Is a Havanese the Right Dog for You?
A Havanese is a strong lifestyle match if you want a cheerful, trainable, low-shedding companion and someone is usually home It is a tougher fit if the home is empty most days — this is a true companion breed that suffers alone
A Havanese is a good fit if…
- You want a cheerful, trainable, low-shedding companion and someone is usually home
- First dog, city dog, family dog, retiree dog — it genuinely fits all four
- Grooming (or a standing salon appointment) is in the plan
- A dog that learns tricks for the joy of your reaction sounds delightful
Think twice if…
- The home is empty most days — this is a true companion breed that suffers alone
- Coat care would lapse; silky hair mats fast
- You want a jogging or field companion
- House-training patience is thin; toys take months
What daily life with a Havanese looks like
How to read these ratings — honestly
Breed ratings describe breed-level tendencies compiled from published breed references and veterinary experience. They cannot predict an individual dog: modern genetics research finds breed explains only a small share of behavior differences between individual dogs — upbringing, socialization, breeding line, and the individual animal matter far more.
No rating here is a safety guarantee. Any dog of any breed or size can bite. Never leave a dog unsupervised with a baby or young child, regardless of breed reputation, and have any dog you are considering assessed in person — temperament, history, and health — before bringing it into a home with children. Meet the individual dog; do not adopt a chart.
This tool is educational only and is not veterinary, behavioral, or safety advice. See our full disclaimer.
The vet's take
If a family asks us for one small-dog recommendation that is hard to get wrong, the Havanese is usually it. Temperament is the breed's masterpiece: sunny, sturdy-for-a-toy, clever, eager to perform, gentle with polite children, sociable with dogs and cats, and portable enough for any city life. They are healthier than most toys in our records and routinely reach the mid-teens. The costs of all this are two. First, the coat: silky, continuously growing, low-shedding — which allergy households appreciate — but quick to mat without several brushings weekly or a standing grooming appointment; many pet homes sensibly keep a short puppy cut. Second, the attachment: Havanese were bred for centuries to be with their people, and they mean it — long empty-house days produce genuine distress, and we counsel against the breed for full-time-office households with no midday plan. Watch the kneecaps (patellar luxation is the standard toy-breed note), keep the teeth brushed, and expect house-training to take toy-breed months. Otherwise: one of the easiest yeses in the toy group.
— Compiled by the Dr. Rosie DVM editorial team from published breed references. Veterinary review: in progress.
Havanese health: what our clinical database flags
| Condition | Prevalence | Typical onset | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congenital Portosystemic Shunt | Over-represented | Under 1 year, often under 6 months | SEVERE |
| Patellar Luxation | Elevated | 4-6 months | MODERATE RISK |
| Cataracts (Hereditary) | Elevated | 1-5 years | MODERATE RISK |
| Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease | Elevated (toy-breed pattern) | 4-11 months | MODERATE RISK |
| Congenital Deafness | Elevated | Congenital | MODERATE RISK |
| Chondrodysplasia (Short-Limbed Conformation) | Breed-typical conformation | Congenital | MILD |
Our clinical database also lists 1 anesthesia consideration for this breed — details your veterinary team should know before prescribing or sedating.
See the full clinical risk profile (for veterinary professionals) →Havanese FAQs
Are Havanese good for first-time dog owners?
One of the best toy-breed choices — forgiving, eager, trainable, and free of the sharpness some small breeds carry. Their demands are companionship and coat care rather than handling skill.
Are Havanese hypoallergenic?
No dog truly is, but the Havanese coat sheds minimally and releases less dander into the home, making them one of the commonly tolerated breeds for allergy sufferers. Trial exposure before committing remains the honest test.
Can a Havanese be left alone during the workday?
This is the breed's genuine weakness — bred purely for companionship, they do poorly with long daily solitude and it shows as barking, distress, and house-training regression. Plan midday company or choose a more independent breed.
How much grooming does a Havanese need?
The silky coat wants brushing several times weekly and professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks — or a short pet trim that halves the workload. Ears and tear-stained faces appreciate routine attention as well.
Are Havanese easy to train?
Delightfully — they are circus-dog descendants who live for applause, and they learn tricks and manners fast with positive methods. House-training is the slow exception, as with most toys: months of consistency, not weeks.
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This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian with any questions about your pet's health.