Published Friday, November 12, 2021 by PremierPups
The Havanese and Havapoo are fan-favorites at Premier Pups. With their eye-catching appearances and delightful personalities, these two are sure to make any family feel lucky. Although they share an abundance of desirable qualities, the Havanese and Havapoo aren’t quite the same. What sets them apart is what makes them uniquely perfect. Read on to learn more about their key qualities and some of the aspects that set them apart.
A puppy’s love is a pure thing and, here at Premier Pups, we aim to give our loving puppies the forever homes they deserve. Our specialized team of Puppy Agents is here to help you with the choosing process to make sure your new pup fits right in with your family.
Choosing the puppy that perfectly matches your lifestyle can significantly increase the quality of your life, while choosing one that doesn’t quite fit, may have the opposite effect. At Premier Pups, our goal is to help you choose the puppy that is just right for you.
Table of Contents
Havanese vs Havapoo Overview
Havanese Overview
The Havanese is a centuries-old dog breed that originates from Havana Cuba. Although it only made its way to the United States a little over a century ago, the Havanese is one of the most endeared dog breeds of America. These beautiful dogs are famously known for their sweet, sunny personalities, friendliness, and high trainability. They are great with kids, and families in particular love them for their calm temperaments and outgoing nature.
The American Kennel Club recognizes the Havanese dog breed as a member of their Toy Group. Also known as the Havana Silk Dog, the Havanese is Cuba’s National Dog.
Havapoo Overview
The Havapoo, an excellent blend of two remarkable dog breeds, is half Havanese and half Miniature or Toy Poodle. The breed first appeared in the United States during the 1990s and has seen a steady rise in popularity ever since. Havapoos are lively dogs that enchant with a teddy bear appearance and a wonderful personality. They are a great fit for outdoor lovers and an excellent source of joy for families with children.
Although they are recognized by several designer dog clubs, the Havanese are not yet eligible to enter the American Kennel Club. Commonly known as a doodle breed, hybrid, or designer dog, the Havapoo goes by other names such as Poovanese and Havadoodle.
Havanese vs Havapoo Overview Comparison
Although they both share Havanese in their genetic make-up, the Havanese and Havapoo are anything but alike when it comes to their origins, backgrounds, and breed status. Havanese dogs have been around for many centuries, while the Havapoo breed is a little over 30 years old. The Havanese is purebred and comes from Cuba, while Havapoos are a mixed breed/crossbreed that was created in the United States. As for their popularity, despite their origins being centuries apart, both the Havanese and Havapoo enjoy a similar popularity rank in the United States.
Havanese vs Havapoo Overview Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havanese | Havapoo |
| Parent breeds | Havanese | Havanese, Poodle |
| Place of origin | Havana, Cuba | US |
| Date of origin | 1400 | 1990 |
| Purpose | Companionship | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet |
| Breed type | Purebred breed | Poodle mix, doodle breed |
| Other names | Havana Silk Dog, National Dog of Cuba | Havadoodle, Poovanese |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years | 10-14 years |
Havanese vs Havapoo Temperament
Havanese Temperament
Happy and playful dogs, the Havanese thrive when they are the center of attention in their family home. Although they are not particularly clingy, these dogs crave to be involved in their human’s day to day life and nothing will stop them from owning their favorite lap. Their calm temperament and cuddle-oriented nature is what makes them such excellent companion pets for a wide variety of families.
Havanese dogs make fast friends with other pets and are well-behaved around children. They are neither shy nor aggressive towards new people and they find social interactions to be quite enjoyable.
Training a Havanese puppy is as much a fun activity as it is a perfect bonding experience. These puppies are smart and capable of picking up on basic training commands quite easily. They love showing off and impressing their humans and will use their learning skills as a means to do so. Because they are small and almost too adorable to handle, the Havanese puppies are easily spoiled, which in turn comes with stubbornness in training and over-attachment.
Havapoo Temperament
Lively, joyful, and immensely adorable, the Havapoos want nothing more than to play, cuddle, eat, and repeat. As they share both Poodle and Havanese genes, the Havapoos inherit the best of both breeds. They are calm in temperament, affectionate in nature, and adventurous in spirit.
These dogs love to have fun and the outdoors are their favorite playground. They enjoy playing dog games, chasing, fetching, and interacting with their fellow fur-baby friends. Although moderately active as a breed, the Havapoo dogs are less inclined to spend their time lazing around the house, and more driven to take part in an active play session. Their humans are their best friends, as are other pets and children. Simply put, there is no being the Havapoo doesn’t love.
Training Havapoo puppies is easy breezy as these pups are passionate in equal measure about learning and pleasing their owners. Although they are happiest when they are with their people, Havapoos are not overly dependent but rather the opposite. They can be left alone for a few hours each day without the risk of destructive behavior or separation anxiety.
Havanese vs Havapoo Temperament Comparison
Both the Havanese and Havapoo have calm temperaments and a strong desire to be near their owners. Their affectionate nature, friendliness, and happy disposition are what makes them such amazing companions. One key difference between the two can be found in their energy levels and favorite activities.
Although both are considered to be moderately active dog breeds, the Havanese and Havapoo seem to prefer different types of lifestyles. The Havanese are more relaxed and more passionate about spending quality time indoors playing low-intensity dog games with their humans. Havapoos on the other hand, are a tad more energetic and want more outdoor adventures, interactions, and more exercise.
