Published Thursday, December 2, 2021 by PremierPups
Choosing between two small dog breeds can be a daunting task, especially when the choice comes down between two fancy dogs such as the Havapoo and Havashu. These beautiful dog breeds are kind-hearted, playful and fun-loving. If you crave a companion pet that can offer unconditional love and a never-ending supply of cuddles and joy, these two dogs are the way to go.
Since taking both bundles of joy home isn’t an option everyone has, we’ve prepared a detailed comparison of the two dog breeds to help you choose your perfect puppy match. Luckily, the Havapoo and Havashu aren’t identical neither in personality nor in looks, so only one might be the right fit for you. In this breed comparison article, you will find what key features set them apart, what qualities they share, and which of the two makes a better companion pet for you.
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.
Table of Contents
Havapoo vs Havashu Overview
Havapoo Overview
The cute Havapoo is a fancy designer dog that everyone loves for its rich personality and cuddly-yet-athletic appearance. This doodle dog is blessed with hypoallergenic qualities that make it a perfect choice for allergy sufferers. Havapoo puppies are a doodle breed that you get from mixing a Havanese with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. They are also commonly known as Havadoodle puppies and Poovanese.
These happy little puppy dogs were first bred in the United States during the 1990s. By crossing a Havanese with a Poodle, professional dog breeders aimed to create a unique small dog breed that would be easy to care for, lovable, fun, and completely adorable. Needless to say, Havapoo breeders achieved their goal and have since gifted us with a dog breed we can’t help but love.
Havashu Overview
The Havashu, or Havatzu (Hava-Tzu) as some prefer to call them, are an extraordinary blend of gorgeous looks, big hearts, and high spirits. This fancy designer dog we’ve all come to know and love, is a cross between a Havanese and a Shih Tzu. Havashu puppies are kind-hearted, caring, merry, and adventurous. They first appeared in the United States during the 1990s and have since become one of the favorite pets of the American household.
As the demand for more choices in the hypoallergenic dog breed group increased, reputable breeders in the United States set out to create a new stunning breed that could be owned by dog lovers suffering from pet-related allergies. Havashu breeders met that demand by presenting the world with a sweet, fun, and kind dog that had excellent hypoallergenic qualities.
Havapoo vs Havashu Overview Comparison
Two great dogs that enchant with their sweet appearances and lovable personalities, the Havashu and Havapoo are indeed a gift to the world. The Havapoo and Havashu were first bred in the United States during the beginning of the 1990s. Although they have only been around for a little over 30 years, they enjoy great popularity among dog lovers in the United States.
By being half Havanese, the Havapoo and Havashu inherit an agreeable personality as well as playfulness and a happy-go-lucky nature. Their secondary parent breeds, the Poodle and the Shih Tzu, bring their own qualities to the mix. Poodles, who are the second smartest dogs on earth, pass on great intelligence and versatility to their Havapoo puppies. Shih Tzus, who are notoriously loyal and loving of their humans, pass on their cuddly and caring nature.
Havapoo vs Havashu Overview Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havapoo | Havashu |
| Parent breeds | Havanese, Poodle | Havanese, Shih Tzu |
| Place of origin | US | US |
| Date of origin | 1990 | 1990 |
| Purpose | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet |
| Breed type | Poodle mix, doodle breed | Designer breed, hybrid |
| Other names | Havadoodle, Poovanese | Havatzu, Hava-tzu |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years | 12-16 years |
Havapoo vs Havashu Temperament
Havapoo Temperament
A brainy dog that loves to impress, the Havapoo will give you what your heart desires and then some. Havapoos are fantastic pets. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or a career-driven human, this dog will provide you with plenty of love, space, attention, and adventures when you want them.
A perfect blend of Havanese kindness and Poodle loyalty, the Havapoo is the type of dog that you can't help but admire. Calm, caring, sweet, lively, and excellent at making friends - these are just some of this dog’s many cool qualities. Havapoos are just as perfect a match for single folks as they are for large families with kids. They are gentle and patient with small children and spunky-entertaining for teens. Training them is easy too, not to mention fun, as they inherit the Poodle’s big brain.
