Quick Summary: Havanese puppies often cost $1,500 to $3,500, but dated health records, a clear contract, and ongoing breeder support matter more than the sticker price. Ask for both parents’ OFA numbers, CAER eye exams, BAER hearing results, cardiac clearances, and DNA tests, then verify the actual results because a CHIC certificate only confirms that testing was performed. Budget several thousand dollars for first-year grooming, food, dental care, and vet visits, and slow down if a seller demands fast payment or refuses to show the puppy and its mother.
Two listings can sit within $500 of each other and still rest on completely different ground. One names each parent’s OFA numbers and eye exam dates. The other says “vet checked with a health guarantee” and leaves it there. That gap is the real story behind any Havanese puppy price and health claim you will read online.
This guide shows you how to close it. You will learn what today’s Havanese CHIC requirements ask for, which records a breeder should hand you without being pressed, and how the word “guarantee” holds up in writing. We also break a first-year budget into named parts, from grooming a double coat to heartworm prevention, so nothing on the invoice surprises you.
The standard here comes from primary sources: current health testing requirements, the AKC breed standard, and the paperwork Sage Puppies keeps for its own litters. Paper tells you more than photos ever will. Judge every Havanese puppy price and health promise the same way, and the right breeder becomes obvious.
What Determines the Price of a Havanese Puppy
A Havanese puppy price and health story is mostly about what sits behind the number. Two listings can differ by $500 and rest on completely different ground. Most well-bred Havanese puppies cost between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on the breeder’s health testing, location and pedigree, though boutique programs in high-cost areas can run higher. The best way to compare prices is to break each one into its parts.
The Cost Components Behind a Havanese Price
The biggest driver is the parents’ health testing. That includes OFA hips and patellas, an eye exam, a BAER hearing check, cardiac clearance and DNA tests for conditions like progressive retinal atrophy. Each test costs the breeder real money before a litter is born. Other named cost components include the dam’s prenatal vet care and whelping, early socialization, first vaccines, deworming and a microchip. Add registration paperwork and the breeder’s time, and the first-year Havanese cost picture starts to make sense. Breeders who show or title their dogs carry even more expense, since a single show day plus training and travel adds up fast, as owner forums report for finishing a dog.
Comparing Two Listings on Equal Footing
Put both listings through the same three questions. First, what testing can the breeder prove with dated documents, not just a claim? Second, what does the price actually include, from vaccines to a starter kit? Third, what support comes after pickup? A $2,400 puppy with full OFA patella results, a written contract and lifetime breeder support is often the better deal than a $1,900 puppy with none of it. Ask both breeders the same questions in the same order, and the gap between the numbers becomes meaningful instead of confusing.
What a Havanese Price Does Not Cover
The purchase price is only the entry ticket. Grooming every six weeks, quality food, routine vet visits and training all come after. Budget a few thousand dollars for that first year, separate from what you paid for the puppy. Programs such as Sage Puppies’ pricing and reservation page explain what a purchase price includes, which makes the after-purchase budget easier to plan. Plan for both, not just the sticker number.
Health Conditions Havanese Owners Should Know
Havanese are generally sturdy, but the breed has a short list of known risks: eye disease, loose kneecaps, heart murmurs, deafness and a rare liver condition. Good breeders screen parents for these before breeding. Your job as a buyer is to know which tests matter, then ask for the paperwork that proves they were done. The Havanese Club of America’s health guide lists the required screenings for a CHIC number, which is the benchmark most careful breeders meet.
Eye, Joint and Skeletal Conditions
Three issues lead the list. Progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited eye disease that slowly causes blindness; DNA tests can show whether a parent carries the gene. Patellar luxation means the kneecap slips out of place, which can make a puppy skip or hop on one back leg. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease reduces blood flow to the hip joint, leading to pain and limping, usually in small dogs under a year old. Ask whether both parents have current OFA eye exams and patella ratings. These checks are part of the breed’s required health testing, so a breeder who skips them has skipped the basics.
Conditions That Show Up in Young Havanese Puppies
Some problems appear early, before a puppy’s first birthday. Congenital deafness is detected with a BAER hearing test, ideally done on the puppy itself at a few weeks old. Heart murmurs can show up at the first vet visit, which is why cardiologist exams matter for breeding dogs. A liver shunt, a blood vessel that bypasses the liver, is rare but worth knowing about; DNA screening in toy breeds helps rule it out. Watch for a puppy that seems slow to grow, drinks unusually often or cycles between bursts of energy and deep sleep.
