Havanese
Cuba's national toy dog, a small, cheerful companion with a long silky coat. Affectionate, sociable and easy to train, making an excellent first dog, though it dislikes being left alone.
Havanese scorecard
Overview
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and a much-loved member of the Bichon family of small companion breeds. A true toy dog, it stands around 23 to 27 cm at the shoulder and weighs roughly 3 to 6 kg, with a sturdy little frame beneath a long, soft, silky double coat that comes in a wide range of colours. Bright-eyed, expressive and endlessly affectionate, it was bred for centuries purely as a companion, and that single purpose is written all over its sweet, sociable character.
Recognised by the Kennel Club in the Toy group, the Havanese has grown steadily in popularity in the United Kingdom as a friendly, adaptable family and city dog. It is cheerful, people-oriented and notably trainable for a toy breed, which makes it an excellent choice for first-time owners. Its main needs are companionship, gentle grooming and a little daily exercise; its main caution is that it genuinely dislikes being left alone and can be prone to separation-related distress.
Good to know — a Havanese is flat-friendly and great for first-time owners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Havanese descends from small bichon-type dogs brought to Cuba by European settlers and traders from at least the colonial period onwards. On the island these little dogs developed into a distinct breed, becoming the cherished companions of Cuban families and, in time, a symbol of the country, earning the affectionate nickname of the Havana Silk Dog after Cuba's capital.
The breed's fortunes were severely affected by upheaval in Cuba in the mid-twentieth century, and it was largely re-established abroad, particularly in the United States, from a small number of dogs taken out of the country by emigrating families. From that narrow base the Havanese was rebuilt and has since become popular across the world, including in the UK, while retaining its longstanding role as a devoted family companion.
Temperament & family fit
The Havanese is affectionate, sociable and cheerful, a classic companion dog that thrives on being with its people. It typically gets on well with children, other dogs and household pets, and it is friendly rather than reserved with visitors, often described as a gentle extrovert. It is also clever and attentive, enjoying games, tricks and interaction, and it tends to be sensitive to its owner's mood.
This deep attachment is the breed's greatest charm and its main challenge. A Havanese wants to be involved in family life and does not cope well with long periods alone, which can lead to separation anxiety and unwanted behaviours such as barking if its social needs are not met. With company, gentle handling and a little structure, however, it is one of the most adaptable and good-natured of the toy breeds.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Flats or houses with daily exercise
Training & intelligence
For a toy dog the Havanese is notably trainable, being both intelligent and eager to please. It responds beautifully to positive, reward-based methods using treats, praise and play, and it enjoys learning tricks and taking part in activities such as basic obedience and even agility scaled to its size. Early socialisation helps it grow into the confident, friendly adult the breed is known for.
Two areas deserve attention. House-training small breeds can take patience and consistency, so a steady routine and reward-based approach pay off. The breed can also bark when excited, bored or anxious, so teaching calm behaviour and building tolerance to short, gradual periods of being alone from puppyhood helps prevent both nuisance barking and separation distress.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Keep sessions short, calm and consistent
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Havanese typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Grooming is the most demanding part of Havanese care. The long, silky double coat is low-shedding but needs frequent, ideally daily or near-daily, brushing and combing to prevent the mats and tangles that form easily, especially behind the ears and under the legs. Many owners choose a shorter clip to make maintenance easier. Regular bathing, eye and ear cleaning, nail trimming and dental care complete the routine, and professional grooming every few weeks is helpful for clipped coats.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality diet formulated for small or toy breeds, divided into two or more small meals a day to suit the dog's little stomach. Because the Havanese is small and food can be very tempting, portions and treats should be measured carefully to avoid weight gain, which is hard on small frames. Good dental care matters greatly in toy breeds, so vet-approved dental chews and tooth-brushing are worthwhile, and fresh water should always be available.
Havanese health & costs
Before bringing a Havanese home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£200–300 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£12–28 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£400–700 / year
Regular professional grooming
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The Havanese is generally a healthy, long-lived breed, often reaching 13 to 16 years, and many individuals enjoy good health throughout their lives. As with all pedigree dogs, however, certain inherited conditions are recognised in the breed, and responsible breeders screen their stock to reduce the risk of passing them on.
