The Havanese dog is a beloved breed known for its silky coat, playful personality, and adaptable nature. They originated in Cuba and were originally bred as companions for the aristocracy.
The Havanese dog's unique characteristics can be attributed to its Bichon Frise ancestry. This is evident in their low-shedding coat, which requires regular grooming.
Havanese dogs are often mixed with other breeds to create a variety of hybrid dogs. Some popular combinations include the Havanese-Poodle mix, also known as a Havapoo. This mix is known for its intelligence and low-shedding coat.
The Havanese dog's friendly and outgoing personality makes them a great match for families with children.
Related reading: Havanese Puppies Shed
What is a Havanese Mix?
A Havanese mix is a cross between a Havanese dog and another breed, resulting in a unique and lovable companion.
Havanese mixes can inherit the Havanese's small size, typically weighing between 7-13 pounds and standing 8-11 inches tall.
Their friendly and outgoing personalities are often a result of the Havanese's natural affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets.
Some Havanese mixes can inherit the Havanese's hypoallergenic coat, which sheds very little and requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
Havanese mixes often inherit the Havanese's intelligence and trainability, making them responsive to positive reinforcement training methods.
Their adaptable nature allows them to thrive in a variety of living situations, from apartments to homes with yards.
Types of Havanese Mixes
The Havanese mix is a popular breed for many reasons, and one of the main reasons is the variety of mixes available. The Schnese, for example, is a Havanese x Miniature Schnauzer mix that's known for being relatively easy to train due to its Havanese genes.
The Schnese is full of character and has a unique mini-mustache that's sure to capture hearts. They can be a bit naughty at times, but who doesn't have off days?
Some Havanese mixes are fluffier than others, like the Havachon, a Havanese x Bichon Frise mix that weighs between 7 to 18 pounds and has the cutest button eyes.
Havanese Mixes
The Havanese mix is a popular breed, and for good reason. They're often considered the perfect combination of energy and affection. Some Havanese mixes can grow up to 18 years old, making them a long-term companion.
The Havashu, a mix of Havanese and Shih Tzu, has a coat that's a combination of tan, black, grey, brown, and gold with long and silky hair. They're very energetic and do well with children. Exercise them a lot, or they'll be wearing you out!
One of the most striking-looking canine combinations is the Havaklee, a mix of Havanese and Alaskan Klee Kai. They usually inherit the bright blue eyes and facial mask from the Klee Kai parent. With the Klee Kai genes, you can expect them to be super energetic, so they should be placed with an active family.
The Havapoo or Havadoodle is a small breed, weighing between 7 and 25 pounds. They may inherit some physical traits from their Poodle parent, such as floppy ears, button noses, fluffy tails, round heads, and rounded dark eyes. They're famous for their fluffy, floppy tail.
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Some Havanese mixes can be a bit challenging to train, like the Beaglenese, a mix of Havanese and Beagle. They can be stubborn, but they're also eager to please. They have a powerful nose that will lead them to trouble, so be prepared for some mischief.
Here are some popular Havanese mixes:
- Havashu (Havanese x Shih Tzu Mix)
- Havaklee (Havanese x Alaskan Klee Kai Mix)
- Havapoo or Havadoodle (Havanese x Poodle Mix)
- Beaglenese (Havanese x Beagle Mix)
- Havamalt (Havanese x Maltese Mix)
- Puganese (Havanese x Pug Mix)
These mixes offer a range of characteristics and traits, but they all share the loving and affectionate nature of the Havanese breed.
Cairnese
The Cairnese is a lively mix of the Havanese and Cairn Terrier. They'll inherit the spunky terrier personality that keeps everyone entertained for hours.
Their high energy level means they'll need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. They'll love to terrorize the local cats, so be sure to reinforce your yard.
Daily brushing is a must for the Cairnese, as their coat might be a little wirier than their Havanese parent's soft coat.
Expand your knowledge: Havanese Terrier
Crested
The Crested Havanese is a playful and surprisingly robust mixed breed. Their coat will likely fall somewhere in the middle of both of the parent’s breeds, so will not be fluffy or hairless.
They are a confident but sensitive pooch who will crave the company of their human pack. They need to be placed with a family that can spend a lot of time with them.
Australian Mix
The Australian Havanese is an energetic pup who might try to herd you and your family. They're bright little dogs who will be performing tricks in no time. This mix usually inherits the stunning merle coat of the Aussie and the bright blue eyes, just in miniature form. Australian Havanese dogs are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. With proper training, they'll learn to channel their energy into more productive activities.
The Difference Between a and a Poop
A Havanese has a straighter coat texture than a Havapoo.
Generally speaking, a Havanese sheds more than a Havapoo.
They shed more because their coat is more prone to matting and knots.
A Havapoo's coat requires more maintenance to prevent matting and knots, so they should be combed and brushed at least 2-3 times per week.
Suggestion: Havapoo vs Havanese
Physical Characteristics
Havapoos are small dogs, but they can grow bigger than their Havanese parent, reaching 8-15 inches in height and weighing between 10-45 pounds.
Their size can vary greatly depending on the Poodle genes they inherit, with some breeders using Miniature Poodles and others using Toy Poodles in their breeding stock.
The coat colours of a Havapoo can include black, tan, white, cream, brown, chocolate, merle, and golden, with some combinations of these colours also possible.
