Five kilos, no hunting or guarding instinct, and a welcome that turns every visitor into an old friend. That is why this little Cuban has moved from a niche breed into family homes in recent years. But one item is missing from that picture: ten minutes of brushing a day, every day. And a dog who has to learn to stay alone because it simply does not come naturally. Beginner-friendly does not mean undemanding with the Havanese (Bichon Havanais).
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At a glance
- Origin: Cuba, developed from the bichon-type dogs of Spanish settlers
- Size: 23 to 27 cm
- Weight: 4 to 7 kg
- Life expectancy: 13 to 16 years
- Coat: Long, silky, slightly wavy, in all colours, barely shedding
- Temperament: Cheerful, affectionate, playful, sensitive and eager to learn
Temperament: the dog who likes everyone
A Havanese greets strangers like old friends. They play with children without snapping, get on with cats and enjoy other dogs. They remain playful into old age, learn tricks for fun and want to join in with everything. Their sensitivity is both an advantage and a vulnerability: they immediately sense moods, take harsh words personally and need training based on praise rather than sternness.
What sets them apart from other small dogs is being a companion without hunting or guarding instincts or a tendency towards aggression. That makes everyday life easy. It also makes them a dog who truly struggles without their people.
Where a Havanese needs work
1. The coat is a second job
The Havanese barely sheds, which is why the breed is considered allergy-friendly. The price is that the long, silky coat mats within days without brushing. Allow ten minutes every day with brush and comb, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and on the belly. A bath every six to eight weeks, a haircut every two to three months, either learned yourself or at a groomer for 50 to 80 euros. If you do not want that much work, choose a short puppy clip. It looks lovely too, but still needs brushing.
2. They cannot stay alone unless you teach them
The Havanese was bred for centuries as a companion. Being alone does not come naturally. Separation anxiety is one of the breed’s most common problems: barking, howling, destruction and puddles. It can be prevented by practising in small steps from the first week: minutes, then quarter-hours, then hours. If you work full-time and have no care arrangements, do not get a Havanese.
3. Tear staining and teeth
Light-coloured Havanese often develop rust-brown tear stains beneath the eyes, usually harmless but needing a daily wipe. As with all small dogs, their teeth are crowded: tartar and periodontal disease are common. Start tooth brushing young and arrange veterinary checks.
4. Health: kneecaps, eyes and heart
Patellar luxation, eye diseases such as cataracts and PRA, and heart valve problems occur in the breed. Reputable VDH breeders have kneecaps and eyes examined and show you the results. The Havanese boom has attracted many breeders offering puppies for 800 euros without pedigree papers. These dogs often have anxiety disorders and joint problems. A puppy from a breeder costs 1.800 to 2.800 euros, and the difference matters.
5. They are not a sofa cushion
Small does not mean inactive. A Havanese wants an hour outdoors each day and loves small-scale agility, trick training and search games. An under-stimulated Havanese becomes nervous and yappy; one whose needs are met is the quietest dog in the café.
What everyday life needs
- People around them. Working from home, family life, a retired household or a dog-friendly office: anywhere they are not alone for eight hours.
- Daily grooming as a ritual, ideally on your lap in the evening.
- Positive training. Clicker, treats and your voice. Never pressure.
- Mental activity. They learn quickly and become miserable without something to do.
- Early socialisation. They are naturally friendly, but some lines can be easily startled.
Who does the Havanese suit?
Families with children, first-time owners, older people and, with caution, people with allergies who test their reaction first. Anyone who wants a dog as a family member rather than living in the garden. Less suitable for people who work without care arrangements, or anyone uninterested in grooming.
This is where most breed descriptions stop. A more honest question is whether your week fits the dog. “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German) works that out, hour by hour, before the puppy arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Havanese suitable for people with allergies? They barely shed, but allergies react to saliva and skin flakes. Spend time with the breeder’s dogs beforehand.
Do they bark a lot? They alert you, but less than a Spitz or Dachshund. With training, they are a quiet dog.
Havanese or Maltese? Very similar. The Havanese is slightly sturdier and more playful; the Maltese is calmer, with an even more demanding white coat.
Silky fur as a portrait subject
The silky coat and dark button eyes make the Havanese a watercolour favourite: soft washes suit their nature. For the photo, brush them first, keep hair out of the eyes and use window light from the side to bring out the sheen.
Silky fur is one of the details prints most easily get wrong. That is why you see your picture before anything is printed and can say what you would like changed. Find styles and materials among our dog portraits.
You can check whether a Havanese really fits your everyday life in ten questions with our breed quiz.
Once you have chosen a Havanese, it is time to plan for the puppy. Our Puppy Starter Pack helps you plan the first four weeks, free to print.
Further reading
- Why the Doodle only promises what the Poodle already offers: another dog that barely sheds
- Pomeranian: why you should not clip the coat: similarly small, with a very different temperament
- The first 3 days with a puppy: what really matters at the start
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