Is the Havanese a good family dog?
Havanese
Havanese are cheerful and affectionate small dogs with a silky coat, bright expression and friendly, companionable nature. Originally developed in Cuba as charming household companions, they are known for their playful personality, intelligence and strong attachment to their family. Generally sociable and people-loving, Havanese can be sensitive and may dislike being left alone for long periods, so they benefit from positive training, regular grooming and plenty of interaction.
| Recommended for | Families, singles or apartment owners who want an affectionate companion and can provide regular grooming and company. |
| Breed Classification | Toy Group |
| Other names | Havana Silk Dog |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 years |
| Size | Small |
| Temperament | Friendly, cheerful, social and trainable |
| Intelligence | Generally intelligent; best results come from patient, positive and consistent training |
| Tendency to bark | Moderate; sociable but may alert bark |
| Maintenance Level | Daily brushing if long; regular trims optional |
| Health Risk | Havaneses are generally robust when well bred and well cared for, but they can still be affected by recognised breed-related conditions that should be discussed with a vet or breeder. |
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Breed history of Havanese
The Havanese is Cuba’s native dog breed and belongs to the wider Bichon family of small companion dogs that travelled through Mediterranean and Atlantic trade routes. In Cuba, these little dogs became favoured household companions among wealthy families in Havana, admired for their silky coats, lively personalities and close attachment to people.
Political upheaval in Cuba during the twentieth century put the breed at risk, and only a small number of dogs left the country with emigrating families. Breeders in the United States and elsewhere used those surviving lines to rebuild the breed, preserving a rare Cuban companion dog that might otherwise have disappeared.
Physical description of Havanese
The Havanese is a small, slightly longer-than-tall companion dog with a soft expression and a lively, springy movement. It has large dark eyes, drop ears covered in feathering, and a tail carried over the back in a graceful plume.
Its coat is long, soft and silky, often with a natural wave or gentle curl. Havanese come in a wide range of colours and patterns, including white, cream, gold, black, chocolate, sable, silver and parti-colour.
| Weight range | 3 to 6 kg |
| Height range | 23 to 27 cm |
| Colours | Many colours including white, cream, gold, black, chocolate and parti-colour |
| Coat length | Long, silky, soft coat; can cord |
Havanese personality and temperament
The Havanese is cheerful, affectionate and sociable, with a warm companion-dog temperament. It is usually playful, people-focused and eager to be part of family life, often following its owners from room to room.
This breed tends to be gentle and adaptable, making it suitable for many homes, including apartments. However, Havanese can be sensitive and may dislike being left alone for long periods, so they do best with plenty of companionship, positive training and regular interaction.
Havanese with kids and other pets
Havanese are usually affectionate, gentle and playful with children, making them well suited to family life. Because they are small and can be sensitive, they do best with children who know how to handle them carefully and avoid rough play.
With other pets, Havanese generally do well, especially when introduced in a calm and positive way. They are often sociable with other dogs and cats, and their friendly nature usually helps them adapt well to multi-pet households.
Havanese training and exercise
Havanese need moderate exercise, usually including daily walks, indoor games and playtime with their family. They are lively but not overly demanding, making them suitable for many homes, including apartments, provided they receive regular activity and companionship.
Training is usually enjoyable because Havanese are intelligent and people-focused. They respond well to positive reinforcement, praise and gentle consistency. Because they can be sensitive, harsh correction should be avoided, and early socialisation helps them grow into confident, adaptable companions.
| Energy level | Moderate |
| Exercise requirements | Moderate - short walks, indoor play and training games |
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Havanese feeding and nutrition
The Havanese needs a high-quality small-breed diet that supports its lively nature, small body and soft coat. Digestible protein, healthy fats and essential nutrients help maintain energy, skin health and coat condition.
Because Havanese are small, portion sizes should be carefully measured to prevent weight gain. Treats should be limited, especially during training, and meals should be suited to the dog’s age and activity level. Some Havanese may have sensitive digestion, so sudden food changes should be avoided.
Havanese care and grooming
The Havanese has a long, soft, silky coat that requires regular brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Dogs kept in a longer coat may need brushing several times a week or daily, especially around the ears, legs, belly and tail. A pin brush and metal comb are useful for working through the coat gently.
Many pet Havanese are kept in a shorter clip to make grooming easier. Professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks is usually helpful, depending on coat length. Regular eye cleaning, ear checks, nail trimming, dental care and bathing help keep this companion breed comfortable and tidy.
Health issues for Havanese
- Patellar luxation: A developmental orthopaedic condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove, causing intermittent skipping, limping, pain or reduced mobility. It is more common in small breeds and severity ranges from mild to persistent lameness.
- Eye disease: This includes problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eye, corneal ulcers and inherited eye disorders. Signs may include redness, cloudiness, discharge, squinting, pawing at the eye, swelling or changes in vision.
- Deafness: A partial or complete loss of hearing that may be congenital, age-related, or caused by chronic ear disease, trauma, loud noise or certain medications. Signs may include not responding to sounds, being hard to wake, excessive barking, confusion or being easily startled.
- Heart murmur: An abnormal “whooshing” sound heard through a stethoscope, usually caused by turbulent blood flow in or near the heart. It may be harmless in some puppies, but in adult dogs it can indicate valve disease, congenital heart defects or heart muscle disease.
- Liver shunt: A blood vessel abnormality where blood bypasses the liver, preventing toxins from being properly filtered. Signs may include poor growth, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, urinary problems, disorientation, head pressing or seizures.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
FAQs about the Havanese
It can be, provided the household matches the breed’s exercise, training, grooming and supervision needs.
Moderate – short walks, indoor play and training games.
Shedding depends on coat type, season and grooming routine. The breed has a long, silky, soft coat; can cord.
No. While some individuals may shed less than others, no dog breed is truly allergy-free.
Most respond well to positive, consistent training, but owners should work with the breed’s instincts rather than against them.
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