The conditions most associated with the Havanese include several eye disorders, luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps) common to small breeds, and hip problems including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia, along with the dental disease typical of toy dogs. Choosing a puppy from health-tested parents, keeping the dog at a healthy weight, maintaining good dental and eye care and providing routine preventive veterinary care all help support a long and comfortable life.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Luxating patella - a kneecap that slips out of place, common in small and toy breeds, which can cause intermittent lameness and sometimes needs surgical correction.
- Inherited eye conditions - the breed can be affected by disorders such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, so eye testing of breeding stock is recommended.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease - a hip condition seen in small breeds in which the head of the thigh bone degenerates, causing pain and lameness in young dogs.
- Hip dysplasia - although a small breed, the Havanese can be affected by hip joint malformation, so responsible breeders may hip-screen their stock.
- Dental disease - crowding of teeth in a small mouth makes toy breeds prone to plaque, tartar and gum disease, so regular dental care is important.
- Patellar and skeletal issues from obesity - excess weight strains the small joints, so maintaining a lean body condition is especially important in this breed.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Havanese; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Havanese puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Havanese
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Affectionate, sociable and trainable
- Low-shedding, apartment-friendly companion
Things to consider
- Silky coat needs regular grooming
- Prone to separation anxiety if left alone
Compare the Havanese
See how the Havanese measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Similar size, different type
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Havanese dog?
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and a much-loved member of the Bichon family of small companion breeds. A true toy dog, it stands around 23 to 27 cm and weighs roughly 3 to 6 kg, with a long, soft, silky double coat in many colours. Bred purely as a companion, it is sweet-natured and endlessly affectionate.
How big does a full-grown Havanese get?
An adult Havanese is a small toy dog, standing roughly 23 to 27 cm at the shoulder and weighing around 3 to 6 kg, with a sturdy little frame beneath its long coat. Its compact size makes it well suited to flats and city living, though it should be protected from rough play and cold, wet weather.
Are Havanese good for first-time owners?
Yes. The Havanese is cheerful, people-oriented and notably trainable for a toy breed, which makes it an excellent choice for first-time owners. It is intelligent and eager to please, responding beautifully to positive, reward-based methods. Its main needs are companionship, gentle grooming and a little daily exercise.
Do Havanese dogs shed much?
The long, silky double coat is low-shedding, but it is high-maintenance. It needs frequent, ideally daily or near-daily, brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles, which form easily behind the ears and under the legs. Many owners choose a shorter clip to make grooming easier, with professional trims every few weeks.
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
Modest but real exercise: a couple of short daily walks plus active play and mental stimulation, totalling around half an hour to an hour, usually keep it happy. It is lively and playful indoors and adapts well to flats, but still benefits from regular outings for exercise and socialisation.
Can a Havanese be left alone?
Not for long. The Havanese genuinely dislikes being left alone and wants to be involved in family life, so it can be prone to separation-related distress and barking if its social needs are not met. It is happiest where someone is around for much of the day, so building tolerance to short absences from puppyhood helps.
What health problems do Havanese have?
Generally healthy and long-lived, often reaching 13 to 16 years, the breed does have recognised inherited conditions. These include several eye disorders, luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps), and hip problems including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia, plus dental disease typical of toy dogs. Choose a puppy from health-tested parents.
How long do Havanese dogs live?
The Havanese is generally a healthy, long-lived breed, often reaching 13 to 16 years, with many individuals enjoying good health throughout their lives. Choosing health-tested parents, keeping the dog at a healthy weight, and maintaining good dental, eye and routine veterinary care all support a long and comfortable life.
Are Havaneses good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Havaneses tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Havanese needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Havaneses shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Havaneses easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Great for first-time owners. Havaneses are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Havaneses bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Havaneses good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Havaneses suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Havanese can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.
Sources
- The Kennel Club (UK) - Havanese breed information and breed standard (Toy group): https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/
- Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) - Havanese breed standard and classification: https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/
- PDSA - small and toy breed care, dental and weight advice: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice
- Blue Cross - general dog care, behaviour and separation-anxiety guidance: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.