To train your Havapoo puppy, all you need is good doggy treats and plenty of challenges for your brainiac puppy to achieve. As the Havapoo is a moderately active dog breed, you’ll also need to get ready for some outdoors adventures. This bouncy dog loves fetching, running freely, chasing toy balls, hiking, swimming, chewing, and you name it. Cuddles are also among their favorite things to do.
Havashu Temperament
The Havashu is an energetic and happy little dog that loves to zoom and play as much as it loves to love its humans. Get ready to be the most important person in the world, as this dog will put you first always-and-forever. Havashus are affectionate, lovey-dovey dogs. They thrive and are happiest when they get to share their favorite games and activities with their owners.
If you fancy going for a morning jog or a long evening walk, get ready to take your cute Havashu with you. This lively dog will put on its leash faster than you can put on your shoes. As an energetic little pooch, the Havashu is a fan of all things fun. Friendly chases at the dog park, games of frisbee, ball-fetching, tug-of-war, jogging, sprinting, hopping from lap to lap, and going for long walks, are among their favorite things to do.
A household filled with children might be the ideal setting for these dogs. They are neither snappy nor aggressive and they enjoy having playmates around the clock. When it comes to training, the Havashu puppy, although intelligent and entirely capable of learning, might need some extra motivation in the form of delicious treats and high praise. Havashu puppies have a low attention span when they are very young. They much prefer to play and explore rather than sit still and follow commands on cue. To help keep their focus on task, you’ll need to keep training sessions short and fun.
Havapoo vs Havashu Temperament Comparison
The Havapoo and Havashu are perfect little bundles of joy that can turn any house into a happy home. Although they share a Havanese dog breed parent, and as such some excellent qualities, they also have a few key differences that set them apart. The first aspect that stands out between the two is their energy level. Even though they both fit the ‘moderately active dog’ group, the Havashu does tend to have a bit more spunk compared to the Havapoo.
We can’t say that one loves its humans more than the other, but we can confirm that the Havashu is a tad more attached to the hip. Havashus don’t fancy being without their people and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Havapoos on the other hand, are more independent and capable of enjoying some alone time when their humans aren't around.
Training them as young puppies also come with a few differences between the two. The Havapoo puppies are smart, eager to learn, and keen on pleasing their trainer. Havashu puppies, although equally smart and driven to please, have their stubborn moments when they prefer to be doing something else instead of learning. Given their learning skills and general disposition, we feel that the Havapoo is a better fit for first-time pet owners, while the Havashu is a better match for a more experienced owner.
Havapoo vs Havashu Temperament Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havapoo | Havashu |
| Good with kids | Yes | Yes |
| Training | Easy | Easy, can be stubborn |
| Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Separation anxiety | Independent | Can suffer from anxiety |
| Energy levels | Moderately energetc | Energetic |
| Good for | Families with young kids, seniors, new owners | Families, active owners, experienced owners |
| Barking | Occasionally | Occasionally |
Havapoo vs Havashu Appearance
Havapoo Appearance
Cute, cuddly, and completely gorgeous, might not be enough to describe this little cutesy. Havapoos are happy-looking dogs that appear ready to make friends and cuddle at a moment’s notice. Their step is confident and their demeanor warm. They walk like they own the world and they turn heads wherever they go. Small-sized and precious, these little dogs can grow 9 to 12 inches tall (for a full grown Havapoo).
The Havapoo size and appearance can differ depending on which parent breed a puppy takes after. That being said, the average weight an adult Havapoo should have stands between 8 to 12 pounds. Common features for the Havapoo dogs include a rounded face, dark and round eyes, a tiny button nose, ears that hang next to their face, a puffy-curled tail, and a thick wavy to curly coat. Havapoo colors include combinations of two or more of the following: apricot, cream, chocolate, blue, fawn, black, gray, silver, gold, or fawn.
Havashu Appearance
Athletic and truly stunning, the Havashu will most likely steal your heart on sight. These sweetheart dogs, although small and adorable, hide a strong build under their dainty appearance. They are agile, fit, strong, resilient, and quite fast. The Havashu size can vary depending on which size of Poodle is being used for the mix – Miniature or Toy. That being said, the Havashu height should be between 8 to 12 inches and the weight should be in average of 7 to 15 pounds (for a full grown Havashu adult).