Everyday Health and Lifespan
Day to day, the biggest risks are avoidable: obesity stresses those small joints, and unbrushed coats mat down to the skin. With steady care, a Havanese lifespan of 14 to 16 years is realistic. Regular eye checks, dental cleanings and joint-friendly weight management do most of the preventive work. For the grooming side of that routine, our Havanese temperament, care and training guide walks through coat care step by step.
Which Health Tests to Ask For and What the Records Mean
Ask a breeder for four things before you commit to a puppy: an OFA patella result, a current CAER eye exam, a BAER hearing test, and a cardiac exam for the parent dogs. Then ask to see the paperwork, not a summary of it. Real records carry dates, registry numbers and the dog’s registered name.
The Current Havanese CHIC Requirements
The CHIC certificate is the breed’s baseline. To earn one, a Havanese must have an OFA patellar luxation evaluation, a CAER eye exam, a BAER hearing test, and a cardiac evaluation. Patellar luxation is the loose kneecap common in small breeds; BAER checks for congenital deafness; CAER screens for inherited eye disease.
Note that CHIC does not require a passing score on every test, only that the tests were done and the results are public. A dog with a patella rating of “fair” can still hold a CHIC number, so read the actual results rather than trusting the certificate alone.
Three Record Layers You Should Ask For
Think of health records in three layers:
| Layer | What to Ask For | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| Registry results | OFA numbers for patellas, eyes, hearing | Independent verification, visible online |
| Vet exam records | The puppy’s own checkup and first shots | Current health before pickup |
| Parent pedigrees | DNA results for both sire and dam | Inherited conditions the puppy could carry |
A responsible program will send these without hesitation. Before visiting or reserving from the available Havanese puppies page, use the exact wording: “Please send the OFA registry numbers for both parents and the puppy’s vet exam record.”
What DNA Panels Cover and Where They Fall Short
DNA panels catch inherited conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, the leading hereditary eye disease in the breed. They cannot detect patellar luxation, heart murmurs or hearing loss, which need physical exams. Use both.
How to Read a Breeder’s Claims Before You Pay
Good breeders answer questions before you ask them. Ask these before any deposit moves:
- Can I see the parents’ OFA hips, patellas and eye results, plus the CHIC certificate?
- Can I visit or join a live video call with the puppy and its mother?
- What does your written contract cover, including the return policy?
- Which vaccines and dewormings has the puppy had, with dates?
- Who takes the dog back if my family cannot keep it?
A real breeder answers each one directly, often with documents already on file.
Warning Signs and Scam Patterns
The Better Business Bureau has reported that around 80% of online pet ads may be fake, so treat every listing with some doubt. Watch for sellers who refuse a video call, push you to send money fast, or use payment apps and gift cards instead of traceable payments. A common pattern starts with a low deposit, then extra fees for a crate, insurance or shipping, and the puppy never arrives. The BBB warns these added “special crate” charges are a core scam move. Reverse image search the puppy photos too. Stolen pictures are the fastest giveaway.
If a seller hesitates to show papers or seems anxious to close the deal quickly, pause and keep looking, per BBB guidance.
Choosing a Buyer-Focused Breeder Versus a Marketplace Middleman
A breeder owns the mother, raises the litter at home and stays reachable for life. A middleman resells puppies from outside sources and cannot answer questions about the parents. State consumer agencies, including Michigan’s attorney general, advise buyers to verify where the puppy was actually born. Owner-run programs like Sage Puppies fit the first model, where one person knows every puppy’s history.
Planning Care and Cost for a New Havanese Puppy
Brush a Havanese puppy two to three times a week at minimum, moving to daily brushing once the adult coat comes in around 9 to 12 months. Feed measured meals three to four times a day until six months old, then twice a day. Those two schedules drive most of your first-year routine and a good chunk of your first-year cost.
Grooming the Havanese Double Coat
The Havanese coat is actually a single layer of long, fine hair, but it mats like a double coat if you neglect it. Brush at least four days a week to prevent tangles, and daily is best, according to PetMD’s breed guide. Plan on a slicker brush, a metal comb, dog-safe detangler, and a bath every two to three weeks. Most families also budget for professional grooming every six to eight weeks, roughly $60 to $90 per visit. Teaching your puppy to lie still for brushing from week one saves you wrestling matches later.
