Havanese
哈瓦那犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Havanese is Cuba's national dog — a small, sturdy companion with a springy gait, a curled-over tail and a silky coat that can be kept long, corded or clipped short. Havanese are happy, outgoing, intelligent and easily trained with positive methods; their modest exercise needs and social nature make them an ideal city and apartment dog, as long as they are not left alone for long.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 22–29cm |
| Weight | 3–6kg |
| Life expectancy | 14–16years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 9 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Long coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 20–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip condition of small breeds) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog shows hind-leg lameness.
Congenital deafness
Congenital deafness is reported in the breed; puppies can be BAER hearing-tested. Ask your breeder about hearing tests.
Skeletal dysplasia / dwarfism
A form of skeletal dysplasia is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Behaviour
Happy, outgoing, trainable
The CKC calls the Havanese happy, outgoing and quite trainable — a pleasant, affectionate companion well suited to urban living; the AKC says they are highly intelligent and eager to please but can be sensitive, so training should use only positive methods and never harsh scolding.
Happiest with someone around
The AKC says the Havanese has moderate exercise needs met by a brisk daily walk or play with its owner, and is happiest when someone is with it; romping indoors can be enough activity, and it should never be over-exercised.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 30 minutes per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Havanese
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Havanese (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Havanese
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 30 minutes per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Havanese (standard no. 250, group 9)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's new-owner pages warn that demand for Havanese from breeders who do full health testing exceeds supply, so a wait of six months to two years for the right puppy is normal, and that breeders are not in every region, so you may have to travel.”
— Havanese Club of America — New Owners education via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Havanese — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Havanese — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Havanese — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Havanese — FCI standard no. 250 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]When Picking up Your Pup — Havanese Club of America — Havanese Club of America — New Owners education (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.