Apartment fit
The Havanese is a strong apartment candidate because of its size, sociability, and moderate exercise needs. Manage hallway noise and alone time early.
ToySmall
Cuba
CubaHavanese
Weight
7-13 lb
Height
8.5-11.5 in
Lifespan
14-16 yrs
Coat
Double Long
The Havanese is Cuba's small companion dog, known for a silky long coat, cheerful temperament, springy gait, and strong people focus.
National dog of CubaCheerful toy companion with a springy gaitLong silky coat in many colorsExcellent apartment fit when grooming and companionship needs are met
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Bichon Havanais
IntelligentOutgoingFunnyAffectionatePlayfulSocial
Weight
7-13 lb
Height
8.5-11.5 in
Lifespan
14-16 yrs
Coat
Double Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
4/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and a member of the Bichon family. It was developed as a companion rather than a working field dog, and the breed standard emphasizes a sturdy small body, silky abundant coat, playful character, and distinctive springy movement.
A Havanese is usually affectionate, social, and trainable, making it a strong apartment and family candidate when grooming and barking are handled well. It is not a dog that thrives on being ignored all day; many are happiest with close companionship, short training games, and regular social contact.
The coat can be kept long, corded, or clipped for easier pet care. It is often low-shedding compared with many breeds, but it mats easily if neglected. Health planning should include patellas, hips, eyes, hearing, heart checks, dental care, and weight control.
Temperament & Personality
IntelligentOutgoingFunnyAffectionatePlayfulSocial
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a intelligent, outgoing, funny companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Low
Colors
White, Cream, Gold, Fawn, Red, Chocolate, Black, Silver, Sable, Brindle, Parti-Color, Any Color
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly5/5
Good with Kids5/5
Good with Dogs5/5
Good with Strangers5/5
Apartment Friendly5/5
Exercise Needs2/5
Grooming Needs4/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 2/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- first-time owners who want a friendly small companion
- apartments and smaller homes
- families with respectful children
- owners who enjoy grooming or can budget for professional coat care
- people who want a trainable toy breed
Not ideal for
- owners away all day without companionship plans
- homes wanting a no-grooming dog
- families with rough handling by very young children
- people who dislike small-dog alert barking
Common challenges
- coat mats
- separation distress
- alert barking
- dental disease
- keeping a small dog lean
Barking & behavior
Barking is usually manageable when the dog gets companionship, enrichment, and calm training around door sounds and windows.
Training style
Use cheerful reward-based training. Havanese often enjoy tricks, manners, and interactive games with their people.
Grooming & shedding
The coat is often low-shedding but high-maintenance. Brush long coats frequently or keep a practical trim.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Havanese need daily walks, play, and training games rather than hard athletic work. A few short sessions across the day often suit the breed better than one long forced outing.
Grooming
Brush the long silky coat several times a week, or keep a practical pet trim to reduce mats. Check ears, eyes, nails, and teeth routinely.
Training
Use reward-based training and keep lessons upbeat. Havanese are clever and people-focused, so they often enjoy tricks, manners work, and small-dog sports.
Nutrition
Feed a measured small-breed diet and monitor weight. Dental care matters because small companion breeds are prone to tartar and tooth problems.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather2/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Patellar luxationHip dysplasiaEye disease and cataractsDeafnessHeart diseaseDental diseaseLegg-Calve-Perthes disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Havanese a good apartment dog?
Yes. The Havanese is one of the better apartment breeds when it gets daily walks, play, companionship, and calm training around hallway sounds.
Does the Havanese bark a lot?
Some Havanese are alert barkers, but the breed is not meant to be constantly noisy. Doorbells, windows, and separation frustration should be managed early.
Is the Havanese good for first-time owners?
Yes, for owners ready for grooming and companionship needs. The breed is usually friendly and trainable, but it should not be treated as maintenance-free.
How much exercise does the Havanese need?
Most adults do well with daily walks, indoor play, and short training games. They need engagement more than endurance work.
Is the Havanese good with kids and other dogs?
Many are excellent with respectful children and other dogs. Supervision still matters because the breed is small and can be injured by rough handling.
Does the Havanese shed a lot?
Havanese are often low-shedding, but their long coat mats easily. Low shedding does not mean low grooming.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Havanese?
The biggest challenge is usually coat maintenance and preventing a social little dog from developing barking or separation problems.
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