Havapoo Breed Information
The Havapoo, also referred to as the Poovanese or the Havadoodle, is a designer hybrid breed – a cross between a purebred Havanese and a purebred Miniature or Toy Poodle. Having inherited the charismatic and cuddly personality of the Havanese, and the sharp and agile mindset of the Mini Poodle, the Havapoo is a very popular and very well-equipped dog with a delightful personality.
True to its parent breeds, the Havapoo is small in stature with an average weight between 8 to 12 pounds and an average height between 9 to 12 inches. It has a small round head, beautiful dark round eyes, a black button nose, endearing floppy ears, and a puffy tail. A teddy bear in appearance, the Havapoo has a thick, soft, and fluffy coat that can come in a myriad of colors and can vary from wavy to curly.
Highly intelligent, cuddly, and affectionate with a sunny disposition, the Havapoo makes an excellent companion dog for any lucky family.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Doodle Hybrid / Poodle crossed with a Havanese
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Intelligent, Cuddly, Affectionate
ADULT WEIGHT
8-20 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
LIFE SPAN
10-14 yrs
Characteristics
- Havapoo puppies are a mix breed of a Havanese crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle
- Other names the Havapoo is known for include Poovanese, Havadoodle, Havanese doodle, and Havanese Poodle mix
- Havapoo hypoallergenic coat with minimal to no shedding. The Havanese Poodle mix is one of the best small breeds for allergy sufferers
- A Havapoo full grown can weigh up to 12 pounds. Their weight can be as little as 8-9 pounds for a Havapoo adult and less for a Toy, Teacup, or Mini
- Havapoo colors that are most popular include black, white, and merle
- This designer puppy makes an excellent family dog for large and small families. They are also a fantastic fit for seniors and new puppy owners
- The Havapoo dogs live longer healthier lives due to hybrid vigor
- Loving, playful and sociable, the Havadoodles make fast friends with everyone they meet – they are very well behaved with children, dogs, cats, other household pets, and strangers
- The Havapoo (Poovanese or Havadoodle) is comfortable in both hot and cold climates thanks to its rich coat properties
- The Havadoodle puppies are easy to train, groom, and love. They are eager to please, and they love to learn – the Hvapoo pups are excellent for non-experienced owners
- These dogs are highly adaptable – they feel equally at home on a countryside farm as well as in a small city apartment
Appearance
True to its parent breeds, the Havapoo (Havadoodle or Poovanese) embodies the small size of both the Havanese breed and the Mini or Toy Poodle breed. Their weight ranges from 8 to 12 pounds for an adult. The height of a full grown Havapoo can average between 9 and 12 inches.
With a small round head, beautiful dark round expressive eyes, a tiny black button nose, endearing floppy ears, and a cute puffy tail, the Havapoo is considered one of the most beautiful doodle breeds and it’s easy to see why.
The Havapoo coat is hypoallergenic with minimal to no shedding, varies in length from medium to long, and in texture from wavy to curly. They can have short and curly Poodle coats, long and silky Havanese coats, or a perfectly balanced combination of both. The thick, soft, and fluffy coat can come in a myriad of colors and color combinations. The most common colors include black and blue, silver, chocolate, white, fawn, silver and gold, apricot, blue, brown, gray, and cream.
Some Havapoo colors that are considered among the most popular are:
Black
Merle
Photos
Temperament
The Havapoo temperament is gentle and calm, much like that of the Poodle and the Havanese breeds. Havapoos (Havadoodles or Poovanese) have adoring personalities. Their nature is caring and loyal, they lack aggression, and are very cuddly.
Children and Havapoos are a wonderful match. They have the same passion for games and are equally excited about having a best friend. It is commonly believed that children who grow up with dogs become more responsible and empathic (another reason why you should get a dog). They are great teachers when it comes to teaching responsibility. They are also quick to form strong bonds with their humans and these bonds are often unbreakable.
The Havapoo temperament is very composed, even when provoked. These dogs are renowned for being patient even with the smallest children in the house. Havapoo puppies are also a fantastic fit for seniors, given their affectionate nature and attentiveness. Like the Poodle and the Havanese, which are the breed’s parents, these designer puppies have all the best qualities that make up a good therapy dog. They are open, receptive, and very aware of what their owners require of them.