Their coats are medium-length, curly or wavy, and require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Havapoos have floppy ears, button noses, fluffy tails, round heads, and rounded dark eyes, giving them a teddy bear-like appearance.
They are also known for their fluffy, floppy tails, which are a distinctive feature of the breed.
Their coats are usually quite soft and may be curly like their Poodle parent or long and silky like their Havanese side.
Living Needs
In terms of living needs, humans require a stable environment to thrive.
The average human body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), which is slightly higher than the temperature of their surroundings.
Humans need access to clean water for drinking, hygiene, and food preparation, with the World Health Organization recommending at least 20-30 liters per person per day.
Sleep is essential for humans, with most adults needing 7-9 hours of sleep each night to function properly.
Take a look at this: Havanese Feeding Chart
Health
The Havapoo is generally a healthy breed, but like any dog, it can experience some health issues. A relatively healthy dog with a lifespan of 10–15 years, the Havapoo can experience some of the health issues of its parent breeds.
One common issue is kneecap disorder, specifically medial luxating patellas, the most common orthopedic issue in small breeds. This can cause limping or holding up a back leg suddenly, and then seeming like everything is normal.
Dental disease is another common issue for small dogs. Brushing their teeth and having routine prophylactic dental cleanings with a veterinarian can prevent this.
Recommended read: Havanese Health Concerns
Some Havapoos may be prone to eye disorders, chondrodysplasia, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and patellar luxation, similar to the Havanese breed. Additionally, Poodles can be prone to Addison's disease, which affects the adrenal glands, and endocrine diseases such as diabetes, Cushing's disease, and bloat.
Here are some common health issues to watch out for in the Havapoo breed:
- Eye disorders
- Chondrodysplasia
- Deafness
- Heart murmurs
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Patellar luxation
- Addison's disease
- Diabetes
- Cushing's disease
- Bloat
Physical Features
Havapoos are small dogs, but they're bigger than their Havanese parent, and their size depends on their Poodle genes.
They can grow up to 8-15 inches at the shoulders and weigh between 10-45 pounds. Some Havapoos can be even smaller, weighing less than 3kg.
Their coat colours can be a mix of their Havanese and Poodle parents, including black, tan, white, cream, brown, chocolate, merle, and golden.
Floppy ears, button noses, fluffy tails, round heads, and rounded dark eyes are all common physical traits of Havapoos.
Their face often looks like a teddy bear's, and they're famous for their fluffy, floppy tail.
Havapoos usually have a medium-length coat that's curly or wavy, and it's usually quite soft. They require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Their coat can come in a variety of colours, including white, black, brown, apricot, silver, blue, chocolate, fawn, gold, gray, and cream.
Most Havapoos weigh between 7 and 25 pounds, but they can vary in size and appearance within the same litter.
The size of a Havapoo depends on the size of its Poodle parent, with Toy Poodles resulting in smaller dogs and Miniature or Standard Poodles resulting in larger dogs.
Hypoallergenic and Temperament
Havapoos are loving, affectionate companions for everyone from active young children to seniors. They generally get along well with other family pets, too, including cats and other dogs.
If you're looking for a low-shedding breed, you're in luck! Havapoos are hypoallergenic, thanks to their Havanese and Poodle parents. They have a silky, sweet coat that's perfect for those with allergies.
With proper training and socialization, Havapoos are a delight to have around. They're eager to learn and show off their tricks, but be mindful of how many treats you're giving them as rewards – some may tend to put on weight.
Personality and Temperament
Havapoos are incredibly loving and affectionate companions, making them a great fit for families with young children, seniors, and even people who live alone.
They have a wonderful personality, being smart, friendly, outgoing, and playful, which makes them a joy to be around. However, they can become quite independent and mischievous due to their high intelligence.
Havapoos are eager to please and love to learn new tricks, making them a delight to train with positive reinforcement. But be mindful of how many treats you give them, as some may tend to put on weight.
They generally get along well with other family pets, including cats and other dogs, but early socialization and training are key to ensuring they understand when it's okay to bark and when it's not.
Havapoos have a fair amount of energy and need daily exercise and stimulation to be happy and healthy. They require plenty of walks, playtime, and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
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With consistent training and positive reinforcement, Havapoos can learn quickly and easily, but they do require a lot of attention and interaction. They thrive on being by their human's side and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
To keep your Havapoo happy and healthy, make sure to provide them with plenty of toys, playtime, and attention. They love to cuddle and be close to their family, making them great lapdogs for elderly people or therapy dogs for those with anxiety.
Are Hypoallergenic? Develop
Havapoos tend to develop the thick and straight or wavy coat of the Havanese, or a curly and tight coat like the Poodle.
Both parent breeds of the Havapoo, the Havanese and Poodles, are hypoallergenic, making the Havapoo also hypoallergenic.
A word of caution: no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, so even Havapoos can cause allergy symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, or watery eyes due to proteins in their saliva and urine.
Cost and Comparison
A Havapoo can cost anywhere from $2000 to $4000, depending on factors like lineage, coat color, age, and the breeder's reputation.
Finding a reputable breeder can be challenging, especially since Havapoos are rare in the USA and Australia.
You'll also need to budget for your pet's lifelong care, which can cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
That's a significant investment, but it's worth considering the joy and companionship your Havapoo will bring to your life.
Havapoos are designer dogs, and as such, they can be quite expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds make up the Havanese?
The Havanese is descended from the ancient Bichon family of dogs, with the Bichon Frise and Maltese being probable common ancestors.
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