There are some differences when it comes to training the two, as the Havanese puppies are more about getting attention, while the Havapoo puppies are more eager to learn and please. Their independence levels can be tricky to decipher as both the Havanese and Havapoo are tiny adorable dogs that can be easily spoiled. In their nature, Havapoo dogs are more independent than the Havanese dogs.
Havanese vs Havapoo Temperament Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havanese | Havapoo |
| Good with kids | Yes | Yes |
| Training | Easy, can be stubborn | Easy |
| Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Separation anxiety | Can suffer from anxiety | Independent |
| Energy levels | Laid-back, moderately energetic | Moderately energetic |
| Good for | Families with children, retirees, individuals | Families with young kids, seniors, new owners |
| Barking | Occasionally | Occasionally |
Havanese vs Havapoo Appearance
Havanese Appearance
The Havanese are petite dogs recognized by their long, luxurious coats, bouncy step, and happy demeanor. They appear warm, affectionate, and ready for a cuddle. The Havanese size, not taking into account individual diets and exercise routines, should be in average of 9 to 12 inches and 7 to 13 pounds for a full grown Havanese.
These gorgeous dogs have a long, straight to wavy coat, dark almond-shaped eyes, cute hanging ears, and a feathered tail. Some Havanese colors include white, silver, black, blue, brown, and grey. The Havanese have low-shedding coats and are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Havapoo Appearance
As designer dogs, the Havapoos (Poovanese or Havadoodle) have a mixed appearance that blends features from both Poodles and Havanese dogs. They are recognized by their teddy bear appearance, joyful step, and friendly demeanor. The Havapoo dogs appear happy, playful, and ready for a friendly chase.
The Havapoo size can differ from one puppy to another depending on which parent breed they take after more. Their height should be between 9 to 12 inches, and their weight should be between 8 to 12 pounds for a full grown Havapoo. Their coat texture is either wavy or curly, thick, soft, and fluffy.
Some Havapoo colors include silver, gold, black, brown, grey, chocolate, cream, blue, fawn, apricot, and cream. Havapoos have a rounded face, dark round eyes, a black button nose, floppy ears, and a puffy, curled tail. The Havapoo sheds very little and is considered a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Havanese vs Havapoo Appearance Comparison
The Havanese and Havapoo are both stunning little dogs that share a happy demeanor and a beautiful appearance. Although the two share a similar height and weight, their general appearance is somewhat different. The Havanese have a long, straight coat, while Havapoos sport a curlier one. As a hybrid of two different breeds, the Havapoo has a richer palette of coat colors inherited from both their Poodle and Havanese parent breeds. The Havanese has a set breed standard with the AKC, while Havapoos are yet to be defined by a strict standard.
Havanese vs Havapoo Appearance Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havanese | Havapoo |
| Adult weight | 7-12 pounds | 8-12 pounds |
| Adult height | 9-12 inches | 9-12 inches |
| Coat type | Straight, wavy | Wavy, curly |
| Colors | White, silver, black, blue, brown, gray | Cream, silver, gold, white, black, gray, blue, apricot, fawn |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Minimal | Minimal |
Havanese vs Havapoo Comparison Conclusion
As we reach the end of our comparison, we can agree that choosing between the Havanese and Havapoo is anything but easy. Both the Havapoo and Havanese are good family dogs with excellent personalities. They are well-behaved, friendly, affectionate, and quite loyal to their humans. Thankfully, these two dogs make choosing between them a little less difficult with their key qualities.
On that note, we recommend the Havanese puppy to families with children, retirees, and single folks looking for a cuddle buddy that was made for a laid-back, fun lifestyle. We believe the Havapoo puppy is a better fit for moderately active families, first-time pet owners, and folks looking for a companion to join them on fun outings and adventures.
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more energetic, Havanese or Havapoo? Both breeds are energetic and playful, but the Havapoo, being a crossbreed involving a Poodle, might exhibit a slightly increased level of energy due to the Poodle lineage.
Havanese or Havapoo, which barks more? Havaneses are known for their vocal nature; they often bark to alert their owners. Havapoos might inherit this trait, but since they're a mix, their vocal tendencies can vary depending on individual temperament.
Do Havanese have more separation anxiety than Havapoos? Both breeds can develop separation anxiety if not properly trained from a young age, as they form strong attachments to their families. There's no significant difference between the two in this aspect.
Should I get a Havanese or a Havapoo? It depends on what you're looking for in a dog. If you prefer purebreds, then a Havanese might be the choice. If you're open to crossbreeds that may have hypoallergenic traits from the Poodle lineage, then a Havapoo is an option.
Which is better, a Havanese or a Havapoo? Both have their unique attributes. The "better" choice largely depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
What is the lifespan of a Havanese vs. Havapoo? Havaneses generally have a lifespan of 14-16 years. Havapoos, being a mixed breed, can have a varied lifespan, but it's typically around 10-15 years.
Are Havaneses easier to train than Havapoos? Both breeds are intelligent and trainable. Havapoos, with potential Poodle genetics, might have a slight edge in quick learning, but both breeds respond well to positive reinforcement.
Do Havaneses shed more than Havapoos? Havaneses do shed, but they're considered low shedders. Havapoos, due to the Poodle lineage, can often have a hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally.
Which is calmer, a Havanese or a Havapoo? Individual temperaments vary, but generally, both breeds are playful and lively. The Havanese might be slightly calmer compared to the energetic nature of some Havapoos.