Dog breed
Havanese
The Havanese is a small companion dog from the bichon family, associated with Cuba, with a long, soft and usually wavy coat. It's cheerful, curious about people and very easy to live with, doing well in apartments, with children and with other animals. In return, it needs regular coat care and near-constant company.
- Low shedding
- FCI Group IX · Companion dogs · standard no. 250
- Weight
- 3.2–5.9 kg
- Height
- 23–27 cm
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
- Origin
- Cuba
Temperament
The FCI standard describes the Havanese as exceptionally bright and easy to train as a watchdog, affectionate, cheerful, charming and a bit of a clown, a dog that adores children and plays with them endlessly. The AKC gives it top marks for affection, getting along with children and dogs, openness to strangers and playfulness. At home it's wherever its people are, and it enjoys learning tricks. It barks when someone comes to the door but usually settles quickly. Its weak spot is sensitivity to being alone: a Havanese left for many hours can become stressed and noisy. It most often lives in perfect harmony with cats and other dogs. It isn't stubborn by nature, so even a first-time owner can teach it the basics quickly.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Havanese for?
The Havanese is a good choice for first-time owners, families with children, seniors and apartment dwellers who spend a lot of time at home and want a companion dog rather than a sporting one. People with allergies may consider it, since it sheds little, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. It won't suit people with no time for brushing or groomer visits, or those who are out of the house for 9–10 hours every day.
Pros
- gentle with children, dogs and cats
- ideal for apartment life
- sheds very little
- long-lived
Challenges
- needs daily brushing or a groomer
- doesn't cope well with being alone
- tends to bark at the door
- risk of kneecap and eye problems
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 23–27 cm, females 23–27 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 3.2–5.9 kg, females 3.2–5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
| Coat | long |
| Colors | white, fawn, black, Havana brown, tobacco, reddish brown, parti-color, with tan markings |
| Country of origin | Cuba |
| Classification | Group IX: Companion and Toy dogs |
| Also known as | Bichon Havanais, Havana Silk Dog, Havanese Bichon |
Care and exercise
The Royal Kennel Club puts the Havanese's exercise needs at about half an hour a day, though most dogs will happily take a longer walk and love games of fetch. Grooming is the key: the Royal Kennel Club recommends daily brushing, because the long, silky coat mats easily, especially behind the ears and in the armpits. Many owners opt for a shorter clip from a groomer every 6–8 weeks, which cuts down on daily work. It's a good idea to trim or tie up the hair around the eyes. Brush the teeth regularly, as small breeds are prone to tartar. A Havanese learns easily if training is short and fun. From puppyhood, practice short periods home alone, gradually extending the time you're away.
How much should the Havanese eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The AKC describes the Havanese as healthy and fairly long-lived, with a life expectancy of 14–16 years. Still, the breed can suffer from eye disease, chondrodysplasia, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and patellar luxation. The American breed club recognizes breeders for four tests: a yearly eye exam, a BAER hearing test, hip X-rays and a patella evaluation. The Royal Kennel Club treats an eye exam as the minimum before breeding and elbow X-rays as good practice. Ask the breeder for the parents' results and whether bowed legs have appeared in the lines.
- patellar luxationA common problem in small breeds; the AKC recommends a patella evaluation for breeding dogs.
- eye diseasesIncluding cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy; a yearly eye exam is recommended.
- chondrodysplasiaA bone growth disorder that shows up as, among other things, bowed front legs.
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes diseaseDegeneration of the head of the thighbone in young dogs.
- deafness and heart murmursThe AKC lists them among the conditions the breed may be prone to.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- eye exam (ECVO)
- BAER hearing test
- patella evaluation
- hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
According to the FCI standard, the Havanese's ancestors came from the western Mediterranean and developed along the coasts of Spain and Italy, and Italian sea captains brought them to Cuba early on. A popular legend links the name to Havana because of the common tobacco coat color. In Cuba, the dogs were pets of the aristocracy and wealthy planters for about 300 years. After the 1959 revolution the old lines almost vanished from the island, and a handful of dogs taken to the US by refugees became the foundation of today's population. The AKC notes that Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens owned Havanese.
Fun facts
- The breed's old name was Blanquito de la Habana, the little silky dog of Havana.
- Charles Dickens owned a Havanese named Tim.
- The FCI standard calls for a height of 23–27 cm, with a tolerance of 21 to 29 cm.
- According to the FCI standard, pure white Havanese are rare.
Frequently asked questions
Do Havanese shed?
Very little. The Royal Kennel Club counts the Havanese among breeds that don't shed noticeably. Dead hair stays caught in the coat, though, so daily brushing is a must, or mats will form.
Are Havanese good for people with allergies?
They're often recommended to allergy sufferers because they shed little. But allergens are found in saliva and dander, so no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Before deciding, spend a few hours with adult Havanese.
How long do Havanese live?
The AKC gives 14–16 years, making it one of the long-lived breeds. Healthy teeth, sound kneecaps and a proper weight all matter a lot.
How much does a Havanese weigh?
The FCI standard gives no weight, only a height of 23–27 cm. The AKC puts the weight at 7–13 pounds, or about 3–6 kg. Males are usually a bit heavier than females.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 250 – Havanesefci.be
- 2AKC – Havaneseakc.org
- 3Royal Kennel Club – Havaneseroyalkennelclub.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