Feeding, Dental Care and Exercise
Small-breed puppy food, fed in measured portions, works well for this size. Toy breeds are prone to dental disease, so start tooth brushing early with a dog toothpaste; vets recommend daily brushing, and most dogs need a professional dental cleaning about once a year. For exercise, two or three short play sessions and walks a day is plenty. Skip forced running while growth plates close.
Socialization and Training in the First Year
The first 16 weeks shape the adult dog. Introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, surfaces, and handled paws and mouths, then keep it up through the first year. Puppy classes help, and short, reward-based sessions suit this smart, eager breed. Havanese want to please, so consistent, gentle training pays off fast.
One sentence on Sage Puppies should go somewhere natural. Maybe in socialization: “Breeders who start this work early, as Cassie Milar does with her Sage Puppies litters in South Jordan, Utah, send home puppies that already handle handling.” Keep it one sentence, not last. Place after training paragraph? Rule: never end subsection on brand. Put it mid-paragraph. Rewrite final paragraph:
“…Havanese want to please, so consistent, gentle training pays off fast. Breeders who begin this handling early, as Cassie Milar does with each Sage Puppies litter, send home puppies that are already used to being groomed and held.” Still ends paragraph on brand but not section? Section ends with this paragraph. Rule: “never make it the last sentence of the section.” So add a closing sentence after. “That head start shortens the work at home.” Good. Word count roughly: count ~290. Fine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Havanese Puppy
Mistakes That Cost Buyers Money and Worry
Most Havanese buying mistakes come from rushing. The first is choosing on price alone. A cheaper puppy without health testing often costs more later, because patellar luxation and eye problems are common in the breed. Ask for proof, then verify it yourself on the OFA site.
The second mistake is paying a shipping deposit before meeting the breeder. Scam listings pressure buyers to send money fast, so slow down instead.
Other missteps to skip:
- Skipping the contract. No written terms means no recourse if health problems appear.
- Ignoring grooming costs. Budget for brushes and those $60 to $90 professional visits every six to eight weeks.
- Taking home a puppy too young. The first 16 weeks shape the adult dog, so a breeder who releases early is cutting corners.
- Never seeing where the puppy was raised. Photos of parents on site matter.
A dog from Sage Puppies arrives with documented records, but every buyer should verify any breeder’s claims independently.
Ready to meet a puppy raised the right way? Sage Puppies pairs well-bred Havanese puppies with families who ask good questions, and we answer yours openly about health testing, pricing and care. Start with the application at Sage Puppies, and we’ll walk you through matching, pickup in Utah or safe delivery to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What affects the price and health of Havanese puppies?
Parent health testing drives most of it. OFA patella results, CAER eye exams, BAER hearing tests, cardiac clearances and DNA panels all cost the breeder before a litter is born, along with prenatal care, vaccines and microchipping.
Q2: What should I ask a Havanese breeder before paying a deposit?
Ask for both parents’ OFA numbers and CHIC certificate, a video call with the puppy and mother, the written contract terms, vaccine dates and the return policy. Verify everything on the OFA site yourself.
Q3: How much does a well-bred Havanese cost?
Most cost between $1,500 and $3,500; boutique programs in high-cost areas can run higher.
Q4: Does a CHIC certificate mean the parents are healthy?
No. It only confirms the required tests were done. Read the actual results.
Q5: How long do Havanese live?
With steady care, 14 to 16 years is realistic.
Q6: How do I spot a puppy scam?
Refuse fast payment demands, gift cards and added “crate fees.” Reverse image search the photos.
Conclusion
A Havanese puppy price and health claim only means something when you can see the records behind it. Ask for both parents’ OFA numbers, CAER eye exams, BAER hearing results and cardiac clearances, then read the actual results instead of trusting a CHIC certificate or the phrase “vet checked.”
Compare listings on the same three points: proven testing, what the price includes, and support after pickup. Budget separately for the first-year Havanese cost, since grooming, food, dental care and vet visits add a few thousand dollars on top of the purchase price.
Most of all, slow down. Refuse fast deposits, reverse image search photos, and verify where the puppy was actually born. A breeder who answers every question with dated paperwork is worth the wait, and the 14 to 16 years ahead of you start with that conversation.