Common features for the Havashu include a short muzzle, a small button nose, dark round eyes, floppy ears, a curled fluffy tail, and a long silky wavy to curly coat. As a mixed breed, the Havashu colors include both Havanese and Shih Tzu breed standard colors. Their coat can come in various combinations of two or more of these colors – white, black, gray, brown, sable, and cream.
Havapoo vs Havashu Appearance Comparison
Petite and adorable, the Havapoo and Havashu are considered to be two of the fanciest designer dogs in the United States. Although they share some Havanese traits that make them appear similar to each other, the genes they get from their secondary parent are a game changer. Half Shih Tzu and half Havanese, the Havashu is a beautiful blend of both parents. As such, the Havashu sports plenty of Shih Tzu features that are sometimes more prominent. The Havapoo on the other hand, takes after both of its parents in equal measure.
Havapoo vs Havashu Appearance Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Havapoo | Havashu |
| Adult weight | 8-12 pounds | 7-15 pounds |
| Adult height | 9-12 inches | 8-12 inches |
| Coat type | Wavy, curly | Wavy, curly |
| Colors | Cream, silver, gold, white, black, gray, blue, apricot, fawn | White, black, bray, brown, sable, cream |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Minimal | Minimal |
Havapoo vs Havashu Comparison Conclusion
Gorgeous in every aspect, the Havapoo and Havashu are sure to win you over with a cute tail wag and a cuddle. These two designer dogs are famously known for their merrymaking personalities and liveliness. They are fantastic with children, easy to care for, and quite devoted to their humans. No being is perfect, but as we reach the end of our comparison, we can safely say that their only fault might just be their impossible cuteness.
As no two dogs are the same, the Havapoo and Havashu have presented us with enough qualities in which they differ, to help us find their best owner match. The Havapoo puppy, who is independent and easy to train, is an excellent fit for novice owners, families with children, singles, and retirees. The Havashu puppy we recommend to more experience dog owners, families with children, and active seniors that are home often and are looking for a loving and loyal companion pet to stick with them through thick and thin.
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, Havapoo or Havashu? Both the Havapoo and Havashu are spirited and lively, thanks to the Havanese side of their lineage. The Havapoo might have a bit more energy due to the influence of the Poodle genes. However, Havashus, given the Shih Tzu's relatively laid-back nature, may be a tad mellower.
Havapoo or Havashu, which barks more? Havapoos can occasionally bark when seeking attention or if they sense something unusual. Havashus, taking after the alert nature of both parent breeds, may also bark to alert their owners. Individual tendencies can vary, but neither breed is known for excessive barking.
Do Havapoos have more separation anxiety than Havashus? Both breeds can develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods, primarily because of their strong bond with their families. Training and socialization can mitigate such tendencies in both breeds.
Should I get a Havapoo or a Havashu? It depends on individual preferences. If you want a Poodle mix with curly, often hypoallergenic hair, a Havapoo might be suitable. If you're attracted to the Shih Tzu's appearance and traits combined with a Havanese, the Havashu is a great pick.
Which is better, a Havapoo or a Havashu? There's no definitive "better" between the two. It truly depends on the qualities you're seeking in a pet and your personal preferences.
What is the lifespan of a Havapoo vs. Havashu? Both breeds typically have a lifespan of around 12-15 years, contingent on health, care, and genetics.
Are Havapoos easier to train than Havashus? Both breeds, being intelligent and eager to please, are generally amenable to training. Consistency and positive reinforcement methods will aid the training process for both.
Do Havapoos shed more than Havashus? Havapoos, with Poodle genetics, tend to have hypoallergenic, low-shedding coats. Havashus, blending the coat traits of Havanese and Shih Tzu, may shed slightly more but are still considered relatively low shedders.
Which is calmer, a Havapoo or a Havashu? While individual temperaments vary, in general terms, Havashus might be a tad calmer, given the Shih Tzu's nature. Havapoos, however, are also known to have serene moments, especially when they're with their loved ones.