Playful, friendly, with a delightful personality, the Havapoos love playtime with kids, are attention seekers, and adore performing and entertaining the people around them. Their trick portfolio is impressive and so is their catchy good mood. Joy is something these puppies love to spread wherever they go. Intelligence is also something this breed has a great deal of. These puppies are highly intelligent dogs that love to be mentally stimulated and to learn new tricks. They are easy to groom and simple to train which makes them excellent companions for first time pet owners that have no prior experience in training a young puppy.
The Havapoo’s sunny disposition is one of the breed’s most charming traits. These dogs are charismatic and love nothing more than to cuddle, be the center of attention, and most importantly be with their human family.
Insights
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Care
Grooming
Havapoo grooming is effortless and takes very little time. Given that they are a dog breed that sheds very little to none, their coat grooming requirements are low. Havapoo grooming should consist of brushing the coat, clipping nails, bathing, brushing teeth, and cleaning ears.
Brushing your Havapoo’s coat should be done at least once a week for a few minutes, preferably with a bristle brush that is designed for their coat type. If time allows, two times a week would be ideal for brushing your little dog. We recommend that you begin grooming your Havapoo puppy as soon as it arrives home, at 8-10 weeks old. This will help your puppy get used to being handled and will set the tone for easier grooming at home when your Havapoo reaches adulthood. Bathing your dog monthly will work best, although it is beneficial to bathe them if they get particularly dirty sooner than that. When bathing your dog, make sure to always use canine-friendly shampoo that is right for your dog. Human shampoo is not dog-friendly and should not be used.
Clipping your dog's nails is necessary only if or when they start making clicking noises on the floor. Brushing your dog’s teeth is an essential step that cannot be missed when it comes to Havapoo grooming. Havapoos, like all dog breeds, can be prone to dental issues and periodontal disease. It is highly beneficial to brush their teeth daily with dog toothpaste and a toothbrush specifically designed for dogs. You can begin brushing your Havapoo’s teeth using your finger with a little bit of toothpaste. This will allow your dog to become comfortable with the process.
More tips on brushing your dog’s teeth.
Another step in grooming your dog at home is to check for ear infections, debris, and bad odor, and to clean the outer part of the ears regularly. You can use dog wet wipes or a damp cloth to clean your dog’s ear.
Your dog's grooming should be easy to manage at home, even for non-experienced puppy owners. We recommend that you get your Havapoo puppy accustomed to the tools that you plan on using for grooming as soon as he/she arrives home.
For more insights on grooming, check out our blog How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog Guide.
Exercise Needs
The Havapoos are moderately active dogs. They are energetic and playful, and they love outdoor games. A Havapoo will generally prefer a game of chase or fetch as opposed to lazing around. When it comes to their exercise needs, they will require up to one hour of daily walks combined with some active playtime indoors. Havapoos are generally very enthusiastic dogs, which means they can sometimes get easily bored indoors. A mentally stimulating canine puzzle game and some interactive toys will help in exercising their minds and keeping them entertained and happy.
For more insights on training dogs effectively, check out our blog Easiest Dogs to Train - Top 5 Pups for Effortless Training.
More useful tips on raising a new puppy.
Health
Small hybrid dogs like the Havapoo enjoy very good health. As a first-generation cross of a purebred Havanese and a purebred Poodle, the Havapoo puppy benefits from improved health thanks to hybrid vigor. Although not completely immune from developing health issues, the only concerns that are known to arise in Havapoos. These include cataracts during senior years, allergies, and skin infections.
Lifespan
The Havapoo lifespan is known to be between 12 and 15 years. While living over 15 years is not uncommon for this breed, it is something that requires a little effort on the dog owner’s part. To ensure your dog lives a long, healthy life, it is recommended to visit the veterinarian for bi-monthly check-ups and provide your dog with good care.
Exercise your dog as recommended and make sure to always purchase high-quality dog food that will provide your Havapoo with a healthy diet. For more on dog diets, see our blog on Can Dogs Eat Bananas Guide.
