Havanese
Toy Group · National Dog of Cuba · #25 AKC Breed
7–13 lbsWeight
8.5–11.5"Height
14–16 yrsLifespan
All Colors & PatternsColors
★★★★★Family Dog
Toy Group · National Dog of Cuba · #25 AKC Breed
Watch this video for a quick overview of the Havanese — see the breed in action before diving into the details.
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and the only breed developed there. Named after Havana, the capital city, the Havanese descends from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana ("little white dog of Havana"), which was itself descended from small dogs brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers in the 1600s. For centuries, the Havanese was the beloved lapdog of Cuban aristocracy — treasured for their cheerful disposition and silky, flowing coats.
When Cuban refugees fled to the United States after the 1959 revolution, they brought their Havanese with them — and the breed slowly rebuilt its numbers in America. Today the Havanese consistently ranks among the top 25 most popular breeds, celebrated for being one of the most adaptable, joyful, and family-friendly small dogs in the world.
Real Havaneses — see the breed's natural look, build, and expression.
📷 Photos: various photographers (CC BY / CC BY-SA / CC0) · via Wikimedia Commons
The Havanese is pure sunshine in dog form. They are cheerful, social, and affectionate with absolutely everyone — family, strangers, children, other dogs, even cats. They were bred to be companions, and every fiber of their being reflects that purpose. They genuinely thrive on human interaction and are happiest when they're involved in whatever their family is doing.
Unlike some toy breeds, Havanese are not yappy or snappy — they're gentle, patient, and remarkably tolerant. They do form strong attachments and can develop separation anxiety if left alone too often.
Havanese are moderately energetic — they enjoy play sessions and short walks but are equally happy curling up on the couch. About 20–30 minutes of daily activity is usually sufficient. They're well-suited to apartment living and adapt easily to their owner's lifestyle, whether active or relaxed.
Havanese are among the best travel companions of any breed — their 7–13 lb size fits easily under airplane seats in cabin carriers, they adapt quickly to new environments, and their cheerful temperament means they rarely stress in new situations. They're a top choice for frequent travelers who want a small, social dog.
The Havanese's long, silky coat is stunning — and requires consistent upkeep. Most pet owners choose to keep it trimmed short in a "puppy cut" for easier maintenance. Show dogs wear the full flowing coat, which requires daily brushing. Unlike many double-coated breeds, the Havanese sheds very little, making them excellent for allergy sufferers.
Havanese are exceptionally easy to train for a toy breed. They're intelligent, highly food-motivated, and deeply eager to please — a combination that makes them star pupils in obedience and trick training. They've even been used as therapy dogs, hearing assistance dogs, and allergy-detection dogs. Early training channels their energy productively and prevents the few bad habits they can develop (excessive barking, jumping).
Havanese are generally a healthy, long-lived breed — regularly reaching 14–16 years. Their most common concerns are joint issues (luxating patellas, hip dysplasia for a small breed), eye conditions, and deafness in certain color lines. Chondrodysplasia (abnormal cartilage development) can also occur. Regular vet check-ups and buying from health-tested breeders minimizes these risks significantly.
The Havanese is one of the most universally suitable small breeds — they adapt to apartments, houses, active lifestyles, and quieter homes equally well. They're perfect for families, seniors, first-time owners, allergy sufferers, and frequent travelers. The only real requirement: they need company. This is not a breed that does well alone all day.
Havanese are small, moderately active dogs that do well on a high-quality small-breed kibble. Their long silky coat benefits from omega-3 fatty acids — look for foods with fish oil or add a supplement. Unlike some toy breeds, Havanese are not particularly prone to obesity, but portions should still be measured carefully.
| Life Stage | Daily Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2–12 mo) | ¼ – ½ cup/day | Small-breed puppy formula; 3 meals/day |
| Adult (1–12 yr) | ½ – 1 cup/day | 2 meals/day; add omega-3 supplement for coat health |
| Senior (12+ yr) | ⅓ – ¾ cup/day | Reduce if less active; joint-support formula beneficial |
Always provide fresh water. Keep treats to ≤10% of daily calories. Avoid chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol — all toxic to dogs.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy from Breeder | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Monthly Food | $30 – $50 |
| Annual Vet Care | $400 – $900 |
| Professional Grooming | $60 – $100/visit (every 6–8 weeks) |
| Dental Cleanings | $200 – $400/year |
| Eye Specialist (if needed) | $150 – $350/visit |
Adopt from a Havanese rescue for $150–$350. Their food cost is low and they're generally healthy. The main ongoing cost is grooming — a short "puppy cut" maintained at home between professional appointments can cut grooming bills significantly. Buy from OFA health-tested breeders to minimize expensive eye and joint issues later.
The Havanese's low-shedding silky coat, cheerful temperament, and compact size make them a natural fit for designer toy-breed crosses. Most Havanese mixes are gentle, sociable, and apartment-friendly.
Parents: Havanese + Poodle
One of the fluffiest, most affectionate small mixes available. Combines the Havanese's sunny personality with the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat. A top choice for allergy sufferers.
Parents: Havanese + Maltese
Gentle, silky, and endlessly sweet. Two of the world's oldest companion breeds combined — the result is a calm, loving lap dog that thrives in any home.
Parents: Havanese + Shih Tzu
Cheerful, fluffy, and utterly devoted. Both parents were bred for centuries purely as companions — this mix lives to make its family happy.
Parents: Havanese + Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Silky, gentle, and deeply affectionate. Gets the Cavalier's emotional sensitivity paired with the Havanese's cheerful sociability — a therapy dog in the making.
The Havanese is the only dog breed native to Cuba and serves as the country's national dog. They were the exclusive companions of Cuba's aristocratic and wealthy merchant class for centuries, sometimes called "the silk dog" for their flowing, lustrous coat.
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the Havanese nearly disappeared — Cuba's wealthy class fled, and many dogs were left behind. The entire American Havanese population descends from just 11 dogs brought to the US by Cuban refugees. The breed owes its survival to dedicated breeders who rebuilt from those 11 dogs.
In the 1800s, Havanese became popular performers in European circuses and street acts — their intelligence, agility, and love of showing off made them natural entertainers. Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway both owned Havanese.
Despite their toy size, Havanese have been successfully trained as hearing assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and even mold and termite detection dogs. Their exceptional nose and willingness to work make them capable service animals in roles most people don't expect from a 10-lb dog.
In 1996, only 1,000 Havanese were registered with the AKC. By 2023, they were in the top 25 most popular breeds with tens of thousands of registrations annually — one of the most dramatic rises in AKC history, driven entirely by word-of-mouth from devoted owners.