps on cold walks. They are usually good with children and visitors, although small kids should be taught to hold and play gently. Provide a comfortable bed near the family, and expect a shadow who follows you throughout the day.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Havanese puppy prices vary widely, and the breed is often sold at high prices because of demand. Do not equate a high price with quality. Look for a breeder who health-tests parents for patellas, hips and eyes, shares the results and allows you to meet the mother.

Puppies from large-scale commercial operations and sellers who ship dogs sight unseen are common, so be cautious. A good breeder will have a waiting list, ask you detailed questions and take the puppy back if you cannot keep it. The Havanese Club of America, the breed's parent club, is a sensible first stop for breeder information.

Rescue groups also place Havanese, often adults that are already housetrained. Whatever route you choose, budget for grooming, dental care and training. A puppy weight calculator can help you check that growth is on track.