Havanese

Overview

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and the only breed native to the island. Small, sturdy, with a long, silky double coat and a perpetually cheerful expression, the Havanese is one of the friendliest and most adaptable toy breeds. It is also among the few small dogs widely recommended for families with children - affectionate, sociable, and tolerant of normal family chaos.

History & Origins

The breed descends from small companion dogs of the Mediterranean Bichon family, brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers and traders in the 1500s and 1600s. Cuban breeders developed the distinctive long, silky, lightweight coat that suited the tropical climate (long for shade, not dense for heat). By the 1800s the Havanese - then called the Habanero Silk Dog - was the favoured companion of Havana's wealthy class.

After the 1959 Cuban Revolution the breed nearly disappeared from its homeland as wealthy families fled. About 11 founding dogs reached the United States with refugee families and formed the basis of every modern Havanese in the West. The AKC recognised the breed in 1996. Today the Havanese is one of the fastest-growing breeds in popularity.

Appearance

Small, sturdy, slightly longer than tall. Adults stand 22-29 cm (8½-11½ in) and weigh 3-6 kg (7-13 lb).

Key features:

• Coat: long, silky, slightly wavy double coat. The undercoat is light; the outer coat is soft and flowing. Unique among toy breeds, the Havanese coat is designed for insulation against heat, not cold.
• Colour: all colours and combinations are accepted. Black, white, cream, gold, silver, parti-coloured, brindle, and sable are all common.
• Head: wedge-shaped with a slightly arched skull, drop ears, and dark almond eyes.
• Tail: carried up over the back, plumed.
• Gait: a distinctive springy "Havana gait" - light, lively, slightly bouncing.

Temperament & Character

Friendly, outgoing, and gentle. The Havanese is exceptionally sociable - comfortable with strangers, children, dogs, and cats. They are quiet for a small breed and not typically nuisance barkers.

The defining trait is attachment. Havanese are "Velcro dogs" - they follow their people from room to room, settle on laps, and dislike being left alone for long. They thrive in households where someone is home most of the day. Separation anxiety is common in dogs left alone routinely.

Despite the lap-dog appearance, the breed is bright and energetic enough to enjoy training, agility, scent work, and trick competition. Havanese are circus performers in miniature - they love to learn new tricks and show them off.

Care

Coat & Grooming

The long silky coat is the main work. Two paths:

Long show coat: daily brushing with a pin brush and metal comb. Light spritz to prevent breakage. Weekly baths. Hours per week.

Pet "puppy clip": professional grooming every 4-6 weeks (clip body to 2-4 cm, scissor face, sanitary trim, ears, nails). Most pet owners choose this. Brushing 2-3 times weekly between groomings.

The Havanese coat is single-layered as an adult in some lines (a "true Havanese coat") and only mildly shedding - less hair around the home, though not a hypoallergenic dog.

Clean ears weekly. Trim hair between paw pads. Brush teeth daily - dental disease is the breed's main health concern. Trim nails every 3 weeks.

Exercise & Activity Needs

Modest. Adults need up to 30 minutes of daily exercise - walks, indoor play, training games (Royal Kennel Club). Havanese enjoy short hikes and adapt well to apartment life with regular outings.

The breed is heat-tolerant (the coat was built for it) but small dogs still need protection from intense sun and hot pavement.

Health & Lifespan

Average lifespan is 14-16 years on AKC figures; a 2024 UK study found 14.5 years on a small sample (56 dogs).

Common concerns:

• Dental disease - universal in toy breeds; daily brushing essential.
• Patellar luxation.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes (hip joint).
• Hip dysplasia - uncommon for a small breed but possible.
• Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts.
• Deafness - congenital deafness occurs at low rates.
• Chondrodysplasia / chondrodystrophy - short-limb genetic condition; DNA testing exists.
• Heart murmur in older dogs.
• Liver shunt - relatively rare.

The breed is generally robust given good dental care and a healthy weight.

Feeding & Nutrition

How much an adult Havanese needs depends on the food's calories and on the dog's age and activity. The AKC suggests treating the feeding guide on the package only as a first estimate, since it can give larger portions than necessary, and checking the dog itself: a visible waist and ribs you can feel mean the amount is about right (AKC). Havanese maintain healthy weight more easily than most toy breeds when fed measured portions.

Treats should be tiny and counted into daily calories. The breed is food-motivated, which helps training but invites obesity if uncontrolled.

Training & Socialisation

Highly intelligent and eager to please. Among the easiest toy breeds to train. They respond beautifully to reward-based methods and shut down under harsh handling.

Priorities: house training (usually quick with consistent crate routine), polite greeting, leash manners, and basic obedience. Havanese excel at trick training, rally, and agility. Many become therapy dogs.

Socialise widely from 8 to 16 weeks. The breed is friendly by default; positive exposures build a confident adult. Carrying everywhere undermines confidence - walk the dog on the ground.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Friendly, gentle, family-oriented.
• Excellent with children and other pets.
• Long-lived (14-16 years common).
• Trainable, intelligent, sociable.
• Adapts to apartments and active homes.
• Heat-tolerant for a long-coated breed.

Cons

• Moderate-to-high grooming demands.
• Prone to separation anxiety.
• Dental disease without daily care.
• Some lines have hereditary issues - choose a tested breeder.
• Expensive when bought from reputable, health-tested sources.

Best Suited For

• Families with children of any age.
• Apartment dwellers and city homes.
• Retirees wanting a constant companion.
• Multi-pet households.
• Owners who want a low-shedding coat.
• Therapy and trick-training enthusiasts.

Not suited for households empty all day, owners unwilling to budget for grooming, or anyone wanting a low-maintenance coat.