Havanese · Toy
The Havanese is a small, cheerful companion dog from Cuba with a soft, silky coat. Most are social, playful and easy to train. Life goes well with plenty of company, daily walks, patient house training and regular brushing.
First, the point
Public breed histories describe a Cuban companion dog from the Bichon family, rebuilt in the United States after 1959.
Most Havanese are friendly with everyone. The challenges are time alone, house training, barking and coat care.
From the first weeks, teach toilet routines, short absences, brushing and calm greetings.
Breed history
History does not decide what one puppy becomes, but it explains a lot: most Havanese are cheerful, social and people-focused — small companions that thrive on company and gentle training.
Bichon family → Cuba
Public breed histories place the Havanese in the Bichon family of small companion dogs, brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers and traders. It became a pet of wealthy Cuban families.
The breed was always a companion: playful, affectionate and keen to be part of family life.
Revolution → exile → revival
After the 1959 Cuban revolution, a few families left with their dogs. Breeders in the United States used those dogs to rebuild the breed from the 1970s.
Today the Havanese is a popular family dog. Meet the parents and ask how they cope with being alone.
What the breed was bred for
In plain trainer language: Havanese were selected to be close companions. Most love people, other pets and games, and learn tricks quickly.
The challenges are time alone, house training, barking and coat care. Company, routines and regular brushing keep a Havanese happy.
Public references: FCI 250, AKC Havanese, RKC.
Life together
Havanese adapt to flats and houses. They need people around, daily walks and play.
Many Havanese enjoy busy places once they are socialized.
Daily walks and sniffing suit most Havanese.
See loose-leash walking.
Build alone time gradually and offer a chew when you leave.
See first absences.
Care and health themes
General awareness only — I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. Notice changes in coat, eyes, eating or energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Soft, long coat that tangles. Brush several times a week or keep a shorter trim.
Keep hair out of the eyes; see the vet for redness.
Brush daily; small dogs need dental care.
Keep treats small. See treat calories.
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends and see results for both parents.
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
Havanese can be kept in a long natural coat or a short trim. Some are even shown corded. Care changes, temperament does not.
Suits owners who enjoy grooming.
Suits busy pet homes.
Socialization windows
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Introduce: toilet schedule, brushing, crate, friendly visitors.
Do not overload: long hours alone.
Introduce: short absences, recall, calm greetings.
Do not overload: rewarding barking.
Introduce: grooming visits, tricks, longer walks.
Do not overload: skipping brushing.
Introduce: cafés, visits, dog-friendly outings.
Do not overload: carrying instead of walking.
Introduce: refreshed toilet and alone-time routines.
Do not overload: dropping training.
Before you buy
A Havanese fits families and individuals who want a small, social dog and are home often.
Good match
Mismatch risk
If you are torn between breeds
Havanese are compared with the Bichon Frise and Maltese — close relatives in the Bichon family.
Havanese Soft, silky, wavy; many colours.
Bichon Frise Curly white coat.
Havanese Sturdy, slightly longer than tall.
Bichon Frise Compact and round.
Havanese Many colours.
Maltese Always white.
Havanese Small and sturdy.
Maltese Smaller and finer.
Havanese Social and playful.
Both compares All three are cheerful companions.
Ownership without surprises
Costs depend on your area and groomer. Plan for these — not quotes.
Brushes or regular trims.
Brushing and checks.
Small portions; treats count.
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Puppy class and tricks.
Sitter or day care if you are out a lot.
With a Havanese, grooming and company plans are the main costs.
Before day one at home
A Havanese puppy is sociable and quick to learn. Start toilet routines and alone time early.
Follow potty training.
See first absences.
See puppy handling.
See jumping up.
See crate training.
See the name game.
If the dog is already yours
Havanese learn quickly with treats and play.
Focus on toilet habits, alone time, calm greetings and grooming.
Trick training and simple dog sports keep a Havanese busy.
Load balance
Daily walks and play sessions suit most Havanese.
Walks, fetch, tricks and puzzle feeders suit most Havanese.
A Havanese with company and routines is a joyful family dog.
Alone time
Build absences slowly, starting with a few seconds.
Step out of the room for seconds.
Give a chew before you leave.
Add time only when the dog stays calm.
No big goodbyes or greetings.
Shorten absences if the dog cries.
One scene close-up
Havanese were bred as companions and love being close.
Practise short separations at home, reward calm and keep departures low-key.
If distress continues, shorten absences and ask a trainer for help.
Typical household scenes
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
Cries or barks when left.
Slow house training.
Alerts to visitors.
Excited greetings.
Resists brushing.
Grabs socks and runs.
Grabs hands in play.
Energy, appetite or behaviour changes — vet first.
Practical view
“With a Havanese, I look at alone time and house training first. We build short absences, a toilet routine and easy brushing — because a dog bred for company finds empty hours hardest.”
Sessions cover real scenes: time alone, toilet accidents, barking, jumping on visitors, and grooming. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — time alone, toilet accidents, barking, or grooming. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
If you love small, smart dogs but are out more often, consider this one.
A cheerful, curly-coated companion dog that loves people and needs regular grooming, patient house training and company.
A toy spaniel that wants your sofa and still has a nose that will follow a crumb into the garden.
A friendly, long-coated companion from the Chinese court that needs regular grooming, house training and care in heat.
Clever, adaptable and low-shedding; Miniature and Toy sizes suit small homes.
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
A slender miniature sighthound that is gentle at home and needs warmth, safe places to sprint and patient house training.
A soft East Asian lap companion. Needs confident handling, flat manners without spoiling and cool-weather walking sense.
A tiny, ancient white companion with a silky coat that needs daily grooming, house training and plenty of company.
A small, proud German ratter that needs exercise, door manners and loose-leash training.
A bright, butterfly-eared toy spaniel that learns fast and needs training games, walks and calm door routines.
A dignified lion dog from the Chinese court. Needs handling taught with consent, real small-dog manners and careful heat, eye and back care.
Describe your Havanese’s age and the scene that repeats most: time alone, toilet accidents, barking, or grooming. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/havanese-guide/credits.md.