Training
Havapoos are highly intelligent dogs. They like learning new things and are generally very obedient. They are attentive, fast learners, and they have people pleasing personalities. Training a Havapoo should always be an easy and fun activity. Their eagerness to impress will show in well performed tricks and perfectly executed commands. To ensure you get the best response out of you puppy while training, use reward-based motivation and lots of positive reinforcement - Havapoo puppies love to be cheered and praised.
Havapoos are sociable dogs, but they still need socialization training to ensure they grow into well-behaved adult dogs. They enjoy meeting new people and are known to make fast friends with other dogs. To socialize your Havapoo puppy, it is best to begin introducing people gradually in a low-distraction environment where your puppy is comfortable. Allow your puppy time to start liking interactions before you move on to outdoor activities and outdoor socialization training. Introducing your puppies to other pets in dog parks is also a terrific way to ensure they will mature into well-rounded friendly dogs.
Havapoos are not overly dependent dogs. They can keep busy with interactive canine toys when they are alone for a couple of hours. Leaving them alone for extended periods of time can cause them to develop separation anxiety, which is best avoided with proper training during puppyhood. Leaving them alone for short periods of time throughout the day will help them become more independent as adult dogs.
For more on early training, see our blog Early Training: Key Cavapoo Puppy Behaviors.
Learn more about training from our Puppy Training Guide.
History
During the 1990’s in the United States, when designer hybrid breeds started to emerge and become immensely popular, breeders aimed to gift the world with a new hybrid breed – the Havapoo. A new dog breed that would inherit a perfectly balanced combination of the best qualities of two amazing and highly popular breeds. By crossing a Havanese with a Miniature or Toy Poodle, the breeders aimed to create a dog with the hypoallergenic coat. Breeders also wanted the exceptional intelligence of the Poodle breed and the charismatic and sunny nature of the Havanese breed.
The Havapoo’s health is also a reason why the breed is now considered one of the most sought-after doodle dogs. As a first-generation crossbreed, these puppies benefit from hybrid vigor. It ensures they reach senior years without being prone to the same number of health problems that the Havanese and Poodle breeds are sometimes affected by. Hybrid vigor is a health improvement that doodle breeds and hybrid breeds benefit from as a result of crossbreeding.
Although the exact origins of the Havapoo breed are unknown, we can take a look back at the history of the Havanese breed and the Poodle breed to better understand the designer doodle breed.
A dog for kings and queens, the Havanese (also known as” the Havana Silk Dog”) has known a life of luxury as a companion pet for royal families and aristocrats. Their intelligence, cuddly looks, and colorful personality have earned the Havanese the love of the Cuban people and the title of “National Dog of Cuba”. From Cuba, the Havanese quickly spread out across Europe and the United States and just as quickly became very popular. Greatly loved around the world, with admirers like Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Ernest Hemingway, the Havanese breed has seen a rise in popularity throughout history. The Havanese breed is currently a parent to more than 20 crossbreeds. Among the most popular Havanese mixes are the Havashu and Havachon puppies.
The Poodle breed, a canine aristocrat, is one of the oldest and most versatile dog breeds in the world. Paintings, literature, and poetry have been representing the elegant Poodle since the 13th century in France, Italy, Spain, and England. The Poodle has been a working dog in a vast number of different fields across the world, including the circus, military, and sports arena. Confident in appearance with a delicate demeanor, the Poodle has been raised in the lap of luxury among wealthy families for centuries.
A dog for royalty, the Poodle has been a favorite companion pet at royal courts throughout history, being especially adored at the King’s Court in France during the 18th century. The Poodle now holds second place as the most intelligent dog breed in the world and is a most adored companion pet. Poodles are also the parent breed to over 40 doodle breeds. The most popular Poodle mixes are the Havapoo, Mini Goldendoodle, Cavapoo, Maltipoo, and Mini Bernedoodle.
RELATED: 7 Things you didn’t know about Poodles
If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between the Havapoo and similar breeds, check out our complete Havapoo comparisons. They contain detailed size comparisons, temperament comparisons and more.
